Accepting New Clients! Bilingual child/teen therapist offering services in French or English!
Kristen Lee, Msw. Rsw.
Clinical Social Worker Psychotherapist
I'm a mother of three school-aged children and a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Ontario. I have a Bachelor's degree in Child, Youth, and Family studies from the University of Guelph (2008) and a 2-year Masters degree in Social Work from Carleton University (2010). My four clinical internships included school counselling and school social work in K-12 schools, youth probation/diversion, and working with children-in-care within child protection.
I began my paid career working as a Child and Youth Worker in schools (UCDSB, HPEDSB) and a community program (Better Beginnings, Better Futures), an Early Childhood Educator in daycare/preschool (YMCA Guelph), and through working with teenaged parents within a community program.
My psychotherapy experience began in schools (including with OCDSB) and my initial training focused on play therapy, sand tray, CBT and narrative therapy. I then spent a number of years working at a community agency with children and families facing a variety of struggles and trauma before opening this private practice. I also spent many recent years volunteering with a local distress crisis line.
I am licensed with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) in good standing and am a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. I continually update my professional skills by participating in multiple trainings each year. ​
My Approach
I tailor my approach to what best fits you or your child's needs and preferences. I am quite eclectic in my approach, utilizing evidence-based modalities. Child and teen sessions vary from youth to youth, with some engaging in expressive arts activities, play therapy activities, or sand tray. Some youth choose to sit on the comfy couches, play with fidgets, and talk things through. I notice that some youth do very well with sessions being open-ended and led by the child. Others seem to benefit more from structured sessions. I always provide some education and the teaching of different skills as becomes appropriate.
I aim to create a supportive space for you and/or your child or teen to show up exactly how you are. I will not be shocked by what you may be thinking or experiencing. I want to normalize the true experiences and struggles of raising children. My work is strengths-based, client-centered, and trauma informed. My work is primarily influenced by Attachment theory and Systems Theory. My clients generally find me to be warm and compassionate, genuine, and down-to-earth. My primary strength is in engaging children and youth.
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I primarily utilize the following approaches in my work:
-Play Therapy/ Sand Tray (I am trained through multiple trainings but not a Certified Play Therapist at this time)
-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) as needed
-Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
-Solutions Focused Therapy
-Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
-Somatic and Polyvagal Theory Informed
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