Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Arias.
Hi Andrea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Every therapist, clinician, or psychiatrist has a story. Whether we realize it or not, many of us were being shaped for this work long before graduate school. I’m no exception.
Growing up, I was driven by a deep desire to understand the people around me—and to truly see myself. I often found myself in the role of the helper, the listener, the emotional translator in the room. But stepping into this work wasn’t just about learning how to help others—it’s also been a journey of unlearning, of healing, of finding safety within my own body.
My path began when I came to the United States at five years old with my single mother, who was fleeing violence and seeking something better for her child. We started with very little. I remember my mom saving up for a bicycle so she could get to work, and eventually for a car. Her sacrifices taught me what perseverance looks like. As the daughter of a single mother, I often had to step up. Those early challenges—though difficult—shaped the resilience and empathy I now carry into every therapy session.
Growing up undocumented added another layer of complexity. There was always a quiet, persistent sense of unsafety—a feeling of being different, of holding a secret. I remember the uncertainty after high school, unsure of what my future could look like until DACA was created under the Obama administration. Even then, I was denied financial aid and loans, and had to find a way to work and pay for school out of pocket. I juggled multiple jobs, paid tuition on my own, and completed unpaid internships—all while trying to stay grounded.
During this time, I began working in child welfare. I was struck by the creativity and strength people showed in surviving impossible circumstances. There was a mirror between their stories and mine—though no one knew the details of my personal journey. I fell in love with the work of trauma recovery. I witnessed how healing can happen when people feel seen, safe, and supported. I learned that sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do—when we’ve done everything we can for ourselves—is to step outside our own lives and help someone else. It reminds us we are not alone in our struggle.
I truly believe we’re all connected. When we help others heal, we heal something in ourselves too. And that’s what keeps me rooted in this work every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. The road has been anything but smooth. There have been many setbacks—moments of uncertainty, fear, and deep questioning. But each time I was reminded of the limitations of my current reality, I leaned into visualizing what could be. I held on to a vision of the future, of becoming a social worker who made a difference. And I did.
I was eventually deemed an expert in the Montgomery County courts in Maryland, where I worked with children and families navigating some of life’s most difficult circumstances. I loved the work. But over time, I noticed how the fast pace and emotional demands of that environment began to press against my own scars. Being a therapist became a mirror—it’s nearly impossible to do this work authentically unless you’re also willing to look inward. Doing my own healing work allowed me to show up with more presence, clarity, and compassion.
As much as I loved working in child welfare, I felt a pull to expand—so I started working part-time in private practice while still holding my full-time role. Then, in December 2020, I took a leap. I left child welfare and moved across the country to Glendale, California, fully transitioning into private practice. Everything in my life was shifting—professionally and personally.
In 2021, I founded my own practice: Harmony Counseling Services. As a first-generation business owner, I had to learn everything from the ground up. Grad school hadn’t prepared me for entrepreneurship—but I was determined to build something meaningful. I wanted to create a space where people could feel safe enough to explore themselves fully, to grow into a stronger and more grounded sense of self.
In 2023—23 years after first arriving in this country—I received my residency card. That moment changed everything. It gave me a new sense of grounding, but it also deepened my empathy for others navigating the unknown. I know what it’s like to live without a clear path forward, to make decisions in survival mode, and to carry invisible burdens while still trying to create something beautiful.
Looking back, I realize the most important tools I had were the ability to stay present—especially when things felt uncertain—and a strong support system. Those two things made all the difference.
We’ve been impressed with Harmony Counseling Services, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m the founder and lead therapist at Harmony Counseling Services, a mental health practice based in Glendale, California. At its core, Harmony exists to offer people a safe, grounded space to come home to themselves.
We specialize in working with first-generation individuals, high-achievers, athletes, survivors of trauma, and those navigating identity, anxiety, relationship challenges, or major life transitions. Many of my clients are used to performing at a high level, holding it all together for others, and rarely having space to pause, feel, or simply exist without expectation.
One unique part of the practice is our work with athletes and high performers. As an athlete myself, I deeply understand the mindset of pushing past limits—ignoring signals from the body to meet a goal or break through resistance. It’s an incredibly creative survival mechanism. But what got you here, won’t always get you where you want to go next. Therapy offers space to begin listening to the body again—healing in ways logic alone can’t reach.
What sets Harmony Counseling Services apart is the emphasis on authenticity and safety. Therapy here is relational, collaborative, and deeply attuned. My work isn’t about “fixing” anyone—it’s about helping clients reconnect with their truth, their body, and their power. I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience into the room, creating a space where people don’t have to perform or shrink. They can simply be.
What I’m most proud of is the feeling people describe when they work with me. Clients often say it feels like a soft landing—like they can finally exhale. And from that place, healing becomes possible.
If there’s one thing I hope people take from Harmony Counseling Services, it’s this: healing doesn’t have to be perfect or linear. It can be messy, layered, and deeply human. And that’s more than enough.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Find people who know things you don’t—and stay curious. I’ve found that most people genuinely want to be helpful. Being asked for guidance gives them an opportunity to feel seen and valued, too. It’s a mutual exchange.
What’s helped me the most is learning to show up authentically. When you’re open, humble, and willing to receive, that in itself becomes a gift to those offering their time and wisdom. It invites real connection rather than surface-level networking.
I also believe mentorship doesn’t always have to be formal. Some of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned came from brief, honest conversations—moments when I was willing to ask a question, share vulnerably, or simply listen deeply. The more you move through the world as yourself, the more the right people find you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.harmonycounselingservices.net/
- Instagram: selftalkwithAndrea
