Therapy in Los Angeles, CA | Counselor Johanna Lee

Being a mama in Los Angeles often means holding yourself together while the world around you races. I work with women who are balancing identity, ambition and cultural responsibility while trying to stay grounded. Los Angeles has a particular intensity that pushes many mothers toward burnout. Therapy here becomes a space to release the weight you never talk about and to feel held without performing strength.

How it works

We start with a gentle intake session where you can share your experiences and goals. This is where we begin to understand what you’ve been holding and what you truly need,emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Intake Session

Through ongoing therapy sessions, we’ll dig into your individual needs. I’ll offer tools rooted in mindfulness, self-compassion, and cultural validation,so healing feels like it fits your life, not someone else’s version of self-care.

Follow Up Sessions

We revisit how far you’ve come, name what’s changed, and create a rhythm of support for what’s next,so you leave feeling steady, not dropped.

(# of sessions will vary based on individual needs)

Integration & Reflection Session-

Explore my therapy services and specializations

  • Therapy for Postpartum

    There is a specific kind of exhaustion that settles in for mothers living in Los Angeles, the kind you carry behind your eyes even when you smile. After birth, the mix of identity change and emotional overload can feel like too much to hold alone. Therapy offers a quiet space to explore those moments when you feel lost, anxious or stretched beyond your limits.

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  • Compassion-Focused Therapy for Anxiety

    Living in Los Angeles often means absorbing stress you never had time to name. For many women, anxiety becomes a constant companion that whispers worst case scenarios or keeps your chest tight all day. Through compassion focused therapy we explore that inner critic that demands perfection and learn how to replace it with a softer, wiser voice. Anxiety loosens its grip when you stop fighting yourself and start tending to your nervous system.

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  • Culturally Affirming Therapy for Latina and First-Gen Moms

    Some mothers describe a quiet ache that follows them through the day, a sense of disappearing behind roles they never chose. Before therapy it feels like you are carrying generations inside your chest. Afterward there is more breathing room, more permission to rest, more clarity about which patterns you want to keep and which ones you are ready to release.

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  • Postpartum & Early Motherhood Therapy in San Diego

    There are moments in early motherhood when the silence in the house feels louder than any cry. You look around and wonder why this season that everyone describes as magical feels so heavy inside you. Therapy helps you give language to that heaviness and understand it without shame. Together we explore what feels overwhelming, reshape your expectations and build tools that make this new chapter feel less like survival and more like becoming.

    READ MORE

Testimonials

I was working with a first-gen Latina client who shared that she really appreciates that I give her education and examples for different mental health concepts and this helps her think about it in her own terms throughout the week (e.g. like having a full plate and taking just a moment to set it down when we journal so that it doesn’t feel as heavy all the time).

I helped a mom advocate for herself after experiencing workplace harassment throughout her pregnancy. She felt like she was complaining but after processing a couple sessions, she realized that this was one way she could protect herself (even if in the past she wasn’t able to). 

I hosted a Baby & Me Parent Community Event focused on 1) donations/swap station for baby & mom items 2) sensory play stations 3) selena dance along 4) new parent mental health 101 & 5) guest speaker on financial education. I had a few moms come up to me during the event saying how helpful it was to get tangible resources and also information to help them in their current season. 

I serve women in Los Angeles

My virtual therapy services are available to women throughout Los Angeles including Echo Park, Silver Lake, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. You can receive care from anywhere in California and connect in a way that fits your schedule and lifestyle.

Hello I am Johanna Lee your postpartum and early motherhood therapist in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles many mothers reach out because the constant push to stay strong has worn them thin. Through virtual therapy we work together to understand your emotional patterns, whether that is anxiety, irritability or a sense of losing yourself. I guide you back to steadiness by blending cultural awareness with trauma informed tools. I am licensed in California so therapy sessions are available to clients physically located in California at the time of each session. If you are outside California you can join my escuelita or access my non clinical resources.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is virtual therapy effective?

    Absolutely. Virtual therapy allows you to receive care from the comfort of your home no need to arrange childcare, commute, or even put on pants (lol).  Many mamas actually find it easier to open up in their own safe space.

  • How are virtual therapy sessions held?

    Sessions are held via a HIPAA-compliant video platform to protect your privacy. All you need is a private space, a stable internet connection, and a device with a camera and microphone.

  • What payment methods do you accept?

    I accept FSA/HSA, debit, or credit card for payment. I do not currently accept insurance and many clients appreciate the privacy, flexibility, and control that comes with paying directly for care (versus utilizing insurance).

  • How do I know if I really need therapy, or if this is just “normal” new mom stuff?

    That’s such a common and valid question. Yes, postpartum comes with big emotions—but feeling constantly overwhelmed, anxious, invisible, or disconnected from yourself isn’t something you have to just “push through.” If you’re struggling to feel like you again, or carrying guilt for wanting space to breathe, therapy can help. You don’t need a crisis to deserve support—you just need a safe place to land.

  • Can I bring my baby to the session?

    Yes—babies are absolutely welcome. I know it’s not always possible to find childcare, and you shouldn’t have to put your healing on hold because of that. Whether you’re nursing, rocking, or soothing during our time together, this space is made with mamá life in mind. Come as you are—messy bun, spit-up, baby in arms and all. (ps snacks are also welcome and often encouraged lol)

  • What kind of therapy do you practice?

    My approach blends trauma-informed, culturally responsive care with mindfulness, self-compassion, inner child healing, and grounding tools (yes deep breathing together CAN be part of the work too!)

  • How long is each session, and how often will we meet?

    Sessions are 55 minutes. Most clients start with weekly sessions, but we’ll collaborate to find a rhythm that fits your needs, schedule, and goals.

  • Where are you licensed to provide therapy?

    I’m licensed in California, so therapy sessions are available to clients physically located in California at the time of each session. If you're outside California, you can still join my escuelita &/or access non-clinical resources -  View here 

  • Good faith estimate

    In accordance with the No Surprises Act and ethical standards for California-licensed therapists, I provide a Good Faith Estimate to all clients who are not using insurance for services.


    This estimate outlines the expected cost of services, including session fees and potential length of treatment, so you have full clarity before starting care. While therapy is individualized and timelines may vary, this estimate helps you plan with transparency and trust.


    You’ll receive your Good Faith Estimate in writing before your first session. You can always request a new one if your needs or frequency of care change.


    For more information about your rights under the No Surprises Act, visit cms.gov/nosurprises 

  • Disclaimer Privacy Notice: Do not submit personal health information (PHI) through this site.

    This website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not provide medical or mental health advice. Therapy services are available only to individuals physically located in California and provided by Johanna Lee, LPCC (#13089). Participation in community offerings, digital resources, or workshops does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 988 or visit your nearest emergency room.

  • Therapy vs education disclaimer

    Participation in workshops, classes, memberships, or educational resources does not establish a therapeutic relationship. These services are for support, education, and community and are not a substitute for clinical therapy. Therapy services are only available to clients residing in California, provided through a separate intake and consent process.