About Dr. Seng James Tee
Focus areas
Burnout
Life Coaching
Midlife Transition
Existential Anxiety
Life Management Counseling
Personal Development Counseling
Integrative Psychotherapy
Life Transition
Clientele seen
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Individuals
Treatment approaches
Christian Counseling
Existential
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Humanistic
Compassion Focused
Integrative
Identity
Gender
MaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. Seng James Tee
Are you having a tough time lately? Perhaps you’re going through major changes in your career, your relationships, or your health? Or maybe you're questioning what you have been doing with your life to date?
As a Resident Psychotherapist at the Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute (PSI), I practice a trauma-informed approach to psychotherapy that integrates body, mind, and spirit. I draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness to support coping, together with psychodynamics and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore root causes, along with Motivational Interviewing (MI) to foster positive change.
I work with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, life transitions, relationships, health issues, and aging. Blending Eastern and Western spirituality approaches, I help clients cultivate inner calm and attain personal transformation.
Born in Malaysia of Chinese descent and raised in a Buddhist context, I immigrated to New Zealand as a teenager. After studying engineering (PhD @ Canterbury), I worked in corporate and environmental policy sectors while studying business (MBA @ Henley) and economics (MPhil @ Waikato). Later on, I studied experimental psychology (MA & PhD @ NYU) and became a neuroscientist.
Seeking deeper purpose, I subsequently trained in acupuncture (MS @ Pacific College), and went on to study substance use counseling (MA @ The New School), clinical social work (MSW @ Rutgers), and Christian spirituality (MA @ Fordham). I am currently training in Buddhist contemplative care at the New York Zen Center.
I have worked with adults across diverse racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds, including secular, spiritual but not religious, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu clients, as well as members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
What should a new client know about working with you?
TRAUMA INFORMED: Renowned trauma psychiatrist Judith Herman identified 3 stages that are crucial for trauma recovery: 1) Establishing a sense of safety and control; 2) Processing the traumatic memories and losses; 3) Rebuilding a new identity and meaningful life. I focus on establishing trust and rapport with my clients, as well as creating a safe space to process thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
MIND: Carl Jung recognized that, until we make the unconscious conscious, it will direct our lives through autopilot reactions while we mistakenly consider it fate. I help my clients identify the root causes of their struggles, and understand why they make the choices they make, so that they can break the unhealthy cycle by making a positive change.
MIND-BODY: What happens to our mind affects our body. When we’re stressed, our shoulders can tense up. Likewise, what happens to our body affects our mind. In a survey of 225 victims of 9/11, survivors credited acupuncture, massage, yoga, and EMDR as most helpful in overcoming their traumatic experiences (The Body Keeps The Score, Bessel van der Kolk, 2014, pg. 233). The body can heal the mind. Deep breathing exercises can calm our mind.
MIND-SPIRIT: I adopt a broad definition of spirituality, encompassing the notions of life force, energy, the universe, and the sacred. A recent pioneering study at Columbia concluded that “depression and spirituality appeared to be two sides of the same coin, vastly different experiences that in fact share some significant physiology” (The Awakened Brain, Lisa Miller, 2021, pg. 153). Another study found that “people high in altruism and love are less depressed years in the future than those who are less altruistic” (page 223). Regardless of one’s religious belief (e.g., secular, spiritual but not religious, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism), integrating spiritual practices into psychotherapy can be helpful. Prayer, contemplation, meditation, rituals, and mindfulness can facilitate healing.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
BODY-MIND-SPIRIT: You are more than your symptoms! As a psychotherapist, I strive to integrate body, mind, and spirit, addressing the client as a whole person. Sacred moments in therapy can be transformative. At the same time, I acknowledge that spirituality isn’t always a safe space. I adopt a client-led approach. It is completely up to you to decide whether or not to integrate, and what aspects to integrate. I welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with acupuncturists and other health professionals to achieve your optimal mental health and wellbeing.
I work for the Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute (PSI), which is a non-profit, interfaith, interdisciplinary psychotherapy practice dedicated to offering services that treat mind, body and spirit as one. I am available for telehealth psychotherapy sessions on weeknights and weekends for adult clients located anywhere in the state of New York. The fee for a 45-minute telehealth (Zoom or telephone) session with me is $120. As a small 501(c)3 organization, your payment contributes significantly and impactfully towards supporting PSI’s charitable activities and goals. If you are experiencing financial hardship, we can offer you a reduced fee on a sliding scale.
To schedule a free 15-minute consult, simply choose one of my available openings. In case Zocdoc happens to indicate a $120 fee, please be assured that you will NOT be charged for the 15-minute consult.
“Money is important, but it is not the most important thing.” – Eamon Mark Paul Molloy QSM
“Time swiftly passes by, and opportunity is lost. On this night, the days of our life are decreased by one …… Do not squander your life.” – Zen Buddhist chant
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know that one is me." – ACA Serenity Prayer
“If you die before you die, you won’t die when you die.” – Inscription at St. Paul’s Monastery, Mount Athos, Greece.
Dr. Seng James Tee is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $120 for 45 minutes
Ongoing session: $120 for 45 minutes
- Sliding scale: Offers lower out-of-pocket fees on an individual basis, typically based on your ability to pay
More information on payments and coverage
I am not in-network with any health insurance plans. However, many health insurance plans have out-of-network (OON) benefits. If you do have it, I can provide you with a superbill, which you can then submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
I do work with Thrizer, an app that helps clients deal with insurance claims. It also has a payment option (Thrizer Pay) where clients only pay what they owe for OON therapy, instead of paying my fee and waiting for reimbursement.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, I can offer you a reduced fee on a sliding scale.
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Master's in Social Work
- New York University, PhD in Experimental Psychology
- Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education Fordham University (Master's)
- The New School, Master's in Mental Health Counseling
- Pacific College of Health and Science - New York, Master's in Acupuncture
- Henley Business School, Master's in Business Administration
- University of Canterbury, PhD in Engineering
- University of Waikato (MPhilEd)
NPI number
1851257844
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Seng James Tee?
Generally, Dr. Seng James Tee has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Tee's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Seng James Tee accepting new patients?
Dr. Seng James Tee generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Tee's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Seng James Tee accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Tee is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Seng James Tee online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Tee using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Seng James Tee work with?
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Seng James Tee?
Dr. Seng James Tee frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Seng James Tee on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Seng James Tee speak?
Dr. Seng James Tee speaks English.