It is my belief that within each of us lies the answers we need in order to move forward in our lives. Therapy is the sacred and safe space in which we get to uncover those answers and tap into our wise selves. It is my greatest honor to walk with you as you deepen your connection with yourself.”
Specialties/Populations
Aurena takes a person-centered, strengths-based approach to therapy. She has counseled clients from varying backgrounds and age groups, and is currently focused on working with adolescents through older adults.
Aurena has experience in working with anxiety, depression, panic, trauma, and grief. She has a special interest in working with members of the LGBTQIA community. Aurena enjoys integrating mindfulness and somatic practices (such as breathwork and yoga) into therapy. She is a Reiki Master and integrates energy work in session when appropriate.
Aurena pulls from narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to allow clients to explore themselves in a safe environment and to help them enact positive change in their lives. She incorporates aspects of parts work and self compassion to empower clients to know acceptance and wholeness. Aurena is also trained in EMDR, a trauma-focused therapy which assists the brain in processing trauma through bilateral stimulation.
Aurena is able to serve clients based in DC and VA.
Trainings/Modalities/Certifications
- Trauma-Informed Yoga
- Mindfulness & Breathwork
- Reiki Master
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Brainspotting
- EMDR
Previous Clinical Experience
Aurena received her Master’s degree with honors in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Christopher Newport University.
Education
Prior to joining The Viva Center, Aurena worked at the Community Counseling Center at Florida Gulf Coast University. There, she was able to provide counseling services to a wide array of individuals in the Southwest Florida area.
Aurena has worked with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, couples, and families. She also has experience facilitating groups in order to foster a more collaborative and interactive healing environment.
To learn more about working with this clinician, please email marygrace@vivapartnership.com for more information.
First Meeting Documents
In preparation for the first visit, you will be asked to fill out the following forms:
Informed Consent
Each of our Clinical Associates is a licensed practitioner. As required by licensure, treatment under a licensed practitioner is confidential. This form explains limitations to that confidentiality required by licensure. It also outlines the collaborative nature of the therapeutic relationship and co-responsibility for treatment outcomes.
Financial Agreement
This form outlines The Viva Center’s financial policies. Here at Viva, we offer special accommodations to assist with cash flow and to simplify payments. As a professional courtesy, clients opting to pay with a credit card are not billed until the end of the month, although fees are technically due at the time of service. This allows time for insurance to send reimbursement closer to the time of payment.
Client Questionnaire
This form serves 2 purposes: It helps to capture the baseline experience when beginning treatment, allowing for an opportunity to take stock of current status. It also helps the clinician gather important background information without taking extra time in the first session. The first page of this form is required, and the others are supplemental. It is fine to exercise the decision to leave out any areas of the form. Please keep in mind any areas elected not to be disclosed at this time may be relevant to treatment outcomes.
Credit Card Authorization Form
This form is only required if electing to use a credit card to pay for services. Conveniently, this form only needs to be filled out once and is stored securely. Payment with cash or checks is also accepted.
