LICSW, 10 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, I’m Missy Lee, and I bring over 20 years of experience working with youth and families in school settings. As a transracial adoptee, I have a deep understanding of identity, belonging, and the complex emotions that can come with adoption and family dynamics. My background has given me a unique perspective on connection, resilience, and healing. Throughout my career, I’ve supported individuals and families through times of crisis and transition, helping them find stability, strength, and hope. I create a safe and supportive space where clients feel seen and understood, and where we can work together to build on their strengths and move toward meaningful change.
In our first session, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment, with the option to include my therapy dog for extra comfort and support. We’ll take time to talk about what brings you to therapy, explore your goals, and discuss what you hope to gain from our work together. This session is also a chance for you to ask questions and share what approaches feel most helpful—or unhelpful—for you, so we can create a treatment plan that truly fits your needs.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can be their true selves. Having spent my own youth navigating identity in a world full of judgments, I deeply understand how important acceptance and understanding are to growth. I have a natural ability to connect with young people, meeting them where they are and helping them build confidence and self-awareness. I’m also skilled at problem-solving with families in crisis, helping them find calm, clarity, and a path forward together.
My ideal clients are youth, young adults, and families who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, identity concerns, or family conflict. I especially enjoy supporting parents and teens as they work on improving communication, strengthening relationships, and finding balance during times of change.
I enjoy using Strenth focused because it centers on a client’s strengths and resources, rather than their problems. I believe that every person—no matter what challenges they are facing—already has unique skills and abilities that can help them move forward. By highlighting and building on these strengths, clients often discover their own resilience and find practical steps toward meaningful change.
I enjoy using Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) with both individuals and families who are looking for support around a specific challenge or goal. This approach helps clients recognize and build on their own strengths, creating hope and confidence as they take practical steps toward positive change.
I like to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with teens and families to help them better understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. Together, we look at the patterns that might be getting in the way and practice new ways of thinking and responding that feel more positive and helpful. This approach helps young people and families build confidence, improve communication, and find practical tools they can use in everyday life.
I use Attachment-Based Therapy to support individuals and families who are navigating the unique experiences of adoption and adoption-related trauma. This approach focuses on strengthening trust, connection, and safety within relationships. Together, we work to understand how early experiences may shape emotions and behaviors while building new patterns of security and closeness. My goal is to help families deepen their bonds and create a sense of belonging where healing can truly take place.