Ariana Ames

My Approach to Helping

At the heart of my approach lies my belief that a sense of authenticity, choice, and belonging allows people to live full and meaningful lives. I develop an integrative and tailored approach to help individuals recognize their inherent strengths and realize their desired outcomes through the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based and Compassion-Focused Therapies, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, EMDR, Attachment and Family Systems perspectives, Psychedelic Integration, and Humanistic-Existential Theories. I support individuals to arrive at their goals through a process of self-reflection to reveal unconscious beliefs, free oneself from unhelpful habitual patterns, repair past wounds, access innate potential for growth and enhance connections with others.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I have 15+ years of progressive experience in mental health care in outpatient, community-based and school settings working with a wide variety of people of all ages from diverse backgrounds. I value cultural humility and strive to provide a welcoming and affirming space for individuals who identify with marginalized communities. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Oregon and California and earned my Master’s Degree in Social Welfare (MSW) from the University of California, Berkeley.