Joshua Chin Lee
MS, CRC
Pronouns: He/Him
Therapy for Young Adults, Identity, and Life Transitions
Humanistic, mindfulness-based care to help you find clarity, confidence, and meaning - without losing yourself.
Let’s Start Here
You’re trying to keep it together—on paper, you’re doing “okay,” but inside you might feel lost, stuck, or disconnected from who you are. Maybe you’re navigating family and cultural expectations, career pressure, or questions about identity and belonging. You want to manage anxiety or depression, stop unhelpful habits, and feel more grounded and purposeful. Most of all, you want to feel like yourself again—and you’re ready for support that sees the whole you, not just your symptoms.
What would you say to someone who’s nervous or unsure about starting therapy?
Hi, I’m Joshua Chin Lee, and I’m a therapist at Tides Mental Health. If you’re unsure about starting therapy, that’s completely normal. You don’t have to have the perfect words or a clear plan. We’ll take it one step at a time, together. I may not know your exact experience, but I do know what it’s like to struggle—and you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re curious about change, we can start there.
What would you say to someone who’s nervous or unsure about starting therapy?
Hi, I’m Joshua Chin Lee, and I’m a therapist at Tides Mental Health. If you’re unsure about starting therapy, that’s completely normal. You don’t have to have the perfect words or a clear plan. We’ll take it one step at a time, together. I may not know your exact experience, but I do know what it’s like to struggle—and you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re curious about change, we can start there.
What It’s Like to Work Together
Sessions with me are collaborative, warm, and practical. I blend a humanistic and existential lens with mindfulness and self-compassion, helping you tune into what you feel, why it matters, and how to respond with intention. We’ll look at sleep, movement, purpose, and relationships—because your life is more than a diagnosis. I take a bottom-up approach: guided mindfulness, in-session grounding, and skills to sit with discomfort without losing control. I’ll offer reflections and tools, and I’ll also step in with structure when it’s helpful.
What can clients expect it to feel like in a session with you?
Being in session with me tends to feel calm, curious, and collaborative. We slow down, notice what’s happening in your body and thoughts, and make space for emotions without judgment. I’ll offer tools, reflections, and gentle challenges—always at your pace—so you can leave feeling a little clearer and more capable than when you arrived.
What’s one reason you’re passionate about the work you do?
I grew up navigating cultures and expectations that didn’t always make room for mental health. I know how isolating that can feel. Doing this work lets me help people feel seen, name their truth, and build a life that fits them—not just what others expect. Watching clients reclaim meaning and self-compassion is why I love this work.
Clinical Specialties
- Anxiety, social anxiety & emotional regulation
- Depression & loss of motivation
- Life transitions, purpose & meaning
- Identity exploration (cultural, first-gen, masculinity, LGBTQ+)
- Trauma, grief & generational/family stress
- ADHD & bipolar (symptom management skills)
- Substance use & addiction (including porn/compulsive behaviors)
- Relationship & communication challenges; couples seeking reconnection
Treatment Modalities
- Mindfulness & Self-Compassion – build awareness and respond, not react.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – spot patterns and practice new skills.
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)-align actions with values.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills – tolerate distress and regulate emotions.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) – strengthen motivation for change.
- Logotherapy & Existential Therapy – clarify meaning and purpose.
- Radical Acceptance – make room for what’s hard so you can move forward.
Populations Served
- Young adults & emerging professionals (18–30)
- Adults (all ages) & older teens (16+)
- Immigrants, first-gen, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ clients
- Clients from collectivistic or religious backgrounds
- Couples seeking communication repair and closeness
Training & Credentials
- Education: M.S. in Clinical Counseling, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
- Licensure: Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) (primary credential); LPC in progress, practicing under supervision
- Languages Spoken: English
- Availability: In-person (Chicago) & Telehealth (Illinois)
Starting therapy doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—you don’t need all the answers before we begin. If you’re ready to feel more grounded, more connected, and more capable in your day-to-day life, I’d be honored to walk with you.
Insurance We Accept
We accept most major insurance providers and offer several convenient payment methods to ensure accessibility for your care. We also offer various payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and electronic payments.
