Ariel Swoboda, LPC, ATR

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ABOUT ARIEL:

I am a St. Louis based telehealth and in-person Art Therapist (ATR) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I am also trained in trauma-informed community-based art collaboration and integrate art therapy techniques through a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavior, Internal Family Systems, and Person-Centered therapies.

I believe that working with a therapist is like going on a challenging hike with a trusted friend. If you show up, open and ready to do the work by giving it your all through every twist and turn, you will eventually reach the end of the trail together. By that time, positive growth changes can be felt and seen, possibilities become clearer, and the choice of what path to take next is yours. Showing up to each session as your authentic self is courageous and one of the greatest acts of self-compassion. This work will lead you to a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships with others.
With work, time, perseverance, and rest; you will experience a decrease in mental, social, relational, and/or behavioral symptoms that have made you feel unable to be present in your own life.

I have specialty areas working with all ages and abilities. I've worked in clinical, community, and home settings with children, teens, and young adults. I have experience working with neurodiverse adults in out-patient/community living settings, in-home and residential clients with Alzheimer’s/dementia/cognitive decline, high acuity adolescents in residential care, first nations people, and families navigating the foster and adoptive systems. I've also been involved in activism work alongside children and families within educational and court settings, with chronically unhoused persons with dual diagnoses, and in alcohol/substance abuse rehabilitative care.
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I identify within the LGBTQIA community. Clients experiencing gender and sexual orientation-related issues will find support with expression, transition, and relational exploration with me.
SPECIALIZATION AREAS:
  • Children through Adults (Ages 7+)
  • Art Therapy
  • ​Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity (ADHD/ADD)​
  • Autism Spectrum
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Trauma
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Relational Cultural Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems Therapy
  • Neurosequential Model of Trauma Therapy (NMT)
  • ​Person-Centered Therapy (PCT/Rogerian)
EDUCATION:
  • M.A. in Art Therapy Counseling (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2021)
  • B.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy (Webster University)​
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
  • Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (Missouri)
  • Certificate in Art Therapy (Webster University, 2017)​

Ariel is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor. She is under the clinical supervision of Heather Kuehnl, LPC (MO #2016003645).