Aregnaz Malakyan, LPC-R
I believe therapy is a collaborative process built on trust, understanding, and respect for each person’s unique story. I strive to create a warm, supportive, and honest space where clients feel empowered to explore challenges, recognize their strengths, and work toward meaningful change at their own pace. I became a therapist through a personal calling to support others and to help individuals navigate difficult experiences, life transitions, and moments of growth. My approach integrates person-centered therapy, strengths-based care, solution-focused work, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to provide support that is both reflective and practical. With experience in crisis intervention, emergency mental health, forensic services, and outpatient therapy, I bring a calm and grounded presence to my work with a broad range of clients. I am passionate about helping individuals better understand themselves, develop effective coping tools, and create a life that feels more balanced, intentional, and aligned with their values.
My Therapeutic Approach
1. Theoretical Orientation
My orientation is person-centered and collaborative: I believe therapy works best when it is built on trust, authenticity, and a strong therapeutic relationship. I aim to create a space where you feel heard and understood, and where your voice guides the work.
2. Therapy Style
My therapy style is strengths-based, focusing on the resilience, abilities, and experiences that have helped you navigate life’s challenges. I believe that even during difficult seasons, each person brings valuable strengths into the therapeutic space, and I work to help uncover, support, and expand those strengths as part of the healing process.
3. Change Process
I believe change happens through a balance of understanding the experiences that have shaped you and identifying practical steps that support growth in the present. Using a solution-focused approach, I work collaboratively with clients to identify goals, build on existing strengths, and create realistic, manageable steps toward the changes they want to see.
4. Techniques & Modalities
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while identifying patterns that may be contributing to distress and developing strategies for healthier coping and decision-making. My work is also informed by a crisis-focused and trauma-aware perspective, allowing me to provide a calm, grounded presence for individuals navigating stress, trauma, acute emotional distress, and challenging life circumstances.
Clinical Focus:
- Individuals working through anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress.
- People navigating life transitions, relationship patterns, or emotional overwhelm.
- Clients who want therapy that is supportive, practical, and rooted in growth.
- Individuals seeking to build on strengths and create lasting change.
MISSING QUOTE
Education and Training
- Education
- Master of Arts, Forensic Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts, WHERE?
- Training
- Areas of Expertise
- Crisis intervention
- Suicide & homicide risk assessment
- Mobile crisis response
- Civil commitment evaluation
Availability:
Sunday in person in our Ashburn office, Monday & Tuesday virtually.
Outside the Office:
When I am not in the office, I enjoy photography, vintage cars and car shows, traveling, and discovering coffee shops and wines from around the world. I also value learning about different cultures and cuisines, which keeps me curious and broadens my perspective. I going to the gym, listening to music, and attending Broadway shows. I also like listening to podcasts related to science, military topics, and law enforcement.