Sheri Bell-O'Gara, LCSW
Experienced trauma-informed LCSW who listens
Details
| Name | Sheri Bell-O'Gara |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | Indiana |
| Licensed in | Indiana |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 29 |
About Sheri
Sheri Bell-O'Gara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Indiana with 29 years of experience. She focuses on trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, sleep problems, and stresses that come from life changes. She aims to meet each person where they are and uses practical tools in conversations that are warm and human.
Sheri draws on Narrative Therapy to help people make sense of painful events and rewrite harmful stories they tell themselves.
Background and approach
She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to teach skills for handling overwhelming thoughts and behaviors. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is another approach she offers for intense trauma and memories. Her background includes work with hospice clients and older adults, and experience supporting people who have served in combat zones.
She has substantial experience helping those facing caregiving stress, chronic illness, and complicated grief. Sheri describes her style as compassionate and often gently humorous when appropriate. She prefers to adapt to each person's needs rather than forcing a single method, and she encourages collaboration about goals and pace.
Sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. To begin, a simple online matching questionnaire is completed and scheduling follows based on availability.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief among the things Sheri works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Sleeping disorders
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dissociation
- Domestic violence
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- First responder issues
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Sheri among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Sheri among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Sheri among the ways she works.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Sheri among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Sheri among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Sheri among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Sheri among the ways she works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Sheri among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Sheri directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Sheri directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
Therapeutic approaches that fit online care
Many of Sheri's methods translate well to online work. Narrative Therapy helps people look at the stories they tell about themselves and then try different ways of telling those stories to reduce shame and isolation. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing difficult thoughts and feelings and committing to actions that match personal values; it can help with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers clear steps to change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, which is useful for sleep problems, panic, and mood symptoms.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Sheri collaborates with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, needs, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time and checks in about what helps and what does not.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make scheduling easier for busy days. Video is useful for full sessions and visual cues. Phone can be a lower-bandwidth option for focused conversations. Live chat and text allow shorter check-ins or ongoing reflections between sessions. These options support flexibility and make therapy accessible across distances.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns can be addressed in sessions?
Sheri helps people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep problems, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting strain, anger, low self-esteem, bipolar issues, and coping with life changes and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe the therapy style?
She uses a narrative approach alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people reframe stories, build coping skills, and manage thoughts and behaviors in day-to-day life.
What experience does the therapist bring?
She has 29 years of clinical experience, including work with hospice clients, older adults, and people returning from combat zones, and long practice treating trauma and mood concerns.
What are the therapist's credentials and location?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - practicing in Indiana.
In which languages can sessions be held and are international clients supported?
Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are accepted.
Which session formats are available?
Therapy is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and communication preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Sheri are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Sheri where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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