Therapists in Alaska

Therapy promises a unique experience where you can feel known and understood in a safe and accepting place. We each deserve to know what it feels like to be supported, and together, you will discover the power of self-fulfilling prophecy and restructure fear-based thinking to positive and self affirming messages that will propel your life forward. I am here for you to explore the areas of life that are holding you back and with renewed confidence, branch out to new and exciting journeys. If you are seeking a supervisor for your professional counselor license or play therapy registration, I am here for you as well.

Coastal Wellness and Counseling, LLC offers a systemic approach to healing relationships. Whether you are interested in strengthening your couple/marital relationship, your connection with your children and family, your relationship with yourself, and/or are seeking therapy for your child or adolescent, our clinicians specialize in providing an authentic and focused approach to healing. Coastal Wellness and Counseling, LLC maintains a commitment to serving Alaskans with and without insurance by offering a sliding fee scale to those who qualify. All clinicians practice under the mentorship of Ashley M. Barrera, LMFT.

Are you finding yourself sitting on the couch disconnecting from life in order to manage your emotions? Do you find yourself yelling at those around you and don't know why? Have you had childhood experiences that you felt you had dealt with but still find yourself triggered by reminders of the event(s)? Do you feel you are now ready to start working on issues in your life but don't know where to start? You are not alone. There are many individuals who are struggling every day to make sense of their life (past and present).

As the former clinical director of a community behavioral health in Anchorage, I have experience providing therapy to a range of ages including: children, youth, families and adults experiencing a variety of challenges. I work with youth who experience disruptive behaviors, acting out, and substance use. I provide care to individuals who have experienced trauma/ abuse, mood disorders, and the autism spectrum. I also provide forensic psychological evaluations for the court, and neuropsychological assessments illuminating an individuals treatment needs.

Experiential Play Therapy is a model of play therapy with a strong belief in the child’s quest for health. Only the child knows their particular perceptions of their life’s dilemmas. Therefore, in Experiential Play Therapy, the child is allowed to be the director of the play. In that process, they will utilize toys and their own creativity to recreate their experience in an environment that enables them to approach their struggles so that they are able to regain the power that has been lost in the actual event or environment. The therapist becomes a partner in the child’s quest, assuming whatever role the child requests.

I specialize in working with people in relationships. The relationships we have with ourselves and others, are constantly changing. My clients include couples and individuals who want to establish their most authentic selves and ideal partnerships. I believe we are all worthy of feeling love, and having the ability to share that love with others. I am dedicated to supporting the process of connecting to gain the skills needed to develop or maintain healthy relationships. Whether you are looking to heal with a partner or individually, I welcome the opportunity to work with you.

Life happens; the effects of loss vary; and the impacts of stress/trauma are more ‘normal’ than most people realize. You are not alone; your struggles are real; and your mental wellness is and should be treated with as much vigor as your need for food and shelter. It is natural for our bodies to want to heal themselves; and our human strength and natural behavior is to adapt and evolve. We develop negative coping skills as we adapt to stress/trauma, grief/loss, major life changes/transitions, chronic illness/pain, identity struggles, and relationship conflicts.

No matter what you do, nothing has worked thus far. You still get frustrated by the same people and situations, and your relationships suffer as a result. You might even engage in self-sabotaging behaviors, and juggling all of it feels impossible. You know your parenting could be better, and you are not sure how or why you react in the ways you do. You may ask yourself “Why am I this way?” The answer often lies in early trauma. A chaotic upbringing, abuse, and not feeling seen as children can often result in emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that do not reflect our true selves.

Heidi Kinsella has been a member of the recovery community for over 35 years, 12 as a therapist. She has extensive expertise in the treatment of sexual addiction and was mentored by and worked alongside Dr. Patrick Carnes, the pioneer in sexual addiction research and treatment. Heidi recognizes the importance of having a therapist who understands the complexities of addiction. She works with individuals who have suffered from the effects of substance abuse, sex addiction, and those who have been affected by a loved one's addiction. She offers five day intensive retreats and Equine Assisted Therapy at Fourth Dimension Healing Ranch.

