About Ariel

“My aim is to create a space where clients feel encouraged to be their authentic selves.”

Hello! I am Ariel Powell, a licensed master social worker and therapist. I earned my undergraduate degree in Communications from CUNY Hunter College and pursued my master’s in social work from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University. My year-long internship at MindfulNYU was dedicated to creating mindfulness-based programs tailored for students of color. Additionally, I have garnered experience in community and school-based settings.

My passion lies in working with ethnically diverse communities of color, focusing on aspects such as race, gender, sexuality, spirituality, and cultural identities. I approach therapy with an anti-oppressive lens, emphasizing the intersections of identity and culture.

Understanding how these factors influence our environment and relationships is crucial for fostering healing. My goal is to collaborate with clients, crafting an authentic space that recognizes and celebrates individual identities, leveraging their unique strengths to guide the healing journey.

In my therapeutic approach, I employ modalities like CBT, Psychodynamic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Somatic, and Mindfulness. These evidence-based techniques are instrumental in helping clients develop healthier ways to cope with depression, stress, anxiety, communication challenges, self-expression, interpersonal relationships, and life transitions. I also integrate creative techniques such as artistic expression, journaling, music, video, and cinema therapy interventions.

I am a staunch advocate for increasing access to mental health care, especially for marginalized communities. As a member of the BIPOC community, I understand the challenges in seeking wellness resources that genuinely resonate with our experiences. My aim is to create a space where clients feel encouraged to be their authentic selves.

Fun Facts:

• I have a penchant for live music and often find myself curating playlists.
• Cooking is one of my passions.
• I cherish moments of laughter shared with loved ones.

I currently offer therapy to clients from various backgrounds, including BIPOC (e.g., Black, African American, Hispanic, Latinx, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, etc.), POC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized underrepresented communities in the mental health space residing in New York. I also work with individuals who may not identify within these communities but are allies to those who do as well.