My name is Yoolina Lee (이유리나), and I was born in South Korea in 1985. Growing up, I was deeply shaped by my grandparents’ stories, which taught me how trauma can ripple across generations and quietly shape the way we relate to ourselves, our families, and the world around us.

I moved to Victoria, BC, alone at 15, leaving my family behind for the first time. That experience gave me a personal understanding of homesickness, cultural adjustment, loneliness, and the search for belonging. As a first-generation immigrant, I hold deep empathy for international students, immigrants, workers, and people navigating long-distance or intercultural relationships.

At the same time, my work is not limited to immigration experiences. I support people from many different backgrounds who are carrying pain that may not always be visible to others. Whether this pain comes from family dynamics, cultural pressure, trauma, grief, relationship struggles, burnout, identity questions, or a harsh inner critic, my hope is to offer a space where your experiences can be met with warmth, compassion, and respect.

I’m also on my own journey of growth, learning through counselling, peer supervision, and clinical supervision. These ongoing relationships help me stay reflective, grounded, and open as I continue growing alongside the people I support.

저는 1985년에 한국에서 태어났고, 어린 시절 조부모님의 이야기를 들으며 자랐습니다. 그 시간을 통해 아픔과 상처는 한 사람에게만 머무르지 않고 가족 안에서, 그리고 세대를 거쳐 이어질 수 있다는 것을 자연스럽게 느끼게 되었습니다.

저는 15살에 가족을 떠나 혼자 캐나다 빅토리아로 이주했습니다. 낯선 언어와 문화 속에서 적응하는 과정은 쉽지 않았고, 그 시간을 지나오며 외로움, 향수병, 소속감, 정체성에 대한 고민을 깊이 경험했습니다. 1세대 이민자로서, 저는 유학생, 이민자, 해외에서 일하며 살아가는 분들, 그리고 장거리 관계나 다문화 관계 안에 있는 분들의 마음에 깊이 공감합니다.

동시에, 저의 상담은 이민 경험에만 한정되어 있지 않습니다. 사람마다 살아온 배경은 다르지만, 겉으로는 잘 보이지 않는 아픔을 안고 살아가는 경우가 많습니다. 그 아픔은 가족관계, 문화적 압박, 트라우마, 상실과 애도, 관계의 어려움, 번아웃, 정체성에 대한 고민, 또는 스스로를 향한 엄격한 비판에서 비롯될 수 있습니다.

저는 그런 마음들이 판단받지 않고, 따뜻함과 존중 속에서 천천히 이야기될 수 있는 상담 공간을 함께 만들어가고 싶습니다.

I support individuals navigating deeply personal challenges, including chronic shame and guilt, relationship struggles, anger, anxiety, depression, family trauma, and the impact of loved ones’ incarceration—experiences I know firsthand. My own journey has given me a deep understanding of the complex emotions that come with them.

Through my experiences with panic attacks, depression, anxiety, a burn injury, and complex PTSD, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for how closely emotional and physical pain can be connected.

In our work together, I provide a space where you can feel safe, seen, and supported as you explore healing, self-understanding, and compassion for yourself.

• BC Association of Clinical Counsellors/ Registered Clinical Counsellor

  (RCC #24689)

• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association/ Canadian Certified Counsellor

  (CCC # 11248252)

• Yorkville University/ Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (2021-2024)

• Community Counselling Skills Courses - Vancouver Community College (2017-2020)

• University of Victoria/ Bachelor of Science in Economics (2004-2009)

• Unlocking the Mystery of Chronic Pain: A Collaborative Approach to understand Managing Chronic Pain - CCPA – NCR Chapter (2025)

• Frank Anderson’s Internal Family Systems Trauma Treatment Program: A 4-Month Online Intensive - Psychotherapy Networker (2025)  

• Pain Reprocessing Therapy Training - Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center (2023) 

• Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing, Step by Step: Master the Body-oriented Approach to Trauma and Stress Disorders -Psychotherapy Networker (2022)

• Compassionate Inquiry Professional Training - Gabor Mate (2019-2020)