Soo Cho Lee, Ph.D., PMH-C
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Perinatal Mental Health Specialist
Midtown + Virtual
At first, therapy can seem daunting as it requires courage to confront your vulnerabilities and face the rawness of your pain. However, your interest in seeking therapy is already a testament to your internal strength and resilience – you have already taken the first step towards meaningful and enduring change.
Through the process of therapy, you will be able identify and understand the stressors and conflicts that have impeded your ability to grow into your most authentic self. Therapy can also help gently excavate hidden desires and wishes that were burrowed deeply inside your mind and thus were difficult to access on your own. I believe that therapy is a powerful tool that can help you rewrite a more integrated, rich, and satisfying narrative of your life.
My approach to treatment is to first cultivate a genuine and collaborative relationship with you. I am a strong believer that a safe and secure therapeutic space is key to beginning an honest dialogue. I primarily work from a psychodynamic framework, drawing on principles of psychoanalytic theory and relational psychotherapy. I will follow your pace and listen closely for how your current struggles, internal and interpersonal conflicts, and life’s history have consciously and unconsciously impacted your perception of yourself and your relationships with others. I also integrate techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) when this is deemed fruitful for immediate symptom relief. As your therapist, I will guide you to not only effectively cope with stress and overwhelming affect, but also gain more confidence and satisfaction in understanding who you are as an individual. Through this process, I aim to help you achieve deeper insight into your thoughts and emotions, and also find freedom, creativity, and a sense of vitality that will enrich your understanding of your purpose and direction in life.
As a psychologist with a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C), I specialize in supporting mothers and families during the critical stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. With a deep understanding of the beauty and challenges of this significant life transition, I am committed to providing compassionate care that empowers individuals and fosters resilience. My approach addresses the emotional, physical, and practical aspects of perinatal mental health, ensuring personalized support for a healthy and fulfilling journey into parenthood.
In addition to my expertise in perinatal mental health, I have worked with a wide variety of populations throughout my career, including adults, adolescents, children, families, and couples. As everyone’s goals for therapy are different, my treatment is tailored to your specific needs and concerns. I also have keen interest in the impact of sociocultural issues and complexities on the formation and understanding of one’s identity. I am fluent in Korean and English and can also offer therapy in Korean.
Training
I earned my M.A. in Psychology from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, and earned my M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University, Brooklyn. My research focused on the personality traits, interpersonal relationship styles, and implicit attitudes of individuals who are indifferent to social relationships, avoid intimacy, and show limited emotional expression. During my training, I have held clinical positions in a variety of settings, including Long Island University’s Psychological Services Center, Jewish Child Care Associates Foster Care Services, Jacobi Medical Center, and Lenox Hill Hospital. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Irving Medical Center.