Her Story
About Javonna
Javonna Arriaga is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founding owner member of Mingaco Healing Cooperative, where she is committed to fostering healing, personal growth, and collective well-being. With a diverse professional background spanning therapy, project management, event coordination, business operations, and performing arts, Javonna brings a unique, interdisciplinary perspective to her work. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Drama Performance from the University of Washington before pursuing a Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University. Her transition into therapy reflects her passion for understanding human relationships and the interconnected systems that influence individual and family well-being.
Through her therapeutic practice and work as a liberation partner, Javonna emphasizes the importance of lived experience, spirituality, and evidence-informed practices in addressing personal and systemic challenges. She is particularly interested in ADHD, neurodivergence, relationships, and the connections between mental, emotional, and physical health. In May 2024, she established Mingaco Healing Cooperative to support a more collaborative and equitable approach to therapeutic practice. Drawing on her previous experience in business operations and project management, she advocates for sustainable professional structures that respect practitioners' contributions and promote collective growth. Her philosophy centers on healing oppressive cycles, honoring individual experiences, and cultivating intergenerational health and prosperity.
Beyond her professional commitments, Javonna values creativity, cultural exploration, and connection with the natural world. With a longstanding background in theater and dance, she hopes to reconnect with her artistic pursuits while maintaining a healthier balance between her professional responsibilities and personal interests. She also enjoys traveling, camping, exploring different cultures, and spending time in nature. Her experiences living in different regions of the United States and abroad have broadened her perspective on community and human connection. Through her work, Javonna seeks to create spaces where people feel understood, supported, and empowered to pursue meaningful change, while advancing a vision of healing that encompasses individuals, relationships, communities, and future generations.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Javonna
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the therapy profession is to recognize how the work can transform your perspective on personal relationships and help you identify patterns you may have previously overlooked. Know your professional worth and never settle for exploitative compensation, even as a pre-licensed therapist. Most importantly, develop confidence in your own leadership style rather than conforming to the conflicting expectations society often places on women.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Equity, integrity, collaboration, and professional autonomy are central to my values. I believe therapists deserve fair compensation, respect, and opportunities to share in the success of their work. These values inspired me to establish Mingako Healing Cooperative, a practitioner-owned organization that promotes shared ownership and a more equitable alternative to traditional practice models. I also value self-advocacy, personal well-being, and authentic leadership, believing that people should recognize their worth, challenge unfair systems, and remain true to themselves while creating meaningful change.
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