Ara Greenfield,
Marriage and Family Therapy Intern

From a very young age, Ara was always fascinated by the deeper questions of what it means to be a person in this world of ours, seeking to better understand people and the relationships that shape us. Her path to becoming a therapist has been influenced by decades of work in helping professions, her personal therapeutic experience, and the belief that therapy is both an art and a science, rooted in evidence while shaped by human connection.

Ara works with individuals, couples, and families from many backgrounds who may be navigating life transitions, relational challenges, trauma, addiction, anxiety, uncertainty, or emotional patterns that feel difficult to move through on their own. Ara’s approach to therapy is grounded in attachment theory and a systemic perspective that honors how family, culture, and broader contexts influence emotional well-being.

Ara intentionally integrates several theoretical models including Restoration Therapy (RT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed somatic practices to support insight, emotional regulation, and relational repair. This integrative approach offers a collaborative space to slow down, build awareness, and move toward greater connection with oneself and others, while also making room for moments of levity and warmth as meaningful aspects of resilience and healing.

Ara is currently working on her Masters in Couples and Family Therapy from George Fox University.

Outside the therapy room, Ara enjoys time in nature, exploring new places through travel, and spending time with family. Ara has a particular appreciation for the ordinary moments of daily life—shared meals, quiet pauses, spontaneous conversations, and laughter which bring balance and perspective while serving as a reminder that growth happens not only through deep work, but also through connection, joy, and the everyday rhythms of life.