Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
Welcome! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in California with over 10 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. I work with individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, addiction, stress, and relationship issues. My experience includes providing therapy in outpatient and residential dual diagnosis programs and recovery programs in San Francisco. I earned my master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from San Francisco State University in 2009. My passion is helping others to achieve greater health and happiness in life, by letting go of negative thoughts and patterns and creating new insights and self-understanding. As a counselor I am engaged, supportive, intuitive, empathetic and a good listener. I enjoy working with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds and welcome people from all walks of life. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space to talk about your thoughts and feelings and can help guide you on your journey of self-discovery.
My theoretical approach to counseling is person-centered, strength-based, and eclectic, incorporating psychodynamic theory into treatment. I tailor my interventions to the individual and utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques to help identify and change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I use reflective listening and look for patterns and underlying issues that may be the cause of distress, and work with clients on their goals.
I would describe my counseling style as authentic and caring, with a friendly and warm approach. I support my clients in developing healthier coping skills, and new ways of thinking and feeling. Learning how to communicate more effectively, practicing healthy boundaries and self-care can be helpful tools.
When working with addictions and recovery there are many underlying issues to be worked through and resolved, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. I help people to understand and cope with these feelings, which often have been buried for a long time. I support my clients with harm reduction or abstinence related goals and together we work through resistance and ambivalence. I understand that addiction and recovery are a process that takes time and that compassion is necessary. There is a lot of stigma, shame and fear associated with addiction and I provide a safe place to address your concerns.
Many of us have faulty beliefs that hold us back from having the life we want. I believe that we all have the potential to change and we all need support at times. Often, we feel stuck in old patterns and behaviors and it takes time to change. Sometimes we need to let go of old resentments or painful memories. By letting go of dysfunctional thinking and behavior patterns, we can create a healthier, happier life. I look forward to working with you and helping you through this process of healing.
Thank you,
Aparna
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Aparna Bell is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor practicing in California, and she brings 13 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. She earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from San Francisco State University in 2009 and has provided care in outpatient and residential dual diagnosis settings as well as recovery programs in San Francisco.
She works with individuals facing a range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, anger management, low self-esteem, depression, relationship and family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting challenges, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes. She also welcomes clients from the LGBT community.
Her clinical approach is person-centered and strength-based, drawing from an eclectic mix of methods with psychodynamic ideas woven into treatment. Interventions are tailored to each person, and she frequently uses cognitive-behavioral techniques to help identify and shift negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Reflective listening and attention to recurring patterns help uncover underlying issues so that clients can work toward meaningful goals.
Aparna’s counseling style is warm, authentic, and caring. She supports clients in developing healthier coping skills, learning new ways of thinking and feeling, improving communication, practicing healthy boundaries, and adopting self-care routines.
In work with addictions and recovery she attends to the many underlying concerns that often accompany substance use, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. She helps clients understand and manage emotions that may have been suppressed for a long time, and she supports both harm reduction and abstinence-related goals while addressing resistance and ambivalence. Aparna approaches recovery as a process that takes time and requires compassion, and she offers a nonjudgmental space to confront stigma, shame, and fear.
She believes people have the capacity for change but may need support to release old patterns, resentments, and painful memories. By letting go of dysfunctional thinking and behaviors, clients can create a healthier, more satisfying life. Aparna looks forward to working with clients and supporting them through their process of healing.
Many people ask whether online therapy can truly help. For common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, or navigating life changes, online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as traditional in-person care.
One major benefit is flexibility. Clients can connect with a therapist in the way that suits them best – through video sessions, phone calls, live chat, or in-app messaging – which makes it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule.
All therapists are licensed professionals, and clients have the option to change therapists if they are seeking a different fit. Online therapy can be a practical, accessible way to access professional support for many everyday mental health concerns.
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