Family therapy and counseling in Rochester, MN

Hello, I’m Dr. Stella Essien, Welcome!

As a dual board-certified Nurse Practitioner (FNP & PMHNP), I have a passion for compassionate, equitable, and accessible mental health care practice that brings evidence-based, person-centered services to individuals and families across Minnesota.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, or addiction recovery, depression, or stress, I am here to support your path forward with warmth, professionalism, and purpose.

Welcome! I am licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin as a LICSW and LCSW, with 9 years of experience helping people in many settings, including crisis intervention services, acute mental health settings, outpatient mental health services, and as a Clinical Director of residential treatment facility. I believe everyone deserves support and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. My goal is to empower you as the champion of your own well-being. I work with individuals, families, and couples of all ages, and I am here to support you wherever you are on your journey.

Welcome - I am so happy you're here. I graduated with my Masters degree in Clinical Social Work from The College of St. Scholastica in 2019 and have been working in the mental health field for 7 years. Whether you're navigating stress, relationships, or personal growth, my goal is to ensure you feel seen and empowered. My role is to walk alongside you as you discover new perspectives, strengths, and possibilities.

I am a holder of a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the state of Minnesota and a highly results-oriented multicultural therapist with over 10 years of experience. The value I bring to therapy is building a strong therapeutic relationship with my client. I have the skills, knowledge, and ability that are required as a therapist to gather comprehensive information during an assessment, which my client and I will utilize collaboratively to develop a supportive treatment plan and coping skills for the client to implement when their mental health symptoms exacerbate. I have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a good Knowledge of cultural differences.

My work is deeply rooted in empathy, lived understanding, and respect for each person’s unique healing process.

I am a survivor of domestic violence, and I understand firsthand the complex emotional impact of trauma, including fear, loss of control, self-doubt, and the long path toward safety and healing. I also experienced the loss of a parent during childhood, which gives me a deep appreciation for how grief, attachment wounds, and early loss can affect emotional development and adult relationships.

These experiences do not define my clients’ journeys, nor do I assume their experiences mirror my own. Instead, they allow me to sit with pain without minimizing it, rushing it, or trying to “fix” it. I understand how important it is to feel believed, respected, and heard.

Clients should also know that I value transparency, trust, and collaboration. Therapy with me is a space where your voice matters, your boundaries are honored, and your strengths are recognized. I am committed to providing trauma-informed care that is compassionate, steady, and grounded in both clinical skill and genuine human connection.

Welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming. I aim to create a safe, collaborative, and grounded space from the beginning. I meet clients where they are and move at a pace that feels manageable and respectful.

I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families experiencing anxiety, trauma, addiction, and relationship challenges. I also specialize in complex and developmental trauma.

I support clients in integrating their spiritual and cultural values into therapy when desired and clinically appropriate. I was born in New Orleans and bring a culturally informed perspective shaped by my Latina, Indigenous, Christian, and Sephardic Jewish backgrounds.

I became a therapist because I have a deep commitment to helping people recognize and build their own strengths, especially during periods of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. I understand that seeking support takes courage, and I work to create a space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported throughout the process.

I earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) and PhD from Tulane University, as well as a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Louisiana and Texas, and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota. I also hold a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Prevention Professional (LPP), and Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP).

For the past eighteen years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals, children, and families across both clinical and K–12 educational settings. My professional journey has included roles as a Professional School Counselor, 504 Coordinator/Learning Specialist, and Clinical Therapist, giving me a unique understanding of how emotional, cognitive, and learning needs intersect.

Over time, my view of mental health has expanded. I’ve always been interested in nutrition, movement, sleep, and lifestyle as contributors to emotional wellness. But everything shifted when I began integrating mindfulness, contemplative practices, and a deeper exploration of hormone health—both personally and professionally. Understanding how hormones influence mood, stress, and cognition opened an entirely new dimension of care.

I now approach therapy through a whole-person lens that honors the connection between mind, body, hormones, and environment.

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with a Master’s degree in Counseling from Adler Graduate School, and I have been working in the mental health field for over 10 years. I provide therapy for children, teens, adults, families, and groups, and I strive to create a space where clients feel genuinely seen, respected, and supported. One of the things clients often tell me is that I am authentic, down-to-earth, and easy to connect with. I believe therapy works best when there is a strong, trusting relationship and when clients feel safe enough to be fully themselves.

My clinical work focuses heavily on anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, ADHD, self-esteem concerns, and life transitions. I also work with individuals navigating grief, substance use concerns, emotional dysregulation, relationship difficulties, and trauma-related symptoms. I use a collaborative, client-centered approach and tailor treatment to each individual’s needs, goals, and strengths.

I am Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who is passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care. I am known for being friendly, personable, and highly relatable, I focus on building strong connections with those I serve. I love to educate and empower the clients I work with.