Arianna Constantakes, Psy.D. 

I see adults and adolescents for individual therapy in our adherent DBT program, as well as leading skills groups and providing DBT-based parent coaching. The clients that most benefit from DBT are those whose lives feel out of control. They often feel like their behaviors or minds act without their input or they know their current behaviors are making life worse, but don’t know what else to do. They may have tried many other types of therapy that haven’t worked. DBT takes a different approach to changing these patterns than other therapies, and it may be worth seeing if DBT is the right fit for you! 

I have learned so much from DBT and love sharing that with my clients. Leading groups where folx learn different ways of approaching challenges gives me that opportunity, and I am so fulfilled by my clients’ sharing the ways they are making more skillful choices. In individual sessions, my focus is on understanding my clients as fully as possible with a compassionate lens so they feel safe being honest and hearing feedback from me. Then, when a crisis arises, my clients can call or text me for skills ideas in the moment in a part of the treatment called phone coaching. I am so grateful to be supported in this work by our fabulous consultation team from whom I learn every week and who help me be the best version of myself. My job as a DBT therapist is to use the framework and techniques of DBT in a personalized way to help my clients live according to their values to bring meaning and joy to their lives - it is a privilege! 

The PsyD program at Xavier University is a generalist program so I am also happy to see clients outside of the DBT framework from all walks of life. As previously mentioned, I really enjoy working with parents to help them feel more competent and provide options they might not have thought of. I love working with kids who are dealing with life transitions, anxiety, or social issues for example. I also enjoy meeting with clients who are managing trauma histories, anxiety, depression, grief, or relationship difficulties, among other things. I use techniques from DBT as well as other evidence-based practices such as ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), exposure work, and PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy) with these clients. I had excellent training as a student at Xavier University’s student counseling center, community mental health centers, and a grade school that provided me with a wide range of therapy skills to treat a wide range of clients. I am also in the midst of learning about EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy) so I have the competence to treat couples as clients as well. Supporting my clients in their interpersonal relationships has always been a passion of mine, so I am looking forward to making the relationship the focus of therapy when needed.

The range of clients I am able to work with expanded with the foundation of PsyPact, which is a collaborative agreement between states that allows qualified psychologists to treat clients in 48 states via telehealth. It is wonderful to be able to continue to support clients while they move or go to college in a different state or to provide DBT to clients who don’t have it available locally. 

I am also an active volunteer board member of the Cleveland Psychological Association and have been since 2020. I help organize and promote educational and social events for members of the field of psychology. It is important to me to be supportive of the local community and my fellow psychologists. I am also a member of the Ohio Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association to stay informed and connected with my field. 

Personally, I grew up in Upstate New York before moving to Cleveland, OH for undergrad at Case Western Reserve University where I graduated with a major in Psychology and minor in Childhood Studies. I then moved home for a year and worked with underprivileged youth before starting my doctoral program at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. I moved back to Cleveland with my husband who grew up locally, and since then we have built our lives together here. I have been told I might be addicted to audiobooks and usually am reading two books at any given time. I love Cleveland partly because of the ice cream scene and am happy to have a serious discussion about the best ice cream in town. We take our dog on a nature walk about once a week in the MetroParks and I do yoga whenever I can. 

Therapist mode doesn’t change who I am. My clients feel like they are talking to a real person who actually cares about them and will be honest with them because they actually are! My team members described me as “creative and motivated, PRESENT, values oriented, brave and resilient.” It is my privilege to be let into the most intimate part of people’s lives, and I promise to treat that with respect. I want my clients to know that I am not here to judge; I am here to provide my expertise with care. I hope you’ll give it a shot!