Mariana Aldridge

Mariana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Sound Healer who especially enjoys working with clients who are exploring a neurodivergent identity, recovering from chronic masking or burnout, navigating gender or sexual identity, or working toward a greater sense of self-acceptance and connection. Mariana provides a welcoming, affirming space where clients can explore their identities, experiences, relationships, and the ways their nervous systems respond to the world around them.

Mariana believes that therapy should be a space where you can show up as your whole self. For many neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ individuals, years of masking, over-functioning, and adapting to environments that don’t always meet their needs can lead to exhaustion and burnout. Therapy can be an opportunity to better understand yourself, honor your needs, and find ways of moving through life that feel more sustainable and authentic.

Mariana’s therapeutic approach incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness practices. Mariana also incorporates sound-based practices into their work when appropriate. Mariana believes therapy should be collaborative and tailored to each person’s unique needs, goals, sensory preferences, and capacity.

Sessions may include talking through difficult experiences, developing practical tools for emotional regulation and executive functioning, exploring identity and relationships, or using mindfulness, and sound to reconnect with the body. Clients are encouraged to make themselves comfortable in whatever way works for them—whether that means moving around, stimming, adjusting the lighting, taking pauses, or simply taking some time to find the right words.

Outside of their work, Mariana enjoys singing with a local social justice choir, crocheting, and watching movies. They value creativity, community, and finding meaningful ways to connect with others.