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.
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, playing volleyball and soccer, and cooking for my loved ones.
To my past, present, and future clients - thank you for allowing me to witness your process and for trusting me to support you.