Meet Miao Li, Ph.D. | Licensed Psychologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Miao Li, Ph.D. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miao, how do you think about risk?
I have always been a risk averse individual. I don’t like risk and tries to minimize risk at all times. Therefore, it often takes a while for me to make decisions. However, I took some big risks in the process of building my career.

It was not easy to study in the field of psychology and become a psychologist. Growing up in China and Japan, psychotherapy is not well-known and there are a lot of stigma related to mental health issues. I did not know much about how I can become a therapist. I just knew I am very interested in the field and wants to find a path to work in the field. I just kept going. Coming to the U.S. for graduate school was a stressful process and I didn’t know if I would make it. However, I took the risk to pursue my dream.

Starting my solo practice was another big risk I took in my career. I knew I wanted to build a private practice so I can serve a broad range of population and pursue my niche in couples therapy further. However, it was scary to leave the stable position at a university counseling center. I had to take a leap of faith to switch to full-time private practice. It took a while for me to reach the decision but I am so glad I took the risk.

I won’t be where I am in my career and in life if I did not take those risks. I am so glad I believed in myself and accepted the uncertainty.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I I am Dr. Miao Li, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and coach based out of Southern California. I own a private practice which I provide individual therapy, couples therapy and coaching services. My passion is to help individuals from diverse cultural background to cope with challenges related to mental health issues, improve their relationships with others and live the full potential of their lives. Growing up in different countries, I have always been fascinated with the impact of culture on one’s identity development. I am multilingual and speak three languages fluently: Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and English. I have over 10 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and groups. My approach in therapy is compassionate and collaborative. I tailor each treatment to my client’s unique life situation and individual needs. My training in counseling psychology has also provided extensive experience in career counseling and developmental issues for various age groups. I

I am very proud of the solo practice I have established which has enabled me to work with a broad range of the population I am passionate to sever. I specialize in working with Asian/Asian American population and individuals/couples with international background. It took a while for me to gradually build up my practice. I started with seeing a couple of clients during weekend while working a full-time job at a university counseling center. This process was not easy and I had two jobs to juggle with for a while on top of growing a family. It was many hours of hard work at night and weekends. I had to build one thing a time in order to grow my practice slowly but steadily. I finally got to the place I could switch to full-time private practice last year and took the leap of faith. I really learned through this process to not give up on your dream and take risk even when it felt scary. I also learned to trust myself and focus on what I am truly passionate about. I feel the result will come naturally when you are doing what you love and work hard to constantly growing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Claremont has been my stomping ground for last few years I would certainly take my best friend to go there for the first day. We would start the morning with coffee and pastries at Creme in the Claremont Village. The air smelled of fresh bread, and we sat outside under the shade of old trees, watching cyclists and students stroll by. The village always feel like stepping into a storybook—brick-lined sidewalks, little boutiques, and flower pots spilling over with color. We’ll go shopping and walk around to check out all the cute stores. We’ll also spend some time walking around the campus of the Claremont Colleges. My favorite is the Scripps College which has Spanish style buildings and beautiful gardens. We’ll end up going to a place in the village for dinner since there are so many choice for food and beverages.
For the second day, we would start the morning with coffee and a buttery croissant at République on La Brea (because nothing sets the tone like good pastries in a cathedral-style space). Then we drove up the hill to the Getty Center. The tram ride up felt like an ascent into another world — clean air, gleaming architecture, and those sweeping views of the city all the way to the Pacific. We then enjoyed the world of art for a day: modern, impressionist, medieval, Greek, Fine China etc. The art pieces there are from all different era and different parts of world. Lunch was simple: salads and flatbreads at the Getty café — light enough to keep us moving.
We traded city buzz for pure serenity on Day 3 At the Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens, we meandered through the Japanese garden, lingered in the desert garden among spiky succulents, and ended up in the rose garden where the air smelled like summer. We grabbed tea at the Rose Garden Tea Room, which felt like stepping into a period drama — scones, little sandwiches, porcelain cups, and sunlight filtering through old windows.
For something moodier, I took them up to Griffith Observatory around late afternoon the next day. We parked lower on the hill, hiked a little (with the Hollywood sign peeking at us), and arrived just in time to watch the sky shift from pink to deep indigo. We explored the planetarium show (a must), then leaned against the rail outside with the sparkling sprawl of LA beneath us. Dinner afterward was at Messhall Kitchen nearby — hearty but unfussy comfort food with cocktails that felt well-earned after the climb.
Of course, some days are just for play. Universal Studios Hollywood was our theme park day. We screamed on the Harry Potter rides, geeked out over the Studio Tour, and took silly photos in Springfield. Lunch was theme-park style (Butterbeer + fish and chips in Hogsmeade), and by the time we were done, we didn’t even need dinner — just ice cream at Salt & Straw in the Arts District, a little off the beaten path.
To close the trip, we spent a slow morning at the LA Zoo. Giraffes, elephants, and the goofy flamingos had us laughing, but it was really about strolling together, letting conversation meander. Afterward, I suggested we unwind with tacos and aguas frescas at Guisados in Echo Park — messy, flavorful, perfect. We walked over to the lake, sat by the water with the skyline in the distance, and just let the day fade.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents are the people I want to shout out to the most. They have always been so supportive and loving throughout my life. I would not have become who I am without their dedication and care. They are both incredibly hard working and ambitious. They showed me that you can be anything if you really work hard and do your best. They both started their life as immigrants in a foreign country in their thirties. They also supported me to explore and pursue the long path of becoming a licensed psychologist in the U.S. even though they had worries and concerns. I have always looked up to them and know they will always be there for me. I appreciate so much their love and encouragement.

I do want to also shoutout to my incredible mentors who led me in the path of becoming a therapist. I have been so lucky to have those amazing women who were role models to me and held my hands during the most difficult time in life. They showed me how a great therapist can work effectively with their clients with compassion and warmth, even when challenging them. I want to express my gratitude to my mentors who shaped who I am as a a therapist and a professional.

Website: https://www.miaoliphd.com/