I am a bilingual Clinician (English and Spanish) with 15+ years experience providing mental health services to a wide range of populations. Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in AZ, FL, and NY, I have significant experience in clinical services for mood disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), trauma-related difficulties, couples distress, and parent training among other aspects of clinical concern. Furthermore, I am experienced in addressing various aspects of human development (e.g., ethnic, cultural, sexual, gender identity, and spirituality) in psychotherapy to support whole human growth. I am a staunch advocate for dispelling myths surrounding mental health and helping my clients gain empowerment over their lives. In my leadership roles, I provide supervision to other clinicians in the process of attaining their independent licenses and am the Program Coordinator for the AAMFT-Arizona Interest Network.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session will include an assessment of your development and current functioning. This will be the most directed session. I will use my skills to help you clearly identify what is keeping you stuck, as well as defining your goals for your mental wellness. During this process, I will also identify what we know is helpful in treating the difficulties you identify. But please do not fret! We will engage in a straightforward conversation about where you have been, and where you want to go. Finally, I will share with you my recommendations. At this point, you can identify if I am the therapist for you. In mental health, the most important part is the fit between the therapist and the client. I always honor this and seek to connect you with the best fit; even if that is not me.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am an experience clinician who uses therapy models with great success in changing patterns that keep us stuck in unhealthy ways. Therapy models such as CBT that help change how you think about your experiences and offer significant improvement in being able to enjoy life. Brief Solution Focus therapy helps individuals, couples, and families, overcome typical life difficulties and focus on positive solutions. As well as other therapy models that help with things like grief and difficult relationships. I have had success in not only using therapy models that are known to help, but also in including those areas of my client's life that are centric to their person; things like spirituality and personal values. I am a straightforward clinician who has great passion for supporting my clients in attaining their mental health goals. Are you ready to start your journey to mental wellness?
About Dr. Arenas Nieves, PhD, LMFT-S, CCTP
Identifies as
Specializes in
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In using Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) therapy, I support my clients in acknowledging, allowing, accommodating, and appreciating all of their emotions to support improved life satisfaction.
Attachment-based
Attachment-based therapy is a model through which I support parents and their children in improving their relationships. More so, with this model as a framework, I support the individuals' ability to self-determine their values and boundaries. In doing so, clients can learn healthy ways to see themselves and the world.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidenced based model that helps individuals identify unhelpful cycles of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that lead to anxious and depressed moods. I often use this model with clients who prefer logical practices and that are self-aware. I have had significant success helping clients overcome trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational difficulties using this model.
Couples Counseling
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy, my couples counseling skills include helping individuals with different attachment styles, upbringings, cultural heritage, and other view points identify, develop, and implement the types of relationships they desire.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical behavior Therapy (DBT) combines mindfulness strategy with behavioral strategies to support clients who struggle with severe or intense negative feelings. In using this model, I am often able to teach clients different mindfulness strategies that support not only self-regulation, but increased tolerance of the stimuli that is initially difficult for them. Once the client has the skills needed to tolerate the distressing stimuli, I help them make choices about their behavior and support them as they make changes that support the way they want to behave and feel.