Counseling

Kari Ayoroa, MA, LPCC-S, LPC, LCPC, LPC, CIMHP, CCTP, CCATP

LICENSURE

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-Supervisor

Kentucky

Licensed Professional Counselor

Virginia

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Maryland

Licensed Professional Counselor

District of Columbia

ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALING

Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional

CIMHP

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

CCTP

Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional

CCATP

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

International OCD Foundation (iocdf.org)

American Counseling Association (counseling.org)

Life's too short to feel unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled, and I'm here to provide the tools and support you need to achieve a more positive outlook. Let me help you learn and develop better ways to handle the issues standing in the way of your goals.

I work with adults on a variety of topics and my areas of particular speciality include:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Helping those struggling with obsessive thoughts or repetitive actions.
Anxiety: Addressing worries and excessive concerns about various aspects of life.
Women Focused: Providing support for challenges unique to women.
Perfectionism: Working through the impacts of perfectionistic tendencies.
Body Image Concerns: Addressing struggles related to body image and self-perception.
Life Transitions: Guiding clients through significant life changes.

My unique background, including living across the U.S. and various parts of Africa until early adulthood, has fostered a deep appreciation for cultural diversity that informs my clinical practice. After settling in Kentucky and building a family, I embraced new experiences, ultimately moving to the DMV area in 2020, which I now proudly call home.

With almost 20 years in the mental health field, primarily in private practice, my experience spans from working with families and children to my current specialization in adult therapy. Throughout this journey, my strongest asset remains my commitment to meeting every individual where they are in their unique life journey, assisting them in making changes that promote hope and growth.

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom. -Victor Frankl

Anxiety

I treat anxiety using a combination of four powerful techniques:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This method helps you understand the links between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, offering practical ways to manage and overcome challenges.
Mindfulness: You'll learn to be more aware of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings, helping to cultivate a sense of calm and presence.
Psychoeducation: We'll explore what anxiety is and how it impacts your emotional and physical state, increasing your understanding of its role in daily life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This approach focuses on acknowledging and accepting life's struggles without judgment, allowing you to move forward with purpose.

I believe navigating anxiety is a deeply

personal journey. My role is to equip you with the skills and knowledge to live successfully and independently, long after our work together ends.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often a long-lasting condition marked by "uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions), and behaviors (compulsions) that a person feels the urge to repeat over and over," as defined by the National Institute of Mental Health.

OCD can manifest in many forms. You can find comprehensive information about its various presentations on the International OCD Foundation website: iocdf.org/about-ocd/.

Treatment for OCD incorporates many of the same effective techniques used for anxiety, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, and Psychoeducation.

Additionally, the gold standard for OCD treatment, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, is utilized. ERP involves safely exposing you to anxiety-inducing situations or thoughts, then working through your physical and emotional reactions to gradually decrease their intensity.

Because no two individuals experience OCD in the same way, the treatment process is tailored to you. My primary goal is always to meet you exactly where you are in your journey.

Women focused

For women navigating challenges unique to their experiences, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers a highly effective framework. This modality helps to identify and challenge the cognitive distortions and unhelpful thought patterns that often arise from societal pressures, gender roles, or specific life events.

CBT addresses perfectionistic tendencies, the weight of multiple responsibilities (career, family, caregiving), or internalized criticisms related to body image and self-worth.

By understanding how thoughts influence emotions and behaviors, women can learn to reframe negative self-perceptions, develop assertive communication skills, and build resilience against external stressors. CBT empowers women to cultivate healthier coping mechanisms and foster a stronger sense of self, leading to greater well-being and agency in their lives.

Additionally, the integration of Mindfulness practices helps women cultivate a greater awareness of their present moment experiences, allowing them to observe thoughts and feelings without immediate judgment or reactivity. This enhanced presence can be particularly powerful in managing stress, emotional overwhelm, and fostering a deeper connection to their inner wisdom.