I am passionate about holding space for people as they figure life out. I care about helping folks get to know themselves in an honest way—to see value in all parts of who they are, and to feel like they have a say in how they move through the world.
I believe that sharing the tender, complex, and still-developing parts of yourself takes vulnerability — and trusting someone to hold that space requires courage. Because I believe that, I want to show my vulnerability to you and share a bit about myself, as I would not ask you to do anything I would not do.
I’m a queer🌈, biracial, neurodivergent woman and a retired Division I athlete💪🏽. From my own lived experiences, I’ve come to know the weight of expectations and demands on— who you’re supposed to be, how you’re supposed to show up, and what success “should” look like. I understand what it’s like to move through the world carrying pressures and rules—whether from family, culture, sport, or society—and to question where you fit within all of that. I understand being shaped by the message that you always have to be tough, to keep pushing, and hold yourself to high standards—no matter the cost (even if there were rewards). I also understand the grief that can come with change—especially when our roles, identities, or performances begin to shift. I get how hard it can feel to let yourself slow down, to change, and to soften—especially when strength has been your way of surviving.
These experiences shape how I show up in the therapy space—with compassion, acceptance, authenticity, curiosity, and deep respect for you and what you have been through. You can expect me to show up with care and intention—to walk alongside you with presence and support. You can expect collaboration, tenderness, humor and honesty. You can expect to have a space where you don’t have to pretend. You can expect that we will navigate your journey at a pace that feels right and respectful of your needs.
I believe something truly meaningful happens when you feel genuinely seen, and I look forward to meeting who you are! You deserve space to unpack what you’ve inherited, what you’ve survived, and what you’ve learned to believe about yourself.
Aries Washington, MA, LPC, SEP
She/Her/Hers
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I obtained my Master of Arts in Counseling with an emphasis in Mental Health from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2021. I completed my Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Certificate in 2023 from Somatic Experiencing International. I also obtained a certificate of completion, of the Internal Family Systems Circle, which was a 6-month online program to learn the concepts and practice of the Internal Family Systems Model. This would classify me as Internal Family Systems Informed clinician. Lastly, I completed a Certificate Program at the University of Michigan for Sports Social Work.
I LOVE to read and attend continuing education courses, and I LOVE to learn. I want to share this because I read many books associated with the human experience, our minds and bodies. This helps me stay on top of research, new therapy techniques and modalities and new ways to see/understand people.
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Over the past five years, I have worked in community mental health settings (non-profit and private practice), providing individual therapy to adolescents, young adults, and adults from diverse backgrounds (e.g BIPOC, LGBTQIA+/QTGNC, athletes, neurodivergent, unhoused youth etc). Additionally, I have worked in suicide prevention and crisis care. When working in a non-profit community mental health setting, I have experience running a LGBTQIA+/QTGNC support group for adolescents and running other groups related to self-exploration, identity and building self awareness.
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Every therapy approach that I use is centered around inviting curiosity, acceptance and attentiveness to what shows up. We will explore deconstructing held survival patterns or beliefs (mind & body), practice slowing down to explore and process what we uncover AND explore new ways of being. My approach also invites self-reflection of our roots, relationships and attachments. We will explore unconscious emotional and behavior patterns. This approach can be considered “Integrative” or “Eclectic” as it embraces many different lenses.