Elaine Sun

I provide therapy for adolescents and adults coping with anxiety, depression, life transitions, health-related challenges, and complex mental health challenges. Many of the people I work with are navigating moments when life feels uncertain — a medical diagnosis, a major career change, or a season when the path forward is unclear. My goal is to help you reconnect with your own strengths, find clarity, and move toward a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.

I am a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology PhD program at the University of Houston. My clinical training includes providing psychotherapy at the Coping Resource Center and The Mendcenter, as well as conducting psychological assessment at Applied Psychological Services. I have worked with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, adjustment difficulties, and health-related concerns. Before pursuing psychology, I spent several years working in a corporate setting. Following my own career transition after a medical condition, I gained a deep, personal understanding of the uncertainty and self-doubt that can accompany major life changes — an experience that continues to shape how I show up for clients navigating questions of identity, purpose, and growth.

At the Coping Resource Center, I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic therapy to create a treatment approach tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals. I believe lasting change happens when clients both understand themselves more deeply and develop concrete, practical tools for navigating life’s challenges. I am committed to offering a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where you feel genuinely heard and supported.

In addition to individual therapy, I facilitate two of our specialty programs:

CBT for Chronic Pain Program: A structured, evidence-based program helping clients reduce the impact of chronic pain on daily life, improve functioning, and reconnect with the activities and relationships that matter most.

CBT-I Program for Insomnia: Delivering gold-standard, non-medication treatment for insomnia — helping clients restore healthy, restorative sleep and improve overall well-being.

My background working with individuals facing medical conditions and major life transitions makes me especially well-suited to support clients who feel like they are starting over, or who are trying to find their footing after life has taken an unexpected turn.

In our first session, we will take time to get to know each other, explore what brought you to therapy, and begin identifying your goals. Sessions typically begin weekly and may gradually become less frequent as you build confidence and skills — with the ultimate aim being that you feel equipped to handle life’s challenges independently.

If you are ready to take that first step, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit. I would love to support you.