Our therapists offer grief & loss counseling in Phoenix, AZ

I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with 16 years of experience supporting individuals facing complex mental health needs. My background includes acute inpatient care, outpatient treatment, and work with military members and first responders. I am particularly sensitive to the experiences of those who have served and those who often feel unseen. My goal is always to help each person feel safe, respected, and cared for.

I hold a master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Alabama. My approach to care is thoughtful and intentional. I believe in conservative medication management and aim for the best results with the least amount needed. I am also transitioning toward a more holistic and metabolic approach because everything in the body is connected.

I know how discouraging it can feel when you’re not listened to or your concerns are overlooked. I will take the time to understand your story, honor your goals, and work with you to find clarity and healing. I promise to do my best to make you feel truly seen, supported, and heard.

I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) with 15 years of experience providing psychiatric care across community and public health settings. I specialize in medication management and supportive therapy for adults experiencing mood disorders, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, and substance use concerns. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and focused on meeting clients where they are in their healing journey.

I earned my master’s degree in nursing from California State University of Los Angeles. My clinical background includes work in public mental health systems, where I provided psychiatric care and psychoeducation to diverse populations using evidence-based and client-centered approaches.

When working together, I take time to understand your history, current concerns, and treatment goals. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and respected. Through personalized care, I help clients build stability, confidence, and improved overall well-being.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 15 years of experience providing evidence-based psychotherapy. I work with adults and couples navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, infidelity recovery, and relationship challenges. Many of my clients feel stuck in painful patterns, overwhelmed by past experiences, or disconnected from their confidence and direction. I focus on helping clients build emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and create healthier patterns in their lives and relationships. My approach is active, structured, and relational.

I earned my master's degree in professional counseling from Grand Canyon University. I use EMDR and evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients process experiences, regulate emotions, and move toward change. For couples, I utilize Gottman Method techniques to strengthen communication and rebuild trust.

My goal is to provide a calm, supportive space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to grow. Together, we will identify emotional roadblocks, develop practical tools, and build skills that support lasting progress. If you are ready to move beyond surviving and begin creating the life and relationships you want, I look forward to working with you.

Cristina is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than a decade of experience in the mental health field. She is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families address unresolved trauma, life transitions, and life stressors to achieve optimal wellness in multiple areas of their lives. Cristina practices evidence-based practices, and is engaged in continuous exploration of research of effective therapy practices. Cristina completed her Master in Counseling at Northern Arizona University. Prior to becoming a counselor, Cristina completed her graduate studies in Anthropology and worked as an anthropologist.

Her personal, academic, and professional experience guide Cristina's practice, whereby she is suited to help clients with diverse backgrounds. Cristina utilizes integrated approaches to psychotherapy, combining CBT and psychodynamic approaches. She is trained in AEDP (accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy).

Cristina believes that everyone can improve, and even achieve optimal mental health at any age. However, there needs to be commitment to the therapy process for positive and lasting results.

Denise Rae is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 7 years of professional experience providing therapeutic care to individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has worked in numerous healthcare settings such as private practice, telehealth, and hospice where she specialized in counseling individuals coping with grief, anxiety, depression, family issues, adjustment issues, and more. In addition to her clinical therapeutic work with clients, Denise has spent over 24 years in social work assisting older adults and adults with disabilities.

Denise earned her Master of Social Work at Arizona State University. Depending on the specific issues at hand, Denise uses various modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness.

Through her caring and compassionate nature, Denise builds a trusting, nonjudgemental relationship with her clients. She recognizes that your sessions are a time for positive growth and change and will move at your speed toward a goal of overall wellness. Reach out to her today!

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 7 years of experience supporting adults and couples on their healing journeys. I provide a safe and compassionate space where you can explore difficult emotions, identify patterns, and develop practical coping strategies for greater balance and well-being. My approach integrates mind, body, and spirit to help you process trauma, manage life transitions, and build meaningful, healthy relationships.

I earned my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Grand Canyon University. My approach draws from cognitive behavioral, dialectical, emotion-focused, and solution-focused therapies. I also utilize trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, and somatic practices to support growth and resilience.

Whether you seek emotional clarity, improved communication, or a stronger sense of self, my goal is to walk beside you as you build the life you deserve. I look forward to helping you process, heal, and rediscover your inner strength with compassion and care.

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.

Shelly Ehmann is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 37 years of experience providing therapeutic services to individuals, families, and groups. Shelly specializes in treating anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She is a Certified Trauma-Informed Professional with extensive experience supporting clients through various diagnoses and emotional challenges. Shelly’s work is rooted in compassion, clinical insight, and a deep belief in the power of healing and change.

Shelly earned her Master’s in Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She incorporates humor and honesty to build trust and insight. Her approach includes assigning reflective homework, encouraging self-awareness, and facilitating the processing of thoughts and emotions to support meaningful change.

