Co-Owners & Clinical Directors
Teresa Arene
LICSW, LCSW-C
Donna Geraci
LICSW
Having fled her country of El Salvador in 1981 to escape dangerous civil unrest, Teresa knows first-hand the hardship inherent to immigrants, and the ensuing marginalization that immigrants face in this country. Teresa's passion and commitment to her community is unwavering.
After obtaining her MSW from Howard University in 1991, Teresa devoted the next ten years to conducting play therapy and family interventions at a bilingual elementary school in DC. Her therapeutic work with her child, adolescent, and adult clients is rooted in psychodynamic and family systems theories.
As a co-leader of Creative Ways Therapy, Teresa brings nurturing calmness to the clinical team; and deep critical analysis and discernment to programmatic and clinical decision-making. Teresa is a well-respected, bilingual therapist, advocate, and leader.
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Teresa's commitment to self-care includes walking daily in Rock Creek Park.
Donna is unendingly intrigued by the innate human capacity to heal from emotional pain and trauma. She believes strongly in the transformative powers of mindfulness, play, and sand-tray therapies, and uses these modalities in her work with child, adolescent, and adult clients.
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Donna obtained her MSW in 1991 from Howard University, focusing on clinical social work with children and families.Throughout her career, she has worked in the public and private sector of DC's child welfare system, including serving as the Clinical Director at the
Latin American Youth Center.
As a co-leader of Creative Ways Therapy, Donna challenges the clinical team to explore new perspectives; and brings an energetic, growth-oriented mindset to programmatic pursuits. Donna is a creative thinker, an engaging therapist, and a motivating supervisor.
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Donna's commitment to self-care includes making art from repurposed materials.