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Manna Chan, LCSW-R, SEP

Manna Chan is a licensed psychotherapist and the Founder and Executive Clinical Director of the Alcyon Institute. With roots in Hong Kong and a deeply bicultural perspective, Manna brings a global, empathetic lens to her clinical practice.

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Clinical Leadership & Impact

Throughout my career, I have been driven by a commitment to helping individuals navigate their most challenging moments. This dedication led me to work with 9/11 survivors, an experience that underscored the resilience of the human spirit in the face of immense tragedy. I saw firsthand how traditional therapy models were often stretched to their limits during widespread crises.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I stepped into a leadership role at a clinical startup, serving as Senior Clinical Director at Valera Health. While this allowed me to scale impact, I eventually realized that my true calling remained in the intimate, transformative space of direct client work. I saw a specific gap in how body-based trauma and chronic illness were being addressed in fast-paced environments, which ultimately became the catalyst for the founding of Alcyon.

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The Roots of My Journey

I arrived in the United States as an international student to fulfill a dream of higher education. Growing up in Hong Kong during the twilight of British rule, I experienced the psychological impact of a rigid class system just a short boat ride away from China’s Cultural Revolution. My father survived starvation and the Cultural Revolution, carrying deep, unprocessed trauma. Unsurprisingly, for much of my early life, I carried that inherited pain. It wasn’t until later, through my clinical work, that I truly understood how trauma lives in the body across generations.

Like many others, I learned how to be hyper-vigilant and high-functioning, prioritizing everyone else while losing touch with my own needs. I was entirely unaware that I had gone through school and half a career with a degree of congenital hearing loss. Discovering a disability I didn't know I had—much like discovering trauma you didn't know you carried—gave me sudden clarity to reevaluate my entire life story. These personal revelations profoundly inform my practice every day.

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Founding Alcyon

Alcyon was born out of a desire to create a sanctuary where healing is both evidence-based and deeply human. My philosophy centers on the belief that personal healing and self-actualization are achievable for everyone, regardless of the complexity of their history. By integrating somatic awareness with traditional clinical expertise, I help clients navigate chronic illness, life transitions, and the echoes of inherited trauma.

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Trainings and Workshops

One of my core passions is providing mentorship to newly emerging social workers and therapists. I find it deeply rewarding to pass on my knowledge and experience, supporting their growth into skilled professional clinicians. Throughout my career, I have been invited to conduct trainings and workshops for aspiring clinicians and leadership teams overseas and locally, sharing insights on clinical excellence and compassionate leadership.

Honors & Awards

My contributions to clinical excellence have been recognized with several prestigious honors, including:

NASW-NYC Exemplary Mid-Career Social Work Leader
Community Impact and Innovation Award from the Susan G. Komen Foundation
Robinhood Foundation Grantee

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“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”
Carl Jung

How I Work

My approach remains the same whether I’m mentoring clinicians or working with individuals: collaborative, evidence-based, and deeply human. I begin with a thorough assessment of your goals and challenges, followed by a customized roadmap for sustainable change. By integrating somatic awareness with traditional clinical expertise, I provide a non-judgmental space where you can move beyond survival and toward true self-actualization. I work at your pace, ensuring every step is grounded in physiological safety and mental clarity.

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