Stella  Zweben Samuel
Vetted

Stella Zweben Samuel

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
California Waitlist Online
Encino Waitlist In-person
Updated January 4, 2024

Specialties & Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Life transitions
  • Stress management
  • College students and young adult mental health
  • Couples counseling

Professional statement

Stella Zweben Samuel is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Los Angeles, CA who works with people experiencing mild to more moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Many of her clients are having difficulties at home, at work, at school, with friends, family and relationships. Others may be parents who feel frustrated and at their wits' end, and unsure of what to do to resolve family stressors. She especially loves working with young adults who are trying to navigate life transitions, relationship and self esteem issues.

Stella's approach is client-centered, skills-based, and mindfully driven. She recognizes that each individual is unique and works to understand the needs of each client. Stella enjoys empowering her clients with the mindfulness skills to manage their anxiety and become more grounded in their daily lives. Her approach encourages her clients to explore thoughts, feelings, and problems on a more internal and psychological level. Stella finds that this approach of going deeper encourages a lasting impact and also addresses the more obvious concerns.

Her clinical experience in a variety of settings including at Bellevue Hospital Center, UCLA, USC, and Women Helping Women allow her to confidently recognize a individual's challenges and support them utilizing empirically proven techniques to help provide relief from the stressor that brought the young adult into counseling as well as build on the individual's strengths and tools to cope with struggles in the future.

Stella is passionate about helping others to find a deeper understanding of themselves in order to create long-term change to alleviate stress, overwhelming emotions, and to effectively cope with the challenges that arise. She currently sees clients through Telehealth video platforms.


Message to clients

Do you feel like you are struggling and you don't know what to do? Are experiencing a life transition (entering/leaving college, having a baby, single, trying to find a significant other) that seems overwhelming? Are you having a difficult time communicating with your significant other or friends and family? Counseling might be the help you need. Many young adults seek counseling to obtain some understanding and coping strategies for themselves when life is too stressful and they have been unable to find answers from friends or family. I know this is hard and you've likely been debating seeking help for months, if not years. But I'm so glad you found me and have taken the courageous step of being here.

Imagine being happier and successful, feeling less anxious, depressed, or irritable - it is within your reach. You would be able to focus more on yourself and what strengths you have rather than feeling dragged down by your situation. During conversations with friends or family members, you could actually relax and smile because you are proud of what you have accomplished and know you are feeling better and able to handle things. This is what would happen if you started counseling with me.


Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Life transitions - Coping with difficult or impactful life changes, such as moving to a new area, relationship transitions, child rearing, or career changes; learning self-care to better manage resulting stress

Stress management - Strengthening effective ways of coping with the stress of life and change; managing expectations of self and others

College students and young adult mental health - Specialized strategies for common issues of young adulthood, including school and career stressors, support around healthy relationships, existential concerns, drug or alcohol issues, eating disorders, and anxiety and/or depression

Couples counseling - Addressing relationship challenges and life transitions; strengthening communication and feelings of security, desire, connection, and love




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Parents
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

Stella Zweben Samuel is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $200 (50min)
  • Sliding scale: $175 - $200
  • Initial session: $200 (60min)
  • Couples sessions: $225 (90min)
  • Family sessions: $200 (60min)
  • Couples Initial Session: $225 (90min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • Venmo
  • Zelle
  • IvyPay
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • As needed

Location(s)

Encino practice
16530 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 400, Encino, California 91436
Accepting new clients with a 2 - 3 week wait in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon TBD
  • Tue TBD
  • Wed TBD
  • Thu TBD
  • Fri TBD
  • Sat TBD
  • Sun TBD

Online Sessions (California)
Accepting new clients with a 2 - 3 week wait online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon TBD
  • Tue TBD
  • Wed TBD
  • Thu TBD
  • Fri TBD
  • Sat TBD
  • Sun TBD

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 31 years

Private Practice, 2017 - Present
Adat Ari El Group Practitioner, 2008 - 2009
Group Private Practice, 2003 - 2007
Pacificare Behavioral Health, Incorporated, 2000 - 2004
University of Southern California (USC), 1999 - 2000
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), 1998 - 1999
Vista Del Mar Children and Family Services, 1996 - 1998
Women Helping Women Services, 1996
Bellevue Hospital Center, 1993 - 1995

New York University, MSW, 1993
Brandeis University, BA, 1991


Languages

English


Client testimonials

"Stella was warm, kind, and we had a comfortable and supportive conversation."
- Zencare client • September 2020