About
I believe the most important work we can do is learn how to truly show up — for the people we love, and for ourselves.
I’m Arabella Hester, a therapist based in San Francisco.
I work with individuals and couples who are navigating the particular kind of exhaustion that comes with high-achieving lives — the burnout that success doesn’t fix, the distance that creeps into relationships when life gets too full, the quiet feeling that something important is being lost.
I understand this world because I live in it too.
I immigrated from Eastern Europe in my early 20s to attend UC Berkeley, where I graduated with honors.
After years of growing personally and professionally, I returned to earn my M.A. in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute. I trained at the Marina Counseling Center in San Francisco, where I developed as a Psychodynamic Relational Psychotherapist. I am also an advanced level Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist (EFCT).
I live in San Francisco with my partner and two children and work in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.
My approach
My approach to therapy is integrative, drawing from psychodynamic and somatic therapy, CBT, DBT, EFT, and philosophy. I believe meaningful therapy begins with curiosity—about our patterns, our relationships, our histories, and the ways we make sense of ourselves and the world around us.
I work with people navigating trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, immigration, and questions of identity and intimacy. Together, we explore not only what is happening in your life, but also the deeper questions that often accompany these experiences: Who am I? What do I want? What gives my life meaning? How do I want to relate to myself and to others?
My goal is to create a space where you can slow down, develop a deeper understanding of yourself, and move toward a life that feels more authentic, connected, and meaningful.
I welcome clients of all genders, sexualities, and cultural backgrounds, including the LGBTQ+ and non-monogamous and polyamorous communities.
I offer in-person sessions in San Francisco and online therapy across California.
Questions?
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There’s no set timeline for therapy. How long we work together depends on what brings you in, what you hope to change, and how the work unfolds. Meaningful change rarely comes from quick solutions or advice; it comes from sustained attention to what has been difficult to face alone.
If you have a specific timeline or pressing concern, an intensive may be a better fit. Intensives are structured around a defined number of sessions and a focused goal.
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My fees range from $200–$300 per session, depending on the type of service. Please contact me to discuss the specific fee for the service you’re interested in.
I offer a limited number of sliding-scale spots for individuals and couples who may not otherwise be able to afford therapy. Sliding-scale fees are based on household income.
I am an out-of-network provider, and psychotherapy may be partially reimbursed by your health insurance plan. I recommend contacting your insurance company directly to confirm your out-of-network benefits and reimbursement rates. I’m happy to provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
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As frequent cancellations interfere with our work and my schedule, please avoid missing session whenever feasible.
If you cannot make your normal time, I will try to reschedule you to another time that week or an additional time the following week.
If you need to cancel or reschedule for any reason, please notify me at least a WEEK prior to our session.
The fee will be charged for missed or rescheduled sessions without such notification.
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You’re not expected to know what to say or where to begin. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting.
Our firs session is simply a chance to talk, ask questions, and see if working together feels like the right fit. I’ll help guide the process from there.
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You don’t have to know right away.
Finding the right therapist is a personal process, and our initial consultation is an opportunity for us to get a sense of each other. You can share what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and get a feel for how I work.
For me, a good fit means you feel comfortable being honest, feel understood, and have a sense that we can work together toward something meaningful.
You don’t need to make a decision after our first conversation. Take some time to notice how you feel afterward. Therapy is personal, and finding someone you feel comfortable working with matters.
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My approach tends to resonate with people who are psychologically curious, reflective, and willing to look honestly at themselves and their relationships—even when that process is uncomfortable.
Many of the people I work with are highly capable and functioning well in parts of their lives, yet find themselves feeling constrained by inner conflict, emotional disconnection, or recurring patterns in their relationships.
The work we do together is often gradual. Meaningful change rarely happens all at once. Therapy can involve slowing down, paying attention to what is happening beneath the surface, and developing a deeper understanding of patterns that may have taken years to form.
This is not about finding quick answers or simply learning how to manage what is difficult. It is about creating the space to understand yourself more deeply, build greater awareness and choice, and allow change to develop over time.