Today we’d like to introduce you to Arielle Derhy.
Hi Arielle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was first introduced to psychotherapy watching an episode of Full House as a pre-teen. One of the characters had gone to see a therapist and I remember feeling completely enthralled. Looking back, it makes sense that I had such a reaction, as I struggled with anxiety and didn’t have the proper tools to manage it. I craved the support I observed in the episode, time where I could slow down to process life, as well as navigate my deep feelings. When my anxiety intensified in high school, I entered therapy. I loved having someone in my corner accurately seeing and understanding me, it felt so freeing and deeply satisfying.
Around the same time, I joined a peer-counseling program at school, where I received training on how to treat various mental health issues. I had the opportunity to meet with students weekly and found it incredibly rewarding to provide a safe space for others. Needless to say, my love for the healing process grew. I was eager to learn as much as I could about psychology and found that the more I learned, the more I wanted to share that knowledge. Empowering others to know themselves on a deeper level and help make positive life changes is an honor.
I went on to earn a BA in psychology from the University of Southern California and a MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University shortly. Three thousand hours of face-to-face practice, three internships, and two exams later, I finally became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In 2016, I started my own private practice in West Hollywood, where I work one-on-one with young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While starting my own practice was incredibly exciting and fun, there were definitely some challenges along the way. I knew how to be a therapist, not so much how to run a therapy business. Being in charge of renting an office, creating a website, and marketing were all roles that I learned on the fly. It was also my first time being my own boss and I had to learn self-discipline around creating a work-life balance. When I first started out, I found myself biting off more than I could chew and downplaying the importance of self-care. I had to figure out what worked for me and what didn’t and accept those limitations.
Last year, the pandemic forced me to make the transition of moving my practice from in person to telehealth. I was nervous about not being able to see my clients and questioned how connected I would feel to them. I was so pleased to discover that the emotional connection was still there and that the only difference was that we weren’t in the same room. The experience taught me that with any business, bumps are inevitable and that we sometimes need to push ourselves outside our comfort zones to adapt.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I utilize a combination of traditional talk-therapy with more in-the-moment experiential techniques to help the young adults in my practice. I help my clients address their thoughts and beliefs but also have particular interest in helping them tune into their bodies through mindfulness. Our bodies are windows into our unconscious mind, which is what we are primarily governed by. By paying attention to the physical sensations in our bodies when we’re speaking, we can get a more complete picture of what is happening in our mind as it is related to the present moment. If we only focus on our left brain, we are left with limited, analytical responses. For example, if a client tells me about a traumatic experience, I’ll ask them, “When you bring that memory up, what starts to happen inside of you, in this moment?” This kind of “turning inward” allows for more awareness of our patterns and more emotional regulation. It is also comforting to be present with ourselves in this way.
One of my strongest competencies is working with clients around low self-esteem. Many of my clients over the years have struggled with not feeling “good enough,” and the consequences of that belief are harmful. When my clients are able to transform their negative internal voice to a more loving one, their world looks completely different.
I am proud of the business that I have created as well as my commitment to continuously expanding my knowledge within the field. I spend hours weekly, staying current with developments about the human mind, interpersonal neurobiology, and evidenced-based practices to best serve my clients.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was shy, but once I warmed up, it was hard to get me to stop talking! I was selective of whom I would reveal my whole, vibrant self to. As much I loved being with friends, I had no problem entertaining myself when alone. My room was a safe haven. You could find me in there assembling a birthday party for all my dolls, choreographing a dance routine to perform for my parents, or singing karaoke. My favorite hobby was directing music videos that I would film, direct, and star in. Music was an outlet for me to feel my emotions and to this day, I start my mornings with a good song and dance.
Pricing:
- 150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ariellederhytherapy.com
- Instagram: @ariellederhytherapy
