LCSW, 20 years of experience
New to Grow
I’m Dr. Aretha Hampton, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma, perinatal mental health, and attachment-based care. I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, and the lasting effects of trauma. My clients often come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward. Through approaches like EMDR, CBT, Internal Family Systems and attachment-focused therapy, I help them gain insight into their patterns, build emotional regulation skills, and strengthen their sense of self which supports clients to be more reflective, make different life decisions and enhance their communication and boundaries.
Our first will include reviewing your goals for therapy, reviewing practice and Grow policies. Most of our time is me getting to know you.
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is the blend of depth, warmth, and practicality I bring to the work. I integrate trauma-informed care, attachment theory, and evidence-based methods like EMDR and CBT in a way that helps clients both understand and feel their healing. My style is grounded yet relational—I focus on helping people make sense of their experiences, reconnect with their bodies, and find language for emotions that were once overwhelming. Clients often share that therapy with me feels safe and collaborative. How my clients identify and their cultural experiences are important to how they walk in the world. I express curiosity and desire to know about these important aspects of identity and how they inform how clients walk in the world.
I’m best suited to work with people who are ready to heal, grow, and feel more like themselves again. Many of my clients are caregivers, parents, or professionals who spend a lot of time taking care of others but struggle to slow down for their own needs. They’re insightful and motivated but often feel stuck in old patterns or weighed down by stress and past experiences. My work is about creating a space where you can breathe, make sense of what’s happening underneath the surface, and build tools to feel more grounded, connected, and at peace in your life.
When supporting clients through EMDR, I focus on safety, pacing, and attunement. Many of my clients have experienced trauma that shaped how they see themselves and the world. Before processing, we build stabilization skills—grounding, breathing, and identifying protective parts—to ensure the body feels ready. Together, we identify target memories connected to current triggers and core beliefs. During reprocessing, I monitor the client’s body cues and emotional shifts while maintaining a calm, grounded presence. EMDR is more than a protocol—it’s a collaborative and relational process that helps clients reframe their experiences, restore a sense of safety, and integrate healing into daily life.
My attachment-based work focuses on helping clients understand how early relationships shape how they connect, communicate, and feel safe in the world. I guide clients to explore patterns of closeness, trust, and protection that show up in their current relationships, both personally and professionally. Through mindfulness, mentalization, and body awareness, we identify the moments when old attachment wounds are activated and create space for new, secure experiences. The goal is to help clients build a stronger sense of self, deepen emotional connections, and experience relationships that feel balanced, nurturing, and safe.
In my practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Many of the people I work with have experienced trauma, anxiety, or relational stress, and CBT offers a structured way to identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that keep them feeling stuck. Together, we explore core beliefs, practice reframing negative self-talk, and develop coping strategies that promote calm and clarity. My approach is collaborative and compassionate—using CBT not just to change thoughts, but to build insight, emotional regulation, and self-trust that support long-term healing and growth.