Play Therapy (Children)
- Natural Emotional Expression
- Healing & Skill-Building Through Play
- Tailored Parent Guidance
Kristin N. Lee, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist in Potomac, Maryland
Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone. — Mister Rogers
A different way of listening
Many people start therapy with a high level of self-awareness. You might know exactly why you tend to struggle with particular issues or even notice unhealthy patterns right as they happen, and yet still feel powerless to stop them. Simply knowing about a problem rarely stops us from repeating unhelpful relationship dynamics, feeling anxious when we know we are safe, or doing things that leave us wondering, “Why did I just do that?”
Understanding why you feel stuck, anxious, lonely, or disconnected from what matters to you is a tremendous first step; but experiencing these feelings with a therapist is what allows you to actually change. While your mind might understand the facts, your emotional life and nervous system need a different kind of practice to truly feel safe and open to change.
Children and teens also experience these emotional cycles that they don’t know how to navigate or explain. While adults might express feeling “stuck,” younger clients usually show us through behavioral changes, big emotional outbursts, significant anxiety, or withdrawal.
I help children, adolescents, adults, and families who want to make sense of these confusing moments. In our work together, I listen deeply to the whole picture. This is a different kind of listening: one that tunes into the emotions and physical tension beneath the words, rather than just the facts of the story. By listening carefully to both what is said and what is hard to put into words, we can look at the hidden patterns that shape how you view yourself and how you connect with the people around you. Over time, what once felt confusing or automatic becomes understandable, manageable, and open to meaningful change.
Adolescent Therapy
- Exploring Identity & Moods
- Self-Awareness & Resilience
- Balanced Systemic Support
Adult Therapy
- Say What’s Truly on Your Mind
- Make Sense of Repetitive Patterns
- Untangle the Present from the Past
Psychoanalysis
- A Dedicated Space
- Listening Beneath the Surface
- Deeper Self-Understanding
Psychological Evaluations
- Comprehensive Assessment
- A Full-Picture Approach
- Actionable Next Steps
Clinical Supervision & Teaching
- Clinical Supervision
- Teaching
My practice centers on the whole person, honoring the unique cultural, racial, and systemic tapestry of your life. Our identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic background, religious beliefs, and ability, profoundly shape how we experience the world, how we protect ourselves, and how we relate to others. I am deeply committed to providing an inclusive, culturally responsive space where all aspects of who you are can be safely brought into the room.
About Dr. Lee
Welcome! I am a licensed psychologist in Maryland with over 25 years of dedicated experience working with children, adolescents, families, and adults. My practice is grounded in a deep understanding of psychological development, emotional health, and relational growth across the lifespan.
I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Davis, earning a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Human Development. I went on to earn an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from California State University, North Bay, followed by a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. My clinical foundation was shaped through extensive training at leading institutions, including externships at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a pre-doctoral internship at Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center in Santa Monica, and postdoctoral work at UCLA TIES for Adoption. To continually deepen my practice, I am actively engaged in several professional study groups and am currently an Advanced Candidate to become both an Adult and Child/Adolescent (Lifecycle) Psychoanalyst at the Contemporary Freudian Society in Washington, DC.
Since 2006, I have maintained a private practice delivering personalized care to children, adolescents, families, and adults. Parallel to my private practice, I have worked in various capacities at the Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness for nearly 25 years including play therapy with children ages 2–12 concurrent with parent/caregiver guidance; family therapy; group therapy; psychological testing with young children; forensic work on a child placement consultation team; serving as the principal psychologist for the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program and the Developmental Services for Children Program; and serving as the primary psychology supervisor.
Alongside direct clinical care, I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of mental health professionals. I provide psychodynamic, reflective-based supervision for psychology externs, postdoctoral fellows, and licensed mental health providers. In addition, I have taught in psychology graduate programs and local psychotherapy training programs including at George Washington University, The Washington School of Psychiatry, and the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis, and am currently a faculty member with the Eastern Childhood Consortium through the CFS and WBCP. Additionally, I frequently present workshops or presented papers at both national conferences and within the local community on topics related to the social-emotional development of young children and adolescents.
How to Connect
Taking the first step is often the hardest part.
I’m glad you are here.
Phone: 301.351.3392
Email: dr.knlee@gmail.com