Ariana Stankovic

Choosing to start therapy is a courageous first step. We promise to help you every step of the way and to make sure you get what you need from the moment you call. I provide a safe, accepting space using a person-centered approach so you can explore your unique experiences and develop strategies for achieving your goals. I intend to create a therapeutic alliance that fosters growth and progress by empathizing and offering unconditional positive regard.

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community often face a unique set of challenges in their daily lives. Exploring identity, navigating relationships and family dynamics, and dealing with societal stigma and discrimination can all take a significant emotional and psychological toll. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals struggle with feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression as they work to reconcile their authentic selves with the expectations and pressures of the heteronormative world around them. In the face of these challenges, therapy can be an invaluable tool for LGBTQIA+ individuals. As a skilled, LGBTQIA+-affirmative therapist I provide a safe, judgment-free space for clients to explore their identity, process difficult emotions, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Through therapy, I can help LGBTQIA+ individuals cultivate self-acceptance, build resilience, and strengthen support networks. Counseling can also help address the unique mental health impacts of minority stress, equipping clients with strategies to manage anxiety, depression, and trauma. Perhaps most importantly, I can help empower LGBTQIA+ individuals to take control of their narrative, rejecting societal stigma and embracing the fullness of who they are. As a compassionate, LGBTQIA+-competent therapist, I can help navigate the challenges and help individuals live authentically as their true, vibrant selves.

I also had the privilege of working with individuals from a wide range of religious and spiritual backgrounds, each seeking a holistic, integrated approach to their mental health and wellbeing. I recognize that people’s deeply-held beliefs and faith traditions play a profound role in shaping their worldview, values, and the very lens through which they experience life. By thoughtfully integrating spirituality into the therapeutic process, we can provide a more comprehensive, culturally-responsive form of care that truly speaks to the whole person. Clients who are actively engaged in religious or spiritual practices may find immense comfort, meaning, and community through these beliefs, which can be powerful resources for coping, healing, and personal growth. However, people’s relationships with spirituality can also be complex, sometimes involving feelings of guilt, shame, or even trauma stemming from negative religious experiences. I approach this domain with sensitivity, humility, and a genuine openness to learn about each client’s unique spiritual framework. Through open-ended exploration, I help clients examine how their beliefs intersect with their mental health, identify areas of spiritual distress or unmet needs, and thoughtfully integrate customized spiritual interventions – whether that involves prayer, meditation, ritual, or simply deep discussion of existential questions. By providing this holistic, integrated care, I strive to empower clients to draw upon the full depth of their lived experience, cultivating a more profound sense of wholeness, purpose, and inner peace.

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I am also trained in trauma-informed care and culturally sensitive practices, with experience working with individuals facing progressive illnesses, adults of all ages, and veterans.
Let me help you address challenges proactively. You are important, and together, we can uncover the root of your struggles so that you can move forward with confidence. Please don’t hesitate to contact me today. If our schedules do not align, I will connect you with another qualified therapist in our group. You do not have to go through this alone.