I’m a Licensed Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping adults work through anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD-related challenges, substance use, and relationship difficulties. I specialize in CBT, trauma-informed therapy, and solution-focused approaches with clients who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in patterns they want to change. I work especially well with adults navigating life transitions, emotional regulation challenges, and high-stress personal or professional environments. I also support men dealing with pressure around identity, relationships, and emotional expression. Outside of my clinical work, I value time outdoors, staying physically active, and being present with my family. I’m a father of five, including stepdaughters, which has given me a lived understanding of blended family dynamics, parenting, and complex family relationships across different stages of life.
In our first session, we’ll focus on understanding what’s bringing you in whether that’s anxiety, depression, ADHD symptoms, trauma, substance use, relationship stress, or feeling generally stuck. We’ll clarify your goals and identify what you want to be different in your life. From there, we’ll begin building a clear, realistic plan that fits your day-to-day experience. You can expect a mix of exploration and structure, with practical next steps you can start applying right away. My goal is for you to leave the first session with clarity about what we’re working on and how we’ll approach it together.
My approach is practical, direct, and results-oriented while still being supportive and collaborative. Clients often come to me when they don’t just want insight—they want clarity, direction, and tools they can actually use. I integrate evidence-based methods including CBT, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy to help clients break out of stuck patterns, improve emotional regulation, and build more effective ways of thinking and responding under stress. What tends to stand out is the balance I bring: helping clients understand what’s happening underneath their struggles while also focusing on actionable steps forward. Sessions are structured, intentional, and geared toward measurable progress so you’re not left wondering what comes next.
I work best with adults who are ready to make meaningful changes but feel stuck in patterns that are hard to shift on their own. Many of my clients are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD-related challenges, or emotional regulation difficulties that impact their daily life, relationships, and sense of direction. I also work well with individuals navigating substance use as a coping strategy, as well as those experiencing major life transitions such as divorce, separation, or significant relational change. A strong part of my practice includes supporting men who are managing pressure around identity, work performance, relationships, and emotional expression especially when they are used to pushing through challenges without much support. Many of the people I work with are high-functioning but overwhelmed, often in demanding careers or roles, and looking for a more structured, practical approach to therapy that leads to real-world change. They tend to be motivated, open to feedback, and willing to actively engage in the work between sessions to build momentum and progress.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a practical, evidence-based approach to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. In my private practice, I work collaboratively with clients to identify unhelpful thinking patterns, core beliefs, and behavioral cycles that contribute to distress. Together, we develop realistic, actionable strategies to challenge those patterns and replace them with healthier, more adaptive responses. My use of CBT is flexible and individualized rather than rigid or formulaic. I tailor interventions to each client’s goals, cultural background, and lived experience, integrating techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, skills-building, and between-session practice. I emphasize helping clients gain insight while also leaving sessions with concrete tools they can apply in daily life. Over time, this approach supports symptom reduction, improved coping, and increased confidence in managing future challenges independently.
Strength-Based
I use a strengths-based treatment approach that focuses on identifying and building upon each client’s existing abilities, resilience, and resources. Rather than defining clients by symptoms or diagnoses alone, I work to highlight what is already working and leverage those strengths to support meaningful change. This approach helps foster hope, empowerment, and a sense of agency throughout the therapeutic process. In my private practice, I collaborate with clients to uncover personal strengths, coping skills, values, and past successes, and then intentionally integrate those into treatment planning and goal-setting. I support clients in reframing challenges through a more balanced lens while reinforcing their capacity to navigate difficulties effectively. By emphasizing progress, adaptability, and self-efficacy, this approach helps clients build confidence and develop sustainable strategies for growth and long-term well-being.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a collaborative, client-centered approach to help individuals explore ambivalence and strengthen their motivation for change. Rather than directing or persuading, I create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients can clarify their values, identify discrepancies between where they are and where they want to be, and build internal motivation for meaningful change. In my private practice, I use MI techniques such as open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and goal-focused conversations to support clients in making changes at their own pace. This approach is especially helpful when clients feel stuck, uncertain, or conflicted about next steps. By honoring autonomy and reinforcing self-efficacy, Motivational Interviewing helps clients feel empowered to make decisions that align with their goals and sustain progress over time.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as a goal-oriented, collaborative approach that emphasizes practical solutions rather than prolonged focus on problems. This model centers on helping clients identify what they want to be different, recognize existing strengths and resources, and build small, achievable steps toward meaningful change. In my private practice, I use SFBT techniques such as goal clarification, identifying exceptions, scaling questions, and future-focused conversations to help clients make progress efficiently. This approach is especially effective for clients seeking short-term support, clarity, or momentum during periods of transition or stress. By focusing on what is already working and amplifying successes, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy helps clients build confidence and create sustainable change in a timely, empowering way.
Trauma Informed Care
I practice Trauma-Informed Care by recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and integrating safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment into all aspects of treatment. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or diagnoses, I consider how past experiences may influence a client’s emotional responses, coping strategies, and sense of safety. My goal is to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel respected, supported, and in control of their healing process. In my private practice, I apply trauma-informed principles by pacing treatment thoughtfully, prioritizing emotional and physical safety, and honoring each client’s autonomy and boundaries. I work collaboratively with clients to build stabilization skills, increase awareness of triggers, and strengthen resilience before moving into deeper work, when appropriate. This approach helps clients feel grounded and empowered while reducing the risk of re-traumatization and supporting long-term healing.
3 ratings with written reviews
April 2, 2026
He’s done a really nice job for our couples therapy, we appreciate his solution focused therapy that provides practical applications to day to day situations!!
February 20, 2026
Ariel is obviously very experienced, professional, kind, ethical, knowledgeable, conscientious, compassionate and helpful, We made meaningful progress in our couples therapy in the first session. My husband and I very much look forward to our weekly sessions coming up.
February 17, 2026
Ariel is supportive and kind while still being firm and challenging (in an amazing way). He has a talent for getting to the root of the problem and ensuring that my husband and I are honest about our feelings without feeling threatened. He makes sure to give us actionable items every session to help improve our relationship. Its been really nice to feel both comfortable and like work is really happening.