Arieana Castellanos

My name is Arieana Castellanos and I am a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) available to see clients who are in California. I have worked in mental health organizations for more than a decade. My approach to therapy is dynamic, creative, and specialized as I understand no one size fits all. I work with young adults and I specialize in gender and sexual violence as well as anti-oppression frameworks. I have specialized education in Attachment theory and working with complex trauma.

My approach

My theoretical approaches to therapy include the application of evidence-based practices. I do my best to have fidelity to the following frameworks. I have a passion for helping people see themselves as powerful actors in their own lives and I partner with clients to track progress and focus the content of our sessions to help us near goals. Treatment options include CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), BSFT (Brief Strategic Family Therapy), Person-in-environment, Mindfulness, Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational interviewing, Play therapy, Expressive Art Therapy, Attachment Theory

My focus

My client focus includes ages ranging from 5 years old and up. I have an extensive background working with clients aged 6-21 as well as with young adults 21+. I have a background in supporting clients under 65 also. I often see clients diagnosed with anxiety, PTSD, depression, complex trauma, eating disorders, and more. I support people with life stress as well as navigating, coping, and making space within traversing inequities that pose challenges to wellness.

My communication style

My communication style is relaxed and collaborative. I listen actively and intently and use a lot of reflection. I ask permission to take the conversation in ways that follow the tracking of thought content consistent with our treatment goals. I like to see myself and the client as thought partners excavating and exploring the landscape of their life. I like to create a safe and welcoming space to act as a container and jumping point for your needs and healing.

My journey to mental healthcare

My journey to becoming a therapist started with feeling empowered to see myself as important and worthy. I am driven by a desire to support clients in seeing themselves in compassionate viewpoints to support their alignment with their best selves. My mother and godmother are also mental health professionals and my grandmother practiced alternative healing medicine and this work very much feels like a family heirloom and calling for me.

My goals for you

I collaborate with clients to understand their views of the things they seek support for in therapy. I gather information and begin to come up with a clinical formulation rooted both in the frameworks I use and any criteria met for DSM diagnosis. I review this with clients to explore if this aligns with their perspective. Then I approach the client as a thought partner to explore goals that feel relevant, measurable, and attainable to make clinical recommendations that land well. I track our progress in a supportive way to make sure we make the best use of our time together.

My first session with you

Clients should expect a review of therapy protocols and procedures regarding confidentiality rights, their health privacy, and mandating reporting regulations to obtain informed consent for treatment. I'll have an assessment for us to complete together and hopefully, we can build a connection to create a conversation through the initial questions I need to begin forming my clinical impression. I have some neat internet games such as connect4, Pictionary, puzzles, card games, and more to help if you're nervous or need to keep busy to get into the flow.