Sheri Bell-O'Gara

Compassionate, experienced trauma-informed LCSW

LCSW Indiana

Experience: 29 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Sheri

Sheri Bell-O'Gara is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 29 years of experience in Indiana who emphasizes evidence-informed approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside EMDR, ACT, client-centered, and mindfulness-based techniques.

Background and approach

She focuses on trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, sleep problems, and stress, helping people manage intense emotions and life transitions while addressing related concerns like intimacy, parenting stress, and compassion fatigue. Drawing on long-term clinical practice, Sheri adapts her approach to each person rather than applying a uniform method.

Her style blends compassion and a grounded sense of humor, and she uses practical, skills-based interventions from CBT and mindfulness alongside trauma-focused tools such as EMDR when appropriate. She has experience supporting hospice and geriatric clients and has worked with people affected by combat and other traumatic events.

Sheri offers flexible online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging. Prospective clients can begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a brief matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to availability; session subscriptions vary with location and therapist availability and may be canceled at any time.

How evidence-informed approaches translate to online therapy

Many clients encounter emotional pain, anxiety, grief, or trauma and benefit from structured approaches that teach skills and process difficult memories. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thinking and behavior and learning practical strategies to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning; it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress management. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused method that helps people process distressing memories and the emotions tied to them through guided protocols. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes values-based action and developing willingness to experience difficult thoughts and feelings while building a more meaningful life.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and presenting concerns. Treatment often blends techniques over time so that evidence-informed skills and trauma-sensitive work can be introduced in a way that feels manageable and purposeful.

Offering video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging provides flexibility for those balancing work, caregiving, or health needs. These online formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care across locations and schedules while allowing therapists to deliver skills practice, guided exercises, and trauma-informed interventions in accessible ways.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Sheri works with a range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep difficulties, depression, relationship and intimacy-related problems, parenting stress, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.

Which therapeutic approaches are used in sessions?

Her practice incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), client-centered methods, EMDR, and mindfulness-based therapy to tailor treatment to each person's needs.

How much clinical experience does she bring?

She brings 29 years of professional experience as a licensed clinical social worker working across trauma, mood, and grief-related concerns.

What credentials and location are on file?

She is an LCSW licensed in Indiana with license number IN LCSW 34004011A and practices from Indiana.

Does she work with clients who live outside the United States?

Yes, she accepts international clients and conducts sessions with people who are located outside the U.S.

In what formats are sessions offered?

Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How are costs and payment handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse GriefSleeping disordersDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

29+ years

Licensed

Indiana

Languages

English