Hi, I’m Arien!
I enjoy working with women to manage and overcome feelings of low self esteem, self-doubt, imposter syndrome, anxiety and depression and to claim their life back after a significant change like a break up.
I know what it’s like to feel stuck, lost and overwhelmed.
To not want to be seen. To make yourself small for other’s comfort or expectations. To feel all alone and doubt your worth.To be extremely critical of yourself, making growth difficult and scary. To feel as if your world is falling apart or you’re failing.
You question if you are enough. You minimize other people’s hurtful actions. Maybe you even think that you deserve it. “I guess it wasn’t that big of a deal”, you tell yourself.
I’ve been there. And therapy helps.
Maybe your typical way to cope is to avoid-your truth, your thoughts, the triggers-because you’re afraid of being judged, feeling stupid or looking weak. You find ways to distract yourself from the issues, to numb out from life.
Maybe your life isn’t turning out the way you expected. You made plans and goals and now they’ve changed and you’re confused. It’s become overwhelming, suffocating. You’re walking through life on autopilot.
Life can be extremely chaotic and it’s easy to feel as if you’ve lost your way.
But seeking guidance and growth is a strength.
If you’re desperate to make a change and start living and feeling again, if you’re tired of staying small and settling, if you want to experience happiness, lift that weight off your chest and to rewrite your story…
Reach out.
Connect.
I’m here to help.
I will help you to develop the skills you need to cope and feel stable, to be able to breathe deep again, to build your self esteem, recognize your value and start taking control of your life.
When I’m not working, I spend way too much time eating tacos, listening to 90’s rap and bingeing reality TV. I’m fun, in a boring kind of way.
What does therapy with me look like?
I want you to be yourself when you come to see me. For you to feel comfortable being open with me, I need to be myself with you.
This means I’ll be dressed how I am in my everyday life; jeans, leggings, sweaters and t-shirts. Make-up is a luxury that I rarely make time for.
I’ll use common language (instead of fluffy clinical jargon), using humor and occasionally a few curse words might fly, because that’s really how I talk. Sometimes you just need the extra emphasis that a good f-bomb can deliver, amiright?
I like to laugh, understand that not every day is “great” and I don’t expect you to be “positive” all the time.
When I am with you, I’m 100% myself…in therapist form.
I believe you are the expert of your life and I am here to listen, support and guide you, providing an unbiased perspective. My approach is relaxed and individualized. No one has all their shit together, including me, so bring me your chaos and let’s dig in!
The boring details: I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have worked with clients ages 5-45, navigating life with a variety of mental health needs or who have experienced difficulties throughout an adjustment period. I have experience in residential, alternative school, in-home and outpatient settings. I use a person-centered approach, meeting clients where they are and helping them to recognize their strengths, value and resilience, and build upon those traits and experiences. I utilize mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based, narrative and solution-focused techniques.
Do you care where I went to school? I’m a first generation college grad. I put myself through school, starting in community college in Northern Virginia and eventually completing my Bachelor’s of Social Work at George Mason University in 2007. I then earned my Master’s in Social Work from George Mason University in 2010. I obtained my Licensed Clinical Social Worker status in Virginia in 2013.
