Meet Chenglu

Chenglu Ding, M.S.Ed., M.Phil.Ed.

“Reaching out for help can feel intimidating. I am glad that you are taking this step to seek out support and take care of yourself.”

Creating a space for open expression is fundamental to healing. In therapy, I aim to foster a warm and non-judgmental atmosphere for you to freely share. This is an opportunity to explore your challenges, connect with your feelings, process your trauma, and build meaningful connections. 

I am passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families to address struggles such as depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem, stress management, and cross-cultural issues. Using a trauma-informed approach, I strive to create a safe and collaborative environment, with the understanding of how trauma can underlie various mental health issues. By exploring the root causes of symptoms, we work towards a more comprehensive and lasting healing.

My approach is integrative, engaging individuals to learn adaptive coping strategies and embrace the best version of themselves. My theoretical orientation is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I'm passionate about exploring the impact of thoughts on emotions and behaviors, challenging negative self-talk, and cultivating skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.

On this personal journey, we will gain insights into your strengths and explore ways to overcome your challenges. I would be honored to help you navigate in the direction of your values and goals.

Who I work with:

I work with adults, children, couples, and families who are dealing with depression, anxiety, complex trauma, and life transitions. I am also dedicated to assisting immigrants and international students in navigating adjustments to American culture. I look forward to the opportunity to support you on your journey of healing, change, and growth.

Take your first step towards change

You can make an appointment with me by using our online portal at any time or by emailing info@abetterlifetherapy.com. Our team will be happy to support you in finding an appointment time that works for you!

I provide appointments at our Center City office, along with the option for online sessions.

My rate per 50-minute session is $140

Check your insurance

I work with Mentaya, a platform that helps clients get money back on out-of-network therapy sessions. If you have out-of-network benefits, Mentaya will file claims and handle the insurance paperwork to make sure you get reimbursed. They charge a 5% fee per claim and you can use the tool below to check your insurance benefits.

Languages spoken:

English

Chinese

Mandarin

I work with..

Adult Individuals

Children

Families

Couples

Specializations:

Depression

Anxiety

Trauma

Life Transitions

Relationships

training & Education:

University of Pennsylvania

M.Phil.Ed. Professional Counseling

M.S.Ed. Counseling and Mental Health Services

Certifications:

Prepare/Enrich Premarital Counseling

Trained in…

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Level 1 Gottman Method Therapy Training

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

For more information e-mail info@abetterlifetherapy.com.