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Holly Starr, LMFT

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Holly is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

5.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Holly. View 7 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in California

Recent reviews

Holly Starr is one of the good ones out there. She allows me to talk and express but also sheds light on my situation. I feel a lot better after speaking with her.

Reviewed November 2020

I can't speak highly enough of Holly. In addition to her intelligence and expertise, she brings a soothing voice, calming presence, and even some much needed humor at just the right times. I've been speaking with her weekly for a couple of months, and I keep coming back because I get something out of each and every session with her. I was sexually abused at a young age, had friends murdered in high school, lost my stepdad (and other friends and family) to suicide, and was in very abusive relationships including one that resulted in being kicked in the face while driving causing an accident, emergency c-section, and the death of my first son (all before the age of 30). I was handling that past (I'm in my mid-40's now) plus 2020 ok all things considered until my young, healthy mom had a severe heart attack. I knew I needed someone to talk to as I navigate the prognosis which is unfortunately not what we want it to be. After a few mis-matches, I was fortunate enough to be paired with Holly. I've had some other setbacks recently, and I'm so thankful for her support to help navigate these latest obstacles. I'm impressed with how much she has empowered me, and I look forward to the continued improvements in my quality of life. Thanks Holly!

Reviewed September 2020

More about Holly

  • 25 years' experience
  • Female
  • LMFT

Hello, I am a psychotherapist with 25 years of experience practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a BA in English Literature and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, I move comfortably between live talk therapy and online written mediums. I have worked with adolescents, adults and the elderly in residential and private practice settings. I am struck by the unique challenges we all face as we transition from one developmental stage of life to the next. My early work as a suicide prevention hotline counselor and grief therapist/supervisor has laid the foundation for my enduring interest in how to move through depression, loss and bereavement. I am particularly attuned to feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and relational conflict which may affect our productivity and may lead to feelings of despondency or anxiety.

As a therapist, I am an intuitive listener and an active observer as I encourage clients to become more open and curious about what they are feeling. Together, we explore experiences that may be difficult to put into words, that may feel conflicted or shrouded by pain. As issues become clearer, we might explore how our thoughts influence our choices and behaviors. We may find that even small shifts can have a positive impact on feelings of well-being.

I realize that it may not be easy to reach out to a therapist for help. You've taken the first step and I look forward to meeting you as you begin this journey for yourself.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Relationship issues Grief Self esteem Depression Trauma and abuse Intimacy-related issues Coping with life changes Aging and geriatric issues Attachment issues Caregiver issues and stress Codependency Dissociation Emptiness Family of origin issues Fertility issues Guilt and shame Isolation / loneliness Midlife crisis Mood disorders Postpartum depression Women's issues Young adult issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Attachment-Based Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Jungian Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Holly Starr's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1326514456.

  • LMFT · California · 22500 · Expires March 2026

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Reviews for Holly Starr

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

7 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Helped Grateful Easy Empathetic Helping Listens Support Thankful Warm Easy to talk

Holly Starr is one of the good ones out there. She allows me to talk and express but also sheds light on my situation. I feel a lot better after speaking with her.

Reviewed November 2020

I can't speak highly enough of Holly. In addition to her intelligence and expertise, she brings a soothing voice, calming presence, and even some much needed humor at just the right times. I've been speaking with her weekly for a couple of months, and I keep coming back because I get something out of each and every session with her. I was sexually abused at a young age, had friends murdered in high school, lost my stepdad (and other friends and family) to suicide, and was in very abusive relationships including one that resulted in being kicked in the face while driving causing an accident, emergency c-section, and the death of my first son (all before the age of 30). I was handling that past (I'm in my mid-40's now) plus 2020 ok all things considered until my young, healthy mom had a severe heart attack. I knew I needed someone to talk to as I navigate the prognosis which is unfortunately not what we want it to be. After a few mis-matches, I was fortunate enough to be paired with Holly. I've had some other setbacks recently, and I'm so thankful for her support to help navigate these latest obstacles. I'm impressed with how much she has empowered me, and I look forward to the continued improvements in my quality of life. Thanks Holly!

Reviewed September 2020

Holly has been an absolute godsend for me in the wake of my Dad's passing. She has helped me pick up the fragments of our memories together and put them into a holistic, healthy view towards him and our relationship. In the depths of my depression, Holly has been there to remind me I'm not alone and I'm strong enough to pull through this dark time. She has been absolutely instrumental in my survival.

Reviewed September 2020

I hit the jackpot when I was matched with Holly Starr. I came to BetterHelp because I had recently lost my mother to cancer, my friend to suicide, and my job of almost 3 years. I was angry, uncertain about my career, and devastated by the loss of my mother. I knew I needed help to navigate my new life. Holly has been warm, empathetic, eye opening, and has helped me heal in ways that didn’t seem possible in the beginning. I have been seeing Holly consistently every week for the last few months and I can say for certain that I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t find her. I just started a new job in the same field that I thought was over for me and I feel more like myself everyday. I owe a lot of my new found strength to Holly and I am very grateful.

Reviewed September 2020

I have only had 3 sessions with Holly and the amount of work I feel I have done with her is remarkable. I find her incredibly easy to talk to and share deep conversations that have helped me navigate the issues I was seeking to address. She listens and engages in ways I have been hoping for in a therapist. She is able to guide me, asking questions and leading me into new perspectives about myself and my story and thus added to my awareness of myself and the work I can do to manage and navigate the relationships and world around me. I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with her.

Reviewed August 2020

Holly is smart and kind! I wanted to find a counselor that would explain things to me clearly, with a soft tone but also a firm clear instructive words. I am very happy to have been connected with Holly Starr.

Reviewed July 2020

Holly has been a tremendous help. In just a few sessions, she has been instrumental in helping me change my life for the better. I feel more hopeful and optimistic than I have in quite a long time. I'm so grateful to be with her.

Reviewed July 2020

How was your experience with Holly?

Frequently asked questions

Does Holly Starr offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Holly Starr works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Holly Starr speak?

Holly Starr speaks English.

How many years of experience does Holly Starr have?

Holly Starr has 25 years of experience.

Where is Holly Starr licensed to practice?

Holly Starr is licensed to practice in California.

Does Holly Starr accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Holly Starr does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Holly Starr offer?

Holly Starr offers clients Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Jungian Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Holly Starr?

Holly Starr can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Holly Starr?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.