About Belinda

Hi there! I’m Belinda Lee. I am so glad you are here.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and registered play therapist in California.

I am passionate about helping kids know that they, their experiences, and their emotions matter.

I want to come alongside parents (you!) and help your relationship with your child blossom and thrive.

I particularly care for children struggling with anger, anxiety, and perfectionism, have experienced grief and loss, and/or medical trauma.

How my passions developed

When I had a life-altering experience as a child, I did not know how to talk about my grief and other emotions over the huge transition. My disappointments and worries often came out in anger and frustration. I was implicitly and explicitly told that big emotions were not okay. I was told to be thankful for my blessings, and that being thankful entailed only having positive emotions. Besides working through that emotional complexity, I also had to navigate the complicated, nuanced dynamics of abiding by both Asian/Eastern values while embracing American/Western values as a first-generation Taiwanese American. I often felt lost in my identity and story as I wrestled with this balance. I struggled to feel like I mattered and my story had significance.

Over the years, through conversations with my friends, family, faith community, and supervisors, I have learned that our big emotions happen for a reason. These big emotions, especially for children, are often messages from our bodies that something has happened that is personally important and needs the opportunity to be acknowledged in a compassionate, healing way.

Ultimately, I am here to be a witness to your child’s experiences and help them develop the skills and language to express their feelings in a healthy manner.

With increased knowledge, self-awareness, and language for their emotions, children are able to bravely embrace their own identity and needs and communicate those to supportive adults around them.

As a parent myself, I know how important it is to have safe adults who are role models and can come alongside to support the overall family and alleviate your concerns for your child. I strive to empower children with the language to advocate for themselves and to value their own identity and story through our time together. These sessions will guide them to understand that their unique experiences are not fixed, defining factors that are necessarily bad or irredeemable; in fact, these differences can be shaped to hold meaning and have a greater purpose.

Lastly, I am a Christian therapist, but I warmly welcome those of other faith backgrounds or preferences. Whatever your main concern(s) for your child may be, I am committed to providing an affirming and safe space for those I meet with to explore any relevant cultural and spiritual questions in their life, as these are integral components affecting mental health and wellness.

Qualifications & Experience

Prior to being in private practice, I have had the experience of working at a homeless shelter with adults, children, and entire families, leading parenting classes, organizing DC4K (Divorce Care for Kids), volunteering for grief camps, and counseling numerous elementary and middle school students to develop healthier coping skills and social skills. I cherish having had the unique privilege to hold space for the stories each of these individuals had over the years. I appreciate having had the opportunity to witness the transformation of children and their relationships with their family and peers as I helped them navigate their life experiences.

  • Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #121127

  • Registered Play Therapist 

  • Bilingual in Mandarin Chinese and English

  • First generation Taiwanese American

  • M.A. Marital and Family Therapy, Bethel Seminary, San Diego

  • B.A. Psychology & B.M.A. Piano Performance, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  • "Belinda is comfortable in her role as a child therapist and is able to join clients naturally while honoring the child's resistance. She recognizes her own strengths and limitations and is able to assess client needs and formulate interventions. She is trustworthy, loving, humble and has a great sense of humor. Her empathy and sensitivity goes far in helping clients feel heard and supported."

    • Penny V., LMFT, former supervisor

  • "Belinda is generous, organized, reliable, and having great warmth and compassion for the students and families who were lucky enough to have worked with her. I believe any organization or private practice would be most fortunate to have her on their team."

    • Lynda L., LMFT, former supervisor

  • "Belinda is absolutely amazing and has a natural talent for working with children. Teachers have told me that they see behavioral improvements in the students, and the children also enjoy working with her."

    • Lorraine L., School Psychologist

  • "Belinda was a huge asset to our school. She was very professional, friendly, easy to get ahold of, and flexible. Staff and students had positive things to say about their interactions with her as well."

    • Nicole N., School Psychologist

  • "Belinda is a joyful, hard working, and dedicated therapist. I have witnessed Belinda's incorporation of her creative lens in our graduate studies, as well as our work together through the PROMOTE! Program in Escondido's school district. In helping spearhead this program, Belinda is prepared to actively engage young children through play therapy and techniques supported by the evidence-based Incredible Years positive parenting curriculum. For as long as I have known Belinda, she has consistently reflected a genuine, kind-hearted spirit that flows into her interactions at work and daily life, making her a wonderful clinician."

    - Gloria T., LMFT, former classmate and coworker

Let’s connect!