About Dr. Haley Arias

I know because I’ve lived it. I lost my brother to a tragic car accident when I was eleven yers old and my father to suicide in 2007. I knew that these tragedies would shape the rest of my life. Then I was plagued with infertility and experienced loss, again and again. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to help those left behind after such shocking tragedies and losses.

During my decade plus in clinical chiropractic practice, I have been able to work with many survivors and take note of where their trauma patterns reside. This prompted me to begin researching and studying the families of suicide victims and the lasting effects of this type of loss on those left behind. I have studied how that trauma is manifested in the physical body and how it presents itself in survivors’ everyday lives. 

Over the years, I have interviewed or met with over 100 family members of suicide. They all tell me the same things, they feel alone in their grief. Some are isolated in their pain. They are embarrassed. They feel different. Some feel like they are to blame. And they feel like there are no resources specifically for them. I am changing that. I am creating them.

I am also an Assistant Professor of Biology at San Juan College where I have the opportunity to mentor and coach students who are furthering their journey into the healthcare field. My experience helps me better teach students the neurophysiology of grief and how to practice compassion in their field of choice. 

Research shows us that suicide can follow trends in families particularly when it has been modeled for children. Through tangible tools we can shift trauma patterns, develop healthy coping skills, and foster a new sense of resilience in these families. We can change the data on suicide in families. That’s my mission and goal with the work I do.

I currently reside with my husband and son in Durango, Colorado.