Meet Aryka: A Black Therapist in the Twin Cities, MN, Supporting Young Adults Through Substance Misuse, Anxiety, and Depression
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
How we might work together
I use cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing to help you shift your thoughts and behaviors to improve daily functioning and build a better life. I also use various breathing techniques to support regulation and grounding.
a warm welcome from Aryka, a black therapist in the Twin Cities, MN, supporting young adults through substance misuse, anxiety, and depression
I believe that people can overcome hardships and challenges, and I’m here to support you through the complexities of life and to find ways to improve your mental health. I take my time building trust and will respect the pace that is needed for progress in the work.
Who I support
I work with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, life transitions, depression, and trauma experiences. As a Black therapist in the Twin Cities, MN, I also specialize in supporting young adults through substance misuse.
What shapes how I show up
My lived experience as a Black cisgender woman helps shape my therapy approach to be affirming, caring, and empathetic. At the same time, because of these underprivileged and underrepresented identities that I hold, I am able to challenge distortive thinking within the mental health field and other aspects of life.
This insight enhances my ability to be an ally to many and to provide a safe space to process and conceptualize emotions while learning and teaching new skills and techniques for daily functioning.
A little more about me
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends, as community and support are imperative for my mental health. I also enjoy resting, relaxing, playing video games, playing outside games, and walking with friends or pets. To ensure that I can show up for my therapy participants, I value being physically and socially active for my own health and emotional regulation.
What people say about working with me
Often, I am told that I am a very warm, personable, and easy person to connect with. I can also balance an affirming space where challenges can be made to further growth.
A gentle invitation
If anything here resonated with you, that matters. Taking the first step toward support can feel like a lot, and there's no pressure to have it all figured out before you reach out.
Book a free initial consultation with our team to learn more about working with Aryka — a relaxed, no-commitment conversation where you can ask questions, share a little about what's bringing you in, and get a feel for whether working together feels right.
Further Reading and Resources
About the Author
Merrily Young-Hye Sadlovsky (she/her/hers), MSW, LICSW, LCSW, is a therapist, clinical supervisor, and co-owner of MindBalance Mental Health Care, an independent holistic mental health practice serving Minneapolis and individuals across Minnesota. She is an EMDRIA EMDR-Certified Therapist and teaches clinical courses as an adjunct faculty member in an MSW program in Minneapolis. Her work focuses on culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy supporting adoptees, BIPOC, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities, and college and graduate students navigating anxiety, OCD, trauma, disordered eating, and life transitions.
Educational Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects our perspectives and understanding at the time of writing. It is not intended as medical, mental health, legal, or insurance advice, and should not be relied on as such. Reading this content does not create a therapeutic or professional relationship. For guidance specific to your situation, we encourage you to consult with a qualified professional.
A Note About This Blog
The ideas and experiences behind every post are the writer’s own. AI is used as a writing helper — for brainstorming, grammar, and organizing thoughts — so the content is as clear and readable as possible. Everything is reviewed before publishing, with citations and links added to credit the programs, people, and resources that inspired it. Transparency matters, especially when the topic is mental health. Readers deserve to know how this content is made.
