About Me
Hi! My name is Arlene and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
A little background about me. I was born in India but have spent most of my life in California and Maryland. I started my career in Child Welfare Services. While the work was often emotionally taxing and challenging, I was exposed to a variety of lifestyles, families and values. Connecting with people with empathy and not judging to their choices or situations is a value I still hold. I then shifted my career to psychotherapy and helping individuals. After years of working with other non-profits and group practices, I recently made the decision to start my own practice.
I enjoy working with people and being a small part of their journey as we connect their past to the present and help them achieve their future goals.
I am interested in working with teens, young adults, middle age and seniors who face a range of challenges, including childhood trauma, identity struggles, intergenerational family conflict, self-esteem concerns, and immigrant-related experiences. I have firsthand experience with navigating family dynamics, wrestling with one’s values/identity, and cultural expectations. With this background, I’m passionate about helping others explore their identity, set boundaries and learn how to communicate their needs.
My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and as a Level 3 TEAM-CBT therapist, I use evidence-based methods that are practical, goal-driven, and focused on results. I serve clients who struggle with anxiety, ADHD/ADD, depression, self-esteem, relationship struggles. My theoretical views (CBT) explore how our thoughts, emotions and behaviors have a cyclical effect on each other. In order to change our behavior, we must first learn how our thoughts/beliefs affect our emotions and behaviors. Goals may include conflict resolution, building coping and emotional regulation skills, self-esteem, acceptance, mindfulness skills, and communication skills. Depending on your needs, I may also incorporate other modalities, such as mindfulness, DBT, ERP, and iCBT, ACT to help you achieve the change you're seeking. I’ll be by your side offering warmth, a relaxed atmosphere of acceptance and humor while using powerful therapeutic tools to support your success.
So, don’t wait any longer…let’s get to work!
