Margarita Araiza-Johnston, LCSW

Margarita Araiza-Johnston is a licensed clinical social worker who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. She brings ten years of clinical experience and a straightforward, practical style to sessions. Margarita speaks English and Spanish and works from New Mexico.

She began with a BA in sociology and anthropology and a minor in French from the University of Redlands. After early work with children and families in Illinois and California, she earned a Master of Social Work from Tulane University. That background led to roles in hospice care and crisis work, including suicide prevention.

Margarita has experience in assessment, child abuse and neglect, and family systems. She also completed study in mediation and family law mediation, which informs how she helps people navigate conflict and decision making. Her work includes supporting people with domestic violence histories and crisis situations.

Her approach blends evidence-based techniques with attention to attachment and emotion. She uses elements of Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy alongside CBT when it fits the client's goals. Sessions tend to focus on practical steps, clearer communication, and manageable coping tools.

Margarita also helps with parenting concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, stress, anger, self-esteem, career questions, and identity matters including LGBT topics. She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to meet different needs.

How CBT and Attachment Work Online

CBT helps people identify and change thoughts and behaviors that get in the way of daily life. Online CBT sessions often include setting clear goals, practicing new skills between sessions, and tracking progress together. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns and focuses on building safer connections and better communication in relationships.

Margarita uses these approaches alongside Emotionally-Focused ideas and motivational techniques when helpful. Choosing the right approach is collaborative - she will talk with each person about goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust the plan as needed. Clients and the therapist decide together which tools feel most useful.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video lets people use visual cues and work through emotion-focused material. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a quieter voice check-in fits a break at work. Live chat and text messaging are useful for short check-ins, coaching-style support, or when someone prefers typed communication. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while still accessing licensed professionals and consistent care.