Hi, I’m Ari (she/her)
Whatever brings you to my practice, I welcome you here. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing remotely throughout California and in person in Kentfield, Marin County, CA and Berkeley, CA.
I use a collaborative and strengths-based approach to support my clients with identity exploration, increasing self-compassion, embracing their authentic selves and cultivating meaningful relationships. While the journey of growth and healing can be beautifully messy, complex, and nonlinear, I make room for balance, joy, and authentic connection in our work together.
Before starting this practice, I spent a number of years working in community mental health at a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth and families. I wore different hats there - as both a therapist and the Director of Mental Health. During this time I worked with tweens, teens, and young adults along with parents and families. I also worked closely with schools, psychiatrists, doctors, and case workers to ensure holistic, wrap-around care for my clients.
I have specialized training in LGBTQIA+ mental health and youth and adolescent care. I am well-prepared to support individuals with presenting concerns related to anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, relationships, school, work and family stress, communication, attachment, identity, gender, life transitions, and trauma-related symptoms.
As a queer, Latina, cis-gender woman, this work challenges me to think critically about the tradition and nature of psychotherapy and learn what healing modalities are most supportive for young people, LGBTQIA+ individuals, parents, and families.
In my practice, I steer away from pathologizing LGBTQIA+ individuals and gatekeeping transgender healthcare. Instead, my practice is queer & trans-affirming, relational, collaborative, and celebratory of our collective resilience.
While I love my work and identity as a therapist, I also appreciate other parts of my identity: I am queer, Latina, a wife, a cat mom, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. Outside of my work as a therapist, I find balance and inspiration in the natural beauty of the Bay Area, cooking for my loved ones, playing volleyball and soccer, and bird watching.
To my past, present, and future clients - thank you for allowing me to witness your process and for trusting me to support you.