Shelly is passionate about empowering clients to achieve their best life. She emphasizes meeting clients where they are, validating their experiences, and collaboratively setting goals. Her approach fosters growth, resilience, and emotional clarity through honest conversation and therapeutic connection. Schedule an appointment with Shelly today!

Carol Whitescarver is a Clinical Social Worker, independently licensed in Massachusetts, Indiana, and Arizona. She has 24 years of social work and psychotherapy practice with individuals and groups. Carol graduated from Marymount College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Psychology, and from Fordham University with a Master’s in Social Work. She has worked in outpatient treatment programs in her community and with veterans and active-duty army members and their families, as well as in residential programs for TBI, substance abuse, and mental illness within the Veterans Health Administration.

She currently works with adults who seek supportive and in-depth therapy for trauma, PTSD, life transitions, anger/behavioral issues, grief, relationship challenges, depression, and anxiety. Carol believes that each person has the ability and innate knowledge to grow and change, and that therapy must be creative, dynamic, and tailored to the individual. Whether using creativity, images, or more traditional talk therapy, her philosophy tends toward positive psychology that is strength-based, trauma-informed, flexible, enjoyable, and aligned with a person’s desired lifestyle. Carol believes that therapists must be genuine and able to create a ‘sacred space’ that is safe and supportive so that clients can relax and sense that they are respected, valued, and understood. A trusting therapeutic relationship that addresses Mind/Body/Spirit is essential to the process of growth and change, and Carol believes that humor, play, forgiveness, creativity, and gratitude practice hold a strong place in psychotherapy. Creativity, regardless of how it is expressed, is life-affirming and an extremely important asset when redesigning one’s life.

Perhaps you need a safe place to tell your truth, feel understood and accepted, learn new skills in coping or problem solving, or brainstorm your ideas/goals. Carol is an experienced therapist who will join you in your search for your authentic self, and in your understanding or repair of the past and old stories you hold. Therapy work with Carol includes compassion, warmth, humor, challenge, curiosity, and flexibility. She will help you find strengths, the courage to use your true voice, and the confidence to break free of patterns that no longer serve you well.

Janna Bolingbroke is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of experience. She specializes in addiction, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ matters, trauma, and parenting concerns. Janna also has experience with more complex concerns such as self-esteem and body image, career struggles, aging, blended families, codependency, divorce, trauma, and life transitions.

Janna earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Utah. She offers a warm, collaborative space where clients feel safe, seen, and empowered. Drawing from evidence-based therapies, Megan helps individuals navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, and personal growth.

Janna understands how hard it can be to ask for help. She offers a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore life’s challenges at their own pace. Whether you're navigating stress, identity, or past pain, Janna is here to walk with you toward healing, clarity, and meaningful change.

Evalyn Vasquez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 5 years of experience in the mental and behavioral health field. She loves sharing her knowledge with adolescents, adults and families. Evalyn specializes in concerns involving anxiety, depression, emotional management, communication, relationships, grief/loss, self-esteem, trauma, school issues, and life transitions.

Evalyn’s received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Arizona State University. The therapy approach that Evalyn utilizes is solution-focused (SFT), task-centered, eclectic, and structured.

If you are feeling unsure where to start in your personal healing, it’s okay. Evalyn will work along aside you and serve as a guide in the direction you want see yourself go. She is here to help you grow and learn, and with your commitment to the process, you can become the version of yourself that you want to become.

Arlinda is a dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) who treats a diverse range of mental health concerns including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, insomnia, and women's issues. She is committed to working collaboratively and compassionately with clients to identify the best treatment options as part of a holistic plan of care for both adolescents and adults. She considers her role to be multifaceted: managing medications, providing education, therapy, and mental health advocacy.

Arlinda has spent nearly three decades in the field of nursing, knowing from childhood that her calling was to help people. She has an innate ability to quickly establish a positive rapport with nearly everyone she meets, has strong clinical skills, and has a talent for discovering the right medication combinations for each unique individual. She completed her Master of Science degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Medical College of Georgia and her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Wilkes University. Arlinda likes to incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques into her practice, believing firmly that your inner thoughts (whether accurate or not) play a large role in your emotional/mental health. In the past, she has functioned as a telemetry, ICU, ER, and travel RN, as well as a nurse manager and more recently a clinical services manager. In her free time, Arlinda enjoys reading, dancing, hiking, and playing with her French bulldog.

I believe every person has a history that has shaped who they are. I also believe that individuals can change and create a better life for themselves, no matter what their history has been. I have overcome many obstacles in my life and worked hard to pursue my goals and dreams. I have a positive attitude and am a very nurturing person. I am confident that that can support you in your pursuit of a better life by guiding you towards new techniques and perspectives that will help you cope with whatever you are currently struggling with. If you are ready to get started today, schedule an appointment with me!