About Bill Bell

Even though I was a relatively engaged student growing up, it was only after graduating with my Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies that I truly became hooked on education. After connecting with a mentor—a scientist with a keen interest in human behavior who invited me to numerous conferences on the subject—my academic career advanced rapidly. With his encouragement, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, then a Master’s in Public Health, and eventually my Ph.D. in Human Sexuality.

For me, learning is an ongoing occupation that I never tire of. I continue to engage in philosophical education to this day. I remain continually intrigued by human behavior and ever curious about the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. To continue my pursuit of philosophical knowledge and discipline, I maintain continuous effort toward gaining a broader knowledge of and better discipline in the application of Stoic Philosophy and the study of human behavior.

"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." - Aristotle

My Background

My formal advanced education is in the sexual sciences, followed by philosophy—not just as formal study but as a way of life. I also spent over 20 years working in a psychiatric hospital, so I have extensive in-depth experience with severe mental illness as well as alcoholism and other chemical dependencies.

Prior to and during the establishment of my private practice, I gained experience working in multiple settings. In addition to the hospital, I worked at an elementary counseling center, skilled nursing facility, halfway house, military base, multiple prisons, and a drug treatment center, just to name a few. Throughout this time, I was exposed to a wide variety of people from many different walks of life.

Despite my clients having lived through different levels of hardship, what these experiences taught me was that fundamentally, we all share similar problems. Further, I’ve learned that we can rely on the same solutions to transform and heal.

My Counseling Philosophy

I recently realized that throughout my life, I was somewhat a Stoic and I didn’t know it. I’ve always looked at life circumstances through a lens that prioritizes professional ethics and standards above all else. This worldview has often put me at odds with others and, at times, even placed my corporate employment at significant risk.

It was only after I began my studies in Stoic Philosophy that I realized my value system was aligned with its guiding principles—wisdom, justice, temperance, and courage—and further realized where my weaknesses lie. These same principles are the underpinnings of my approach to therapy, and I hope to guide you through your path as a prokopton (one who seeks to walk the path of enlightenment and virtue).

Aristotle once said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Marcus Aurelius followed that with “It’s time you realized that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet.” This inner wisdom they each refer to is better known as logic. Once we understand how to apply sound logic to the world and the events that happen around us (physics), we can learn to temper our emotional responses and subdue our desires (ethics).

The way I see it, therapy is a path of learning about oneself and one’s place in the world. As a therapist who is sympathetic to the human condition, I relate to my clients’ pain while also offering a perspective on how to help them out of those feelings (intuition). The famous author Nassim Nicholas Taleb suggested that similar to the Stoics, we have two systems of thinking.

The first is intuition, which is automatic, fast, highly emotional, and prone to error. The second is cogitative, which is actual reasoning; it is effortful, slower, logical, and progressive, with fewer mistakes. The Stoics called these systems First Impressions and Second Impressions. In therapy, I urge my clients to consider the consequences of making rash, emotional decisions, take a step back, breathe, and consider the whole picture before acting on the First Impression.

My Practice

I specialize in working with individuals interested in the Stoic principles or those experiencing existential or “phase of life” issues that cause depression or anxiety or struggling to transition from addiction to recovery. I also work with couples who face difficulties in their sexual and intimate relationships. By utilizing the Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Stoic principles, I aim to help my clients achieve emotional stability and live more productively and happily.

It’s my privilege to help clients who want to make meaningful changes in their lives but are finding it difficult to know where to start. Although they’re open to introspection, they often lack direction or have been sidetracked by compulsive behaviors, unregulated emotions, or difficulties communicating effectively. By identifying and isolating the emotions underlying their negative thoughts and behaviors, clients can learn to think and act according to reason.

Although I’m very supportive and encouraging, my approach is direct. I’m not shy about calling attention to a client’s beliefs, behaviors, and emotions that are a result of faulty judgments. Rather than commiserate with them, I will challenge the decisions they’ve made that have led to emotional pain and offer them a different framework guided by Stoic principles and rational thought. The ultimate goal will be to empower clients to be their best selves.

I encourage everyone to consider the impact of striving toward eudaimonia – the Greek term for “flourishing”.  And for those who wonder what that means for them, or who wonder what is the point or purpose in life, ponder on this:  eudaimonia is “the purpose for which everything is done, but is not done itself for any other purpose”.  Wrap your head around that.  Read this a few times, and if some thoughts stir in you, let’s talk.

At the beginning of each day, you can either say today is just “one day” or you can say today is “day one”—the choice is yours to make. Your journey in therapy can begin when you decide to start Day One.

Dr. Bill Bell Ph.D. is a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT), sexologist, addiction specialist, and Stoic philosopher based in San Mateo, California. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Emphasis in Professional Education from National University, Dr. Bell went on to receive a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from National University and a Master of Public Health and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Human Sexuality from The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. He is a graduate of the Stoic Essential Studies Program at the College of Stoic Philosophers and a Fellow of the Marcus Aurelius Program.  He gained experience with in-patient and detoxification services at Sutter Health, mental health skilled nursing with the California Department of Mental Health, as well as prison-based education, psychotherapy, and mental health clinic work with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Dr. Bell has been in private practice since 2004.