“Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. “
-Haruki Murakami
Caroline C. Lee, MA, PhD
Licensed Child, Adolescent, Adult
Clinical Psychologist, Educator, Speaker
My Philosophy
As a young girl, one of my favorite questions to ask people was,
“Why?”
This still holds true to today as I work with my clients to uncover their “whys” and discover their north star.
Managing our lives in the current world can often feel heavy and overwhelming.
My practice extends beyond traditional talk therapy. As both an educator and clinical psychologist, a critical component of my practice is integrating psychoeducation.
When my clients gain education and insight
into their own emotions and thoughts, and have tangible skills to practice, they end up with a clearer road map toward wellness.
I believe in using evidenced-based therapy,
while curating personalized treatment plans
that build on a client's existing strengths.
I see it as a great honor for my clients to share their stories and lives with me.
I understand it is not easy to meet a stranger and share about personal struggles. I view my work with clients as a collaboration to create meaningful and purposeful life changes. When clients are ready, we create weekly goals to accept and manage emotional storms and focus on changing behavioral habits and create a values-aligned life.
I work from a positive psychology approach and utilize acceptance commitment therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices in my work.
As a child of immigrants, I believe in honoring and incorporating our identities, lived experiences, and cultural lenses into our work together.
My aim is to create a warm, safe, genuine, and nonjudgmental space for my clients to grow and thrive.
My Education and
Experience
Stanford University
PhD Educational Psychology
Teachers College, Columbia University
MA Education
Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential
University of California, Berkeley
BA Psychology
Minors: Education and
Asian American Studies
With over two decades of experience working with
children and adolescents, I have had the privilege of
making an impact in both clinical and school-based settings.
Before embarking on my private practice journey,
I had the opportunity to contribute to the Kaiser
Permanente Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department.
There, I led the Middle School Intensive Outpatient Program and also facilitated parenting classes in the Parents of Preschoolers program.
Additionally, I served as the Co-director of the Post-doctoral Clinical Training program, training aspiring psychologists and guiding them towards their professional goals.
My educational experiences guide my practice to focus on strategies that are evidence based and research backed.
My academic journey at Stanford University led to my PhD in Educational Psychology. During my time there, I taught a psychoeducational course called “Culture and Coping: Asian American Approaches,” exploring the intersection of culture and mental health.
My dedication to this field was recognized through the Stanford Asian American Community Graduate Academic Award.
I actively participated in the
Asian American Health at Stanford Initiative, playing a role in the development
of current mental health programming.
Prior to my doctoral studies, I pursued my
MA in Education and Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential at Teachers College, Columbia University.
As an educator, I spent several years teaching kindergarten and 1st grade, where I embraced a child-centered approach to curriculum development. This experience allowed me to gain valuable insights
into the holistic needs of our young people.
My undergraduate years at the University of California, Berkeley were transformative. Majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education and Asian American Studies,
I also co-founded a mentoring program that still exists today called Project SMILE (Spreading Multiculturalism and Inspiring Leadership through Education).
These experiences cultivated a deep understanding of the psychological, social, and cultural factors influencing child development and education.
For the past decade, I have been dedicated to my clinical private practice, specializing in treating anxiety disorders, building resilience and coping skills, Asian American cultural issues, and parenting.
It brings me immense satisfaction to
witness my clients heal, regain their
power, and develop tangible skills to
embrace a more fulfilling, values-led life.
Beyond my practice, I actively engage with the community as a mental health advocate. I regularly present to universities, community organizations, and contract with local school districts, sharing insights on how to enhance well-being and resilience in our youth.
Speaking and Workshop Sample Topics
Mental Health Needs of
High Achieving Students
Coping during Crisis:
Helping Youth Thrive
Empowering our Youth
from the Inside Out
Helping your Teen
Build Resilience
Overcoming
Communication Barriers
with your Children
Creating Emotionally
Healthy Families
Strategies for
Raising an Emotionally
Intelligent Teenager
Destigmatizing Mental
Health in Our Communities
Balancing Work
and Family Life
Speaking Engagements
Speaking Engagements
Services
Child, Adolescent,
Adult Therapy
Parent Consultation
Speaking Engagements
Contact Me
drcarolinelee@alumni.stanford.edu
@dr.carolinelee
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
-Elisabeth Kubler-Ross