Couples Counseling Therapists in Pima County, AZ

You’re the person who feels like you should have it together but is wondering where you fit; feels like people "just can’t know this thing about me"; looks like someone but feels like someone else; carries a secret that no one can know about. You're wondering, “Who am I now?” and terrified that the people you love most will see that. There’s a part of you that feels so hidden, so shameful that you don’t dare tell anyone. You’re certain that if they find out, they won’t want you anymore. And so you keep everyone away from that part; finally, that has meant keeping everyone away. You're hurting. You're lost. And you are lonely.

In the first session I focus on what is on your mind, knowing there may be more to discover. My experience is with a wide range of problems, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, relationships, work. Sometimes we move quickly. Other times we must take our time, patiently and with compassion. We talk about what you tell me, how this shows up in sessions, and we add important links from the past. The therapy has a foundation both in my expertise and in our forming a unique relationship with respect for what each of us brings to the work.

With over 35 years of experience working with individuals and couples, I draw upon a number of therapeutic modalities to help you in your personal growth. Puzzled by some of the things that you do that don't make logical sense? We will explore why they make emotional sense. Though many times you may not feel connected to your resiliency or trust that it is even present, our work is meant to promote accessing more of your own inner resources. A person needs to address issues not just mentally, but also emotionally. Emotional wounds need to be healed emotionally.

Good on you for taking this step. Let’s talk about the challenges that brought you here. Let’s also talk about the strength. Whether you’re giving therapy a first try, or another chance, I know it’s not easy. But you and I are here because we both believe things can improve with the right support. Now let’s nurture your belief - in therapy and, most importantly, in yourself. You can change harmful behaviors that take more than they give. You can validate your past trauma and get out from under it. You can meet your emotional needs that were previously set to the side. You can learn to speak your truth, with confidence and love.

If you are unhappy because of relationship issues, trauma or obsession with romantic or sexual behaviors & thoughts, I have many years of education and expertise in helping men & women find resolution in order to change and grow. If you are the partner of someone with obsessive sexual behaviors or thoughts, you may be struggling with hurt and betrayal and my experience can help with healing these issues.

Over the past twelve years I have had experience providing counseling services to individuals of all backgrounds in various settings within the community including foster care settings, outpatient treatment centers, collaborative care, and the school environment.

I believe that everything you have done up to this point in your life, you have done in an attempt to take care of yourself. I will help you make some decisions about the usefulness of your thinking and behavior patterns. I will help you take small steps to make changes in those patterns, and to feel small successes that will eventually turn into larger successes. I believe everyone has the ability to change with adequate support. Life is made up of a series of moments. If we can learn to tolerate and find some peace in each moment, we become capable of "doing" life.

Are you struggling in your relationship? Feeling unloved, unheard and unimportant with no hope it will change? Communication in your relationship is always hard and it seems everything ends in arguments. If you can't stop arguing, do you need to start considering separation or divorce? How can you both learn to communicate better and sidestep arguments? You might be asking yourself some or all of these questions. You just want help to learn how to communicate more effectively and stop feeling bad in your relationship. When your relationship is not going well, it adds stress to all parts of your life and makes all of life harder.

I welcome adults, couples, and adolescents from all walks of life who are struggling with states of anxiety, depression, emptiness, confusion, passivity, and aggression. My focus is on empowerment. When we experience empowerment we begin to take charge of our own lives. We see solutions that we couldn't see before. We begin to experience success in areas where we experienced helplessness only a short time ago. Many of us struggle with strained relationships, difficulties in communicating emotions and needs, hard choices, and losses from estrangement and alienation. Many of us have been traumatized in so many ways.

I have extensive experience with individual, couples and families, using systemic, psychodynamic and CBT, based on the client's needs. Experienced in treating depression, anxiety, substance abuse/dependence, codependency, adjustment and grief issues, divorce, relationship and personal growth issues for the last 25 years. I have assisted veterans and active duty personnel and their families since I was an Air Force officer. The Couples Manual published by Amazon increases the therapeutic gains from the regular or video or telephonic sessions for all patients. I was honored as the Top 3 Marriage Counselors by Tree Best Rated Group.

We offer individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and online counseling in English and in Spanish for adults, adolescents, and children 6 & above. We have experience addressing relationship issues, trauma, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Our supportive and compassionate licensed therapists will guide you through your transformation despite the adverse stages you have encountered.

Are you feeling stuck or stagnant? Do you have this sense that there is more to life than the daily grind? Are you wanting to elevate your life to the next level, yet you don't quite know how? Are you looking to create the life of your dreams, but feeling like actualizing your greater vision keeps evading you? Are you in a relationship that feels like it is in a rut? Do you value love in your life and believe in the possibility of having an amazing relationship? Are you someone who wants to be operating on all cylinders, and living a whole and complete life? Have you held on to faith and hope that living your best life is possible?

Seeking help to deal with issues in your life takes lots of courage. I respect that greatly. Often the first step of committing to counseling is the biggest hurdle. Whether it's relationship problems, coping with loss or transitions, anxiety, depression, self esteem concerns, there are times when professional assistance can really help. Sometimes counseling goals are accomplished quickly and other times there is a need for longer term and deeper work. I have the training and expertise to do both.

I enjoy helping people gain perspective on their fears that cause anxiety, depression, and relationship issues so that they can learn to overcome their stressors and live their best life.

Lived experiences are vast and varied and I believe there is profound healing within our ability to embark on honest and compassionate exploration of our unique stories in the name of growth and change. Some of our stories are deeply rooted in generational trauma and suppression of our authentic selves for survival. This can make it difficult to truly know and trust ourselves. I understand very well how important it is to find the right therapist that can walk with you on your quest for clarity, growth and healing in a way that honors your story, free of shame and judgment.

Psychotherapy, from its Greek origin, means to tend or render service to the soul or life spirit. My goal is to assist you to find that quiet place within you, your soul or life spirit, where your healing begins. From this source, you have the opportunity to transform your life. Couples can learn to truly know and accept one another and take their relationship to a higher level. Many of my clients describe me as warm and intuitive and believe that I am able to get to the core of their issues in a relatively short time.

Therapy is a time of challenge and change, sorrow and celebration. I strive to provide a climate in which my clients can truly explore themselves and their world. Regardless of technique, I believe that the greatest strength in treatment lies in a meaningful relationship between client and therapist.

Have you been wondering how to take care of yourself in the midst of trying to take care of everyone else around you? Or trying to figure out how to get help for your loved ones, like your child, partner, or family? I can help you to sort through the chaos and figure out ways to get support, set boundaries, communicate better, and move forward. I have worked in outpatient therapy, residential substance abuse/mood treatment, family therapy, primary care, and the crisis hotline.

“We all have a past. We have all made choices that maybe weren’t the best ones. None of us are completely innocent, but we all get a fresh start everyday to a be a better person than we were yesterday.” Life’s challenges are an opportunity for growth! I believe therapy has the capacity to provide insight into ourselves, help us understand who we are and why, and increase awareness and authenticity.