Therapists serving clients in Surprise, AZ

Hello! Thank you for considering me as your counselor. Let me give you an overview of my counseling style, education, experience and personal background. Counseling Style: My theoretical approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe our thoughts lead to our emotions and behaviors. Initially, I use worksheets to help you uncover underlying beliefs you have about events or issues that lead to uncomfortable emotions or self-defeating behaviors. I also like to tie in neurobiology to help you understand that we can manipulate the way our brains work to speed up change. I tend to use humor initially to break the ice and normalize behaviors. Education: I earned by Masters of Counseling at University of Phoenix in 2002. I also received a Master of Arts in Organizational Management in 2001 at University of Phoenix. I was pursuing my Doctorate in Neuropsychology at Argosy University from 2010 - 2013 but my life plan changed so I decided not to complete the degree. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. I am required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain my license; therefore, I have extensive training in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Posttramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), neuropsychology, depression and anxiety. Experience: I started in the mental health field as a Crisis Counselor for the Phoenix Fire Department for four years while I was getting my Masters degrees. After graduation, I became a Crisis Counselor in emergency rooms throughout the Valley for six years. I transitioned into a traditional counselor position specializing in PTSD with police officers, fire fighters, and military personnel. I also really enjoyed working with people in life transitions (careers, school, retirement, marriage, dating, etc.). I became the Director of Psychological Health for the Arizona Army National Guard in 2013 working with soldiers in pre- and post-deployment phases, suicide prevention, PTSD, and military sexual trauma. When that contract ended, I helped open Quail Run Behavioral Health Hospital as the Director of Intake & Assessment. I currently work for Arizona's state crisis system and am in a telecommuting position. I missed individual counseling and am thrilled to be a part of the Better Help team. Personal Background: I am a 3rd generation native Arizonan (my mom and grandmother were born and raised in Phoenix which is very rare). I grew up in Flagstaff and moved to Phoenix after graduating from NAU. I decided to pursue a counseling career after my aunt's experience in the emergency room when my uncle died suddenly and unexpectedly at 46 years old. I knew there was a compassionate way to deliver heartbreaking and life-changing information. I also had a wonderful counselor who helped me recover from PTSD after my brief stint in the military. I have been divorced twice and recently relocated to Phoenix to be closer to family & friends. I have 2 spoiled dachshunds and love to travel and am learning to crochet. Thank you for taking time to read my bio and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.

I began counselling later in life after raising five children and have been married over 51 years to my high school sweetheart. I am an LPC, graduating from Webster University with an MA in Clinical Counseling, working in NM and AZ. I began my practice by working as a behavioral support consultant with the developmentally disabled. The past six years, I worked as an independent behavioral health professional in a public health setting in a small rural town that serves many different cultures and clients. I am certified in trauma therapy, EMDR, and sexual offender treatment. I have experience working with all age groups and clients, successfully treating anxiety, depression, trauma, children and teens issues, domestic violence, life changes/adjustments, grief and loss, life transitions, family issues, parenting skills, and anger management. I use an eclectic approach to counseling, tailoring therapy to each Individual. Among other types of therapy, I use person centered and trauma informed care, Motivational lnterviewing, CBT, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Family Systems, EMDR, and SFT. I think that addressing the positive rather than the negative, strength rather than weakness, is the most successful path to wellness. I believe that each of you is unique and should be able to direct your healing to your own unique needs. I utilize different styles of therapy but always start with acceptance, respect, transparency, careful listening, and empathy. My focus is person centered and trauma informed care. I have found that giving others an opportunity to explore their needs and desires is often the catalyst for change and happiness. I like to use Mindfulness and Solution Focused Brief Therapy to help pinpoint these catalysts. I believe that empowerment comes through using positive approaches combined with CBT. I also find that teaching the tools of EMDR promotes trauma reduction, self-advocacy, and resource building. Change begins with you. I am here to help you on your path to wellness. Your journey to success has already begun and I will support you in that journey.

Whether you’re experiencing difficult times or new adventures, I’m here to help. I have been a licensed professional counselor in the state of Michigan since 2009. I am the practitioner/owner of Compass Counseling & Coaching, PLLC, a member of the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association and was appointed to their board in 2021. I have a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Toledo, a masters in Counseling from the University of La Verne and a bachelors in Sociology from Alma College. I provide counseling for individuals, couples, and teens, as well as provide college selection coaching. I have a very holistic approach to counseling because no two people are the same. I see each client as an individual requiring their own unique approach. I use a variety of counseling techniques, encouraging self-awareness and the acceptance of one’s own responsibilities in their personal journey. I believe the more we know ourselves, the better we can respond to situations.

