Ariel’s Corner

Stress Management

I am certified in treating stress management. Chronic stress can bring a lot of ware and tare on the body, causing medical and mental issues. In treatment, my patients and I work together to develop a treatment plan that will allow them to incorporate what is best needed to manage their stress. I balance holistic approaches with cognitive behavioral therapy. To provide a “team” approach, I will also collaborate (when release of information paperwork is signed) with the other care providers or help my patient find referrals for other care providers.

Trauma

I specialize in working with a variety of trauma survivors through various certifications and training in trauma informed treatment. I will work with my patient on deciding how they want to address their trauma in session, and how they want to address it in their lives outside of session. Together we will build skills sets to manage any adverse symptoms that may occur throughout their day-to-day lives. I will also help psychoeducate their loved-ones on how trauma has affected them, and therefore how it affects their relationship with others (when release of information paperwork is signed). I have experience treating trauma survivors of sexual assault, gun violence, hate crimes, and natural disasters.

Art Therapy

I am a board certified art therapist. I received extensive training in my graduate program, and continued training and supervision until I became certified. I incorporate art therapy with my use of narrative therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. I also utilize art therapy assessments to help diagnosis, develop a treatment plan, and treat my patients. I find this modality of treatment is beneficial for patients who feel their learning is more visual or experiential. It is also useful for patient’s who have difficulty connecting their thoughts, emotions, and reactions, as it provides a tangible way to understand these sensations.

Gender Affirmation Surgery

I have had years of training, from clinicians with lived experience, on how to complete the process to assessing and writing a letter in support of gender affirmation surgery and treatment. I will write the letter in the first session, as I believe this process is already a representation of gatekeeping.

Emotional Support Animal

Animals can be an important part of an individual’s life, but for some with a mental health disorder that impedes their daily living to the point of a disability, their pet may be their only source of relief. I write letters supporting a pet as an emotional support animal. The process is a two-part process, where the first part I must assess if a disability is present. If it is, then I will review and evaluate if and how the pet assists in alleviating one or more symptoms of the disability. If both are true, then I will provide a letter.

Please note: anyone in California must wait 30 days prior to our establishing a therapeutic relationship before I can provide them a letter due to AB 468.

Workshops

For Clinicians: I have developed a variety of workshops on various art therapy and geek therapy interventions. I can tailor these workshops to fit the client population you serve. Price will vary on the length of time and attendance.

For Companies: I provide stress management workshops for employees that will assist them in developing proper work-home life balance. These workshops can focus on stress management, work-home life balance, eco-anxiety, communication skills building, or diversity and inclusion. Price will vary on the length of time and attendance.

Training

For Clinicians: I offer training to therapists who wish to learn more about the populations I specialize in. I also provide direct training on the ESA letter writing process. I have also provided training on legal and ethical considerations of telehealth, working with co-occuring disorders, and the mindset and theory of geek therapy to agencies and individual colleagues.

For Companies: I have experience in relational aggression and discrimination in the workplace. I can provide training to managers/supervisors on how to prevent and recognize workplace relational aggression. I can also provide leadership training for managers/supervisors so they may develop skills that will inspire their employees and themselves. Lastly, I can provide training on recognizing the signs of mental health issues (including suicide prevention) which can help HR and employers maintain healthy work environments.