Welcome to the Garden of Healing!
I’m Deirdre Arato, the founder and creator of Blue Lotus. Although I’ve lived in New Jersey for 20 years, I’m a Brooklyn girl at heart! Let me share a bit about my story.
My Story
Throughout my life, I faced many challenges and experienced multiple traumas, which led to a debilitating anxiety disorder. My desire to help others, as well as understand myself, inspired me to pursue a degree in counseling. I became a therapist because I never wanted anyone to feel as alone as I did in my darkest moments. If anxiety had a poster child, I would be front and center. Like many others, I lived most of my life in dysfunctional survival mode, always seeking peace and stability. But no matter how hard I tried, I kept falling short, leading me to believe that I was cursed and things would never get better. After all, the name "Deirdre" means sorrow.
Yet, deep within me, from as early as the age of 4, I always had this strong feeling that, “This is not the life I was meant to live.” This sparked my journey of trying to understand the human experience and my place within it.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a high school special education teacher for 12 years in an inner-city school where many teachers would not have felt safe. But I loved the students. Why? Because they were my reflection. I understood their struggles, how broken they felt. I connected with them on a deep level and built trusting relationships. Many of them used to say, "Ms., you should be a therapist!"
Ten years later, I created The Blue Lotus Garden of Healing Counseling Center to fulfill this calling.
My Background and Experience
I have a diverse background in mental health care. I graduated from Rider University with a Master’s Degree in Counseling and have worked with clients across a wide age range—from young children to older adults. This broad experience has strengthened my ability to adapt my approach to meet each individual’s unique needs.
I began my counseling career as a crisis clinician in emergency room settings at three major hospitals, where I gained invaluable experience in high-pressure situations and conducting psychiatric evaluations quickly and effectively. I later transitioned to providing outpatient therapy to children in Trenton, which deepened my understanding of the challenges different communities face and improved my cultural competency.
For the past six years, I’ve helped hundreds of clients understand how their early experiences shape emotional responses, empowering them to break free from unhelpful patterns. This knowledge facilitates growth, healing, and personal transformation. I am truly grateful to the clients who have entrusted me with their hearts, and I would be honored to walk alongside you on your healing journey too.
What Sets Me Apart
I quickly realized that traditional talk therapy wasn’t enough. I became consumed with finding truly effective ways to heal myself. This led me to explore the Neuroscience of trauma, the Hermetic principles, quantum physics, trauma-informed yoga, and somatic exercises. Over the past 30 years, I conducted extensive research and practice, drawing from ancient healing practices and modern mental health philosophies to create the Blue Lotus Approach.
I believe the human brain is like a garden. It thrives with the proper care—nourishing the mind, weeding out negativity, embracing growth, and harvesting balance, patience, and adaptation. By combining these principles in therapy, individuals can cultivate a deeper understanding of their emotional and mental landscapes, leading to flourishing outcomes that enhance overall well-being.
The Blue Lotus offers a refreshing, uncommon approach to mental health therapy that goes beyond traditional methods. The integration of traditional wisdom with modern psychology, neuroscience, and quantum physics creates a more comprehensive approach, nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. Through my therapeutic guidance, you will learn to navigate your emotions with greater clarity and compassion, ultimately leading to a fulfilling and authentic life.
This journey of transformation not only addresses mental health challenges but also fosters a deeper understanding of yourself and your environment, resulting in sustainable healing and growth. Together, we can create the life you truly desire.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
● NBCC
● ACA
● NJ Counselors Association
● Chi Sigma Iota
● International Transgender Association
Specialties & Therapeutic Approaches
Specialties:
● Trauma/PTSD
● Anxiety
● Depression
● LGBTQ+ Issues
● Trans Affirmative Care
● Neuroscience of Interpersonal Relationships
● Restorative/Trauma-Informed Yoga
Therapeutic Approaches:
I work in a trauma-informed manner integrating various techniques, including:
● Neuro-Psychotherapy
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
● Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
● Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
● Somatic Exercises
● Mindfulness
Services Offered
Couples Therapy
Individual Therapy
Adolescent Therapy
Medication Management Referral
Family Therapy
Other
Clinical Supervision for LAC/LSW (pending licensure)
Consultations for helpers & healers
If you're a fellow practitioner seeking to deepen your knowledge of trauma, the Neuroscience of Trauma, Somatic Experiencing, or Trauma-Informed Yoga, I’d be honored to support you in your own professional journey. $265 per 60-minute session
Testimonials
