Structural Family Therapy in Marana, AZ

Have you found therapy unhelpful in the past? If you are looking for a change and a new approach, I can help. I have more than 20 years of experience helping individuals, couples and families overcome life's hurdles and feel fulfilled. I have a passion for helping individuals overcome PTSD, CPTSD, developmental, religious and other specific trauma. I have experience working with neurodivergent individuals, borderline, narcissistic and anti-social personalities, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, OCD, phobias, eating disorders, addiction, disassociation and chronic pain. I am passionate about LGBTQ+ and gender identity issues.

You no longer need to feel isolated or ashamed of your feelings. I have created a safe place for you to explore your concerns with empathic understanding and acceptance. I have specialized in anxiety, depression and relationship issues since 1982. Does your anxiety interfere with daily activities and relationships? We will explore the root of your issue and give you tools to help you calm down and be in control of them. Perhaps you force a smile on your face but inside are feeling despair or separated from others and your surroundings.Together we will get to the root of these issues so you can have healthy, fulfilling relationships.

Desert Life Psychotherapy provides a space to explore emotional and relational difficulties related to depression, anxiety, family conflict, and interpersonal struggles in day to day life. I provide counseling to teens and adults who are ready to begin understanding themselves in order to create a brighter and more productive future. I am most effective at treating individuals and families who are ready to understand the underlying issues leading to current symptoms through self-exploration, and are looking for insight to create lasting change in their lives.

I have worked with many people throughout my career and found it amazing how we are all different and every single one of us have something amazing to offer, something not everyone has, something others need, let me help you find what is it that you do not see that makes you who you are. My focus is to bring compassion, kindness, empathy, genuine concern, experience, knowledge and commit to offer you genuine experience in achieving the next step in personal growth. I am here to listen, provide support, and guide you to a successful and peaceful feature.

Hello, and thank you for considering me to be your therapist. A bit to know about me... I am passionate about providing services to Young Adults, children and families involved in the foster/adoptive system, LGBTQ+ individuals/families, and Military Members/ Veterans and their family members. Therapy does not have to be a "forever" experience and the timeline can be different for each individual. I believe it's important to identify clear goals so that we always know what we are working towards and when we have achieved what you hoped to achieve with therapy.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, unheard, worried about every little thing, or unable to cope? Together we can work toward healing and growth. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, or relationship/communication/family issues and would like to have a safe, open, and caring environment to learn how to manage and cope we might be a good fit.

Vanessa’s approach is warm, empathic, and collaborative. She believes in being directive when needed with her clients. She strives to meet each person where they may be at in their journey. Some modalities that Vanessa may utilize in counseling are structural family therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, enhanced cognitive behavior therapy, exposure response prevention, and acceptance commitment therapy. Vanessa Paulson is a licensed psychotherapist with expertise in eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, depression, life transitions, general stressors, adolescent and family counseling, and stressors unique to healthcare professionals.

What would it look like if everything is going well for you right now? What would you notice about yourself that is different than now? Do you want to explore the answers to those questions?

My approach to counseling is holistic, humanistic and client-centered. I am trained in EMDR and trauma. I work with you and together we create an individualized approach to counseling that supports your goals. My professional background is in Trauma, PTSD, Grief, Loss, Early Parent loss. Anxiety, Depression. CBT, Family Systems Counseling, Narrative Therapy, Restorative Retelling, EFT, Matrix Reprinting, Multicultural Cultural Counseling, Feminist, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Since 2000, I have had the experience of living abroad as an elementary K-8 Certified teacher in Shanghai, China, Chiangmai, and Saudi Arabia.

I have certifications in Trauma and Grief and Bereavement, and specialize in these areas, along with substance abuse, addictions, and mood and personality disorders. I use an integrated approach to therapy by using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Structural Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Mental health needs may sometimes be overlooked in Primary Care today. Most PCPs may be too busy to ask the next question that will allow clients to open up regarding their mental health concerns. Mental health needs are growing by the minute and the second, with increased suicides and mental health breakdowns rising. Increased violence is becoming a common way of life in our society, related to minimal access to mental health services. Many people are searching for help. However, they do not know how to get there. The struggle is real.

I am here to support you on your journey to a better quality of life. My heartfelt approach combines person-centered care and insightful healing to help you overcome life's challenges with dedication to you every step of the way.

My clients come to me lost, they don’t have a voice, have tried counselors in the past, anxiety, depression, disconnected and unseen. My clients need a counselor with a Behavioral Style that allows you to share. I am at Counselor. You need goals that we can sit together. These goals will become clear after every session. My clients want to feel heard, get some work done and get back to their lives, which are most important to them.

I believe therapy should be a place for clients to feel safe, heard, understood, and supported. I recognize the difficulty associated with seeking help and acknowledge the bravery in being able to do so. My approach is warm, genuine, and collaborative. I focus on creating a non-judgmental space that creates awareness and allows clients to work towards making changes in order to improve the relationship with yourself, and others.  

It is through reflection that we gain an understanding of where we stand and what we believe. Perhaps it is finally time for you to take care of you. Therapy offers a special and dedicated time for you to explore and discover who you really are, while giving attention to the parts of you that are hurting, as well as to parts of you that aren't fully alive. But therapy is not just for the challenging moments; it's also designed for when your life may be perfectly fine. My goal is to help you feel most settled within yourself, to develop very fulfilling and satisfying relationships, and to create purpose and meaning in your life.