About Dr. Nancy Cha
I am a licensed psychologist providing insight-oriented psychotherapy for adults and couples who value depth, reflection, and meaningful change. My work focuses on identifying long-standing emotional and relational patterns, increasing awareness of unconscious habits and defenses, and examining how these dynamics shape current experience. Therapy is collaborative, thoughtful, and well-suited for individuals interested in longer-term work rather than short-term or skills-based treatment.
I often work with professionals navigating anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, and significant life transitions. Many of my clients are not in acute crisis, but feel constrained by emotional over-control, difficulty with vulnerability, or a sense of disconnection despite external success. Our work aims to support greater emotional flexibility, more authentic connection, and increased freedom in how one relates to self and others.
I have specialized training in working with mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related concerns, shame, and issues of cultural and racial identity. With couples, I help partners move from distress toward emotional safety, trust, and closeness.
I welcome the integration of cultural background, racial and sexual identity, and questions of faith or spirituality into psychotherapy, when relevant. I am licensed in California, Hawaii and New York and offer telehealth services. Please reach out to schedule a brief consultation to determine whether working together is a good fit.
Issues I Work With:
Relationship and attachment patterns
Anxiety rooted in internal conflict or emotional over-control
Professional burnout and identity strain
Grief, loss, and life transitions
Shame and self-critical patterns
Trauma and its impact on adult functioning
Couples experiencing distress or emotional disconnection
Experience and Education Highlights
B.A. in Secondary Education and Political Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
M.A in Counseling and College Student Personnel Services, University of Maryland, College Park
Ph.D in Counseling Psychology, Columbia University
Pre-doctoral internship, VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System, Honolulu
Staff Psychologist, National Center for PTSD, Pacific Islands
Psychologist, Paradigm Hawaii Counseling, LLC
Staff Psychologist, VA San Diego Healthcare System
Licensed as Psychologist, Hawaii Board of Psychology (PSY-1376)
Licensed as Psychologist, California Board of Psychology (32982)
Licensed as a Psychologist, The State of New York Education Department, Office of the Professions (026263-01)