Ariel Andersen

Clinic Owner & Psychotherapist

I studied Couple & Family Therapy at Seattle University and got my master's degree from there in 2021. That year I also passed the National Licensing Exam for Marriage & Family Therapists and became licensed in Washington State. I no longer hold my state license as I am no longer a resident, and as of 2022 I am instead a registered Psychotherapist with the Danish Association of Psychotherapists (Dansk Psykoterapeut Forening).

My training included extensive work with individuals, couples and families. In my work with individuals, I specialise in treating OCD, specific phobias, and generalised anxiety. I very much believe in the power of taking action to treat anxiety, which is why I focus on cognitive behavioral models such as Exposure and Response Prevention and the Unified Protocol.

I also integrate Existential Psychotherapy into my work with individuals. I don't believe that more introspection is always better. In fact, therapy can become unhelpful when every feeling needs to be analysed, every reaction needs an explanation, or understanding yourself becomes an end in itself.

Above all, what seems to make the biggest difference is learning to tolerate uncertainty, to have the courage to do something differently, and to return to being fully present in your life. I am less interested in helping people arrive at a perfect explanation of themselves than in helping them live with greater freedom, flexibility and intention. This is why the foundation of my work as a psychotherapist is in Existential Psychotherapy.

I also love working with couples and find a lot of meaning in relational work. I am most interested in using the Gottman method to treat couples.

Outside of my work as a psychotherapist, I enjoy spending time with my family, and my hobbies and interests include film, television, books, music, and gaming. If it’s an indoorsy activity, I probably enjoy it.

Degrees & Certifications