Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Bell.
Hi Victoria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My path into counseling began long before founding Solace Counseling LLC. It started in the school system, working in social work roles that shaped me in profound and lasting ways. Those early years revealed the community-wide challenges many students carried with them into the classroom. I often felt discouraged when the systems surrounding them disrupted the progress I knew they were capable of. That tension sparked something in me — a desire to step outside the limits of the school environment and support students and their families more directly, in a hands-on and meaningful way.
That experience planted a seed. I realized I wanted to go deeper, shifting my focus away from the overwhelming macro-level issues the schools illuminated and toward helping individuals on a more personal level. I felt called to walk beside people not only during moments of crisis, but as they worked to reconnect with their truest, most authentic selves.
This led me into the clinical mental health field, where I completed supervised training and eventually earned my licensure as a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker. As I grew as a clinician, it became clear that I didn’t want to focus solely on thoughts or behaviors—I wanted to support the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. My work now spans a diverse range of clients and presenting concerns, with a strong emphasis on trauma healing.
One of my most meaningful areas of specialization is supporting individuals who have experienced, or are currently navigating, narcissistic abuse. This work is deeply personal to me, and it has allowed me to connect with clients in a profound and empathetic way. It has become some of the most rewarding work I do—providing comfort to those who feel lost, and empowering them through safety planning, resource connection, psychoeducation, and therapeutic support.
When I built Solace Counseling LLC, I rooted it in the principles that guided my journey: therapy should be collaborative, individualized, and grounded in empathy. I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities—including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), strengths-based treatment, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and others. Each person I work with receives a tailored approach that fits their unique story. I firmly believe there is no “one-size-fits-all” in therapy.
A core element of how I practice is the Treatment Fit Model, which I use during initial sessions. This framework is intentionally collaborative: together, the client and I explore their concerns, identify goals, and design a treatment plan that feels supportive and empowering. From the very beginning, clients gain a sense of ownership and alignment in the work we’re doing together. This structure cultivates clarity, hope, and the foundation needed for genuine change.
Over the years, both my clinical and educational experiences have shaped my therapeutic style. I’ve learned to meet people exactly where they are, and I pride myself on the relationships I build with my clients. My goal is to offer a nonjudgmental, deeply empathetic space where people feel seen, supported, and safe. It is a privilege to witness their resilience as they reclaim the parts of themselves that hardship once dimmed.
At the heart of my work is a simple mission: to help people feel heard, understood, and empowered. A graduate professor and clinical supervisor of mine, Dr. Grey Endres, shared a message that has stayed with me from the beginning: “Be a hope keeper.” I carry that with me into every session, every story, and every healing journey I am honored to be part of.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting Solace Counseling LLC has been an incredibly rewarding journey, though it certainly hasn’t been without its challenges. Like many small business owners, I navigated the administrative and logistical aspects of running a private practice while maintaining a high standard of care for my clients. On top of that, I was experiencing motherhood for the first time, processing significant personal changes — which brought financial pressures but also fueled my determination to get my practice off the ground.
Establishing a solo private practice required extensive research and planning, including finding the right location that would align with both my lifestyle and the needs of my clients. I’m deeply grateful to my long-standing clients who have supported me through both personal and professional transitions.
From managing insurance processes and building a client base to creating systems that ensure efficiency and confidentiality, every step demanded patience, learning, and resilience. There were moments of doubt and uncertainty, but throughout it all, I’ve leaned on my husband, a strong network of colleagues in the Kansas City metro, and God for guidance and strength. Trusting in His plan has helped me stay grounded, maintain perspective, and continue moving forward, knowing that this practice is part of a bigger purpose.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Solace Counseling, LLC?
Solace Counseling LLC is a solo private practice where I provide compassionate, personalized mental health care. I specialize in supporting clients through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship challenges, using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and Strengths-Based Therapy. I prioritize not just symptom relief, but also helping clients build resilience, self-awareness, and long-term emotional well-being.
I’m most proud of the safe, welcoming space I have cultivated for my clients. created where clients. My brand is grounded in empathy, professionalism, and integrity. I strive to make mental health care accessible and meaningful for every individual who walks through my door.
I want readers to know that at Solace Counseling LLC, I’m committed to partnering with each client on their chosen healing journey. I offer a safe therapeutic space that works to provide hope and peace in the process of self discovery.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Olathe is its sense of growth and community, especially in the area where my office is located — downtown South Olathe. I love seeing new businesses and opportunities popping up, which gives the area such a vibrant and welcoming energy. One of my favorite spots to frequent is Park Street Pastry right off Kansas Avenue, just a short walk from my office. Downtown Olathe strikes a nice balance between small-town friendliness and the excitement of a city that’s evolving and expanding. I especially enjoy the beauty of fall here and the charming sound of the chimes from the prominent square clock tower at the Johnson County Administration Building.
As for what I like least, it would be the occasional traffic congestion that comes with growth, and sometimes a slow-moving train that can make getting around a bit tricky. But overall, the benefits of being part of such a thriving, dynamic community far outweigh any minor inconveniences.
Pricing:
- $150 – Initial Intake Session (60 min)
- $130 – Individual & Couples Session (60 min)
- I accept a variety of major insurance plans, including Aetna, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna (Evernorth), Quest Behavioral Health, UnitedHealthcare (UHC / UBH), Blue Cross Blue Shield of KC, and Ascension (SmartHealth)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vbsolacecounseling.com/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/victoria-bell-olathe-ks/1284777
