MarLa Bell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with individuals in various roles. She is passionate about improving the lives of individuals and communities by serving as an "interrupter" of systems and barriers to social health needs. MarLa's professional experience along with her mission to ensure others thrive has created a unique skillset. She is a mom of 2 with ample experience navigating life through adversity. MarLa specializes in leadership stress, trauma-informed care, major life transitions (i.e. military, college, and parenting), family conflict, daily stress, and mild depression.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In the first session with me, my clients can expect to be given a safe judgement free space to teach me a bit about them and their mental health goals. In the first session I hope to accomplish a report with me and develop an eagerness to begin the work for future sessions to come.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My greatest strengths as a provider include understanding I am not the expert in your life, I depend on my clients to allow me to get to know them as we work together to reach their mental health goals.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I work with adults 18 and over. I particularly enjoy working with individuals who are managing the stressors that come with being a young adult transitioning into adulthood. In addition to those who simply need an outlet to talk through the woes of life within a safe space. I also work with individuals who have leadership roles i.e. parents, career, business owners who feel like they are on an island by themselves and need an objective ear to talk through the stressors of constantly being the boss. The social worker/mental health therapist/first responders ensuring they are practicing their own self-care. The individual who has no longer wants to dump their issues and woes on family and friends but desires someone who is objective and has a skillset to be impactful. The individual who wishes to feel better about life, go back to school, start a new job, improve their lives but not sure where or how to begin. Aside from meeting new clients, I'm always excited to work with young adults and individuals to lack trusted support to talk through and work through life challenges.

About MarLa Bell MSW, LISW-S