“Not all who wander are lost”
Hi, I’m Ariana.
I have been a licensed clinical therapist for over a decade, and it has been the greatest honor of my life to walk with people through journeys of healing and self-discovery. I am comprehensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and practiced adherent DBT for 10 years. I am now offering dialectical life skills coaching for individuals, as well as couples therapy grounded in DBT. I am also certified in guiding shamanic holotropic breathwork ceremonies, and offer small groups as well as one-on-one sessions. In addition, I am an experienced hiker and mindfulness practitioner and can lead nature-based mindfulness and therapeutic coaching sessions. I utilize tangible tools and directness, combined with warmth and spaciousness for balancing acceptance of self and the present moment, with movement forward towards change and clarity.
My Approach
Mind
I have been comprehensively trained by Behavioral Tech. and practicing adherent DBT for more than 10 years. I believe the tools it provides around mindfulness, tolerating distress, managing emotions, and strengthening interpersonal skills are invaluable for everyone. Learning to hold space for the gray areas and the inevitable contradictions of life — the ‘both, and’ — can reduce suffering and increase our ability to find peace and fulfillment that is aligned with our personal values. I also have training in and utilize many perspectives from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and IFS (Internal Family Systems), and sometimes incorporate work with my clients on inner child healing and self-compassion where appropriate. When we can understand the core beliefs and narratives we have carried for so long, and come into gentle contact with the parts of ourselves that developed to protect us from harm, we can reconnect with our truest Self and find freedom.
So what is mindfulness? Mindfulness can certainly mean meditation, but that is only one of the many ways to practice. Being mindful means being present to what is happening inside you and around you in this moment. This is the foundation for our ability to be effective and intentional in creating a life of meaning, and you and I will figure out how to develop these skills in ways that work for you.
Body and Nature
All of the photos you see on this page are pictures taken on my hiking adventures near and far. Being out in nature, and dropping into your body, are both very powerful healing tools that take us beyond words and the intellectualization of our pain. They can get at and create movement and release of stored parts of our trauma and our stuck patterns of thinking and behavior. There is good reason for this — being in nature has been shown to reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, and to decrease amygdala activity and reduce anxiety. It also releases endorphins, a natural antidepressant. Breathwork allows us to safely connect with parts of ourselves we have been disembodied from. It allows us to access the nervous system and rewire memories and narratives in a container of being held and nurtured. These processes provide a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, as well as to go inside and touch that which we couldn’t before. Therapeutically this has the ability to generate a felt sense of gratitude, and alleviate ongoing suffering.
Walking El Camino de Santiago, Spain
Sunset in Jordan trekking to Petra
Highest point on the AV1 in the Dolomites, Italy
Feedback previous clients approved my sharing…
"You challenged me in a kind and gentle way and pushed me to grow beyond what I thought I was capable of. This was life changing for me — I thought I needed a new life/do-over, but those things were in me the whole time. I am forever grateful for the impact you’ve had."
Kristen P.
"I’m not fighting life as much anymore — there is so much beauty in both the good and the bad. You’ve given me the tools to start trusting myself. I have both softened and strengthened. So many of the goals we set at the beginning have been accomplished!"
Brianna C.
"I can’t even say I got my life back, because I never had this — I got my life! I finally know and believe I am going to be ok. You saw my heart in here when I couldn’t see it myself. The ripples in my life and my relationships go out so far."
Cathy M.
Get in Touch!
If you would like to schedule a free 15 minute phone call to see if this might be a good fit before scheduling an intake, I am happy to connect with you. Please send me an email with some days and times that would work for you and we can go from there.
FAQ
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As listed above, I am happy to schedule a 15 minute phone consult to see if this feels like it could be a good fit. If we want to move forward we will then schedule a 55 minute virtual intake session. After that we will collaborate on developing a treatment plan that works best for you.
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The cost is $150 for a 55 minute integrative therapy, coaching, or couples session. One-on-one breathwork ceremonies are $195 for a 2-hour session. Small group breathwork fees will be determined by number of participants.
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Absolutely! I aim to treat all human beings with respect and kindness. I am also always open to learning more to help serve the needs of all members of our community.