(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Sylvia Bella. I primarily work with teens who feel overwhelmed by school, friendships, or constant pressure and aren’t sure how to cope. Many of the teens I support struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, anger, academic stress, or difficulty making decisions, and often feel stuck or misunderstood. I also work with parents who want to better understand and support their teen but aren’t sure where to start. In addition to teens, I support young adults, adults, and new mothers who are navigating anxiety, trauma, and life transitions, helping them find relief, clarity, and a stronger sense of confidence and emotional balance. I work with teens and young adults to better understand their emotions, build self-esteem, and manage stress, anger, and anxiety. My approach is collaborative and down-to-earth, with a focus on practical tools that actually help. I also use CBT, mindfulness, art-based therapy, and EMDR when it fits your needs.
In our first session, we’ll start by reviewing important information such as intake paperwork, consent, and confidentiality so you have a clear understanding of the therapy process and feel comfortable moving forward. We’ll also spend time getting to know you, what brought you to therapy, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you’re hoping to gain from our work together. You’re welcome to share at your own pace, and there’s no pressure to go into anything before you feel ready. By the end of the session, we’ll begin to identify your goals and discuss a general plan for treatment. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, supported, and with a better sense of what working together will look like moving forward.
My greatest strengths as a therapist are my ability to create a safe, supportive space while also helping clients move toward meaningful change. I balance empathy with gentle challenge, so clients feel heard and understood, but also empowered to shift patterns that are no longer serving them. I take an integrative approach, drawing from evidence-based methods such as CBT, EMDR, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. This allows me to tailor therapy to each client’s unique needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Clients often share that they appreciate how I help them make sense of their experiences while also providing practical tools they can use in their daily lives. My goal is not only to help clients feel better in the moment, but to build long-term resilience, self-awareness, and confidence.
I primarily work with teens who feel overwhelmed by school, friendships, or constant pressure and aren’t sure how to cope. Many of the teens I support struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, anger, academic stress, or difficulty making decisions, and often feel stuck or misunderstood. I also work with parents who want to better understand and support their teen but aren’t sure where to start. In addition to teens, I support young adults, adults, and new mothers who are navigating anxiety, trauma, and life transitions, helping them find relief, clarity, and a stronger sense of confidence and emotional balance.
EMDR
I am trained in EMDR and use it to support clients in processing and healing from past traumatic or distressing experiences. My experience includes helping clients safely access and reprocess memories that may be impacting their current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In practice, I ensure that EMDR is used at a pace that feels safe and manageable for each client. I focus on building strong coping skills and emotional regulation before and during the process, so clients feel supported and in control throughout their healing journey.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have experience using CBT to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my work, I support clients in identifying unhelpful thought patterns, challenging cognitive distortions, and developing more balanced, realistic ways of thinking. In practice, I use CBT in a collaborative and practical way—helping clients build awareness, learn coping strategies, and apply tools in their daily lives. My goal is to empower clients with skills they can continue using outside of sessions to manage stress, anxiety, and other concerns more effectively.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I incorporate mindfulness-based approaches to help clients become more present, grounded, and aware of their internal experiences without judgment. My experience includes guiding clients through mindfulness exercises such as breathing techniques, body awareness, and grounding practices. In sessions, I use mindfulness to help clients regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and build a stronger connection to themselves. I tailor these practices to each client’s comfort level, making them accessible and practical for everyday life.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing to support clients who may feel stuck, ambivalent, or uncertain about change. My approach focuses on meeting clients where they are and helping them explore their own motivations, values, and goals in a non-judgmental space. In practice, I use open-ended questions, reflection, and encouragement to help clients build confidence and move toward meaningful change at their own pace. This approach is especially helpful for fostering autonomy and strengthening commitment to personal growth.
Psychoeducation
I believe that understanding what’s happening internally can be incredibly empowering for clients. I regularly use psychoeducation to help clients learn about mental health, emotional responses, coping mechanisms, and behavioral patterns. In sessions, I break down complex concepts into relatable, easy-to-understand information so clients can make sense of their experiences. This helps reduce confusion, increase self-awareness, and give clients practical tools they can use outside of therapy.