Dr. Anna Yu Lee

About
Short-Term Mental Health (STMH) Counseling is a private practice in Pasadena, CA that supports high-functioning adults experiencing grief, depression, stress, anxiety, life transitions, and relationship concerns through both counseling and referrals to a diverse range of clinical psychologists, licensed marriage & family therapists, social workers, and complementary/alternative medicine practitioners. Studies have identified ‘short-term’ counseling as that lasting from 1-40 sessions, and shown that time-limited treatments, particularly those which focus on client strengths and positive traits as opposed to limitations and/or pathologies can be highly effective in increasing well-being, and in reducing anxiety, stress, and depression (1-4). The techniques employed at STMH draw from the foundations of Adlerian, Cognitive-behavioral, and Gestalt therapy. Successful treatment is a product of a client’s thoughtful engagement and demonstrated willingness to participate in the dynamic process of self-discovery, creation, and regulation.

Free Consultation
Every new client is offered the option of a complimentary 15-minute consultation. During the consultation we discuss what leads each client to seeking counseling and what goals he/she/they would like to explore and work toward.

Fees
$250/hr, private pay only. No forms of insurance are accepted. Limited number of sliding scale spots available.

Dr. Anna Yu Lee
Dr. Yu Lee is the founder of and a counselor at STMH counseling, where she draws from over 20 years of diverse teaching and research experience in a wide range of therapeutic techniques to offer brief counseling (not therapy) to high-functioning adults experiencing grief, depression, stress, anxiety, life transitions, and relationship concerns. Her education and training are in multicultural counseling, public health, and biostatistics, and her professional experience spans the fields of journalism, counseling, residential care management, health promotion, and undergraduate/graduate instruction, with contributions including the planning, delivering, and evaluation of workshops, health initiatives, group activities, and interventions for individuals and groups disadvantaged by poverty, domestic violence, physical/psychological abuse, disability, isolation, and homelessness. While her academic scholarship has primarily focused on multicultural perceptions and treatment of stigmatized health behaviors, she has also produced research on human emotions, eating behaviors, obesity, substance use, cognitive health, memory, and statistical science. Her publications have appeared in journals of public health, social and behavioral health, and statistical education, as well as a reference text on substance and behavioral addictions published by the Cambridge University Press. On the subjects of her publications, she has presented to academic, clinical, and industry audiences in multiple countries in North America, Western Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East.

References:
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Improve Your Coping Skills: Short-term, goal-directed therapy can be an effective treatment for mental and physical health issues.” Women’s Health Advisor, vol. 25, no. 1, Jan. 2021, p. 4. Gale Health and Wellness, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A649104048/HWRC?u=usocal_main&sid=bookmark-HWRC&xid=4ac66775. Accessed 25 Aug. 2022.
2. Town JM, Abbass A, Stride C, Bernier D. A randomised controlled trial of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy for treatment resistant depression: the Halifax Depression Study. Journal of affective disorders. 2017;214:15-25. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.02.035
3. Arroyo K, Lundahl B, Butters R, Vanderloo M, Wood DS. Short-Term Interventions for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Trauma, violence & abuse. 2017;18(2):155-171. doi:10.1177/1524838015602736
4. Bu H, Duan W. A single-session positive cognitive intervention on first-year students’ mental health: Short-term effectiveness and the mediating role of strengths knowledge. Journal of American college health. 2019;67(6):515-522. doi:10.1080/07448481.2018.1497639