Yuenshan 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
“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.