Gestalt & experiential
Working with what's present in the room to build awareness, integrate emotion, and move from insight into real change.
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Hua (Elena) Zhong, LMFT
“Step into a space of healing and growth — I am here to help you.”
Marriage & Family Therapist supporting high-tech immigrant families, teens, and adults — in San Jose and online.
- Works with Teens · Adults · Couples · Families
- Sessions In-person & secure video
- Languages English · 中文 (Mandarin)
Hua (Elena) Zhong, LMFT
8+ yearsIn practice
MA, 2020Counseling Psych, JFK University
BilingualEnglish & Mandarin
TelehealthSecure video across California
About
A former engineer who now helps families reconnect
Before becoming a therapist, Elena was a software engineer in China. That path gives her a rare, first-hand understanding of the pressures inside high-tech immigrant households — the long hours, the cultural distance between generations, and the quiet weight of expectation that so many families carry.
Today she works primarily with adolescents and families navigating school refusal, motivation struggles, and emotional challenges, as well as adults and couples seeking steadier ground. Her mission is simple: to enhance lives through self-awareness and meaningful connection — helping each person feel understood in their own language and their own story.
Sessions are a collaborative, judgment-free space. Whether you come in feeling anxious, stuck, or simply worn down, Elena meets you where you are and works alongside you toward growth. 欢迎你 — you are welcome here.
Specialties
Areas of focus
Top areas of focus, alongside a broad range of concerns supported in therapy.
- Family conflict
- Anxiety
- Depression
- School refusal & school issues
- Adolescent & teen support
- Immigrant family dynamics
- Relationship issues
- Trauma & PTSD
- Grief & loss
- Stress & burnout
- Self-esteem
- Anger management
- Codependency
- Divorce & infidelity
- OCD
- Internet addiction
- Sleep & insomnia
- Self-harm & suicidal ideation
- Domestic violence
If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) right away.
Approach
How we'll work together
Elena draws on several evidence-based and experiential methods, tailored to what each client needs.
Client-centered
A warm, non-judgmental partnership where your goals, pace, and values lead the work.
Trauma-focused CBT
Structured, skills-based tools to process difficult experiences and quiet anxious, intrusive thoughts.
Mindfulness & somatic
Grounding and body-aware practices to calm the nervous system and stay steady under stress.
Family & systems
Looking at the whole system — parents, teens, and couples — to ease conflict and rebuild connection.
Culturally sensitive
Care that honors your background and immigrant experience, offered in English or Mandarin.
The practical details
Fees, format & location
Session fee
$160 / session
Individual or couples sessions. A sliding scale is available — please ask.
Insurance
Sessions can be booked and billed through Headway, which verifies your benefits up front. Please confirm your specific plan before your first visit.
Format
In-person in San Jose, or secure video telehealth anywhere in California. Individuals, couples, teens, and families welcome.
FAQ
Common questions
Do you speak Mandarin?
Yes. Elena offers therapy in both English and Mandarin (中文), and has particular experience supporting Chinese and high-tech immigrant families.
Who do you work with?
Teens and adults — as individuals, couples, and families. She works especially often with adolescents and parents around school refusal, motivation, and emotional challenges.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes. Secure video appointments are available across California, alongside in-person visits at the San Jose office.
What does it cost?
$160 per session, with a sliding scale available. Sessions may also be booked through Headway using your insurance benefits.
How do I get started?
Use the button below to book through Headway, or call (408) 351-8432 to ask a question or find a time.
Ready to take the first step?
Reaching out is often the hardest part. When you're ready, Elena is here to help — in English or Mandarin.