LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Laura Bai, LMFT
LMFT #126650 • OAKLAND, CA
I specialize in helping Asian Americans heal from intergenerational trauma and find their way to more authentic, connected lives, through body-centered therapy that honors both where you come from and who you are becoming.
15+
YEARS OF HEALING PRACTICE
3
SPECIALIZED MODALITIES
CA
IN-PERSON OAKLAND • ONLINE STATEWIDE
A LEAP OF FAITH
Breaking the cycle
That journey led me to recognize the patterns of unresolved complex trauma spanning generations in my family. I am still on that path, and I believe it is the most important work I can do for myself, my family, my community, and my ancestors.
My personal healing was so powerful that I took a leap of faith in redirecting my call to serve. I completed my MA in Somatic Psychology at the California Institute for Integral Studies and clinical training at the Center for Somatic Psychotherapy. Today I am grateful to facilitate others' healing through the practice of somatic therapy.
MY STORY
From Beijing to Oakland
I was born in Beijing and immigrated to the United States at age eight. From a young age I felt called to serve those in need, which led me first to nonprofit management and leadership. I worked in settings ranging from a fast-paced San Francisco consulting firm to rural village schools in southwestern China.
Though I was outwardly successful, I constantly felt overwhelmed and burned out. I felt disconnected from myself and in my relationships. My entry into vipassana (mindfulness) meditation, together with my long-time passion for dance and martial arts, awakened a personal journey of healing and liberation.
“
To be a warrior is to learn to be genuine in every moment of your life.
CHOGYAM TRUNGPA
My practice draws from several evidence-based modalities, woven together to meet each person where they are. The combination we use depends on what you bring and what feels most useful.
How I Work
MY APPROACH
Body-centered work that helps you tune into physical sensations, nervous system responses, and the patterns your body has been holding long before you had words for them.
A specialized form of EMDR that addresses relational wounds and intergenerational trauma through bilateral stimulation and a strong therapeutic relationship.
Rooted in Internal Family Systems therapy, this approach helps you get to know the different parts of your internal world, including the ones that have been working hardest to protect you.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
A framework for understanding and reshaping emotional responses in relationships, particularly helpful for couples navigating cultural expectations alongside intimacy and attachment.
Support for partners working through relational patterns, cultural differences, and the ongoing challenge of being fully present with another person.
Addressing the generational patterns and communication gaps that shape how families function, with particular attention to immigrant and bicultural family experience.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Background
LICENSURE
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
California LMFT #126650
Valid through June 2027
GRADUATE EDUCATION - 2018
MA in Somatic Psychology
California Institute of Integral Studies
CLINICAL TRAINING - 2017 TO 2018
Associateship
Center for Somatic Psychotherapy
EMDR TRAINING - 2022
Attachment-Focused EMDR Training
Parnell Institute
EFT TRAINING - 2023
Emotionally Focused Therapy Training (Couples)
ICEEFT
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP SINCE 2021
WHO I WORK WITH
You might be ready for this work if…
My practice is focused on Asian American adults, particularly 1.5 and second generation immigrants navigating the complexity of building their own lives while carrying the weight of their family's history.
I see individuals, couples, and families, in person in Oakland and online throughout California.
Asian American adults
1.5 & 2nd generation
Intergenerational trauma
Perfectionism & burnout
Cultural identity
Families
High-achieving professionals
Anxiety & depression
Emotional disconnection
Tried talk therapy before
Couples
Online statewide CA
Located on Santa Clara Avenue in Oakland, CA, Laura Bai Therapy specializes in somatic and trauma-informed care for the Asian American community. The practice addresses specific challenges such as intergenerational trauma, perfectionism, and codependency through modalities including Parts Work and Attachment-Focused EMDR.
With a background shaped by her own immigration journey, Laura offers a culturally attuned environment where adults and couples can process their pasts and cultivate healthier, more balanced futures.
Dr. Rupi Legha, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Antiracist Physician
ANTIRACISTMD.COM
I've had the pleasure of working with Laura Bai, LMFT, and regularly refer clients to her because she is truly an exceptional therapist. Laura brings deep skill and insight to individual therapy, family therapy, and parent training, and she does so with warmth, cultural humility, and a sharp understanding of family dynamics.
She's especially gifted at working with people of all ages and backgrounds, and she supports both parents and children with compassion and clarity. As a colleague, I've also seen how seamlessly Laura integrates into care teams, collaborating with other providers in a way that centers the client and promotes healing. If you're looking for a thoughtful, experienced therapist in Oakland, I can't recommend Laura highly enough.
IN MY WORDS
Writing & Published Profiles
I write about the patterns I see in my practice, the intersection of cultural identity and healing, and what body-centered therapy can offer when other approaches have fallen short. You can read my Psychology Today profile and other writing samples at the links here.
GET STARTED
Let's embark on this journey together
The first step is a free 20-minute conversation. No commitment, just a chance to explore whether my approach feels right for you.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. This website is not intended for crisis situations and does not provide emergency services.