Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Soo Jin Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Soo Jin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Like many in the helping and healing professions, there’s a bit of truth that we embark on this path to mend our own wounds. This sentiment resonates deeply with me, especially considering the array of challenges I’ve encountered throughout my life. Among these, the most defining has been my journey as an immigrant — and not just any immigrant, but one who spent their formative years undocumented. This reality steeped my childhood in layers of fear: the fear of deportation, the dread of losing everything familiar in an instant — my home, my family, my sense of security.

Despite the shadow these experiences cast, they’re also where I find the brilliance of what my parents did ‘right’. Their decision to uproot us was not made lightly, but out of a profound hope for a brighter future. It was a leap of faith that allowed not only me but also them, to dream beyond the constraints of our reality, to uncover a resilience we never knew we possessed. This journey imbued me with an identity rich in complexity, straddling the worlds of being both Asian and American.

This duality of my existence has become my strength, especially in my role as a mental health therapist. It enables me to empathize deeply with those navigating their own intricate paths, particularly within immigrant communities. My personal history, steeped in both trauma and triumph, equips me to accompany others on their journey toward healing and self-discovery. In reflecting on my parents’ actions, it’s clear they did more than just ‘right’ by us — they gifted us the courage to dream and the resilience to realize those dreams, shaping me into the person I am today, someone who can genuinely walk alongside others in their moments of struggle.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

At the heart of my identity is a tapestry of experiences as an undocumented Asian immigrant, which has profoundly shaped my outlook on mental health and wellness. My name is Soo Jin Lee, and I am a licensed therapist deeply committed to the mental health advocacy of underserved communities, particularly those navigating the complexities of multicultural identities.

My career of mental health was a purposeful endeavor influenced by my own journey of navigating identity, trauma, and resilience. This personal history led me to the Yellow Chair Collective, where diversity and inclusion are the foundation of our work. As the Executive Director, my focus has been on creating a space that particularly serves the Asian American community. Our collective addresses the nuanced challenges our clients face, including intergenerational trauma and racial discrimination, which have historically been overlooked. Beyond my role at Yellow Chair Collective, I have co-founded Entwine Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to weaving together the strands of community support for those in need. My commitment to mental health advocacy is further cemented by my co-authorship of “Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity,” a resource for those looking for the path of healing grappling with their cultural identities amidst personal and collective trauma.

I am most proud of the collective courage and resilience of our community — the stories of healing, the journeys of self-discovery, and the unyielding strength in the face of adversity. These narratives inspire our work every day, fueling our commitment to advocacy, education, and support.

For potential clients, followers, and supporters, I want you to know that at Yellow Chair Collective, and through our broader initiatives, your story is honored. Your journey matters.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Navigating the landscape of mental health within a community enshrouded in stigma has been both a challenge and a privilege. The journey towards fostering a space for emotional well-being and mental health advocacy, especially in communities historically reluctant to seek such support, has been a challenge. Our commitment to authenticity and the genuine desire to serve our community have been the bedrock of our reputation within the market.

As the awareness and acceptance of mental health care increases, so does the curiosity regarding the viability of specializing in services tailored to communities with deeply ingrained stigmas around such topics. It’s a question we’ve encountered often: do we find enough engagement and need within our focused demographic? While it’s undeniable that there’s a significant journey ahead in destigmatizing mental health issues within our society, our steadfast dedication to remaining true to our values and vision has paved the way for our reputation’s growth.

We didn’t merely seek to establish another therapeutic practice; our vision was to cultivate a community—a space where I would feel confident sending my own family for support. This resonates deeply within our operations and outreach. We recognized a void—a lack of accessible, culturally sensitive mental health resources—and set out to fill it. This intentionality in creating a space that not only addresses but embraces the unique needs and challenges of our community has been key to building our reputation.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Reflecting on my journey, the question of whether I would choose the same profession and specialty if given another chance prompts a resounding yes. The privilege of being present in people’s moments of vulnerability—witnessing their pain, their recovery, and their joy—is an honor that continually reaffirms my passion for this work. To know that you’re making a tangible difference in the world, offering solace and guidance to those navigating the complexities of the human experience, is a rare and precious feeling. Of course, my path to this point was not without its twists and turns. My journey began in an art university, a testament to my belief in the power of creativity and expression. My academic journey took twice as long as some of my colleagues, presenting its own set of trials and lessons. Yet, every step, every detour, contributed to my growth, both personally and professionally.

In hindsight, each experience, whether perceived as a detour or delay, was instrumental in shaping me into the therapist I am today. These experiences imbued me with a unique blend of empathy, creativity, and resilience, enabling me to connect with and support my clients in a deeply meaningful way. So, despite the occasional wonder about what might have been had I taken a more direct path, I remain unwavering in my choice. I would choose this profession time and again.

Contact Info:

• Website: yellowchaircollective.com
• Instagram: @yellowchaircollective
• Facebook: @yellowchaircollective
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/soo-jin-lee
• Twitter: @yellowchaircollective
• Youtube: @yellowchaircollective
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yellow-chair-collective-arcadia
• Other: Yellow Chair Collective: The Podcast

Image Credits
TiffanyJ Photography for headshots