Aris Potash

Aris Potash, M.A. (she/her/hers) is a therapist-in-training pursuing a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at Adler University. Aris enjoys building a strong therapeutic alliance with her clients through the use of kindness, compassion, humor, empathy, and validation. While providing therapy, Aris strives to take a strength-based approach with her clients while integrating cognitive-behavioral, play therapy, and psychodynamic approaches into her work. Aris has a special interest in working with children, adolescents, emerging adults, and families as they navigate life transitions, challenges, and relationships in their lives. Areas that Aris is primarily interested in include: Anxiety, Depression, Behavioral/Emotional Challenges in Youth, Gender, Sexuality, Identity Development, Peer Relationships, Family Dynamics, Parent Support, Stress, and Trauma.

Education and Credentials

Marquette University

Bachelor of Arts: Psychology in 2015

Minor: Spanish Language, Literature and Culture

Adler University (APA accredited)

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology in 2021

Adler University (APA accredited)

Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) – Student (fourth year, complete degree in 2024)

Emphasis: Child and Adolescent

What specific modalities do you practice and are you certified?

I enjoy integrating multiple modalities into therapy when working with clients in order to best meet each client’s individual needs. I enjoy practicing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy while also incorporating a strengths-based approach with clients. Other modalities that I integrate into my therapeutic approach are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and aspects of psychodynamic therapy. In addition, I have appreciated opportunities to utilize play therapy with youth and a family systems approach with families. I have found it very important to educate myself on being trauma-informed and aim to practice from this lens with clients.

What do you like to do when you are not working? What do you do for fun?

When I am not working, I enjoy reading, watching comedic television shows, and trying out new restaurants with friends. I also enjoy painting and taking long walks while listening to music.

What are you excited about? What is your passion? What do you want to learn more about?

As a trainee, I aim to learn more about identity development in youth and wish to aid clients on their journey of discovering their identity. I hope to learn more about fostering clients’ strengths through self-empowerment and exploring self-esteem in the therapeutic environment.

What do you like about being a therapist?

I enjoy the journey of building a strong therapeutic alliance. I appreciate opportunities to laugh in session and find it very rewarding to see client’s growth, strengths, and resilience during therapy. I am also very thankful to clients and their willingness to open up and share their own personal and unique stories with me.

What’s your “go to” creative or restorative outlet?  

Something that I’ve always found to be calming and a creative outlet for me is painting. I enjoy learning more about how to paint and creating artwork that resonates with my mood. When I am looking for something more restorative, I have found that doing yoga and taking walks along the lake to be both beneficial and peaceful.