Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Zell.
Summer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey has been anything but linear, but each step has added depth and purpose to the work I do today. I began as an art and interior design major in college, but during my practicum, I felt a growing desire to help people in a deeper, more personal way. That led me to discover the field of Art Therapy, which felt like the perfect intersection of creativity and healing. I shifted my focus to psychology and went on to earn my Master of Arts in Counseling: Art Therapy from Adler University in Chicago in 2009.
After graduation, I began working with children with Autism, which opened the door to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and spent years supporting children with special needs and their families. As I continued to grow both personally and professionally, I earned additional certification as a Sleep, Stress, and Recovery Coach and began working with women as a wellness coach.
Becoming a mother myself brought a profound shift. Navigating postpartum complications and the unraveling of my marriage became a pivotal chapter in my life. After over a decade, I made the difficult but empowering decision to leave an unsafe marriage and begin my own journey of healing, grief, and rediscovery as a single mom. That path ultimately led me back to my roots in counseling, and I pursued licensure as a professional counselor.
All of these experiences—personal and professional—have shaped me into the therapist and behavior analyst I am today. I specialize in supporting women, particularly mothers, as they navigate the complex, often overwhelming seasons of life. With a foundation in Counseling, ABA, Art Therapy, and Wellness Coaching, I help women manage stress, build resilience, and reconnect with their inner strength. I’ve been guided and supported by so many incredible women along the way, and I’m passionate about paying that forward—helping others write bold, peaceful, and purposeful new chapters in their own lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Creating an accessible yet effective counseling practice is a tough balance of sustainability and affordability for clients. Insurance is difficult and cumbersome to work with which is why so many therapists are solely private pay. Summer Sol Counseling is actively working to accept some insurances soon! I also work with clients to develop an affordable treatment plan to help bridge the gap.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a holistic, women-focused private counseling practice that grew out of my work with children and their families. Since 2009, I’ve worked with children with Autism as a behavioral therapist in homes, preschools, and daycares. As I supported these children and their families—and walked through my own unpredictable and often traumatic journey to becoming a single mom—I realized how little time and space there is for moms to process, heal, and restore themselves in the midst of parenting upheaval.
The moment a mom gets an Autism diagnosis, births her premature miracle baby, or realizes she’s going to raise this little human solo, all of her superhero energy shifts to helping her child thrive. Somewhere along the way, who she is and what she needs to feel alive gets pushed aside. These women are pouring everything into their families. They’re often burnt out and isolated—yet incredibly resilient, tireless, and full of love. They deserve a safe space to grieve the life they envisioned, feel seen and validated, and begin to heal and restore themselves.
I opened my private practice to help these women reignite their light, even in life’s darkest moments. I work with women navigating the unexpected—feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and stuck in cycles of overextension, perfectionism, and self-neglect. I offer virtual and walking sessions (stroller-friendly!) as a flexible option for moms who often find childcare impractical due to their children’s complex needs and demanding schedules. Together, we uncover what’s getting in the way of living a fulfilling life, tap into your strengths and dreams, and create a personalized plan for empowerment. Through this work, you’ll reclaim your power, set healthy boundaries, and begin building a vibrant, balanced life.
My approach is compassionate, creative, and grounded in the belief that healing is possible. By incorporating validation, mindset shifts, habit stacking, and stress reduction, I help women find clarity and confidence. Using a blend of psychotherapy, behavioral strategies, art therapy, and wellness coaching, I support women in rebuilding resilience, discovering inner strength, and facing daily challenges with more ease.
In addition to working with moms across South Carolina, I offer urgent, on-demand Beach Walk therapy sessions for travelers on Folly Beach. Many vacationers don’t have access to their therapist while away, and sometimes that break in routine—combined with close quarters and family dynamics—can bring stress and trauma responses to the surface. These sessions offer a discreet and supportive space to process those emotions, find short-term coping strategies, and bridge the gap between sessions back home.
I am proud to offer a space for mother’s of children with special needs, single moms and women who are caregivers to focus on their own healing. In addition, serving vacationers with individual on-demand, solution-focused sessions is a unique yet needed service that I have not seen elsewhere.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
What I see happening is a shift in people’s perception of therapy, along with a growing desire for modern solutions that meet them where they are. More and more individuals are seeking therapy as a regular and essential part of their wellness journey, rather than only turning to it in times of crisis. The stigma around going to therapy has transformed—it’s now seen as a sign of openness to growth, a commitment to well-being, and a focus on developing emotional intelligence.
I also believe that people are looking for a more holistic approach than the traditional office setting with a couch. They want comfort, convenience, and effectiveness. Because of this, virtual sessions—where people can be in their own space—will continue to grow in demand. Additionally, therapeutic approaches that incorporate psychosomatic modalities, such as Walk & Talk therapy, EMDR, Brainspotting, and Somatic Movement, will likely become the norm as society increasingly embraces the power of the mind-body connection.
I’m excited to be part of this movement by offering Virtual counseling and Walk & Talk therapy sessions. In addition, Summer Sol Counseling will continue to expand our psychosomatic offerings as we grow.
Pricing:
- $130 per individual session
- Contact for information about Therapy Groups and Workshops, Cost Varies
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.summersolcounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summersolcounseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Summer-Sol-Counseling/61573976999133/#
