Stella Galarza De Saggese , LPCC

Stella Galarza De Saggese is a California licensed professional clinical counselor with 40 years of experience. She helps people facing depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, and wounds to self-esteem. Stella speaks English and Spanish and aims to listen with respect for each person's cultural background.

She draws on long clinical experience to offer straightforward, compassionate care. Sessions focus on practical ways to reduce distress and build coping skills. Stella pays attention to how life events and culture shape feelings and behavior.

Her style blends steady support with clear direction. She helps clients name problems, try small changes, and notice what works. Conversations are aimed at increasing resilience and restoring a sense of control over daily life.

Stella can talk through issues like abandonment, blended family concerns, caregiver stress, and communication problems. She also addresses chronic illness, postpartum depression, guilt and shame, and recovery from trauma. The goal is to help people find clearer priorities and healthier patterns.

Clients who appreciate an experienced, culturally aware counselor often choose her for longer-term work or focused short-term goals. She offers sessions in English and Spanish and helps people weigh steps forward in practical, manageable ways.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Two evidence-based techniques commonly used by experienced counselors are problem-focused work and trauma-informed support. Problem-focused work helps people identify specific stressors, try small behavioral changes, and track what reduces symptoms; it often helps with anxiety, low mood, and communication problems. Trauma-informed support centers safety and pacing, helping people process upsetting events at a manageable speed while rebuilding coping skills and self-trust.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, background, and preferences, then tailor techniques that fit. Clients and the therapist adjust methods over time based on what proves most helpful.

Online therapy offers practical ways to connect. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues matter. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging let people send brief updates or get support between sessions. These options make it easier to schedule care around work, caregiving, or travel while keeping therapeutic momentum.