Kristen Lee

Kristen Lee (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker who obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University. With over 14 years of experience working in the mental health field, she has provided a wide range of therapeutic services to adolescents, adults, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Kristen enjoys empowering clients to learn more about themselves and achieve their desired goals. In addition to her clinical work, Kristen is also an adjunct instructor with VCU’s Master of Social Work program.

Kristen approaches therapy eclectically to utilize the best therapeutic approach for each individual client. In all cases, she applies person-centered and strengths-based techniques. Kristen is experienced in providing services to the LGBTQIA+ community, polyamorous couples and individuals, and is kink-friendly. She employs a wide variety of therapeutic approaches, including expressive therapies with elements of art and play, narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and schema therapy, and the Gottman method. She is often described as intuitive, professional, approachable, and empathetic.

Kristen is a 200-hour trained yoga teacher specializing in gentle Hatha (traditional) yoga for mental health care. She enjoys helping clients learn and practice mindfulness to improve their mind-body-spirit connection through simple yoga practices that support emotional well-being. She believes that, with guidance, yoga is an accessible tool for all clients to help calm the mind and steady emotions.

As a Certified Trauma Practitioner, Kristen has a unique skill set for helping clients of all ages address issues of trauma and/or abuse. She understands the importance of building trust before processing traumatic experiences and ensures that her office is always a safe place to explore trauma’s impacts. Kristen also has extensive knowledge of military culture and enjoys supporting service members, veterans, and their families. In 2017, she received the Serving Our Veterans Behavioral Health Certificate. Kristen has recently completed the Integrative Sex and Couples Certification Training.

Specialties

Kristen enjoys empowering clients to learn more about themselves and to achieve their desired goals. She understands the value of mindfulness and its transformative power not only in our daily mindset but also in our relationships. She specializes in several areas including working with clients to manage executive functioning challenges, be it from trauma, Autism, ADD/ADHD, anxiety or depression to improve quality of life and successfully work through life’s challenges. She understands the importance of building trust prior to processing traumatic experiences, and of always offering her office (or zoom room) as a safe place to explore the impacts of trauma. Kristen also thrives working with couples, primarily utilizing the Gottman method, including working with couples in the LGBTQIA+ community, poly couples and individuals, and she is kink friendly. She is often described as intuitive, approachable, and empathetic.

Modalities

Kristen takes an eclectic approach to therapy utilizing expressive therapies with elements of art and play, narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral therapy including Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavior therapy, schema therapy, and the Gottman method. Overall, Kristen believes in using a strengths-based and person centered approach to empower each of her clients.  Kristen is able to provide intensive (90-120 minute) couples sessions based on request if appropriate for specific needs.

Education

• Bachelor of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University May 2009
• Master of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University May 2010

Licenses and Certificates of Completion

• LCSW Virginia # 0904008400
• 200 hr Gentle Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification July 2020
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 Administration Certification (ADOS2) October 2017
• Serving Our Veterans Behavioral Health Certificate May 2017
• Level 1 Gottman Method Couples Therapy Certified March 2016
• Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner Level 1 January 2015
• Board approved LCSW clinical supervisor
• Integrative Sex and Couples Certification Training