New to Grow
Hello, my name is Ariela Weston and I am a licensed clinical social worker in Alabama. I have 15 years of experience as both therapist and manager in our field. Since attaining my LICSW in the state of Alabama, and prior, I have been consistently engaged in the treatment of a great variety of client categories, and the administration of different program types. I have directed, managed, and/or supervised treatment programs, for adults, adolescents, and children. I focus on building strong rapport and respect between client and therapist. My experience has taught me the value of compassion for everyone I have been privileged to serve. My therapy style is warm and interactive. My passion in life is to help others and I believe that the key to therapy with any person is respect and care. I would be honored if I was given the opportunity to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!
Introductions. I will likely start with introductions and explain what to expect during the session. I will cover confidentiality and any necessary paperwork, such as intake forms that include your history and symptoms. Sharing Your Story: You will be encouraged to share why you are seeking therapy. This may include discussing symptoms, life changes, or general feelings. What brings you here today? How long have you been experiencing these feelings? What do you hope to achieve in therapy?. Goal Setting: I may ask about your goals for therapy, helping to tailor the sessions to your specific needs. This is a collaborative process where you can express what you want to work on. This can also be done in later sessions. Building Trust: The first session is crucial for establishing a therapeutic alliance. It’s important to feel comfortable with your therapist, as this relationship is a key predictor of success in therapy.
I provide a very comfortable and relaxed environment. My clients will feel supported, motivated and never judged. I welcome feedback and can provide homework if needed.
I love to help all clients in need whether they are new or have been through counseling. I enjoy working with all populations and our sessions are very comfortable and stress free.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in order to assist clients in making their thinking more positive, decrease negative thinking habits and promote change. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy. It can help manage mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and emotional concerns, such as coping with grief or stress. CBT helps with cognitive restructuring and is helpful to build proper coping mechanism, change old patterns, improve self esteem. CBT can help adolescents, adults and is very useful in both individual and couple's counseling.
Motivational Interviewing
Key Benefits of Motivational Interviewing Enhances Self-Motivation: MI encourages clients to articulate their own reasons for change, fostering a sense of ownership over their decisions. This self-motivation is often more effective than external pressures or directives from therapists. 2 Resolves Ambivalence: Many individuals experience mixed feelings about making changes. MI helps clients explore these conflicting emotions, allowing them to clarify their thoughts and feelings about change, which can lead to increased motivation. 2 Builds a Collaborative Relationship: MI emphasizes a partnership between the therapist and the client. This collaborative approach creates a safe environment where clients feel respected and understood, making them more open to discussing their motivations and challenges. 2 Utilizes Effective Techniques: MI employs specific techniques such as open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summarizing. These techniques help clients express their thoughts and feelings, making it easier for them to identify their motivations for change. 2 Applicable Across Various Contexts: Originally developed for treating alcohol addiction, MI is now used in various fields, including mental health, chronic disease management, and lifestyle changes. It has been shown to be effective in helping individuals with issues like substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and health-related behaviors. 2 Supports Integration with Other Therapies: MI can be effectively combined with other therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to enhance treatment outcomes. This integration allows for a more comprehensive approach to behavior change.