Ali Arena, EdD, CCC-SLP, BCBA
Licensed Speech-Language Therapist
Dr. Ali Arena is passionate about social cognition, language processing, executive functioning, and creating meaningful friendships & relationships for her clients. She is also a proud ADHDer who has always considered herself a social scientist. She has dedicated her education and career to finding the best communication patterns and behavior changes required to navigate the ever-changing social, sensory, and contextual world. Ali’s background is unique, as she has her Doctorate in Educational Psychology, is a Speech-Language Pathologist, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She holds Autism, Trauma-Informed Care, Level 1A Social Thinking Practitioner, UCLA Peers, Health Coach, ACT practitioner, Safe & Sound protocol, and Neurodiverse Couples Counseling certifications. Ali’s Doctorate had a distinctive focus, to say the least; it addressed the dating intricacies of Autistic Adults, which led her to develop unique coaching practices for Neurodiverse individuals and couples. Dr. Ali believes that as you feel more connected with yourself and those around you, you can amplify intimacy and love in all relationships. This is done by aligning, wanting, and asking. Lastly, she truly feels social support is a biological necessity and wants to help all neurodivergent individuals to reach holistic communication and to show perfection is an illusion.
Education and Training:
B.S with Honors in Psychology at Catholic University of America
M.S. in Speech Language Patology at Seton Hall University
Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Penn State University (Focused in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus in Educational Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles
Certification in Neurodiverse Couples Counseling at Peter M. Friedman Neurodiverse Couples Institute at AANE
SLP License #24224, California