- Attachment-based work
- Cognitive behavioral tools
- Grief and loss focus
About Holly
Holly Starr is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 25 years of clinical experience. She works with adults around stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, self-esteem concerns, trauma and intimacy-related issues. She also names guilt and shame among the issues she addresses.
She trained with a BA in English Literature and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Early work on a suicide prevention hotline and as a grief therapist and supervisor shaped her focus on loss and bereavement. That background informs how she talks about depression, grief, and the hard feelings that follow major life changes.
In sessions she listens closely and notices patterns in what people say and do. She encourages people to be curious about their emotions and to try putting difficult experiences into words. When feelings become clearer, she and the client look at how thoughts influence choices and behaviors.
Approaches she draws on include attachment-based work, cognitive behavioral ideas, psychodynamic and Jungian perspectives, and solution-focused techniques. That range lets her move between short-term practical steps and deeper examination of longstanding patterns.
She has practiced in residential and private settings and has worked across age groups, including adolescents, adults, and older adults. People who bring relationship strain, caregiver stress, fertility concerns, or the persistent weight of guilt or shame may find her approach useful when deciding what to work on next.
How her approaches translate to online work
Holly uses attachment-based ideas to notice how past relationships shape current patterns. That approach helps when relational hurt, caregiver stress, or feelings of disconnection are central concerns. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) brings a practical focus on thoughts and behaviors, offering short-term strategies for anxiety, mood problems, and guilt-driven thinking. Psychodynamic and Jungian perspectives look at deeper patterns and recurring themes, which can help when people want to understand where shame or emptiness began.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. She collaborates with each person to decide which methods suit their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice can change over time as issues become clearer or situations shift.
Confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example by reducing travel time, allowing a shorter check-in on a lunch break, or avoiding the need to be on camera for every meeting. Licensed professionals often adapt interventions so practical tools and deeper reflection both fit into the online setting.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, low self-esteem, trauma and intimacy-related issues, and notes guilt and shame among her focus areas.
How does she approach shame or guilt in sessions?
She listens closely and encourages curiosity about emotions, helping people put difficult experiences into words and then look at how thoughts shape behavior.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of experience, including work on a suicide prevention hotline and roles as a grief therapist and supervisor.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is an LMFT licensed in California and practices in California.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.