Meet Adrian Waller, MSSW: Therapy Rooted in Authenticity, Curiosity, and Connection

by Tiffany Todd, LCSW

There are some people whose path into therapy feels less like a career change and more like a collection of experiences that were quietly leading them there all along. For Adrian Waller, MSSW, that path has included theater, teaching, child development, caregiving, and ultimately social work. Looking back, each role reflected the same underlying curiosity about people, relationships, and what helps us heal.

During our conversation, Adrian shared how those experiences shaped her approach to therapy, her passion for working with developmental trauma, and why authenticity, curiosity, and collaboration are at the heart of her work. We also talked about the messages our emotions carry, the importance of trusting ourselves, and how meaningful change often begins with feeling genuinely seen. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Adrian and the thoughtful perspective she brings to InnerVoice.

IVPC: Welcome to InnerVoice! We’d love to start by learning a little about you. What led you to become a therapist?

Adrian: I’ve always been an advocate for mental health. Growing up, I had loved ones who struggled with different mental health conditions, and witnessing their experiences while navigating my own really shaped how I see the importance of therapy. I believe therapy has the ability to meet us where we are and help us move toward where we want to be.

This is actually my second career, although looking back, it feels like everything I did before was leading here. I spent years acting, teaching, working as a newborn and infant specialist, and as a full-time nanny. Those careers may seem very different, but they all centered around understanding people.

One of my favorite memories is something a three-year-old once told me, “Being a kid is hard. Being an adult is hard. Life is just hard.” That has always stayed with me because it’s true. Whether I was teaching, working in theater, or caring for children, I found myself drawn to the stories people carry, the emotions they experience, and the relationships that shape them.

Eventually one of my own therapists helped me realize all of those interests naturally came together in therapy. Social work allowed me to bring together my love of storytelling, child development, relationships, and understanding the whole person.

IVPC: As you made the transition into therapy, what areas of the work did you find yourself most drawn to?

Adrian: My primary clinical interest is complex and developmental trauma. Throughout graduate school, I intentionally focused my coursework on trauma because I became fascinated by how childhood experiences continue to influence us throughout adulthood.

Healing isn’t a one-time event. Different stages of life can bring old wounds back into focus, whether that’s leaving home, beginning relationships, becoming a parent, or creating a different kind of life than the one you grew up with. I’m interested in helping people navigate those moments with compassion rather than self-judgment.

I also have extensive experience working with neurodivergent individuals and their families. Before becoming a therapist, I worked closely with children who had significant support needs, and during my internship I provided therapy to young adults with autism, ADHD, OCD, intellectual disabilities, and other co-occurring diagnoses. Supporting caregivers has become just as meaningful to me as supporting the individuals themselves.

I’m also passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ clients and individuals from marginalized communities. As a social worker, I think it’s impossible to separate people from the systems and experiences that shape their lives.

IVPC: How would you describe your approach to therapy?

Adrian: I’d describe it as collaborative, authentic, and integrative.

I believe therapy works best when we meet clients where they are. Every person processes experiences differently, so I don’t believe there’s one approach that fits everyone. Some clients connect more with cognitive approaches like CBT, DBT, or ACT. Others benefit from more body-based work because our brains and bodies aren’t separate; they’re constantly communicating with one another.

I’m also drawn to the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) framework because it reminds us that before we can focus on skills or change, we need safety and regulation. Especially for caregivers, one of the most important things we can do for the people we love is care for ourselves first.

I also think it’s important to honor the coping strategies people already have. They developed for a reason. Rather than taking them away, I want to understand how they’ve helped someone survive and then slowly build new strategies that feel safer and more sustainable.

IVPC: What do you hope clients experience when they work with you?

Adrian: I hope therapy feels like two humans meeting together with honesty, respect, and curiosity.

Trust is probably the most important part of the therapeutic relationship for me. I try to lead with authenticity because I think that gives clients permission to show up authentically, too.

Instead of asking clients to judge themselves for what they’re thinking or feeling, I like asking, “What’s happening here?” or “What might this be trying to tell us?” That shift from judgment to curiosity often creates space for healing.

IVPC: Self-care has become such a common topic in conversations about mental health. What do you wish people understood about what self-care really means?

Adrian: I think self-care starts with being honest with ourselves. Sometimes we’re doing something because someone on social media called it self-care, or because someone else told us we should. I like helping clients ask whether something is actually restorative for them.

I’m also interested in helping people notice whose voice they’re listening to. Is this my value? Or is it something I learned from family, friends, culture, or society? Self-care isn’t just about what we do. It’s also about understanding why we’re doing it and whether it truly aligns with who we are.

I think that same curiosity extends to our emotions. Rather than trying to get rid of them or explain them away, I encourage clients to ask, “What is this emotion trying to tell me?” Emotions carry information, and taking the time to listen to them can be an important form of caring for ourselves.

IVPC: What do you find most meaningful about being a therapist?

Adrian: Watching people come home to themselves.

Some of my favorite moments are when clients accomplish something they’ve been working toward for a long time and dismiss it as “just a small thing.” Those moments often represent enormous growth.

Ultimately, I hope clients leave therapy with a deeper trust in themselves. Therapy isn’t about becoming dependent on your therapist. It’s about helping people feel confident enough to continue living their lives while trusting themselves and what they’ve learned along the way.

IVPC: Finally, what would you say to someone who’s thinking about starting therapy but feels nervous?

Adrian: I’d start by saying that feeling nervous is completely normal. Beginning therapy is vulnerable, and meeting someone new can feel intimidating. Just considering therapy is already a courageous first step.

One idea I come back to often is that courage requires fear. We can’t be courageous if we’re never scared. When fear shows up, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re doing something wrong. Sometimes it’s simply a sign that we’re stepping toward something important.

I’d also remind them that therapy isn’t about talking to a blank slate. Healing happens within authentic human connection. You won’t be walking into an empty room alone. I’ll be there to meet you where you are.

If you’re interested in working with Adrian Waller, MSSW or learning more about therapy at IVPC, our team is here to help you get started. Finding the right fit matters, and we’re here to support you in taking that next step. Reach out for a consultation call today.