ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
To support clients in building a life that feels clear, fulfilling, and fully their own. We believe that healing is possible for every one who is willing to do something different — and we are here to help make that real.
OUR GOAL
To guide clients in creating a lasting change through evidence-based tools. Our goal is to strengthen self-awareness, emotional regulation, and boundary setting so that change does not just happen — it sticks
OUR VISION
To contribute to a healthier world by supporting more people do the inner work that makes a real difference. We believe that when individuals heal, the communities around them do too.
THE COMPANY
Anel Lee & Associates is a mental health and wellness center dedicated to helping clients find their way forward. We are a growing team of trauma-informed therapists who show up with honesty, care, and a genuine belief that change is possible.
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THE FOUNDER
ANEL LEE
Founder | Licensed Clinical Social Worker
MY STORY
Ten years ago, I was in the same place where you probably are. I was reluctant to try therapy — I had grown up hearing that asking for help meant you were weak, that you just had to be tough and push through. As a Latina, those messages were hard to escape.
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But after my own experiences, I reached a point where I had to be honest: what I had been doing was not working. I needed to do something different. That decision changed my life, and it is what brought me to this work. I became passionate about helping my clients see that they have the ability to change their lives too.
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Most of us were never given the tools we need to manage life today. Our caregivers did the best they could with what they had. Therapy can help fill that gap — not by telling you who to be, but by helping you understand yourself well enough to decide.
MY TRAINING
I received my Master's degree in Social Work from Walden University and am a doctoral candidate in Community Care and Counseling at Liberty University. My focus includes trauma-focused therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions. I am licensed to practice therapy in California, where I provide services in both English and Spanish — a reflection of my heritage as a second-generation Mexican-American.
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Over the years I have worked across a range of settings — schools, community-based organizations, prisons, and nonprofits — and that experience gives me a broader context for understanding the different circumstances my clients come from.
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I specialize as a trauma therapist, working with a diverse range of clients who are survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, childhood abuse, and other traumatic experiences. I also work as a coach and in community mental health, providing crisis intervention. I am a certified Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Advocate.
ASSOCIATE
DANIEL MONTOYA
Associate Clinical Social Worker
ASW 111676
MY STORY
My life's work has centered on interrupting black and white thinking. I know what it feels like to be forced to pick sides — by a community, by conflicting parts of identity, by rigid ideas of right and wrong. Growing up Latino, I understand how family systems, cultural expectations, and the world around us can make it difficult to discover who our most authentic selves truly are outside of who we were told to be.
As I continue to heal and grow, I have learned that becoming your own person means learning to navigate a world that is not as straightforward as our families or the status quo would like us to believe. Therapy is a place where you can begin to unlock your sense of autonomy and self-worth— and I will be there to walk alongside you with compassion, empathy, and a genuine smile.
MY TRAINING
I began my Social Work journey at Azusa Pacific University, earning my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in generalist practice, followed by a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in Integrated Health from California State University, Long Beach. I am license-eligible to practice in California and provide services in English.
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I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through an EMDRIA-approved program, and my therapeutic approach sits at the intersection of authentic expression, exploration, and empowerment. Working from a strengths-based framework, I incorporate EMDR, solution-focused therapy, DBT skills, and mindfulness practices — tailoring each session to your unique needs.
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I support adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds navigating depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, trauma, grief, guilt/shame, suicidal ideation, self-esteem issues, family conflict, life transitions, identity exploration, or school-based stressors. Above all, I am committed to creating an affirming, nonjudgmental space where you feel safe enough to be challenged, heal, and grow.
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You are worthy, and you deserve it.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
If you are ready to do something different or want to learn more about how we can support you, you can book a session using the link below. You do not have to have everything figured out. We will meet you where you are.
PHONE
(562) 250-4770
ADDRESS
12440 Firestone Blvd, Suite 311D
Norwalk, CA 90650