Eri Cela (he/him)

My first specialty, somatic psychotherapy, developed from a natural integration of my interests in the mind and body. In a whole-person model, somatic therapy recognizes the confluence of mental, emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual elements of a person’s life. This kind of approach is dynamic and interactive, often leading to deeper, faster change in clients. Over time, I’ve developed my specialty further through applying somatic therapy in a relational context. I work primarily with couples and individuals looking to explore their challenges through a relational lens. I find that when clients actively work on their relationships, they experience relief from anxiety, depression, and trauma at higher rates. Going beyond individual objectives, relationship-oriented therapy has the potential to radiate compassion and healing into every part of life.

As a teenager, my country of birth, Albania, transitioned out of authoritarian rule. These formative years were shaped by observing people forced to confront who they were and come to terms with their lives, loss, anger, and disillusionment while simultaneously responding to a call for a new beginning. Later, as an immigrant, I came to a deeper understanding of how sudden disruptions in life can alter one’s experience of self. One of the invitations in therapy is to connect us with our resources– ultimately empowering us to imagine our best quality of life and then bring that idea to actualization. Such potential captivated me as a young person, and after witnessing it over and over again throughout my career, my feelings very much remain the same.