Maybe you can talk to me
My name is Aoxuan Cao, LCSW & LMSW. You can call me Jessica—that’s the name I’ve carried since I began navigating between languages and cultures. I provide therapy in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago.
In the award-winning show Beef, a character cries, “Western therapy doesn’t work on Eastern minds.” Whether you agree or not, I hear the lonely, melancholic truth behind those words. I know what it’s like to live in a Western world with an Eastern mind. For many years, I’ve been the only East Asian face in the room. I came to the U.S. from China as an international student. While studying for my MA in Health Communication at Indiana University, I was the only East Asian consultant at the Speaker’s Lab and University Writing Center. Later, I was the only East Asian social worker at the University of Michigan’s Counseling Center.
I understand the dissonance and complexity that can come with cultural identity. I specialize in working with international individuals, immigrants, and pan-Asian communities—from those newly arrived to those raised in multigenerational immigrant families. While I specialize in supporting Asian and immigrant communities, I welcome clients from all backgrounds who are navigating identity, transition, or a longing to feel more at home in themselves.
At different life stages, we may begin to question who we are—our sexuality, our spirituality, our roles in family and society. I work with clients navigating sexual health, trauma, spiritual concerns, and major life transitions. Together, we create a space where your identity, voice, and inner wisdom are honored.
Before becoming a therapist, I studied philosophy, communication, and journalism, and worked in copywriting and medical interpretation. My clinical background spans community mental health, university counseling, and group practice. I stay connected to supervision, mentorship, peer consultation, and coaching to support my ongoing growth—so I can better support you.
OverStream Therapy, PLLC
multicultural therapy
