Ella Fies

If you're a teenage girl who's learned to stay quiet, a woman carrying anxiety that won't slow down, or someone whose life has been shaped by the criminal justice system, you're not alone in what you're carrying. I work with teenage girls, women in their 20s through 40s, and people whose trauma is tied to institutions and systems that weren't built with them in mind. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years teaching yoga, and that background shapes how I think about healing: it happens in the body as much as the mind, and it's possible even when you feel stuck.

My work draws from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Compassion-Focused Therapy, and somatic practices. In sessions, that means we get curious about the different parts of you, the ones that protect, the ones still holding old pain, and the ones you haven't had much space for yet. Mindfulness runs through our work as a practical tool, not a spiritual exercise. I move at your pace, and I'll be honest when something important comes up, because warmth paired with directness is what I've seen actually help people shift.

Our first session is mostly a conversation. I'll ask what brought you in, what you've already tried, and what you're hoping will feel different. You won't be expected to dive deep right away. By the end of our time together, you'll have a clear sense of whether this feels like a fit, and I'll have a real picture of what you're working with and how I can help. If you're nervous, that's completely normal. I'll follow your lead.