Ariel Johnson

Hi, I’m Ariel. I’m a social worker with a Master of Social Work and a background in community-based behavioral health, crisis intervention, substance use services, harm reduction, patient navigation, and supporting individuals through some of life’s most difficult circumstances.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside people experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, relationship difficulties, housing instability, major life transitions, and other challenges that can make life feel overwhelming. These experiences have shaped the way I practice: I believe there is a person behind every diagnosis, and that understanding the whole person is essential to meaningful change.

I especially enjoy working with adults who may feel stuck, overwhelmed, misunderstood, or unsure of where to begin. My areas of interest include trauma, substance use and recovery, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, crisis-related concerns, and the impact that social and environmental circumstances can have on mental health.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and nonjudgmental. I don’t believe therapy should be about someone sitting across from you and telling you what you need to do. I see it as a partnership where we work together to understand what is happening, identify what you want to change, and find approaches that actually fit your life.

I look beyond symptoms and diagnoses to understand the bigger picture, including relationships, past experiences, coping patterns, environment, strengths, values, and the systems that may be affecting you. Sometimes meaningful progress involves changing our thoughts or behaviors; other times it means developing safety, building healthier relationships, processing painful experiences, or simply learning how to navigate life differently.

I also recognize that change is rarely linear. My goal is to create a space where you can be honest about where you are without being judged for it. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you come to therapy. We can start wherever you are.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin understanding what brought you to therapy. We’ll talk about what you’re experiencing, what has been happening in your life, and what you hope might be different as a result of therapy.

I’ll also explain how I work, answer questions you may have, and talk with you about confidentiality, expectations, and the therapy process. We may begin identifying goals together, but there is no expectation that you have everything figured out on the first day.

Most importantly, I want you to have a chance to decide whether I feel like the right person to work with. Therapy is personal, and having a therapist you feel comfortable being honest with matters. My goal for the first session is for you to leave feeling heard, respected, and with a clearer sense of where we can go from there.