About Xuewei “Alex” Li | Chronic Pain & Anxiety Therapist | FL & PA
Xuewei "Alex" Li, LMHC (FL) | LPC (PA) | EMDRIA Certified | CIMHP | PRT Trained | 普通话服务 (Mandarin-speaking) She/her/hers
I specialize in helping people whose nervous systems are stuck in protection mode — whether that shows up as chronic pain, persistent tension, or stress-related symptoms.
If your body won't calm down, if your scans don't match your pain, if you've tried everything and you're still stuck — you're in the right place.
I offer sessions in both English and Mandarin (普通话), and see clients throughout Florida and Pennsylvania via telehealth.
I Know What It's Like
In my late 20s, I woke up one morning and couldn't fully straighten my body. There was no fall, no injury, no clear reason. Just pain that wouldn't go away.
What followed was 5 years of searching for answers. I saw 12 types of specialists — physical therapists, orthopedic doctors, neurologists, a pelvic floor specialist, chiropractors, functional medicine providers, and more. I tried PT, injections, medications, acupuncture, fascia release. Some things helped short-term, but I kept flaring every time I tried to progress.
Each specialist addressed their piece, and many of them were excellent at what they did. But the treatments meant to help me were creating new problems — the pain meds caused gut issues including diarrhea, which contributed to pelvic floor problems; the gabapentin caused weight gain; the gut damage led to nutrient malabsorption and hormone imbalances. I spent years and thousands of dollars undoing the damage from the "solutions."
The turning point came when I finally understood: The problem wasn't just my spine or my muscles.
It was my nervous system. It had learned to protect me — and it didn't know how to stop.
Once I started working with my nervous system instead of against it, everything changed. I no longer depend on injections or medications. When I had a flare recently, I was able to calm it down quickly on my own. That's the transformation I want for you.
Your story may look very different than mine — and that’s okay. This work isn’t about having the same experience; it’s about understanding your unique nervous system.
How I Work
I don't just help you manage symptoms. I help you change the pattern.
Most approaches treat pain or anxiety as problems to fix. But when your nervous system is stuck in protection mode, the real issue isn't the pain or the worry — it's that your body doesn't feel safe enough to let go.
My approach combines evidence-based methods that work with your nervous system. Here's a plain-language look at what that means in practice — though we'll always figure out together what's right for you specifically:
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Helps your brain relearn that sensations in your body are safe — not dangerous. This is the primary approach I use for chronic pain, and it has strong research support for people whose pain has a nervous system component.¹
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Processes fear memories, trauma, and stuck patterns that keep your nervous system on high alert. You stay in control throughout — it's not hypnosis, and you won't be re-living anything. I'm trained in both standard EMDR and specialized protocols for chronic pain.²
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Helps you understand and work with your protective patterns — the parts of you that guard, brace, push through, or avoid. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Ego State Therapy, this work recognizes that these parts developed for good reasons, but they may be keeping you stuck. IFS has been recognized as an evidence-based practice by SAMHSA's National Registry, rated "effective" for improving general functioning and well-being, and "promising" for phobias, panic, and generalized anxiety. When these parts feel understood, they can start to let go.
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Addresses the sleep-pain and sleep-anxiety cycles that keep your nervous system dysregulated. CBT-I is recommended as first-line treatment for chronic insomnia by the American College of Physicians.³
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our nervous system doesn't exist in a vacuum. Sleep, nutrition, gut health, and inflammation all affect how your brain processes pain and stress. I'm trained in integrative mental health — which means I can help you understand these connections, identify what might be contributing to your symptoms, and make changes that support your nervous system. I work alongside your medical providers when needed.
I tailor the approach to what you need. Some clients need pain science education and nervous system retraining. Others need to process fear or trauma. Most need a combination. We figure that out together.
How Therapy Is Different With Me?
I focus on the nervous system piece. Many excellent providers address the structural, behavioral, or biochemical aspects of pain and anxiety. I focus specifically on the nervous system — how it processes signals, generates symptoms, and can learn to do things differently. This often complements the work you're doing with other providers.
I work with your nervous system, not against it. Traditional approaches often try to push through pain or power past anxiety. That can backfire when your nervous system is stuck in protection mode. I help you work with your body's signals, not override them.
I help you understand what's happening. You won't just get exercises or coping strategies. You'll understand *why* your body is doing what it's doing — and why that understanding is part of what helps it change.
I've been where you are. I spent years and saw 12 specialists for my own chronic pain. I know what it's like to try everything and still be stuck. I also know what it takes to finally get unstuck. That lived experience shapes how I work with you.
You don't need to know whether we're the perfect fit yet — that's what the consultation call is for.
Related Certifications and Trainings
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M.Phil.Ed in Professional Counseling
M.S.Ed in Counseling and Mental Health Services
— University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of EducationLicensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in PA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Florida
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EMDRIA Certified Therapist
EMDRIA Approved Consultant-in-Training
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Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
Mark Grant EMDR Pain Protocol
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CBT-I Certified (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)
IFS-Informed EMDR
Ego State Therapy for Complex Trauma
Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP)
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English
Mandarin (普通话)
I work with people who are stuck — not broken
Chronic Pain
Back pain, nerve-type pain, pain that persists despite treatment, scans that don't match your symptoms, fear of movement and flare-ups
Who I Work With?
