What makes therapy at Clara Stella Counseling different?

At Clara Stella, therapy isn’t just about addressing symptoms — it’s about honoring your whole self: mind, body, and spirit. I specialize in working with women navigating body image, disordered eating, perinatal health, and identity concerns, offering a gentle and holistic approach.

My practice is rooted in evidence-based care (like EMDR and DBT) and shaped by cultural awareness, especially for those of AAPI heritage or navigating bicultural identities. As a Catholic therapist, I understand how faith can be a source of healing and resilience. When it’s meaningful for you, I integrate faith into therapy in a way that honors your journey — always as an invitation, never as an expectation.

Here, you’ll find a safe space to explore the challenges and questions unique to your story. I offer a free 20-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit and provide therapy that is warm, collaborative, and tailored to your values and hopes for healing.

What is faith-based therapy?

If your faith and spirituality are important to you, then they are integral parts of the counseling process. I practice both implicit and explicit faith-based therapy. In implicit faith-based therapy, my clients find that just knowing I understand their practice of faith and spiritual background is enough, and we may never discuss any religious or spiritual issues openly or directly. With explicit faith-based therapy, spiritual and religious issues are discussed more openly, and we may explore how our understanding of faith affects our lives and decision-making. We can talk about which approach feels most comfortable for you during our initial consultation.

How do I know whether therapy is for me?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from yourself or your body, therapy can offer a safe place to explore those feelings. Therapy can also be helpful if you’re navigating life changes, experiencing stress, or feeling unsure how your faith or culture fit into your story. I truly believe that everyone and anyone can benefit from therapy. You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy — sometimes, it’s about finding a compassionate space to grow, heal, and discover what matters most to you.

What can I expect in the first session?

Our first session is about getting to know each other. I’ll ask questions about what brought you to therapy, what you’d like to work on, and any hopes or concerns you may have. It’s also a chance for you to ask me questions and see if we feel like a good fit. Think of it as a gentle starting point — there’s no pressure to share everything at once.

How long will I be in therapy?

The length of therapy depends on your unique needs and goals. Some women find a few sessions helpful to navigate a specific challenge, while others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll check in along the way to make sure therapy continues to feel meaningful and aligned with what you need.

Do you take insurance?

Clara Stella Counseling operates as a private pay practice in order to offer clients the most flexibility, confidentiality, and choice in their treatment. Insurance companies often place limits on the length or frequency of therapy, and I believe your healing deserves to be guided by your needs — not by a network’s restrictions.

I also care deeply about accessibility. I reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots for those who may need financial flexibility, and I encourage you to ask about this during your consultation.

If you have out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement through your insurance company. You’ll pay for each session in full at the time of your appointment, and I’ll provide a monthly superbill you can submit for potential reimbursement. Many clients are surprised to discover their plans cover a portion of their care this way, and some even use services like Reimbusify to make the process simple.

What if I’m not religious?

You are welcome here. While my faith informs who I am, therapy at Clara Stella is always guided by your values, not mine. Some clients choose to integrate their spirituality into therapy, while others prefer a fully secular approach. Either way, my role is to meet you where you are and provide compassionate, evidence-based care.