Ariel Shumaker is a therapist and photographer.

As a therapist, Ariel specializes in couples counseling, including uncoupling, and reproductive health, including fertility, trauma, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Ariel also loves working with people experiencing life transitions, and folks working in the helping professions, including activist fatigue.

In her photography, she specializes in an inclusive lifestyle and family documentary style. Her work includes maternity, newborn, couples/engagement and family photography, as well as work events and professional head-shots. She loves photographing others in the helping profession, including other therapists. On very special occasions, if the fit feels right, she will photograph weddings and births. Her photography is her creative passion, and helps balance out the other pieces of her life.

Ariel strives daily to work through an anti-racist/anti-carceral lens, and is constantly learning and shifting in the way that she views mental health, healing, and systems in general.

Education, Training & Professional Associations:

Master of Public Health (MPH) & Master of Social Welfare (MSW) from University of California at Los Angeles (2008)

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Spanish & Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2004)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (#C008032) in North Carolina

Certified in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders from Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Certified in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

Trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)

Certified in Seeking Safety

Certified in Reflective Parenting

Former Board Member of the NC Infant Mental Health Association (NCIMHA)

Former co-director of the Perinatal Emotional Health Network of Western North Carolina (PEHN)

Racial Equity Institute (REI) trained

EFT and IFS trainings and experience

Gottman training and experience