Ariel Rios

I primarily work with adults experiencing anxiety, panic, chronic stress, and major life transitions. Whether you've been feeling overwhelmed for years or recently found yourself stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, we'll work together to understand what's keeping the cycle going and build practical skills to help you move forward.

As a licensed clinical social worker with experience in university mental health, I've supported adults facing academic, career, and personal challenges. I believe therapy should be both compassionate and practical, giving you a place to feel understood while also helping you develop skills you can use in everyday life.

I believe lasting change starts with understanding what's keeping the problem going. Rather than simply talking about symptoms, we'll work together to identify the patterns that maintain anxiety, stress, or emotional distress and develop practical strategies to create meaningful change. My approach is collaborative, warm, and grounded in evidence-based therapies such as CBT and ACT. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, build resilience, and leave therapy with skills you can continue using long after our work together.

During our first session, my priority is getting you know you and understanding what brings you to therapy. We'll talk about your current concerns, your background, what's been working, what hasn't, and what you'd like to be different in your life.

We'll also begin identifying the patterns that may be contributing to your challenges and discuss what you'd like to accomplish through therapy. I'll answer any questions you have about the process, and together we'll create a plan that feels realistic and tailored to your goals.

My hope is that you'll leave our first session feeling heard, supported, and with a clear understanding of the next steps we'll take together.