Stella Barry, LCSW

Stella Barry, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience serving Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Spanish with a minor in Criminal Justice from Mount Saint Mary’s University. Stella has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across a range of settings, including schools, foster care and adoption services, and community-based outpatient therapy. In addition to her clinical work, she has held supervisory and management roles in the various settings.

Outside of her clinical practice, Stella is a dedicated athlete, and coaches track and field and cross country in a local school district. She brings the same passion to coaching as she does to therapy—helping student athletes achieve their athletic goals while navigating academic and social stressors and pressures.

Stella specializes in treating anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, ADHD, trauma, bipolar disorder, stress, anger, and grief and loss. She has also worked for over a decade with youth on the autism spectrum, particularly those transitioning to adulthood and independent living. Her therapeutic style is warm, strength-based, and integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eco-Systemic Structural Family Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, psychodynamic principles, and trauma-informed care. Stella emphasizes practical strategies for managing overwhelming emotions and supports clients in setting small, achievable goals aimed toward feeling better. She values the power of positive connections and relationships with others and works with individuals to identify supportive past, current and possible future positive connections to help clients live happier and healthier lives. Stella strives to create a safe, supportive space for clients of all ages and backgrounds to share openly and grow meaningfully.