ARACELY PANAMENO
I am passionate about making positive contributions to people’s lives. As a graduate clinical master level intern, I am committed to partnering with my clients and supporting them as they seek to move forward in their healing journey. I know life comes with bumps along the road and sometimes one may experience a sense of disorientation mentally and emotionally. As a result, our various identities as a person, professional, parent, child, sibling, spouse, partner, can suffer. As a second career professional, I know from lived experience that we all need to feel heard and supported in reaching our goals. I am humbled and honored to be a partner to you or your child as you seek to obtain support in your healing journey.
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A native Salvadorian, l am bicultural and bilingual, and can provide therapy services in English and Spanish. As a graduate level therapist, I am invested, committed, and seasoned. I bring warmth, flexibility, and a sense of hope to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and parents as they seek to grow past difficult experiences.
Before pursuing my master of social work degree, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Non-Profit Management and Public Policy from Catholic University. I spent more than 30 years as a health, consumer, and civil rights advocate at the federal and state levels. I have a long history of working for non-profit organizations, advocating for women’s health, fighting predatory practices in financial markets, advocating for fair housing and fair lending, and other social justice issues. Through that work, I sought to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities from a macro social policy perspective. Today, my commitment is to be a therapist and facilitator on your healing journey as you seek to author the next chapter of your life story. While completing my clinical year internship at Kindred Tree, I am gaining expertise in attachment based therapies, brain based ways of healing, like EMDR, Brainspotting, play therapy, and expressive arts therapies. Along with everyone on the team, I also provide identity affirming care to our LGBTQ+ community, and celebrate neurodiversity.
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I have direct experience in the mental health setting as a graduate therapist at The Mary Center, in Washington, DC. I have partnered with adults and adolescents needing support with ADHD, anxiety, relational issues, depression, parenting skills, post-traumatic stress, professional development, and self-esteem issues. When I am not working or studying, I enjoy taking long walks or kayaking with my dog, visiting family or friends, reading a good book, and sometimes watching a movie.
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​I have training in:
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Attachment theory
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Polyvagal Theory & Therapy
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Mind-Body Therapies
Professional Memberships and Affiliations:
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National Association of Social Workers