Margarita Araiza-Johnston

Margarita Araiza-Johnston is a licensed clinical social worker with ten years of practice. She uses straightforward, compassionate care to help people facing grief, stress, relationship strain, and major life changes. Margarita works in English and Spanish and brings practical experience from hospice and crisis counseling to sessions.

She blends attachment-based ideas with cognitive behavioral techniques to help people make sense of their patterns and create manageable steps forward. Emotionally-focused approaches and narrative work help people name painful experiences and rewrite how those stories shape daily life. Motivational interviewing supports clients who want to find motivation for change.

Her background includes a Master of Social Work from Tulane University and earlier work with children and families in Illinois and California. She also worked in hospice and as a suicide and crisis counselor in Louisiana, which informs her calm approach to hard conversations. Margarita completed programs in mediation and family law mediation to support clearer communication during conflict.

Clients can expect a warm, direct style that focuses on safety, clear goals, and small, useful changes. Sessions typically involve talking through recent events, identifying patterns, and practicing new responses that fit each person’s life. Margarita helps people with parenting challenges, caregiving strain, compassion fatigue, and grief responses.

Her practice also addresses intimacy-related issues, ADHD, LGBT concerns, family problems, and aging and geriatric issues. She draws on her bilingual skills when helpful and supports people coping with trauma, loss, and major transitions.

How attachment, CBT, and EFT translate to online work

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns in close relationships and how those early bonds shape current reactions; online sessions can help people notice those patterns and practice new ways of relating. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches small, concrete skill steps to reduce distress and shift responses. Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people identify and sit with strong emotions, then use that understanding to change interaction patterns and build connection.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will ask about current concerns, goals, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they will try methods that suit the person's needs and adjust as progress is made.

Confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online work can make therapy easier to fit into a busy life because it reduces travel time and can allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also makes it possible to continue consistent support during major life changes or caregiving responsibilities. Licensed professionals can guide clients on which approach and session rhythm will best match their goals.