Aregnaz Malakyan
I'm Aregnaz, a Licensed Professional Counselor dedicated to creating a safe, compassionate, and judgement-free space where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered. Therapy is, at its heart, a place to slow down, make sense of what you have been carrying, and begin to see yourself and your experiences from a different perspective. I am a therapist who helps individuals better understand the patterns, experiences, and beliefs that may leave them feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of what comes next. I believe meaningful change begins with feeling genuinely understood. My goal is to create a therapeutic space that is warm, collaborative, honest, and grounded in respect, one where you can be yourself, explore what is difficult, and move at a pace that feels right for you. I have always been interested in perspective, the way the same moment can look completely different depending on where you stand, what you notice, and what you allow yourself to see. Photography has reinforced that perspective for me. A photograph can capture something obvious at first glance, but looking more closely often reveals depth, context, details, and a story that was not immediately visible. I believe people are much the same. There is often more beneath the surface of what we see or experience. Anxiety, anger, sadness, avoidance, or feeling stuck may be connected to experiences, beliefs, relationships, or patterns that deserve a closer look. Therapy provides an opportunity to step back, explore those different perspectives, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.
Sometimes, the most beautiful things develop in the dark. Let's work together to navigate life's challenges, discover your inner strength, and find new possibilities for your story.
My role is not to tell you what you should see. Rather, I want to help you explore the picture from different angles, understand what has shaped it, and decide what you would like to change moving forward.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another in a safe, supportive, and judgment-free space. We will explore what brings you to therapy, what you have been experiencing, and what you hope to gain from our time together. You do not need to have all the answers or know exactly where to begin. We will take things at your pace, together. My hope is that you leave our first session feeling heard and understood. I want you to feel that you have found a space where you can exhale, be yourself, and begin to explore your experiences without fear of judgment. Even if life still feels uncertain, I hope you leave with a renewed sense of hope, the reassurance that your feelings matter, and the understanding that you do not have to navigate life’s difficult moments alone. You do not have to see the light just yet. Sometimes, the first step toward healing is simply knowing someone is willing to sit with you in the dark.
Strengths
One of the greatest strengths I bring to our sessions is my ability to meet people where they are, without judgment or expectation. I believe every person has a story worth understanding, and I approach each client with genuine curiosity, compassion, and respect for their unique experiences. My love for understanding human behavior allows me to look beyond what is visible and explore the emotions, experiences, and patterns that shape how we see ourselves and navigate the world. I bring a calm, supportive presence to difficult conversations and a deep passion for helping people navigate life’s most challenging moments. Whether you are experiencing a crisis, feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty, processing painful experiences, or simply trying to understand yourself better, I strive to create a space where you feel safe enough to be honest, vulnerable, and fully yourself. I believe one of the most important things I can offer is the willingness to sit with you in the darkness without rushing you toward the light. I will not ask you to minimize your pain or pretend to be stronger than you feel. Instead, I hope to help you recognize your resilience, uncover strengths you may have forgotten, and begin to see possibilities where you once saw only obstacles. Like photography, healing requires patience, perspective, and sometimes sitting in the dark before something beautiful begins to develop. I bring the belief that difficult chapters do not have to be the end of your story. Together, we can explore what you have experienced, identify what you need, and work toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you. Above all, I bring a genuine commitment to meeting you with compassion, honoring your journey, and helping you find hope, even when it feels difficult to see.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who may be navigating a difficult season of life and is ready to begin exploring their story, understanding themselves more deeply, and discovering a path toward healing. You may be experiencing anxiety, feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands, struggling with a major life transition, processing painful experiences, or simply feeling disconnected from the person you once were or hope to become. Perhaps you have spent so much time being strong for everyone else that you have forgotten what it feels like to have someone show up for you. Maybe you are facing a crisis, carrying emotions you do not know how to express, or searching for hope when the future feels uncertain. You do not need to have the right words, a clear plan, or all the answers before beginning therapy. I am drawn to working with individuals who want to better understand their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and experiences. Together, we can explore the patterns that may be holding you back, recognize the strengths you already possess, and work toward meaningful, lasting change. I welcome the person who is ready for growth, as well as the person who simply needs a safe place to breathe, process, and figure out what comes next. Like photography, sometimes the most beautiful things develop in the dark. If you are in a season where hope feels distant, I want you to know that you do not have to navigate it alone. My goal is to walk alongside you with compassion, curiosity, and understanding as you begin to see new possibilities for yourself and your future. You do not have to be ready for the light to begin. You just have to be willing to start where you are.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and how these patterns influence their daily lives. Sometimes, the way we interpret our experiences can intensify feelings of anxiety, sadness, or hopelessness. Together, we explore these patterns, identify unhelpful thinking, and develop healthier perspectives that support emotional well-being and meaningful change. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and focused on meeting you where you are. We may work on recognizing negative thought patterns, challenging beliefs that no longer serve you, developing practical coping skills, and learning healthier ways to respond to stress and difficult emotions. We will also explore how past experiences may influence present reactions while identifying small, manageable steps toward your goals. I believe CBT is most effective when clients feel safe, understood, and empowered throughout the process. My goal is not to dismiss your feelings or convince you to think positively about painful experiences. Instead, I want to help you understand your thoughts, recognize your strengths, and discover new ways to navigate life’s challenges. Like photography, changing our perspective can reveal details we may not have noticed before. Together, we can begin to look at difficult situations through a different lens, creating space for greater clarity, confidence, and hope. Over time, my hope is that you develop practical tools you can use beyond our sessions to navigate challenges with greater self-awareness and resilience.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Other specialties
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Licensed in
- VirginiaLicense 0701016810