About Arianna Brooks, AMFT (she/her)
CA #148260

I believe that…

Everyone is deserving of the opportunity to explore their unique experiences. Therapy provides an opportunity for healing through connection, self-understanding, and a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust and compassion.

My approach is…

…personalized, present, and practical. I believe therapy is most effective when the process is client-centered, collaborative, and paced around your needs. I value a balance between helping clients develop a deeper self-understanding while also honing practical skills you can use as soon as you walk out the door. Together, we’ll explore observations, relationships, and core beliefs that help you gain a deeper understanding of your own patterns and the dynamics you have with people in your life. As we map out these experiences, you’ll better understand how they’ve shaped you and the way you navigate through the world. We’ll also develope practical, concrete tools to help you better cope, regulate, and navigate challenges more effectively. Above all, I believe change happens when clients feel understood, supported, and empowered.

Specialty areas

I enjoy supporting adolescents and young adults who have experienced early childhood trauma and adversity. They’re often struggling with symptoms of anxiety and depression, and realize trauma impacts their everyday life. Sometimes it shows up in relationship dynamics, which are strained or conflict-ridden. Other times clients find themselves unmotivated and isolated, and don’t understand why their peers seem happy while they struggle to get through each day. Through our work together, I help teens and young adults strike a balance between developing practical skills to improve their functioning, as well as deeper insight into their unique experiences. I use a trauma-focused, developmentally appropriate approach that emphasizes safety, trust, and emotional regulation while supporting healing and resilience. As clients better regulate their emotions, they experience confidence and a sense of calm that allows them to be more engaged in life’s joyful experiences.

Sometimes it works best to meet as a family, and I have experience helping families who are struggling with communication, major life transitions, and household conflict. Together, we identify core patterns and create change by trying new styles of interaction, which has the potential to permanently and positively shift dynamics.

I also love working with people who have been impacted by incarceration and the justice system. Whether you have direct experience or a loved one who has been impacted, I approach this work with compassion and cultural humility, recognizing the complex emotional, relational, and systemic challenges involved. I support people in processing their experiences, rebuilding trust, and moving toward healing and stability.

My credentials

I am an associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT) under the supervision of Sara Anderson, LCSW. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from UCLA in 2019, and received my masters degree in counseling psychology from Santa Clara University in 2024.

I love…

… spending time with my silly cat Rudy, moving my body through various forms of exercise, skiing at Lake Tahoe, camping along the river, trying a new pasta dish, and re-watching my favorite comfort shows.