Ara Mascarenas, LMHC 

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Hello! I’m a dedicated pre-licensed mental health therapist with a passion for connecting
with kids, teens, and young adults, guiding them through the challenging chapters of life.
Holding a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and enriched by diverse clinical
experiences, I have honed my skills to effectively help children and adolescents, aged 4 to 18, as
well as young adults.
I understand how pivotal these years can be, and Im here to help you navigate through them.
Whether its addressing mental health concerns, fostering healthy emotional growth,
promoting social learning, or enhancing those crucial executive functioning skills, Im
committed to supporting your journey.

Being bilingual in English and Spanish, I can connect with families from diverse backgrounds,
making sure everyone feels comfortable and understood. I am particularly passionate about
helping children and adolescents manage behavioral challenges, anxiety, depression, self-
esteem, and the impact of traumatic experiences, as well as supporting parents and their child
through the complexities of divorce.
Beyond individual therapy, I host a special group for teenage girls aged 14 to 16. This
empowering environment allows them to build their self-esteem, explore body image concerns,
understand the influence of social media, and form healthy relationships. Its a safe space
where they can share, learn, and grow together.

Professional Credentials

Licenses & Certifications

  • Nova Southeastern University Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Dec. 2021 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society & Psi Chi Honor Society

  • University of British Columbia Bachelor of Arts, Psychology. Minor: Creative Writing | Jun. 2017

Organizations

  • President, Mental Health Counselors Association of Palm Beach

Publications

  • Cameron, C.A. & Mascarenas, A. (2019). Digital social media in adolescents’ negotiating real
    virtual romantic relationships. In M. Desjarlais (Ed.), the psychology and dynamics behind social
    media interactions (pp. 83-106). IGI Global Publishers.

conferences

  • Mascarenas, A. (2021). Digital and Social Media Impacts on the Formation of Teens’ Virtual
    Romantic Relationships [Paper within a symposium]. The 82nd Canadian Psychological
    Association Convention, Montréal, QB, Canada
  • Mascarenas, A., Knutson, J.M., Gill, H., Gerhardt, E. & Cameron, C.A. (2019). Teenagers real
    virtual relationships . The 80th Canadian Psychological Association
    Convention, Halifax, NS, Canada.
  • Mascarenas, A., Luft, T., Dmytro, D. & Cameron, C.A. (2017). Urban & rural teens negotiating
    romantic relationships in the digital age [Poster presentation]. Biennial Meeting of Society for
    Research in Child Development, Austin, TX, United States