Aaron Aviera

Aaron Aviera

Thank you for taking the time to read my Somatic Experiencing directory listing. I am a clinical psychologist (Ph.D., UCLA, 1991) and have been providing psychotherapy to individuals and couples for over twenty five years. My approach integrates insight oriented/depth psychotherapy with mindfulness/meditation within a framework of body awareness. I respect that a central aspect of therapy is the mutually created caring and healing relationship. Time is devoted to building a trusting, safe and containing environment where early (developmental) as well as more recent wounds and traumas can be approached and healed.

A somatic body oriented approach to psychotherapy is a central element of my work with clients. Close attention is paid to recognizing, understanding and working with physiological/nervous system experience, sensation and states of arousal and deep relaxation. A balance is maintained between attending to ideas and thoughts, emotional experience, and tracking the expression of the body and nervous system – sensation. My therapeutic work is practical and focused on facilitating change. The rhythm is active and engaged, while moving at a careful pace that respects the need to slowly release high levels of stress and activation. Attention is carefully guided towards providing grounding and stabilization, and to building robust emotional and body resources while supporting our natural capacity for healing, rhythm and flow.

In addition to therapeutic work conducted in my private practice (which is provided in English and Spanish), I have extensive experience working as a clinician and program coordinator at a large state psychiatric hospital, and I have been a core faculty member and senior clinician at Pepperdine University. In my work at Pepperdine University over the past 20 years, I have directed three training clinics for masters and doctoral students in clinical psychology, and have held the position of Director of Clinical Training for the doctoral program in clinical psychology. It is truly a gift to so fully enjoy my work, including direct collaboration with clients, teaching and clinical supervision, and mentoring early career clinicians within nurturing learning and healing communities that I have helped to create. I hope that I have the opportunity to meet you!

Specialties

• Addiction
• Adolescents
• Adults
• Adults abused as children
• Children
• Chronic Pain/Fibromyalgia
• Complex PTSD
• Couples Counseling
• Developmental Trauma
• Grief and Loss
• Homelessness
• Medical Procedure Trauma
• Motor Vehicle Collisions