Aparna Bell, LPCC
California LPCC focused on addiction and trauma
- Addiction and recovery
- CBT and psychodynamic work
- Client-centered support
About Aparna Bell
Aparna Bell is a licensed mental health professional in California with 13 years of experience helping people navigate depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, addiction, stress, and relationship challenges. She holds an LPCC, a California counseling license for professional counselors, and earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from San Francisco State University in 2009. Her background includes work in both outpatient and residential dual diagnosis programs and recovery services in San Francisco, where she supported clients managing co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns.
Aparna practices from a person-centered, strength-based perspective while integrating psychodynamic ideas and cognitive-behavioral techniques. She uses reflective listening to uncover patterns and underlying issues, and she helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In addiction work she supports clients with either harm reduction or abstinence goals and addresses related issues such as trauma, depression, and anxiety with patience and compassion.
Known for an engaged, intuitive, and empathetic style, Aparna emphasizes collaboration and practical coping skills. She works with individuals across a range of concerns including trauma and abuse, grief, family and relationship problems, anger, intimacy issues, parenting and career transitions, bipolar disorder, and challenges related to identity and sexual orientation. Her approach aims to foster new insights, healthier coping, clearer communication, and gradual, sustainable change.
Aparna welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and focuses on tailoring interventions to each person's goals and life circumstances, helping them move beyond old patterns toward greater well-being.
Aparna practices from a person-centered, strength-based perspective while integrating psychodynamic ideas and cognitive-behavioral techniques. She uses reflective listening to uncover patterns and underlying issues, and she helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In addiction work she supports clients with either harm reduction or abstinence goals and addresses related issues such as trauma, depression, and anxiety with patience and compassion.
Known for an engaged, intuitive, and empathetic style, Aparna emphasizes collaboration and practical coping skills. She works with individuals across a range of concerns including trauma and abuse, grief, family and relationship problems, anger, intimacy issues, parenting and career transitions, bipolar disorder, and challenges related to identity and sexual orientation. Her approach aims to foster new insights, healthier coping, clearer communication, and gradual, sustainable change.
Aparna welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and focuses on tailoring interventions to each person's goals and life circumstances, helping them move beyond old patterns toward greater well-being.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAntisocial personalityAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsForgivenessGender dysphoriaIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Aparna Bell have?
Aparna Bell has 13 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment.
Is Aparna Bell a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the LPCC credential, which is a California license for professional counselors. License details: CA LPCC 1222.
In which languages does Aparna Bell provide therapy?
Aparna provides therapy in English.
Where is Aparna Bell located?
Aparna is located in California.
How can I work with Aparna Bell as my therapist?
You can work with Aparna through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Aparna Bell work with international clients?
Aparna Bell does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Aparna Bell cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support
Aparna draws on client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as core tools in online work. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, creating space for self-exploration and personal meaning; it is helpful for issues like low self-esteem, relationship problems, and feelings of isolation. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering practical strategies for anxiety, depression, stress, and mood-related concerns. She also uses motivational interviewing to address ambivalence and support behavior change, which is especially useful for addiction, recovery, and readiness to adopt new coping strategies.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Aparna works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she tailors interventions as those needs evolve. This partnership helps ensure that therapy stays relevant and effective over time.
Online therapy with Aparna is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility and consistent access to support. These formats make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, or medical needs, and to maintain momentum between appointments through timely check-ins and communication with licensed professionals and therapists.