Ariana Varela

LADC, Therapist

The World Demands a Lot From You.

You move through life wearing a mask of competence and strength. To your colleagues, your family, and your friends, you are the person who can handle anything. You are reliable, resilient, and always "on."

But the cost of that resilience is exhaustion.

Navigating a world that wasn't necessarily built for you—whether due to your background, your identity, or your values—takes a toll. You may feel like you have to over-explain yourself to be understood, or that you have to leave parts of yourself at the door just to fit in.

It’s Time to Put Down the Armor.

My name is Ariana Varela. My practice is built on a simple premise: You deserve a space where you don't have to perform.

I work with individuals who are tired of carrying the weight of anxiety, systemic stress, and unspoken expectations. I offer a partnership where we slow down, look at the root causes of your stress, and help you reclaim your energy.

I Can Help You Navigate:

• Chronic Anxiety & Burnout: For those who feel like they are running on a hamster wheel, unable to rest even when they are "off the clock."

• Identity & Belonging: Exploring who you are when you aren't trying to please everyone else.

• Systemic Stress: Acknowledging that your stress isn't just "in your head"—it’s often a reaction to a high-pressure environment.

• Coping & Habit Change: When stress gets high, we often turn to numbing behaviors (like overworking, drinking, scrolling, or isolation). As a counselor with specialized training in habit formation (LADC), I help you build healthier ways to soothe your nervous system without shame.

A Therapy Experience Grounded in Respect.

You don't need a therapist who just nods and stares. You need a partner who understands the context of your life.

My approach is warm, interactive, and anti-oppressive. I integrate evidence-based therapies (like CBT and DBT) with a deep respect for your lived experience. Whether you are navigating a major life transition, struggling with relationships, or just feeling stuck, we will work together to build a toolkit for emotional survival and joy.

My Credentials

I am a Mental Health Practitioner working toward clinical licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Additionally, I hold a license as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), which provides me with a unique lens on how we use habits to protect ourselves from pain.

You Don't Have to Do This Alone.

Real strength isn't about carrying it all by yourself. It's about knowing when to let someone else help carry the load.

I invite you to reach out. Let’s connect for a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

pronouns: she/her

Education, Training, License, and Affiliations:

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (#306734)

Master of Professional Studies, Integrated Behavioral Health

Bachelor of Applied Science, Psychology 

Bachelor of Arts, Communication

“Therapy, a place of healing, is a relationship between two people, you and me. Like all relationships, it’s based on trust, honesty, and vulnerability. At its best, therapy allows for transformation, healing, and acceptance. It’s a place where you and I work towards freedom from limiting thoughts, freedom to be who you want, and freedom to become who you know you can be.”