10 Questions with Grace Lee

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

• I reached a point a few years ago, and having raised a family and learned to help my kids through their tough times, I thought I might be able to use those experiences to help others. So I applied to study counselling and I found I loved it. I also developed a much deeper understanding of myself in the process.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional/personal development?

• As I have grown older I have found a strong leaning towards existentialism. Life is never simple and is full of challenges that can cause great anxiety, often we all share the same anxieties. Uncertainty and the ability to embrace it is very important to me as a way to find peace and harmony.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

• I am really interested in identity. I work mostly with transgender clients and it is so important to me to help them feel there is nothing wrong with them. I love providing guidance and support during the early parts of their journey. I also love working with older trans people, and helping anyone come to terms with difficult or traumatic lives.

• What method/s do you use?

• I use humanistic approaches, especially Person Centred (Rogerian) and Existential Therapy. I have also been trained in CBT, Grief as well a Trauma Informed therapy approaches.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

• Often the moment a client has made the decision to do something for themselves and they make contact with their therapist for the first time is a turning point for them. They are taking active steps to improve themselves or deal with a big issue.

• How has therapy made you a better person?

• I have found that building meaningful, genuine relationships with my clients has made them feel better about themselves. As I share in their experiences, I find that I grow in my understanding at the same time.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

• I find that in being a therapist I can be myself. So many other jobs require us to be something other than our real selves. I can accept the frailty and imperfections in myself and I think that makes my clients feel much more comfortable about themselves.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

• Of course. Some days I feel grumpy and annoyed. But there is something about working with clients that means I can retain focus on the important things - the things my clients are concerned about, and then I can forget my bad hair. When I walk into the clinic, I know what I have to do, and I know I am going to love the challenges my clients are going to share with me.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

• We are all flooded with information especially via social media that sets standards for how we are supposed to be, think and express ourselves. It can be overwhelming at times and each of us may feel inadequate and a failure. The problem is getting back in contact with our real selves and understanding who is really important to us in our everyday lives. We need to regain and maintain genuine connections with those we love and care about, and those who love us.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

• There are so many inspirational books, films and songs but right now I can't go past Moana. A beautiful story of girl strength, determination and desire to set things right. Love the songs too!