New to Grow
Hello, my name is Ayana, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion and practical support. In my practice, I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship stress, and I strive to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard and understood. My approach is collaborative and strength-based, using evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness practices, and trauma-informed care to help clients develop healthier coping strategies and move toward emotional wellness and personal growth.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During your first session, we will spend time getting to know one another and discussing what has brought you to therapy. I will ask questions about your current concerns, personal history, and what you hope to gain from our work together. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, share at your own pace, and begin to feel comfortable in the therapeutic space. By the end of the session, we will begin identifying goals for therapy and discuss possible approaches that can support your healing and personal growth.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is my commitment to creating a warm, supportive, and culturally responsive space where clients feel genuinely heard and respected. I combine evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness-based techniques, and trauma-informed practices to help clients better understand their thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns. My work focuses on helping clients build practical coping skills, increase self-awareness, and develop healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges. I strive to empower clients to recognize their strengths, gain clarity, and make meaningful changes that support long-term emotional well-being and personal growth.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to work with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, and life transitions, and who are seeking a supportive space to better understand themselves and their emotions. I often work with clients who want to develop healthier coping skills, improve their relationships, and build greater confidence and emotional balance. I also have a strong commitment to supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those who may feel misunderstood or marginalized, and I strive to provide a culturally responsive and affirming therapeutic environment where clients can explore their experiences and move toward healing and personal growth.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an approach I use that focuses on the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Often when people are struggling with anxiety, depression, or stress, there are patterns of thinking that can make those feelings stronger or harder to manage. In our work together, I help clients learn how to identify unhelpful thought patterns, understand how they affect emotions and behaviors, and practice new ways of thinking and responding to situations. My goal is to provide practical tools and strategies that clients can use in their daily lives to feel more balanced, confident, and in control of their reactions.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy focuses on helping clients become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in the present moment without judgment. Many times when people experience anxiety, stress, or emotional distress, their minds become focused on worries about the future or regrets about the past. In our work together, I help clients learn simple mindfulness techniques such as breathing exercises, grounding strategies, and awareness practices that can help them slow down, calm their nervous system, and respond to situations more thoughtfully rather than reacting automatically. These skills can help clients feel more centered, reduce emotional overwhelm, and build greater emotional balance in their daily lives.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy approach that helps people process and heal from distressing or traumatic experiences. Sometimes difficult memories can get “stuck” in the brain and continue to affect how a person feels, thinks, and reacts in the present. In EMDR therapy, I guide clients through structured exercises that may include eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while safely recalling parts of a memory. This process helps the brain reprocess the experience so it becomes less emotionally overwhelming and allows clients to develop healthier beliefs about themselves and their experiences. My goal is to help clients reduce emotional distress, gain a sense of relief, and move forward in a more adaptive and empowering way.