Johanna Lee
With 10 years of clinical experience, I utilize evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support individuals and couples in creating meaningful, lasting change. I enjoy working with individuals ages 17 and older, as well as couples, to explore challenges, gain insight, identify new possibilities, and discover more hopeful paths forward. My experience includes working with individuals navigating substance use and gambling addictions, military-related challenges, trauma, and relationship concerns. I strive to create a supportive, collaborative environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes.
I approach this process with curiosity, compassion, and without judgment, recognizing that sometimes the things that keep us stuck are also the things we have learned to believe about ourselves.
I believe everyone has a story, and sometimes life's challenges can make us forget that we are still the authors of it. When we lose sight of our ability to shape our own narrative, we can begin to feel stuck, disconnected, or defined by our circumstances. My goal is to help clients rediscover their strengths, recognize their choices, and reclaim the pen to continue writing. Together, we can explore new perspectives, build on existing strengths, and create a future that feels more purposeful, fulfilling, and hopeful.
First session
After our first session, my hope is that clients leave feeling heard, understood, and reassured that someone genuinely wants to understand their story and is willing to walk alongside them for part of their journey. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable being authentic while also knowing they are working with someone who brings experience, clinical skill, and a commitment to evidence-based practices. I believe effective therapy requires both professional knowledge and a healthy dose of old-fashioned common sense. My approach balances compassion with honest conversations, practical insight, and thoughtful guidance. Above all, I want clients to know they don't have to navigate life's challenges alone and that there is room for both understanding where they've been and discovering where they want to go.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to listen deeply and recognize inconsistencies or contradictions within a person's story that may be difficult for them to see themselves. I gently help clients explore how these patterns may influence their insight, decision-making, behavioral choices, and ability to fully accept themselves. I believe that increased awareness creates opportunities for growth, healing, and meaningful change. I approach this process with curiosity, compassion, and without judgment, recognizing that sometimes the things that keep us stuck are also the things we have learned to believe about ourselves.
Ideal clients
I don't believe in an ideal client, and I consider it both a privilege and a strength to have worked with a diverse range of individuals and couples, each bringing their own unique stories. I welcome clients as they are, without expectations that they fit a particular mold or arrive with everything figured out. I find that some of the most meaningful growth happens when clients approach therapy with curiosity and a willingness to learn—not simply from what I teach, but through their own experiences, self-reflection, and discoveries. I believe lasting change happens when individuals are ready to challenge familiar ways of thinking, explore new perspectives, and become open to experiences that shift how they see themselves and the world around them. You don't have to come to therapy knowing what needs to change or even where to begin. A willingness to be curious, explore uncomfortable questions, and consider new possibilities is often enough to get started. I appreciate clients who are open to the process, willing to challenge unhelpful patterns, and interested in discovering what growth and change might look like on their own terms.
Ongoing work together
Each session builds upon your unique and unfolding story. I recognize that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, and my approach is tailored to your individual needs, goals, and readiness for change. Some clients benefit from structure, clear direction, and practical tools, while others need a more open-ended space that encourages exploration, curiosity, and self-discovery. I am comfortable providing both and adjusting our approach as your needs evolve.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
My approach to therapy focuses on helping clients better understand the thoughts and beliefs that influence their emotions, behaviors, and choices. Together, we explore both the beliefs that serve them well and those that may keep them feeling stuck or disconnected from the lives and relationships they want. We examine how these beliefs shape relationship patterns, influence interactions with others, and impact the way clients view themselves and the world around them. I believe meaningful change often begins with greater self-awareness. By first exploring how we see and understand ourselves, we can begin to recognize how those perspectives influence the way we experience others and navigate the world. Through curiosity, reflection, and evidence-based interventions, we work to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, strengthen more balanced perspectives, and identify opportunities for different choices and outcomes. My goal is not to tell clients what to think or how to live, but to help them recognize possibilities they may not have previously considered and feel empowered to make changes that align with who they want to become.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy approach that helps the brain process difficult, distressing, or traumatic experiences that may continue to affect how we think, feel, and respond today. Sometimes, experiences from our past remain emotionally charged, even when we know we are no longer in that situation. You may find yourself reacting strongly to certain people, situations, or reminders without fully understanding why. You might feel stuck in familiar patterns, experience anxiety, or carry beliefs about yourself that developed during difficult times. EMDR helps you revisit aspects of these experiences in a safe, guided, and structured way while using bilateral stimulation. This typically involves following a therapist's moving fingers or another form of alternating left-right stimulation, such as tapping or sounds. This process is thought to help the brain reprocess distressing memories so they become less emotionally overwhelming.