M. Sara Yap, PsyD (she/her)
Dr. M. Sara Yap is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and program development across various healthcare settings. She completed her masters and doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She completed her clinical internship at Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health focusing on foster care / TAY youth & her postdoctoral residency in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara.
She has dedicated her career to advancing mental health accessibility and culturally responsive care, working with diverse populations including college students, women and gender non-confirming/non-binary individuals, and first- and second-generation immigrants. Most recently, she served as Senior Clinical Manager at Lyra Health, leading global mental health coaching initiatives across the US as well as in 18 countries, where she provided clinical oversight, led policy development, and implemented culturally responsive care strategies for an international workforce. She has also held leadership roles in clinical consultation, quality assurance, and clinical program development, shaping best practices in digital mental health care.
As a faculty member, Dr. Yap brings a dynamic, student-centered approach to teaching, mentorship, and supervision. She has been an adjunct clinical faculty member at The Wright Institute, where she supervised graduate students in school-based mental health settings. With a background spanning private practice, university counseling, integrated primary care at Kaiser Permanente, community mental health, and digital health, she integrates real-world clinical expertise into her teaching, preparing students for the evolving landscape of mental health services. Her professional interests include culturally responsive care, attachment and relationships, financial psychology, and innovative models of mental health service delivery. Dr. Yap is passionate about supporting future clinicians in developing their professional identities, critical thinking skills, and confidence in applying evidence-based interventions.