Dr. Arata is a licensed psychologist who specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, adjustment issues and abuse related trauma. She obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University in 1989, completing a pre-doctoral internship at the National Crime Victim’s Research and Treatment Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. She has been in private practice since 1991 and also was a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of South Alabama from 1991 through 2004. Dr. Arata’s clinical practice focuses on providing direct care to adults, adolescents, and children, as well as providing evaluations and expert testimony in cases involving sexual trauma and child custody. She has extensive experience in PTSD and the effects of sexual victimization, depression, anxiety, and coping with divorce. She provides assessment services to children and adults, educational testing for ADHD, learning disabilities, gifted evaluations, college/career counseling, and court appointed custody evaluations. Dr. Arata employs an eclectic approach to treatment, focusing primarily on cognitive-behavioral principles, working to help individuals master their negative thoughts and behaviors by changing how they view and respond to life’s challen