1614 X St., Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95818
US

916-287-3430

Thrive Therapy & Counseling provides high quality therapy to Highly Sensitive People and to kids, teens or adults struggling with anxiety, depression or self-esteem.

MEGAN BELL

Megan smiling with window behind her

Pronouns: she/her

Work schedule: W - Sat

Therapist in Sacramento, CA

MY APPROACH for teens, and adults

“Never a problem you couldn’t face, always two steps ahead of the race, everything fell into place...till now. We’re only human. Nobody’s perfect, you just gotta realize it. ‘Cause everybody needs a little help sometimes,”-Shannon Noll

So often in life, as we change and grow the world around us becomes more complicated and difficult to navigate. Things that wouldn’t have bothered us before, freeze us in our tracks and moving forward seems impossible. Maybe you’re a teen who feels like nobody understands you or you’re at a later life stage and want others to understand that what you’re feeling isn’t a choice or something you can just snap out of. Or maybe you were raised to believe that struggling is something to be embarrassed and ashamed of or that needing help is a sign of weakness.

I believe that it takes  a great deal of strength to acknowledge that we are human, and that we need some help and support in our lives. And it takes even greater courage to shake off the negative voice in our head telling us that we are weak or we’re not living up to expectations, and to take the plunge and reach for help and say I am ready for change. Growing up, I had a front row seat to the ups and downs of others around me and saw what a monumental difference it could be to have someone in your life who is a positive and supportive voice. 

I became a therapist in the hopes of being able to support people as they change and grow. To nurture minds and hearts as they discover themselves and to be that positive voice that encourages and guides, as they work to overcome obstacles of different life stages and become stronger and more resilient than before. I believe effective therapy is a partnership – you are the expert on you, your life and the people in it, I am the expert on mental health and by coming together we can uncover and discover how to create positive and authentic change for your life.

People heal at their own time, and at their own pace and that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution that will work for everyone. I work to meet each person where they’re at and to utilize tools and approaches that speak to who they are in each moment as they progress through counseling. I rely heavily on communication, self-advocacy, bridging the gap between mindful self-awareness and mindful action, identifying and exploring the mind-body connection (somatic work), psychoeducation, coping skill building, encouraging, validating, normalizing, challenging, reframing, providing different perspectives. I lead with curiosity, guiding people through crossroads moments in their lives with warmth, kindness, and patience.

My specialties include ADHD and more:

  • Undiagnosed adult and late teen ADHD

  • Teens and young adults, adults

  • Non-verbal therapeutic and creative approaches including sand tray therapy, art therapy and play therapy

  • Trauma

  • Childhood Emotional Neglect

  • Depression (chronic depression, situational depression, seasonal depression.) or Anxiety (panic attacks, social anxiety, stress, overwhelm)

  • Individuals struggling with low self esteem or development of self

  • Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

  • Individuals adjusting to changes in their lives

Some of my therapy approaches:

  • Art therapy & other projective and creative therapies

  • Person-centered, relational, & humanistic therapies

  • Holistic and integrative therapy

My EDUCATION and experience

I received my master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy with a specialization in Art Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University, and gained experience counseling children, teens and young adults here in Sacramento county. 

I have lived experience supporting others with ADHD, acting as a caregiver, and with large family dynamics. 

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) #114303 in Sacramento.

more ABOUT Me

When I’m not working I can often be found spending time with my family and pets. As a creative soul in my free time I enjoy writing, drawing, painting and baking. And, as a curious individual, I enjoy reading and learning about new things and exploring and listening to different types of music.

Pronouns: she/her