Meet Holly Bellah, LCSW – Therapist & Advocate
With a diverse background in social work, academia, board leadership and training, I offer a strengths-based, collaborative approach to therapy.
About me
Professional Experience
Professionally, I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in schools, residential treatment, outpatient mental health, and non-profit settings. My experience includes working with refugees; foster and adoptive youth; and survivors of sex trafficking. In addition to therapy, I have taught life skills, provided community resources, conducted research, taught in academic settings, served in non-profit board leadership, and presented at conferences and workshops.
Life Experience
My story starts as a little girl living abroad in Hong Kong. My parents loved people and, as a result, I saw them connect and care for others in a way that permeates who I am today.
From those experiences, I gained curiosity and a love for adventure, travel, culture, and hearing extraordinary stories of challenge and resilience.
While I am grateful for all the peak moments I have been afforded in life, if you live long enough, you also stumble upon the valleys of life. I too have known heartbreak, betrayal, health challenges, and painful and frightening experiences – the kind that make you re-examine everything. It is those experiences that have tested me in ways I never imagined and have given me greater empathy and humility to walk alongside others as a fellow struggler and human.
I am a partner, dog owner and proud mother of two adult children.
My Interests and Hobbies
Outside of work, I enjoy being in nature, gardening, dancing, staying active, watching movies, and traveling. I believe caring for mind, body, and spirit is essential to wellness, and I strive to practice this every day.
Therapy Philosophy
My therapy office is a safe space for you to discover who you are, explore even the darkest corners of your story, and use your strengths to create a fulfilling life.
As a fellow human, I have known deep loss, hurt, and uncertainty. I bring this humanity into the therapy room and see myself as a fellow human walking alongside my clients.
During our first few sessions, we will explore your wellness goals and what tools and techniques work best for your individual needs. We will continue to check in to ensure your goals are being addressed and the methods we use are working well for you.
Education and Training
I hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work. I am a lifelong learner with extensive ongoing training in domains such as trauma, culture, mental health disorders, intersectionality and treatment modalities.
Modalities/Methods
I provide a robust set of evidence-based and experiential modalities to choose from, including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [CBT]
- Behavioral Activation
- Exposure and Response Prevention [ERP]
- Mindfulness
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy [DBT]
- Polyvagal theory
- Internal Family Systems/Parts work [IFS]
- Trust-Based Relationship Intervention [TBRI]
- Mentalization-Based Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Attachment-based Therapy
You are unique and the approach we use together should should reflect that!
“Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.” ~ Victor Hugo
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Dr. Viktor Frankl
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Take the first step toward healing and growth. Schedule a complimentary consultation to see how I can support your mental wellness.