Family therapy and counseling in Bridgeport, CT

Welcome to Stem Wellness! My name is Stella Stempel, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Psychologist. In over 10 years of private practice, I worked with individuals, couples, and families. My approach is consistent, incremental change coupled with healthy thoughts that leads to a more satisfying life. Changing the way we act affects the way we feel and the way we view ourselves. When working with me, you are guided towards intentional living and healthy thought processes.

As a social worker, I endeavor to make a strong bond with you and explore your strengths. I will hold a space for you to experience feelings that you may have been putting off or avoiding confronting. I have a calming demeanor and welcoming personality that will put you at ease. Together we can evaluate & explore any issues that may be troubling you.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with a passion for integrative, whole-person care. By blending the principles of integrative psychiatry with a deep understanding of adult medicine, I am committed to treating the mind and body as a unified system. I believe that true wellness requires dedicated attention to both.

Through the world of therapy, I hope to bring more education and support to pregnant and postpartum people. My style of counseling is positive, person-centered and solution-focused. I believe that the most important part of perinatal mental health is prevention; entering into therapy prior to or during pregnancy is the most effective way to process birth and postpartum. I will provide a safe and soothing environment for all of my clients to work through their identified needs. I also have training in working with college-aged students and specifically athletes. I am licensed in both MA and CT.

I believe it is important to establish therapy for moms to be and received continued support through pregnancy and postpartum. I also work with moms who experienced miscarriages and infant loss. I am also able to support college students through early adulthood transitions, sports and relationships.

If you are in the beginning stages of planning for a family or you are postpartum, I am here to support you through these transitions. I also have extensive work with family systems so even older children and parenting support. Currently I am working on an athletic college campus so I am opening private practice to college students as well.

Life can be a lot. Between juggling work, friends and family life, anxiety and sadness can sneak up on you. Therapy isn’t about lying on a couch while someone silently nods, it’s about having a real convo with someone who gets it. Together, we’ll work together out how to quiet the noise, boost your mental health, and build habits that make life feel less like survival mode and more like you actually living it. Life throws curveballs — and when we don’t fully process them, they can sneakily pile up as stress, anxiety, or that heavy feeling you just can’t shake. That’s where therapy comes in.

My mission is simple: create a space where you can express yourself, shake off the weight you’ve been carrying, and explore who you’ve been, who you are, and who you want to become. A safe zone for real talk and growth. EMDR (a way of helping your brain re-file old memories so they don’t keep hitting the panic button), systems theory, person centered theory.

Therapy with me isn’t about lying on a couch in awkward silence. It’s modern, collaborative, sometimes even a little fun — because growth doesn’t always have to feel heavy. I’m open-minded yet structured and here to make the process feel less like a chore and more like a genuine reset.

For insurances I do not accept: Out of network provider: 4 questions to ask insurance representative: Does your plan include "out-of-network" coverage for mental health? What is your annual deductible for mental health benefits? What is your co-insurance? (What percentage does the plan cover?) Is there a limit on sessions?

I come to you with over 20 years of experience working with populations across the life cycle. I have a deep and empathic understanding of challenges and complexities that impact at all stages of life. I specialize in helping adults struggling with anxiety and depression, and experiencing relational issues and difficulties in parenting. I approach each client with an open mind, compassion, and empathy.

I have my Master of Social Work from New York University and have worked in Social Services and Behavioral Healthcare for more than 26 years between New York City and Philadelphia. I offer individual therapy to support my clients in their work to live their best lives, whatever that means to them. I have experience working in inpatient psychiatry and outpatient counseling.

With a strong foundation in both social work and law enforcement, I bring a compassionate, grounded, and practical perspective to therapy. I hold both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and spent eight years in law enforcement, primarily working patrol. This experience gave me the opportunity to support individuals and families during some of the most challenging and vulnerable moments of their lives.

Through my professional work—and my own lived experiences with critical and traumatic incidents—I developed a deep commitment to helping others heal from trauma. I specialize in trauma-focused therapy and work with individuals navigating life’s challenges, processing difficult past experiences, and building resilience for the future.

My approach blends clinical expertise with real-world understanding to create a space that is supportive, nonjudgmental, and genuine. I strive to ensure clients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process. Whether you are working through trauma, adjusting to life transitions, or seeking healthier coping strategies, I aim to help you gain clarity, strengthen your inner resources, and move forward with confidence. I’m here to support you every step of the way on your path toward healing and personal growth.