Counseling Services
LMFT
2021-present Psychoanalytic Education Program, Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, Chicago, IL
2019 MS, Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Thesis: Interpersonal Autonomic Physiology
2015 MA, Individual, Couple, and family Counseling (CACREP accredited), George Fox University, Portland, OR
Clinical Portfolio: Emotionally focused couple therapy
2011 MS, Clinical Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Dissertation: Moderating role of attachment styles on the relationship of alexithymia and fear of intimacy with marital satisfaction
I am a licensed individual, couple, and family therapist (LMFT). I received my master’s degree in counseling from George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. I also got a second master’s degree in psychology from University of Orgon because I wanted to learn more about attachment theory, interpersonal trauma, and developmental psychopathology.
For more than a decade I worked in a variety of mental health settings like hospitals, agencies, and private practice under the supervision of excellent supervisors. As a therapist, I believe in the lifelong learning and as a result I have received extra training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, and a variety of couple and family therapy models.
I chose this career because I enjoy building authentic and close connections with people and I believe the relationship that I form with my client is the most important agent of change. On the foundation of connectedness, then I can be curious with them to find their strengths and help them overcome their challenges. I also prefer experiential approaches in therapy because I believe change needs to happen in the session and clients can benefit from experiencing their emotions in the presence of a person that can tolerate those feelings and contain them. Each session is an opportunity to experience the true self, and to get in touch with the parts of self that did not have a chance to be seen.
I am also curious about attachment and early (traumatic) interpersonal experiences since they shape how we relate to ourselves and how we relate to others. These experiences shape frameworks for how we see ourselves and others. They affect our sense of trust, safety, and security. By targeting these attachment related experiences clients can move towards building a sense of security that can lead to further positive changes like better self-esteem or creating healthy relationships.
The training that I received at Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute taught me how to also find the trauma at the somatic level and how to incorporate the body into treatment since trauma also exists in the body.
And now I am a psychoanalyst in training at Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute to go even further in gaining an in-depth understanding of psychological issues and how to relate to my clients to bring positive change. Psychoanalytic model focuses on unconscious motives, needs, and wishes; early relationships with family and peers; and how we use defenses and copings to deal with internal conflict. A lot of interesting patterns and themes, feelings and memories come up using this approach that can be worked on which can bring more in-depth change.
You may be looking for family therapy because…
It’s great that you are here. Let’s see if my counseling services can be helpful to you.
I view families as emotional units and believe that individuals cannot be fully understood in isolation. By looking at communication patterns, family structure and dynamics, balance of give and take in relationships, I try to get a more holistic understanding of mental health issues.
In my work with families I focus on giving each family member the chance to voice their concerns and wishes and help them create mutual goals for treatment. So families can improve problem-solving, communication, coping skills, and enhance their sense of connection to one another.
You may be looking for counseling because…
I’m so happy that you are here! Let’s see if my counseling services can be beneficial to you.
I try to be aware of the challenges that minorities experience. Oppression, racism, and marginalization are real and affect our mental health. The culture that we grow up in affects how we experience ourselves and others. So in my work with you I like to consider the cultural factors that contribute to who you are and the specific challenges that you experience.
There are qualitative differences between Western Middle Eastern culture. Some of these differences may include the role of religion in daily life, the importance of history and culture, collectivist culture and unique family dynamics. Thus, it might seem helpful for you to have a therapist that is familiar with these differences.
You may be looking for counseling because…
I’m glad you are here! Let’s see if my counseling services can be helpful to you. In my work with individuals, I tend to get passed the surface symptoms like low mood and how to manage it and try to focus on the underlying issues that are creating and maintaining the symptoms. Thus, my approach is more analytic and psychodynamic oriented. This type of approach works better for individuals who are to a good extent stable, like to start a journey of self-exploration, like to find problematic and destructive patterns, and the underlying factors that are feeding these patterns.
You may be looking for couples therapy because…
I’m happy you are here! Let’s see if my counseling services can be helpful to you. In my work with couples I use models like emotionally focused couple therapy, Gottman method, and systemic therapy. I like therapy to be experiential, meaning that change will happen in the session and we focus on how you experience your relationship and your emotions. Together we will look at your relationship patterns and how you might get stuck in negative patterns.
My education in attachment theory informs my work on bonding and how to create a more secure emotional bond which I believe is the foundation of a healthy relationship. When secure attachment exists, you and your partner can trust each other, communicate more effectively, love and respect each other and all the other good stuff can happen.
I also use research findings in the area of couples therapy to help you learn what makes relationships work. You can learn how to communicate better, how to negotiate, how to resolve conflicts, and how to repair after fights. I am also LGBTQIA+, poly, and kink friendly.
Stay hopeful because it is possible to have a more loving and satisfying relationship.
Please contact billing@ariadnecounselng.org for any question regarding billing and insurance.
$160 - $180
Sliding scale is accepted
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- Aetna Coventry
- Blue Cross
- Blue Shield
- BlueCross and BlueShield
- UnitedHealthcare UHC
- UnitedHealthcare UBH
