Welcome
Offering in-person therapy in Pasadena or online sessions
Sharon Chen, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Pasadena, CA. Dr. Chen offers consultation and psychotherapy for adults and children facing a wide variety of emotional and behavioral challenges. She is dedicated to improving lives and creating a safe environment for individuals and families to address their personal difficulties.
Dr. Chen has over fifteen years of experience working in private practice, community clinics, school-based mental health, and healthcare settings.
Depression & Anxiety, Women’s Issues, Life Transitions,
Relationship Problems, Loss & Grief, Parenting,
Asian American Psychology, Counseling for College and Graduate Students
Education & Background
Dr. Chen graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with Departmental Honors. She was elected to the Golden Key and National Scholars Honor Society, minored in Asian American Studies, and completed a specialization in Education. While at UCLA, she conducted research on married couples, served multiple terms as the clinical director of the UCLA Peer Helpline, and received the Chancellor’s Humanitarian Service Award.
She earned a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology-LA. Dr. Chen completed her practicum at Project Sister, where she provided individual and group psychotherapy to women and children who had experienced sexual trauma and abuse. This training inspired her doctoral project, which focused on creating a workshop for professionals working with traumatized children. Her project was presented as a poster at the American Psychological Association’s conference, where she received a Travel Award for her presentation.
Dr. Chen completed her psychological internships at Hillsides Family Center and Airport Marina Counseling Center, providing outpatient and school-based psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults. In addition to her internships, she worked as a psychological assistant in private practice for three years.
She completed a two-year postdoctoral training program at the Reiss-Davis Child Study Center, where she received intensive psychodynamically oriented training and supervision in working with children and families. She then continued her work at Reiss-Davis as a consultant for an additional year.
Dr. Chen has been a licensed clinician since 2008, providing support to clients in various settings. In addition to her private practice, she has worked as a staff psychologist in a medical group, assisting adults and older adults in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She has also coordinated mental health services for a private college and served as an adjunct psychology faculty member. Additionally, Dr. Chen has been a Board Member of the San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association.
Meet Dr. Chen
What should someone know about working with you?
When you work with me, you can expect a collaborative and supportive environment. My intake process begins with a comprehensive assessment where we discuss your history, current concerns, and goals. The initial sessions are crucial for building rapport and understanding your unique context. Progress in therapy looks different for everyone, and I emphasize open dialogue about what is helpful and not helpful in our work together. This way, we can adapt our approach to meet your individual needs. Many clients find that progress includes increased self-awareness, improved coping strategies, enhanced emotional regulation, and decreased symptoms. I particularly enjoy working with individuals during times of life transition who need extra support. Additionally, my doctoral studies focused on multicultural communities, allowing me to better understand and serve clients from diverse backgrounds.
With over 15 years of experience in a variety of settings—including community mental health centers, schools, universities, medical facilities, and private practice—I have had the privilege of witnessing how individuals can significantly benefit from finding the right professional help. These diverse experiences have shaped my approach, emphasizing empathy, active listening, and insight-oriented interventions.
How do you continue learning and building new skills?
To continue learning and building my competencies as a provider, I have always valued ongoing education and consultation. This commitment led me to seek a two-year postdoctoral program where I deepened my knowledge and skills in working with children and families. I regularly participate in continuing education courses and training that focus on insight-oriented psychodynamic interventions and multicultural competency, as well as the latest developments in mental health care. I am particularly interested in working with loss and grief and have been trained to offer spiritual care, which I believe can be a vital component of healing. Additionally, I am in ongoing consultation groups with other mental health professionals, which allows me to exchange insights and experiences, enhancing my understanding and skills. I am committed to staying informed about developments in the field to provide the best possible care to my clients.
Depression & Anxiety
Women’s Issues
