Ariel Morado (she/her/hers)

Already trained in Trauma-Focused CBT, I am getting trained in EMDR in October 2022 because I know how important it is to have strong, effective tools to overcome PTSD. Trauma causes havoc in the lives of too many people, but it doesn't have to change you in a negative way forever. Once you have the tools to treat your PTSD, you can grow stronger, believe in yourself again, and have a life that's worth living.

My work with children and adolescents fills me up! I love seeing a kid's face light up that moment when they start to realize how awesome they really are. I especially love working with kids who feel like an outsider--the ones who feel like life has let them down and struggle to fit in. I became a therapist because I have seen too often how unequal power dynamics can harm folx. I love seeing kids feel empowered & feeling like the experts on themselves.

Like all the counselors at Hope For The Journey, I specialize in healing sexual trauma. Tweens/teens and adults who have been sexually abused or assaulted need a therapist who understands their specific needs for healing. The work we do now will allows for healthy relationships and happy futures. You might feel like this is the worst thing that could possibly have happened. The good news is that you can heal, grow, and learn to take back your life. I'm here to help.

Kids learn and express themselves best through play and art. As I move towards becoming a Certified Play Therapist, I am thrilled to see my clients empowered by the ability to get the big feelings out and feel stronger. Parents often tell me how appreciative they are to understand better what their child is feeling and thinking.

The story we tell about ourselves is powerful! We can't always control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to it and how we see ourselves. After trauma, most kids (& adults, too!) feel like they are the villains or victims. Narrative Therapy is about helping a client become the hero of their own story. It can also be a wonderful way to help contain the power of a hard memory.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can sound a little weird at first, but it is one of the most researched modalities out there for PTSD, anxiety, and more. As of October 2022, I will be adding EMDR to my growing list of tools to help my clients manage PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression symptoms.

Even though I'm a trauma therapist and ready to help you sort through the past if you're ready, I also believe in the power of concrete, actionable steps that you can take today to shift your emotions, relationships, and behavior patterns. Finding solutions that work is an important part of change and one that I enjoy immensely in my practice. So, if you're sick of talking and want to skip to finding something that works for you, Solution Focused Therapy is proven to help.

One of the most researched and validated therapy methods out there is CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. When you understand how your thoughts and behaviors impact your emotions, you can develop strategies that really work to manage anxiety and depression over time. Trauma-Focused CBT uses the power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with progressive exposure techniques to help you treat and overcome PTSD. When you start therapy, we'll discuss what treatment option might work best for you.

Leaving an abusive partner is one thing. Learning to love again and engage in healthy relationships is something else altogether. Luckily, a great trauma therapist can help you fully move past the bad experiences, heal, and be ready for healthy relationships that fill you up! I feel passionate about helping clients to see themselves as I see them--strong, capable, and deserving of love and belonging.