I am licensed in Arizona with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, & intimacy related issues. I am LGBT affirming and support transitions of all kinds. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Welcome, My name is Caitlyn Schmidt and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Alabama. I have 7 years of clinical experience in working with clients presenting with a wide range of concerns, including Anxiety, Depression, low self esteem, lack of motivation, anger and stress. We can work together to help you get through any personal, relationship, family or career issues you may be struggling with. I find it is just as important to take care of your mental health as it is to take care of your physical health in order to be the best possible version of yourself. I know how hard it can be to reach out for help and to take the necessary steps towards changing your life for the better and I am here to support and empower you on your journey!

I am licensed in Arizona with 50 plus years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. I also have experience working with motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been providing counseling for more than twenty years. I have a master's degree in Social Welfare and experience in a wide range of areas, including grief and loss, stress management, parenting challenges, depression, and communication in relationships. I know that making the decision to start therapy, and reaching out to find someone you can trust, is a big step, often one that people think about for a long time before they actually take it. As you take that step today, I would like to offer some ideas about where this journey could take you. From my work with clients over the years, and from my own personal experience as well, I have come to see the process of therapy as something like looking through a new window, one that allows you to see your life and situation more clearly. In all of the challenges we face, big and small, perspective is key. Each of us is looking at our situation from the inside, in the way we have become accustomed to looking at it. This view is often fogged up and blurry. We are so close to it that we can’t see the forest for the trees. Therapy is about getting distance and perspective. This can come through insight, recognizing relationship patterns and being open to changing them, and questioning long-held assumptions that you didn’t realize you had until someone calls your attention to them. But as important as this awareness is, it usually needs to be followed with concrete steps in order to result in true change. Baby steps at first – in my experience we often underestimate the big results that can come from the smallest shifts. As we experiment with new behaviors, we begin to see ourselves differently. One small success doing something you didn’t think you could do can result in a ripple effect of seeing possibilities that you never knew were there before, and that is where real growth happens. My goal is to help people live more authentically, live with intention, and make deliberate and conscious choices rather than following old patterns that they never before thought to question. These ideas have brought me to some of the most important light bulb moments in my own life, and it brings me great happiness to see the moment that someone else begins to see that they have a wider range of options than they ever realized. If it sounds like I might be a good fit for you, I look forward to getting to know you, hearing the unique story that is yours alone, and working as a team as you find the clarity, peace, and confidence that will lead you to a brighter future.

I am pleased that you have selected Betterhelp and me to reach out to for therapy. My name is Vanessa Costello and I am licensed in Oklahoma with 9 years of professional work experience. I have a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and have worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor with a varied clientele. I have worked with children, teens, young adults, adults and seniors at various counseling agencies. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self-esteem and confidence, & depression utilizing a Biblical Christian perspective alongside other treatment modalities. I have expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Trauma focused therapy. My goal in counseling is to foster a collaborative, healing relationship that provides safety for healing and growth in each of my clients. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy takes courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Hi there! My name is Kacey Ardoin, and I am a clinical social worker licensed in Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, and Utah. I have been practicing in the social work field for about 9 years. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Georgia, and then went on to pursue my Master of Social Work degree with a clinical concentration. I have worked with clients in multiple settings and have experience with both group and individual therapy. My work has been primarily focused on helping people overcome depression and anxiety, especially as it relates to improving their overall health (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual). One of my greatest passions is suicide prevention, especially working with survivors of suicide loss. I have also worked in addiction and substance abuse recovery, and I greatly enjoyed seeing people reach the other side of their struggles. Other areas that I enjoy working with include relationship issues, self-esteem issues, and grief. My counseling style is empathetic and person-centered. I believe everyone deserves to be heard and treated with mutual respect. I align with a person-centered, solution-focused therapy model, while also using cognitive-behavioral therapy and reality therapy techniques. I am also certified as a Problem Solving Treatment Practitioner and like to incorporate these principles into sessions when they may be helpful. I especially enjoy working with people who are ambivalent about making a change in their lives, and I enjoy utilizing motivational interviewing techniques when possible. If you are feeling stuck, there is a reason - and I would love to work through that with you! Whether this is your first time in counseling or your hundredth time, I believe you have the power to break down whatever wall is standing in your way today. It takes strength to reach out for support, and for that, I want to congratulate you on your courage today! Thank you for your time and I look forward to working together.

I am licensed in Minnesota with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! Please feel free to schedule a session by selecting an open slot on my calendar.