Holly Starr
Compassionate therapy for life transitions
LMFT California
- Experience
- 25 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
- Languages
- English
About Holly
Holly Starr is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 25 years of clinical experience who focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, and major life transitions.
Background and approach
She brings a background in clinical psychology and a long history working in residential and independent practice settings, shaped early on by roles in suicide prevention hotlines and grief work. That foundation informs a calm, attuned approach to feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and relational conflict.
Holly combines attentive listening with active observation to help clients put difficult experiences into words and examine how thoughts shape behavior. She often uses cognitive behavioral techniques alongside attachment-oriented and depth-oriented methods to clarify patterns and try small, practical shifts that influence day-to-day functioning.
Comfortable with both live talk therapy and text-based formats, she offers flexible options to meet different communication preferences. Based in California, Holly aims to support people at various life stages as they move through loss, identity changes, caregiver stress, mood concerns, and other challenges commonly encountered across the lifespan.
Approaches that inform online work and personal growth
Holly often integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy in online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Attachment-Based Therapy explores relationship patterns and early bonds to help clarify how past connections influence present relational difficulties and intimacy concerns.Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Holly collaborates with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She will discuss how different techniques might be used and adapt the approach over time based on what feels most helpful and practical for the client.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which allow for flexibility in scheduling and communication. These options make it easier to continue work during life transitions, accommodate caregiving or work demands, and maintain consistent support when in-person sessions are not convenient.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Licensed
California
Languages
English