At a glance
Best fit for: Older teens and young adults, people experiencing anxiety or depression, and those navigating major life transitions, grief and loss, identity shifts, significant life events, and cultural adaptation. I’m especially passionate about supporting people who are finding their footing during periods of change, uncertainty, or transition.
Approaches: Integrative, with a foundation in psychodynamic and existential perspectives. I also draw from person-centered, somatic, mindfulness-based, and other experiential approaches depending on what fits the client and the moment.
Who Am I?
Hiii! I’m Sisheng Gan (he/him). I also go by Kevin.
Starting therapy can sometimes feel intimidating. Opening up to someone new isn’t always easy, and you may not know exactly what to say, where to start, or even what you want from therapy yet. That’s okay!
I hope to create a space where you don’t have to perform or have everything figured out. Instead, we can slow down together and approach what you’re experiencing with curiosity and compassion. I’m interested in getting to know you as a whole person—not only what you’re struggling with, but also your relationships, culture, history, and the experiences that have shaped how you understand yourself and the world around you.
I’m particularly passionate about working with older teens and young adults, as well as people moving through periods of transition. Sometimes that transition is expected, like starting college, entering adulthood, beginning a career, moving somewhere new, or taking on a different role in life. Other times, change arrives through loss, the end of a relationship, cultural adaptation, or an experience we never asked for. Whatever brings you here, we can make room to understand what this moment means for you.
I specialize in working with:
- Older teens and young adults navigating the transition into adulthood
- People experiencing anxiety, depression, self-doubt, or feeling stuck
- People moving through major life changes or significant life events
- People experiencing grief and loss, including the many forms of loss that aren’t always recognized by others
- Mandarin-speaking clients who may find it difficult to fully express themselves in English, or simply feel more comfortable talking about certain experiences and emotions in Mandarin
- People exploring identity, relationships, family dynamics, and boundaries
- Immigrants, international students, and others navigating cultural adaptation, belonging, or life between different cultures
- People who want to understand recurring patterns in their lives and relationships
- Anyone looking for a space to slow down and approach themselves with more curiosity and compassion
How I help
I don’t think people are puzzles to be solved. I think they’re stories waiting to be understood.
My approach to therapy is integrative, but I’m especially influenced by psychodynamic and existential perspectives. In practice, that means I’m interested in both how you came to be where you are and where you want to go from here.
We may explore earlier experiences and relationships, notice patterns that continue to show up in your life, or become curious about feelings that are difficult to understand or put into words. We may also sit with bigger questions around identity, relationships, loss, meaning, choice, uncertainty, and what you want your life to look like.
I also believe our struggles don’t happen in isolation. Our families, relationships, cultures, communities, and experiences all shape how we learn to understand ourselves and move through the world. Sometimes something that seems confusing about ourselves begins to make much more sense once we understand the context in which it developed.
At the same time, therapy doesn’t always have to stay in our heads. Depending on what feels helpful to you, I may incorporate somatic awareness, mindfulness, grounding, or other practical and experiential tools into our work.
There isn’t one approach that works for everyone. We’ll figure out together what feels meaningful and useful for you.
What a session with me is like
You don’t need to come into therapy knowing exactly what you want to talk about.
Especially in our first few sessions, I want to take time to get to know you and understand what brought you here. We can move at a pace that feels comfortable rather than rushing toward a solution. Sometimes we may spend time exploring something from your past. Other times, what happened yesterday may be the most important thing in the room.
My style is warm, curious, and collaborative. I’ll listen, ask questions, reflect things I notice, and sometimes gently challenge you when I think there may be something worth looking at together. There may also be moments when neither of us immediately has an answer—and I think those moments can be meaningful too.
Therapy can also include laughter. Our conversations may be deep and emotional, but they don’t have to feel heavy every minute.
And since I provide therapy in both Mandarin and English, I’ve learned that humor doesn’t always translate perfectly between languages. If one of my jokes doesn’t land, I hope you’ll give me another chance.
What I believe
I believe curiosity can be more helpful than judgment.
Instead of only asking, “What is wrong with me?” therapy can give us room to ask different questions: “Where did this come from?” “Why might this make sense for me?” “What has shaped the way I see myself?” and eventually, “What do I want now?”
I don’t believe therapy is about me having all the answers. I believe it’s about creating a relationship where we can slow down, become curious about your story, and discover something new together.
A little more about me
I grew up in China and later came to the United States as an international student. Living across languages and cultures has shaped the way I think about identity, belonging, relationships, change, and the different expectations we carry with us.
Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy basketball, working out, traveling, trying different food, and playing video games. I’m naturally curious, and I genuinely enjoy learning about people, cultures, and the different ways we make sense of our lives.
And yes, I speak both Mandarin and English. Whether we use one language, the other, or occasionally find that one language captures something better than the other, you’re welcome to communicate in the way that feels most natural to you.
A few common questions
Are you accepting new clients?
Yes.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes. I offer virtual sessions across Illinois as well as in-person sessions at the Sauganash office.
What do you help with most?
I have over a year of experience working with a diverse population of college students navigating a wide range of life experiences and challenges. I often work with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationships, identity, cultural adaptation, and major life transitions. I’m particularly passionate about working with older teens and young adults, as well as supporting people as they find their footing during periods of change, uncertainty, and growth.
What insurance do you take?
BCBS PPO.
- AetnaBCBS PPONorthshoreOptum/United
