Christina Araya, M.S. Resident in Counseling

Practicing Since: 2023

Christina is dedicated to fostering a supportive, empathetic, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to explore their challenges and work toward personal growth. Her approach emphasizes exploring the psychological impact of life experiences and collaborating with clients to identify strategies to reduce distress and enhance overall well-being. This approach integrates theoretical frameworks such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. These modalities are designed to promote mindfulness, enhance conscious decision-making, and empower clients to embrace and navigate all aspects of their lives effectively.

Christina views mental health as a critical aspect of overall well-being, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social dimensions that influence how we think, feel and interact with the world around us. It plays a pivotal role in how we manage stress, build relationships, and make decisions.

As a Resident in Counseling under supervision, Christina approaches the therapeutic process as a collaborative and dynamic partnership. She is committed to creating a safe, respectful and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to explore their experiences, develop self-awareness, and implement strategies for meaningful change.

Christina has a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling, which helped her receive comprehensive training, including hands-on experience in administering assessments, selecting clinical diagnoses, developing treatment plans and collaborating with clients to implement effective coping strategies. She has worked in various mental health capacities, including as a Registered Behavioral Technician in the Applied Behavior Analysis field.

During Christina’s internship, she had the privilege of working with clients from diverse demographics, which helped refine her skills in building rapport, creating a safe and comfortable therapeutic space, and addressing clients’ unique needs.

Christina enjoys pursuing creative hobbies such as drawing and painting. In her free time, she engages in activities that support her physical well-being like swimming and running. Spending quality time with family and friends is very important to her, and she loves exploring different cultures through their cuisine, which broadens her perspective and inspires meaningful connections. Christina is a licensed resident in the state of Virginia (0704017701) under the clinical supervision of Carrie Bravinder, LPC(0701011497).