Lydia Wang Koerner, AMFT

I support children and families

In addition to my professional role as a therapist, I am a parent who has personally navigated the journey of finding support for my neurodivergent loved ones. This experience gives me a deep sense of empathy and understanding when working with neurodivergent children, teens, and their families. I am deeply committed to supporting children, teens, and families as they learn, heal, and grow.

I have extensive experience helping children and teens address school challenges, navigate peer relationships, resolve family conflicts, and cope with anxiety and depression.

A significant part of my work involves empowering parents to become mentors, emotional coaches, and strong advocates for their families. It’s an honor to walk alongside families as they discover new strengths and connections together.

I work with adults

In addition to my clinical experience, I bring a wealth of professional expertise to my work with transitional-aged youth and adults, regardless of neurodivergency or neurotypicality. Before entering the field of mental health, I held a leadership role in healthcare, where I found success in coaching teams and fostering growth. Transitioning from the corporate world to the therapy room, I bring the same heartfelt dedication to supporting the well being, growth, and happiness of others.

With my unique perspective on the dual pressures of advancing a career while managing the demands of family life, I am here to offer compassionate mental health support to help you navigate life’s challenges and thrive.

My therapeutic approach

My vision for therapy is to create a warm, supportive space where neurodivergent individuals feel truly understood and empowered. I want to help them thrive by honoring their unique challenges and celebrating their strengths every step of the way. I take an integrative approach, blending therapeutic techniques to provide personalized, flexible support that meets each individual’s unique needs. I view neurodiversity as a neurobiological asset that influences how my clients engage with daily life and manage executive functioning. In a safe, supportive space, I help them process thoughts and emotions, feel more at ease, and find peace in themselves and their relationships. Over time, they learn to navigate the neurotypical world with their neurodivergent minds, much like plants thriving in a botanical garden—each beautifully unique.

In my work with neurodivergent children, I begin by first understanding the meaning behind their behavior, as it’s often their way of communicating. I help them become more aware of their experiences, which leads to better self-understanding. With this insight, they can navigate challenges and learn to advocate for themselves. We also work on overcoming barriers like anxiety or oversensitivity, which can affect skills like organization and emotional regulation, so they can grow in these areas and thrive.

I work collaboratively with parents, understanding that connecting with neurodivergent children can be challenging for neurotypical parents. It’s similar to learning a new language or culture. To provide the best support, we need ongoing conversations at different stages sometimes throughout a child’s lifespan—to ensure we’re meeting their needs and getting it right. Inspired by my own neurodivergent child, I continuously seek new ways to understand their mind and foster meaningful connections with our children.

My approach is characterized by the following:

• Relationally based
• Client-Oriented
• Differences respected
• Strength-based
• Balance acceptance and change
• Combine Western and Eastern perspectives
• Practice Play/Talk Therapy in English and Mandarin Chinese

I am an advocate

I’m passionate about advocating for mental health beyond the therapy room. As a long- term volunteer with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), I have gained extensive experience supporting families facing mental health challenges, particularly Asian immigrant families.

I am a local resident

I am a Lafayette resident, and I love starting my day with a walk on the Lamorinda trail with my small dog before heading to the office in the afternoon. I offer both in-person and virtual sessions Sunday through Wednesday. My personal experiences inspired me to pursue this field, and I am deeply committed to serving the community where I live with my family.

My clinical qualifications

I earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute. I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #136530), and am working towards completing my hours to become licensed as an LMFT. I am currently being supervised by TheraThrive’s Clinical Director, Katie Malone, LMFT, LPCC.