Our counselors offer counseling for teens in Gilbert, AZ

I have a BFA in painting and an MSW, and over seventeen years of counseling experience. Prior to earning my MSW, I worked on a crisis line. My parents came from different cultural backgrounds, and I am a parent who has been both married and divorced. While I maintain a circle of family and close friends, I have also experienced multiple losses, and both of my parents are gone. My life experiences have helped me become a better counselor. I work particularly well with clients who struggle with grief, anxiety, and depression.

As a counselor, I take a humanistic and client-centered approach. To me, counseling is the constant asking of "What next?" — meaning that through both prosperous and difficult times, it is important to make sound, responsible decisions. I have collaborated with adults, children, and adolescents, and provided individual, group, and couples counseling.

The variety and breadth of my experiences have contributed to my effectiveness as a counselor. Counseling is a journey that can be illuminating, and fun, but also arduous and demanding. I look forward to accompanying you on that journey. 

Hi, I'm Kiersten, a licensed clinical social worker dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges. I work with individuals throughout the lifespan struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and self-esteem. My approach is shaped by professional training and lived experiences, grounded in the belief that healing happens when people feel truly seen and accepted. Many of my clients feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck. They come to therapy wanting to understand themselves, develop coping skills, heal from the past, and strengthen relationships.

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and individualized. I integrate evidence-based approaches including EMDR, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and Sandtray Therapy to meet your unique needs. Our work is guided by your goals and what feels most supportive.

Reaching out for support takes courage, and you don't have to navigate this alone. I'll meet you with compassion and authenticity, genuinely committed to helping you feel seen and supported. I hope to provide a space where you feel accepted and encouraged moving forward. If you feel we may be a good fit, I invite you to schedule an appointment.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 13 years of experience helping people navigate the moments in life when everything feels overwhelming, uncertain, or simply too much. I work with children, adolescents, and adults facing anxiety, trauma, depression, low self-worth, and major life transitions. Whether you’re struggling with the weight of your past or feeling stuck in the present, I offer a warm, judgment-free space to feel truly heard, understand yourself more deeply, and begin creating meaningful change.

My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to you. I draw from trauma-informed care, EMDR, and evidence-based techniques to help you understand what’s beneath the surface, work through what’s holding you back, and build healthier ways of coping. Together, we’ll focus on healing, growth, and creating lasting change—not simply managing symptoms.

You don’t have to navigate this season of life alone. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel vulnerable, but you deserve a space where you feel safe, understood, and supported. If you’re ready to begin, I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you work toward healing, clarity, and a life that feels more like your own.

Debra Konecni is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in working with clients who have experienced a traumatic event — especially anyone who has experienced any type of child abuse or any type of sexual abuse. These are often individuals who have been hiding their hurts because they have been afraid to address the trauma, or do not know how to address the situation. Debra's goal is to assist each individual with working through the trauma and help them find their true self by believing in their story, giving them the opportunity to share their story sometimes for the first time. Everyone should have the option to work through hurts and not stay stuck in them — everyone should be given the opportunity to work all way to the other side and become a survivor instead of a victim.

Debra uses active listening, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). and schema therapy to help her clients. She also encourages journaling through their emotions to find their true selves. "Like the lotus flower, beauty coming out of the depth of mud; every individual could blossom out of a life of trauma, abuse, or just day-to-day frustrating moments that find them crippled or stuck in any way," says Debra. "Through the transforming and renewing of our minds, we do not have to repeat history or become the person someone tried to make us."

Through the process of addressing past hurts and trauma, it is Debra's goal and desire to empathize with individuals to reach their full potential in life. She has many years of experience rising out of the mud of her own lifelong trauma, which enables her to equip with hope and grace. "I welcome you into a safe haven to process through your hurts and struggles, to help you to strive and thrive," says Debra.