Anxiety & Stress
Persistent worry that won't turn off, body stuck in fight-or-flight, stress-related physical symptoms (IBS, tension headaches, etc.)
Therapy Intensive
For when you're ready to go deeper, faster — addressing trauma and protective patterns in concentrated sessions rather than spreading it out over months
What my clients have in common:
They've often tried many things that haven't fully worked.
They're ready for a different approach.
They want to understand what's actually happening, not just be given another pill or exercise.
You don't need to prepare anything or be sure this is right — it's just a conversation.
Is This Approach Right for You?
This work isn't for everyone — and that's okay. Here's an honest look at when it tends to be a strong match, and when another approach might serve you better.
This Tends to Be a Good Match If:
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Your pain doesn't match your scans, or doctors can't find a clear structural cause
You've tried many treatments and nothing has fully worked — or things helped short-term but you keep flaring
Your pain moves around, changes, or doesn't follow a pattern that makes sense to doctors
You're open to the idea that your nervous system might be part of the pattern
You want to understand what's actually happening in your body, not just be handed another pill or exercise
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You can never fully relax, even when nothing is "wrong"
Your body is stuck in fight-or-flight—racing heart, tight shoulders, restless mind
You have physical symptoms connected to stress (IBS, tension headaches, trouble sleeping)
You've tried meditation or breathing exercises but they don't stick or don't feel like enough
You want to feel actually calm, not just distracted from the anxiety
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You've been in therapy before but still feel stuck on something
You're ready to go deeper and don't want to drag it out over months
There's something you've been avoiding that you're finally ready to face
You want concentrated momentum — not slow, spread-out progress
You have limited time (traveling, busy schedule) but want real results
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You're ready to try a different approach, even if it feels unfamiliar
You're willing to be an active participant—this isn't passive treatment
You want to understand what's happening, not just be told what to do
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You're looking for someone to prescribe medication (I'm a therapist, not a prescriber — though I'm happy to collaborate with your prescriber)
You want traditional talk therapy without a focus on the body or nervous system
You're not open to considering that pain can exist without structural damage
You're seeking treatment for OCD — this requires specialized approaches (like ERP) that aren't my focus
You're currently struggling with active alcohol or drug use—this work tends to go best when there's a stable foundation, which is why I generally work with clients who have been in recovery for at least a year.
You're currently involved in a legal or disability process related to your pain — we'll discuss together whether the timing and approach are right for this work
You're looking for a physical rehab program or exercise prescription — I'm not a PT, though I can work alongside one
You're seeking therapy for a child or teen — I work with adults only
Still Not Sure?
That's okay. The consultation call is free, and part of its purpose is to figure out together whether this is the right fit. No pressure, no commitment—just a conversation.
Little More About Me
I was born and raised in China. My first flight ever was the one that brought me to Philadelphia for my education in mental health. I spent over a decade in Pennsylvania before moving to Florida.
Outside of work, I'm a lifelong mover — weight lifting, martial arts, and ballroom dancing. Ballroom especially has shaped how I think about the body. The connection between movement, emotion, and presence is part of why I'm drawn to somatic work. It's not just something I learned from research — I feel it on the dance floor.
I also have a small zoo at home: a ginger cat, an old dog who's earned her rest, and a sandy blond puppy who hasn't. My turtle is potentially older than me, so I'm not sure I can call him my baby.
I enjoy working with clients who are navigating cultural expectations around achievement, family, and emotional expression — and I offer sessions in Mandarin (普通话) for those who prefer it.
And yes — I've been to therapy myself. Multiple therapists, for different things at different times. It's taught me firsthand that the process can be uncomfortable and disappointing at times. It's also taught me that it's worth it. I believe that doing my own work makes me a better therapist, and I think it's important for you to know that I practice what I recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes — I'm EMDRIA Certified.
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Chronic pain and nervous system dysregulation are my primary specialties. I understand how exhausting it is to be in pain that doesn't show up on a scan — and I've experienced it myself.
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Yes — I offer telehealth sessions in both English and Mandarin (普通话) for clients throughout Florida and Pennsylvania.
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Private pay only — sessions are $200 for 50 minutes. A superbill is provided after each session, which you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many PPO plans cover a meaningful portion. [See the Investment page for a full breakdown and step-by-step guide →]
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It means I look at more than just your thoughts and emotions — I look at the whole picture. Sleep, nutrition, gut health, inflammation, and your nervous system all connect. I'm certified in integrative mental health (CIMHP), which means I'm trained to understand these connections and help you address them. I don't prescribe supplements or replace your doctor, but I can help you understand what might be contributing to your symptoms and coordinate with your other providers.
Ready to Try a Different Approach?
The first step is a conversation. I offer a free 15-minute consultation call to discuss what you're experiencing and whether we're a good fit.
I offer telehealth sessions throughout Florida, including the Orlando and Tampa Bay areas, and across Pennsylvania. Sessions available in Mandarin (普通话).
Online only — currently accepting clients in Florida, Pennsylvania & certain Asian countries.