A woman with long brown hair and earrings kneeling on a forest floor covered with fallen autumn leaves, near two dogs, one a tan and white mixed breed and the other a black, tan, and white Siberian Husky, surrounded by trees with yellow and green foliage.

Arianna Clarke-Watts

My pronouns are she/her and I often go by the nickname “Ari” (pronounced air-ee).

I was raised in the Comox Valley and am made up of mixed ancestries from Ireland, the UK and Ukraine area. My mother was born to an Irish mother and an English father and emigrated to Vancouver and Kwakwaka'wakw traditional territories (also known as Holberg) when she was four from Sheffield, England. My father was born in Montreal (traditional territories of the Kanien'kehà:ka) to an Ashkenazi Jewish father and mother with roots in Newfoundland and prior to that, the UK. I feel most connected to my Irish roots and have a strong relationship to my granny Brigid, who has recently inspired me to learn Irish Gaelic.

I have been a practicing clinical counsellor since 2017 and feel grateful to have worked with many inspiring teachers along the way. I’m currently inspired by the works of Martín Prechtel, Francis Weller, Animas Valley Institute, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, all trees, Hugo the dog, owls, herbs, flowers and especially the myths and stories that are woven through life.

In our sessions you may be invited to compassionately hold parts of yourself from the mental, spiritual, physical or emotional perspective. As you begin this process you will be invited to release or let go of patterns and/or habits that no longer serve you and move toward a more connected and free path. I wholeheartedly believe you possess an innate knowing of the gifts you're here to share - my task is to facilitate the process for you to uncover what they are.

Dense green forest with mist on tree tops, foggy sky in the background.

Training

Rough ocean water under foggy sky

Experience

I became registered as a clinical counsellor in 2017 and then completed a Level 1 training with the IFS institute, a relational somatic therapy certification with Mariah Moser, trauma-sensitive yoga training, ASIST suicide intervention training, San'yas indigenous cultural safety training and Advanced Feminist Supervision Training with Peak Resilience. Over the last several years I have been fortunate enough to serve the Comox Valley and also walk alongside and serve several Nuu Chah Nulth communities across Vancouver Island. All of these experiences post-graduation have helped to shape my understanding of how to work within a Western health system and I have also been inspired to try and push the boundaries of what is possible within that system. I hold an understanding that the health of human beings is inextricably linked to the health of Mother Earth and that as we heal and liberate ourselves, we consciously or unconsciously model that opportunity for other beings as well. On a personal level, I am continuously learning to decolonize the ways I walk on the earth as well as in my counselling practice.

A young green houseplant with broad, shiny leaves against a plain white background.
Green leafy plant with a few long, dark stems, isolated on a white background.
A branch with dark green and light green leaves against a white background.

“Arianna has been a constant support in times of extreme change and transition. She consistently encourages me to use my voice and speak up for myself. Arianna creates an environment of complete trust and compassion, where she opens her practice up to her clients without any judgement or fear. I don’t know where I would be without her!”

"When I started working with Arianna, I knew instantly that I had found the most compassionate, kind, and accepting person for my therapy sessions. She helped me understand that participating in regular therapy benefits you more in the long term, and has always encouraged me to explore my emotions with openness in my mind and empathy in my heart. Arianna role models accountability, leadership, and advocacy in her practice, which allowed us to build rapport quickly. She has truly found her niche as a therapist!"

“Arianna and the presence she holds has been instrumental in the deep dive I have been able to take into my own inner world. Her compassion and open hearted witnessing has supported my system as it has been able to explore and get to know all parts of my being. Her self energy is palpable even though miles may separate us. Her warmth and caring way offer the support needed to do the work we are each called to do.”