Holly Zell

Thank you for taking some time to learn more about me! I welcome any questions you might have about my professional background, my training, experience, or counseling philosophy.

I have a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, and I have been practicing since 2017. I practice from a person centered lens, meaning I believe you are the expert in your life and your needs, and I am here to create with you a comfortable place to explore, reflect, and make decisions based on your own values. I have training in a variety of trauma treatments, suicide prevention, and eating disorders. I practice from a justice and systems centered perspective, challenging the narratives we have been told we must believe and helping clients to forge their own path. I am also a PhD student at Oregon State University, studying community based suicide prevention in queer and trans communities.

Grief and death are natural companions in my life. Through my experiences, both personal and professional, I know one of the challenges of grief is finding a safe and comfortable space to process feelings, where emotions don’t need to be minimized or tidied up for the comfort of others. I strive to help you create a space where you can express yourself, knowing that I feel comfortable sitting there with you, no matter what you show up with.

On a more personal level, I am a therapist with lived experience of mental health challenges, trauma, and grief. I’m a self-proclaimed weird person, with a strange collection of art and interests, and a very goofy sense of humor. I love nothing more than a lazy day where I build a cozy couch nest, eat snacks and watch movies. My favorite part of living in Oregon is being close to the ocean, and spring flowers!