Raised in Texas by Chinese immigrant parents, Dr. Chang grew up navigating vastly different cultural worlds and learned to attune to the cultural scripts and power dynamics that shape social life. What began as a survival strategy became an interpersonal strength and, eventually, a professional calling: to understand how culture and context shape our experiences of ourselves and others, in ways that can bring us closer or push us apart.

These experiences led her to complete a PhD in clinical psychology from UCLA, followed by an NIMH postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  Currently, Dr. Chang is Full Professor at the NYU Silver School of Social Work and Associated Faculty in the Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Her research on issues related to race, culture, context, and mental health has been profiled on ABC News, CNN, 20/20, NPR, and the New York Times.

In recognition of her scientific contributions, Dr. Chang has been awarded Fellow status by the American Psychological Association (Society for the Psychology Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race and Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy), the Asian American Psychological Association, and the Mind and Life Institute. She is also a founding board member, Vice-President, and President-Elect (2027-2029) of the International Society of Contemplative Research.

Dr. Chang is a recognized leader in advancing antiracist and anti-oppressive practices, providing training, workshops, and consultation on diversity, equity, and inclusion across education, health care, law, and business sectors. She maintains a private practice in New York City, where she specializes in culturally-affirming care, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions.

Since 2024, she has been Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Unmute, a BIPOC-oriented health tech start-up.