Alicia Ayvas, MSSW, LCSW, CEDS-C
she/her
Hi, I’m Alicia Ayvas, MSSW, LCSW, CEDS-C, founder of Clarity Counseling. I provide compassionate, client-centered care for individuals and families ages 10+ impacted by eating disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns. With over 18 years of experience and advanced training in DBT, FBT, RO-DBT, and other evidence-based therapies, I bring expertise and a collaborative approach to every session. At Clarity, I lead a multidisciplinary team dedicated to supporting meaningful, lasting change and helping clients feel seen, understood, and empowered on their path to recovery. In addition to providing direct care, I train, teach, and supervise clinicians in the field to further support individuals and families.
schedule a discovery call
populations
children, adolescents, teens, college students, adults, couples, & families
specialties
eating disorders
dbt & ro-DBT
multifaceted cases
locations
In-person at gainesville office
Virtually in VA, MD, & NC
Helping clients achieve lasting change through compassionate, client-centered, evidence-based care.
Healing is most effective when care is compassionate, client-centered, and tailored to each person’s unique needs. Sessions provide a safe space to explore challenges, build skills, and reconnect with values, using evidence-based approaches to guide the way. Progress is supported through collaboration, empathy, and respect for each individual’s journey. Every step forward, no matter the size, contributes to meaningful growth, renewed confidence, and lasting change.
Compassionate, client-centered care using evidence-based strategies to support lasting change
I’m a passionate, caring clinician who values connection, integrity, compassion, and lifelong learning. I love spending time with my family, traveling, listening to music, running, biking, and enjoying the outdoors (especially the beach and skiing). I’m committed to giving back—serving on the executive board for the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, a local nonprofit board, and volunteering at my church—while carrying a city-girl-at-heart perspective in this season of life focused on community and service.
My career started with a deep curiosity about what makes people resilient — and a belief that even in our hardest seasons, we can grow in unexpected ways. This work is also deeply personal to me; having faced my own challenges in my younger years, I know firsthand that healing is possible and that hope is real. Outside of my clinical work, I’m often with my family, finding new places to explore, or recharging by the beach or skiing in the mountains (though I am a city girl at heart). I try to bring the same spirit of curiosity, authenticity, and passion to my life that I bring to my work — creating space for both courage and joy in the healing process.
We'd be a good fit if...
- You or your loved one are navigating an eating disorder, body image concerns, or complex co-occurring challenges, and want support from a seasoned specialist who understands the nuances of recovery.
- You’re seeking a therapist who integrates evidence-based treatments — including DBT, RO-DBT, and FBT — within a compassionate, structured, and collaborative approach.
- You’re an athlete or high-achieving individual learning to balance performance, identity, and wellbeing.
- You value a therapist who can also coach and guide parents and families, creating alignment and resilience within the recovery process.
- You want to work with someone who brings over 18 years of clinical experience, leadership, and supervision in the field — offering expertise, clarity, and steady support grounded in evidence and integrity.
schedule a discovery call
Professional Bio
Alicia Ayvas, MSSW, LCSW, CEDS-C, is the Executive Director and Founder of Clarity Counseling. Her mission is to provide evidence-based, compassionate treatment for individuals and families impacted by eating disorders and co-occurring conditions, while advancing prevention, education, and access to care throughout Northern Virginia.
Since beginning her work in the field of eating disorders in 2008, Alicia has become a recognized leader, supervisor, and educator in the community. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant (CEDS-C) through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp), a Certified Family-Based Therapist (CFBT), and is formally trained and certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech. She also holds Level 2 certification in Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT) and participates in ongoing consultation and supervision to ensure best-practice care.
Alicia earned her Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University and her Master of Science from Columbia University. While at Columbia, she completed formal training in DBT under Behavioral Tech and continues to facilitate DBT and skills-based groups at Clarity. In collaboration with Stanford University and UCSF, she completed training and supervision with Dr. James Lock and Dr. Daniel Le Grange, developers of Family-Based Therapy (FBT).
Alicia currently serves as Vice President of iaedp’s DC Metro Chapter and previously held co-chair positions within iaedp’s Alexandria Chapter for certification. She is licensed to practice and provide supervision in Virginia and supervises both Clarity Counseling clinicians and professionals nationwide working toward their CEDS credential or clinical licensure. Alicia is licenced to practice in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.
At Clarity Counseling, Alicia primarily works with individuals and families in Gainesville and virtually. Each Clarity office houses in-house nutritionists and family therapists, all specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. Alicia’s clinical approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and Family-Based Therapy (FBT), and is guided by Health at Every Size™ (HAES) principles and a trauma-informed framework. In recent years, Alicia has committed further training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and trauma based treatments.
Energetic, compassionate, and grounded, Alicia is deeply committed to empowering clients and families toward full recovery and sustainable well-being of mind, body, and spirit.