Accepting new clients. Life can be hard, challenging, and at times can feel truly hopeless. There are times you may experience life controlled by intense emotions or paralyzing anxiety/fear and detached numbness takes over. Traumatic memories that are overwhelming, causing insomnia or night terrors. Relationships suffering from conflict, lack of intimacy, and distraction are inevitable. Teen conflict, locked in power struggles without solutions that result in endless frustration dominating your time. There IS hope! Learn to implement key changes and create shifts to overcome even the most challenging obstacles.

I believe strongly in creating a place of safety where my clients can feel seen, heard, and understood. I enjoy helping people navigate life’s journey. I am passionate about helping clients heal, align with their authentic self, and face life with compassion and self-appreciation. I am a therapist who is direct and goal-oriented. My ultimate goal is for my clients to know and feel they are worthy of love. My therapeutic style is eclectic, driven by the client's beliefs and where they are at currently. My approach to therapy is trauma-informed, strength-based, and collaborative. I am a certified EMDR Therapist.

COUPLES: Too long since you felt connected to your partner? Fight all the time? Has there been a betrayal? A lack of intimacy? I show you how to understand each other, break down barriers, and create better habits. Couples who use my tools create more joy and connection - permanently. For the cost of a divorce you can instead have the loving, connected, joyous relationship you want. I'm a Certified Gottman Therapist, which is a couples method. NOW Offering Discernment Counseling: if you aren't sure if you want to end the relationship, this is a process to help you gain clarity and confidence about your decision, whatever you choose.

Do you feel frustrated in your relationships? Is anxiety preventing you from feeling like your most confident self? Are you relying on substances or addictive behaviors to cope? Relationships are challenging, anxiety is draining and using substances may feel like the only way out. The folks I work with are looking for a therapist to accept their situation, create a space of emotional safety and provide tools for healing, growth, and strength.

My name is Dr. Evelyn DeLaCruz-Jiron, I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Addictions Counselor, and certified in family mediation. I am licensed to practice in CO, AK, AZ and UT and I specialize in family therapy, couples therapy, parenting interventions and trauma informed care using DBT, CBT, experiential and ACT therapy. I am an AAMFT approved supervisor and have experience providing clinical supervision to both LPCs and LMFTs.

Change is hard, but worth it. Clients can expect an empathic and caring, but no-nonsense, approach to tackling issues. I specialize in Military/Veteran issues, anxiety and trauma treatment to clients residing anywhere in TX, NC & AK. No travel required! I provide a non-judgmental atmosphere that enables frank, honest discussions that promote change. I have a good history with clients seeking out initial care as well as those who have been unsuccessful with other therapists. I do not accept insurance, as I believe care should be authentic and person-centered without coding or billing guidelines dictating care.

Are you letting everyday life stress you out? Are you experiencing challenges with your interpersonal relationships? Do you miss the intimacy in your relationship? These are just a few examples of the topics that counseling can help you address. I offer evening appointments to allow counseling to fit into your busy schedule without causing additional stress. I create a safe and secure environment to facilitate growth in your personal or professional life. Counseling can be an enriching experience for most people.

Let’s face it, sometimes life can be challenging which can hinder personal growth, happiness, relationships, quality of life, professional success, parenting among other things. You feel like you are spinning your wheels but they are stuck in the mud! You feel exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, sad and/or irritated. Effecting change takes work but YOU can master the skills to cope with these feelings and regain control of your life! Whether your goal is meaningful change, achieving short or life long goals, talking through things on your mind or need some post graduate supervision, I’m here to help and only a phone call/email away!

Whether in relationship with your partner, your children, others in your life like a boss, friends, or family, we get stuck in loops and can't seem to break free. Maybe it's in a relationship with a part of yourself, an addiction or habit you haven't been able to shake, or even your relationship and experience of the wider culture. Life gets stuck sometimes, and finding freedom can be hard to do on your own. I'm honored to work with couples, families, individuals, parents, and teens to help untangle the knots, make sense of it all, and work together to carve out a path to where you'd rather be.