Welcome to Unboxing Hope & Wellness
"At Unboxing Hope & Wellness, I’ve created a space where healing is rooted in connection and curiosity, not perfection. I believe therapy is a process of unfolding, of setting down what has been too heavy to carry alone and finding your way back to yourself."
Christen Bellace
MS, LMHC, NCC, C-DBT, CCTP-II, EMDR
About Me
I’m Christen Bellace, founder of Unboxing Hope & Wellness.
EMDR Therapist | LGBTQIA+ Affirming | Trauma Informed Care for Adults 18+
I’m a licensed mental health counselor with extensive experience treating addiction, eating disorders, and the trauma that often lies beneath them. I integrate trauma-informed care into every part of my work and have supported many individuals through anxiety, depression, and the emotional weight that keeps them feeling stuck or disconnected from themselves.
We all carry things, memories, pain, patterns, expectations, and over time, they can begin to feel too heavy to hold alone. At Unboxing Hope & Wellness, I offer a space to set those things down, explore them with honesty, and begin the healing process.
I work with adults navigating trauma, addiction, eating disorders, anxiety, and the quieter emotional struggles that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. While I have a special focus on women’s mental health, my practice is open to anyone ready to understand their story and reconnect with themselves in a deeper, more compassionate way.
My approach is real and relational. I’m not here to fix you. I’m here to walk alongside you, to hold space for what you carry, and to help you rediscover the strength, clarity, and self-trust that may feel out of reach.
If you feel ready for something to shift, I’m here to meet you there.
Specialities
At Unboxing Hope & Wellness, I provide compassionate, individualized care for adults navigating a wide range of mental health challenges. My work is grounded in trauma-informed practices and shaped by a deep respect for each person’s unique story.
Women’s Issue-Based Therapy
Women face a distinct set of psychological stressors that can deeply impact emotional well-being. These challenges may arise from societal expectations, gender inequality, reproductive or hormonal health, body image concerns, or the pressure to balance personal and professional roles.
Therapy offers a space to pause, reflect, and begin to untangle what may feel overwhelming or invisible to others. My approach centers on validation, empowerment, and helping you reconnect with your sense of self in a way that feels sustainable and meaningful. You do not have to carry it all alone, and it is not normal to feel chronically stressed or unfulfilled. Support is available, and change is possible.
Addiction and Substance Use
Substance use can become a way to cope with pain, numb emotions, or escape what feels unbearable. Over time, these patterns often bring their own pain and disconnection. Therapy offers a space to look at what is underneath the addiction, without shame or judgment.
I support individuals in exploring their relationship with substances and in building the tools, insight, and support needed for meaningful recovery. Whether you are early in your journey or have been struggling for years, you do not have to do it alone.
Eating Disorder Recovery
Struggles with food and body image often reflect a much deeper emotional story. Whether you are living with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or a more complex relationship with eating and self-worth, therapy can help you begin to untangle that story with care and compassion.
My approach to eating disorder recovery focuses on understanding the "why" beneath the behavior, restoring your relationship with your body, and building coping tools that support long-term healing. You are not defined by your diagnosis. You are a whole person deserving of peace, nourishment, and self-acceptance.
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy
I offer a safe and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to explore identity, navigate life transitions, and process emotional or relational challenges. Whether you are coming out, healing from past rejection or trauma, or simply seeking a therapist who understands your experience, you are welcome here.
My work is rooted in inclusivity, respect, and a deep belief in your right to be fully seen and supported.
EMDR and Trauma Therapy
Trauma can shape how we see ourselves, relate to others, and navigate the world. As an EMDR therapist, I help clients process painful experiences in a safe, contained, and transformative way.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps resolve the impact of trauma without needing to relive it. Whether you are coping with childhood trauma, abuse, grief, or other distressing life events, this work can support long-term healing and emotional freedom.