I graduated with a BA in Sociology/Anthropology and a Minor in French from the University of Redlands. After working with children and families in Illinois and California, I went back to school and earned my Masters in Social Work from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. I worked as a social worker in Hospice and as a suicide and crisis counselor in Louisiana. I completed a program in the Theory and Practice of Mediation and Theory and Practice of Family Law Mediation. My areas of expertise include assessment, child abuse and neglect, bilingual therapy, family systems, domestic violence, crisis counseling, and suicide prevention. I offer compassionate and insightful therapy for people experiencing a broad range of issues, including LGBTQ+ issues.
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship issues, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Emptiness, Family problems, Fertility issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Immigration issues, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Multicultural concerns, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Prejudice and discrimination, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
UT LCSW 13322972-3501
NM LCSW C-06992
CA LCSW 121394
OR LCSW L14477
WA LICSW LW 61494715
HI LCSW LCSW-4991
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Margarita Araiza-Johnston. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Margarita is so supportive. I've never felt more comfortable with a therapist than I do with her! She not only listens but pushes me to be my best and is enthusiastic to help. She's not just a good cheerleader, she's an excellent coach and I feel I have the tools and training now to continue my progress. I feel so good and much happier now, with just a few months of working with Margarita. Our success here has echoed throughout my work and personal life. 100/10 recommend.
Written on Feb 16, 2024 after therapy with Margarita for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and family conflicts