Welcome!

I'm Dr. Ariela Freedman

I help people who are experiencing burnout find a path to living fulfilling and meaningful lives. As an educator and behavioral scientist by training, I have several frameworks for understanding people and the way we operate. My unique approach to working with people is shaped by my other identities.

I am an artist. I approach challenges creatively and in unexpected ways that encourage people to open up. In addition to my coaching work, I teach art workshops in my home studio, and often integrate art into my work with individual clients.

I am a singer. Becoming a singer and hearing my own voice has been a challenging  experience that strengthened my ability to work through discomfort in order to grow. I am able to hold a space for my clients to work through their challenges because I know it is part of the process.

I am a teacher. With more than 25 years of guiding students in a variety of environments, I understand how to break down a journey into a series of manageable steps to reduce overwhelm, increase confidence, and encourage action.

I am a parent. This means I engage on a daily basis with a small person who is learning to spread her wings and figure out her place in the world. As I work with clients, being a mom helps me remember that we are all trying to find our way and need a little extra love as we grow.

My Strengths: My greatest strength is my ability to draw people in and build trust quickly. I’m relatable and compassionate. I ask thoughtful questions. I am deeply present with my clients as we work together. As a result, clients leave their sessions understanding ways they can optimize their positive qualities versus focusing on areas they need to fix.

My Background: I began my career as a high school English, drama, and debate teacher in Chicago. I later directed health programming at Head Start in Minneapolis, then served as an Assistant Professor in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.

I earned a PhD in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education from Emory University, a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a BA in English Literature.

I have worked as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and certified Positive Discipline Trainer in Atlanta since 2017.