Stella Holmes-Hughes

Compassionate, experienced social worker for complex concerns

LCSW New York

Experience: 27 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Stella

Stella Holmes-Hughes brings 27 years of clinical experience to clients seeking help with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and relationship or intimacy difficulties.

Background and approach

She works with people managing addictions, parenting and family conflicts, anger, and self-esteem concerns, and also addresses issues such as gender dysphoria, HIV/AIDS, end-of-life counseling, infidelity, jealousy, multicultural concerns, OCD symptoms, paranoia, SAD, sexual assault, and young adult challenges. Stella emphasizes compassionate, respectful care and individualizes conversations and plans to fit each person's circumstances.

Her practice blends evidence-informed methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based approaches, Client-Centered techniques, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Licensed as an LCSW in New York, she frames therapy as a collaborative process and acknowledges that beginning treatment takes courage.

Prospective clients are guided through a matching and scheduling process so work can begin when readiness and availability align.

Applying practical therapies online

Many clients respond well to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like anxiety or depression. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify personal values and build psychological flexibility, which can be useful for stress, avoidance, and persistent worry. Attachment-Based work explores relational patterns and emotional bonds to help improve interpersonal functioning and address intimacy-related concerns.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Stella will work with each client to review goals, preferences, and responses to different techniques, adapting methods from CBT, ACT, or attachment-informed work as needed to fit the person in front of her rather than imposing a single model.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing people to engage from home or other locations that work for them. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around busy lives and to maintain continuity of care when in-person meetings are difficult, while keeping the focus on consistent, goal-oriented therapeutic work with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she help with?

She supports people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, intimacy-related issues, parenting and anger, along with related areas such as OCD symptoms, sexual assault, and multicultural concerns.

What therapeutic style does she use?

The approach combines evidence-informed methods including CBT, ACT, Attachment-Based therapy, Client-Centered techniques, and DBT to tailor treatment to each client's needs and goals.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 27 years of professional experience working with a wide range of concerns across clinical settings.

What are her credentials and location?

She is licensed as an LCSW in New York with license number NY LCSW 075112 and practices from that region.

Does she offer services in other languages or internationally?

She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available?

Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.

How is cost handled for therapy?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem

Also works with

AddictionsIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementDepression

Additional focus areas

Gender dysphoriaHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityJealousyMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDParanoiaSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Sexual assault and abuseYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Experience

27+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English