Aja Riley Bennett
Aja Riley Bennett
I’m Aja Riley Bennett, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience supporting adults through trauma, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. I use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to help clients heal from past experiences, build effective coping tools, and move forward with greater confidence and clarity. My approach is warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive, honoring the unique story each client brings to therapy.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, I’ll take time to get to know you, understand what brought you to therapy, and explore what you’d like to focus on moving forward. I’ll ask thoughtful questions to learn about your history, strengths, and current challenges—but we’ll go at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you. You can expect a calm, supportive space where your voice is respected, and where we begin building a therapeutic relationship centered on your goals and needs.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strengths lie in building trust, creating a space where clients feel safe to be fully themselves, and providing high-quality, trauma-informed clinical care. I bring deep experience with evidence-based practices like CBT and CPT, and I integrate cultural responsiveness into everything I do. Clients often tell me they feel genuinely heard, supported, and guided—not judged—as we work together to process difficult experiences and create meaningful change in their lives.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I bring extensive experience providing trauma-informed therapy to adults navigating a wide range of challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, boundary and relationship concerns, and the emotional impact of life transitions and chronic stress. When we first meet, many are experiencing low mood, anxiety, difficulty with boundaries, or challenges with emotional regulation—concerns that can interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. I support clients in working toward greater emotional stability, stronger relationships, and a sense of control over their responses and decisions. Cultural responsiveness is also a core part of my work. I recognize that each client’s lived experience is shaped by many factors—and I strive to hold space for those complexities in a respectful and affirming way. I don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I work collaboratively with each person to tailor the therapeutic process to their specific needs, values, and goals.
About Aja Riley Bennett
Aja Riley Bennett offers therapy covered by CalViva Health (Medi-Cal), Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal), Health Net (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal and Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal in California.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify, challenge, and reframe unhealthy thinking patterns, addressing challenges like mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma. By focusing on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, CBT empowers clients to develop coping strategies, improve the quality of relationships, and foster healing, growth, and recovery.
Narrative
For clients processing trauma, Narrative Therapy supports reframing challenges and recognizing resilience by externalizing problems and re-authoring personal stories. Additionally, Motivational Interviewing (MI) fosters collaboration and helps clients navigate ambivalence, facilitating behavior change and personal growth.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I incorporate Solution-Focused Therapy to emphasize clients' strengths and guide them toward practical, future-oriented goals, especially during life transitions or acute stress. As a CEAP with extensive EAP experience since 2008, this approach, combined with Motivational Interviewing (MI), has been invaluable.
Integrative
I use an integrative therapy approach to tailor interventions to each client’s unique needs by drawing from multiple therapeutic modalities. This flexibility allows me to combine techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy to address a wide range of challenges. I collaborate with you, providing the validation, support, and guidance needed to help you achieve your personal goals. By adapting methods to fit the individual, integrative therapy fosters a holistic, personalized path toward healing, growth, and resilience.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals recover from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Rooted in cognitive-behavioral principles, CPT helps clients identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs related to trauma, such as guilt, blame, and safety concerns. Through structured sessions, clients learn to reframe their thoughts, reduce distress, and regain a sense of control and trust in themselves and the world around them. CPT is especially effective for those struggling with trauma-related memories and emotional avoidance.