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About Arianna Varela LMSW, Anxiety & OCD Therapist
Serving Clients in St. Louis & Across Missouri
Trying to constantly make sense of ourselves can be exhausting. When anxiety, OCD, depression, or overwhelming emotions take over, it's easy to lose trust in yourself and wonder why your mind seems to make things harder instead of easier. I've come to learn that approaching ourselves with curiosity is far more powerful than criticizing ourselves into change.
I'm especially drawn to working with people who may have spent years trying to understand themselves but still feel stuck. Whether you've been living with anxiety, navigating OCD, struggling with depression, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself, it's easy to believe something is wrong with you. You don't have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. Sometimes the first step is simply having a place where you don't have to carry those questions alone.
Creating that kind of space begins with recognizing that no two people arrive in therapy with the same story. As a Latina therapist, I value the role that culture, identity, family, and lived experiences play in shaping who we are. My education and clinical work have deepened my appreciation for culturally responsive care and the importance of approaching every client with humility and openness. I strive to create an affirming space where LGBTQ+ individuals and people from all backgrounds feel welcomed and respected.
To me, therapy is about building meaning through connection. It's through connection that we begin to better understand ourselves and the experiences that have shaped us. That is often where healing begins. My hope is that therapy becomes a place where you feel safe enough to slow down, reconnect with your strengths, and move toward a life that feels authentic and meaningful.
It would be a privilege to be a part of this process with you!
Washington University - Master of Social Work (MSW)
Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW)