D'Arion Johnston
I would describe myself as a therapist who is laid-back, charismatic, warm, and engaging. I firmly believe it is an honor to be part of someone’s journey, and my work ethic reflects that belief in my practice. I want my clients to feel comfortable showing up as their authentic selves without feeling judged or like they have to “perform” in therapy. If you have ever seen Issa Rae in Insecure, then that is probably the closest representation of what I am like in session! I am conversational, relatable, and not afraid to laugh with my clients when the moment calls for it. At the same time, I know when to slow down, sit with the difficult stuff, and have the deeper conversations that may be uncomfortable but necessary. I believe therapy can be both meaningful and enjoyable, and that you do not have to spend every session crying to make meaningful progress. I am also genuinely curious about my clients and want to understand the person beyond their presenting concern. I care about their relationships, experiences, culture, values, and the experiences that have shaped how they see themselves and the world around them. I view therapy as a collaborative process rather than a space where I simply tell someone what to do. My goal is to create an environment where clients feel heard, understood, supported, and challenged when needed. Ultimately, I want my clients to leave sessions feeling like they could be completely themselves, while also walking away with something meaningful to think about, practice, or carry into their everyday lives.
First session
What Clients Can Expect From Their First Session Your first session is an opportunity to get comfortable, get to know each other, and begin understanding what brought you to therapy. You do not need to have everything figured out or know exactly what you are supposed to talk about. I will guide the conversation and help create a space where you can share at your own pace. We will talk about what has been going on in your life, what you are hoping to get from therapy, and what feels most important for us to focus on. I also want to learn about you beyond the reason you initially reached out, including your relationships, experiences, strengths, and the things that matter most to you. Most importantly, I want you to leave your first session feeling like you were heard, understood, and comfortable being yourself. Therapy is a collaborative process, so we will work together to identify goals and determine what approach feels most helpful for you. And if you are nervous, awkward, or have no idea what to say, that is completely okay. You are not expected to be an expert at therapy. That is what I am here for.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create genuine connection with my clients. I am warm, approachable, and conversational, which allows me to build rapport while still creating a space where meaningful and sometimes difficult work can happen. I want my clients to feel like they can be themselves in the therapy room without having to filter, perform, or worry about being judged. I also bring curiosity, humor, and authenticity into my sessions. I am not afraid to laugh with my clients, ask the questions they may not have considered, or gently challenge them when I think it could help them grow. I believe therapy should feel human. While I take the work seriously, I do not believe that every session has to feel heavy for it to be effective. What makes my approach stand out is my ability to balance warmth with intentionality. I am not simply there to listen; I want to understand the bigger picture of who my client is, what has shaped them, and what they want their life to look like. I approach therapy collaboratively and tailor my approach to each individual rather than believing there is one “right” way to heal. Ultimately, I want my clients to feel both comfortable and challenged: comfortable enough to be vulnerable and challenged enough to recogni
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is ready to better understand themselves and create meaningful change in their life, even if they are not quite sure where to start. I enjoy working with adolescents and young adults who may be navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship concerns, self-esteem, school or work stress, or simply feeling stuck and unsure of what comes next. I especially enjoy working with clients who are high-achieving, thoughtful, and used to being the person everyone else can depend on. Sometimes, these clients have spent so much time taking care of others or meeting expectations that they have not had much space to explore what they actually need or want for themselves. My ideal client does not have to come into therapy with everything figured out. In fact, I welcome clients who may be hesitant about therapy, unsure of what to talk about, or simply know that something feels “off” but cannot quite put their finger on it. I want to meet clients where they are and help them develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their patterns, and their relationships. Ultimately, I work best with clients who are open to collaboration and curious about themselves. My goal is not to tell clients who they should be, but to help them feel more confident in who they are, make decisions that align with their values, and build a life that feels authentic to them.
Treatment methods
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help clients better understand their emotions, recognize the needs underneath those emotions, and explore how those experiences influence their relationships and responses to others. Rather than viewing emotions as something that need to be “fixed,” I see them as important information that can help us understand what matters most to you. In session, we may explore moments when you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, misunderstood, or stuck in the same patterns with the people around you. Together, we will slow those moments down and identify what is happening emotionally beneath the surface. This can help you better understand yourself, communicate your needs more effectively, and develop healthier ways of connecting with others. I use EFT in a collaborative and approachable way, meeting clients where they are while helping them become more comfortable with emotional vulnerability. My goal is for clients to leave therapy not only understanding their emotions, but feeling more confident in expressing and responding to them in ways that align with the relationships and life they want to build.
Location
Virtual sessions