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EL Portrait of Essence Lee

Essence Lee

Evidence-based care centered on your strengths

About Essence

Essence Lee is an Illinois-licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with ten years of experience supporting people through a range of emotional and life challenges.

Background and approach

She draws on evidence-based practices to address stress, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders including bipolar concerns, while also helping with issues like grief, compassion fatigue, and self-esteem difficulties. Essence emphasizes clients' strengths and the expertise they hold about their own lives.

Her work is grounded in practical strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapy, paired with a collaborative stance that centers each person's goals and values.

She also attends to relational and personal topics such as communication struggles, commitment concerns, family problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, experiences of prejudice and discrimination, and matters related to self-love and women's issues. Essence strives to make the initial step into therapy manageable and affirms the courage it takes to begin.

Sessions are offered through flexible online formats to fit different schedules, and she guides clients toward tools and perspectives that can be applied between meetings to support lasting change.

Therapeutic approaches for online care



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on recognizing and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to improve mood and functioning. It is often used for stress, anxiety, depression, and mood-related concerns by teaching practical skills that can be practiced between sessions.

Mindfulness Therapy emphasizes present-moment awareness and simple practices to reduce reactivity and cultivate acceptance. This approach can help with stress management, emotional regulation, and coping with grief or feelings of emptiness.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to identify goals, preferences, and how different techniques feel in practice, adjusting strategies so they fit the client’s needs and pace.

Online sessions are available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for varied schedules and daily demands. These options make it easier to attend regularly, practice skills between meetings, and maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are not feasible.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Essence address?
She works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem challenges, depression, grief, bipolar and compassion fatigue, along with related matters like communication problems, commitment issues, and experiences of prejudice and discrimination.
What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?
Her approach uses cognitive behavioral techniques combined with mindfulness practices to develop skills, shift unhelpful patterns, and build resilience in day-to-day life.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Essence has ten years of professional experience working with individuals facing mood-related and life transition challenges.
Where is she licensed to practice?
She is licensed in Illinois as an LCPC, with license number IL LCPC 180011794.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are provided in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for working together?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and scheduling.
How are sessions priced and paid for?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; services are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with Essence?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.