Grief Therapists in Scottsdale, AZ

Hi, I’m Cynthia. Welcome to Desert Somatics & Psychotherapy. In this practice, I endeavor to create a safe, healing space for people to work with the most vulnerable parts of themselves. When you are facing anxiety, depression, burnout, overwhelm, grief and loss, or the residual effects of traumatic situations or experiences, it can feel insurmountable. My passion is helping people to take the big, scary events, feelings, thoughts, and life experiences they are facing and to break them down into manageable pieces we can work through together. In so doing, we find that healing and repair are possible.

Throughout life we will all experience difficulties and need someone to guide and support us through these times. I am no stranger to this and I know how much courage and strength it takes to reach out for help. Whatever situation you are in, I would love to help you find relief and healing.

I am an attachment based psychologist. I specialize in traumatic loss, marriage and family, bereavement, Play therapy, Parenting coaching, EMDR, and Somatic Experiencing, child, adolescents, and adult and relationship therapy. I am a solution-focused, brief therapist. The client sets the goals and we work collaboratively, using the skills and strategies mentioned above to achieve his or her goals. I try to create a warm, caring, safe relationship in which my client can discover his or her answers within.

I specialize in supporting individuals of all ages through life challenges and transitions. Some challenges I help with include stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, illness, and grief. I also help clients with parenting challenges and personal goal setting. I use play therapy to help children. I believe that it can sometimes be helpful to look back and process the influences of our strengths, internal challenges, thoughts, emotions, and triggers. Therapy provides an opportunity for improved mental and physical health. It can empower others to use their natural strengths and build upon their skills as they navigate challenges.

Hello, I am Michelle Gallagher. I have over 20 years of experience as a therapist and have a private practice. I work with adults who experience symptoms of trauma, attachment issues, substance use disorders, mood disorders, grief and loss, stress management, and a variety of other issues that impact your life, and the lives of those who care about you. I have a small office in North Scottsdale. Due to COVID-19, HIPAA approved video platform sessions are also available.

Have you tried traditional talk therapy before but are now looking for something that goes deeper? Maybe life has forced you to slow down due to the loss of a loved one or another significant change. Perhaps you’ve just come to realize that despite all this go-go-go, you actually feel like you’re still lacking direction, purpose, and deep connection with yourself and those close to you. You don’t want to have to “rehash” the past or revisit every detail of what you’ve experienced, but you know that life can feel different than it does today. You believe long-term change is possible…you just need some help getting there.

If you often feel overwhelmed, facing challenges in your relationships, or resorting to substances, or other behaviors to cope with life's ups and downs, it's time to consider a change. If seeking validation externally has become a habit, or your usual ways of dealing with life no longer serve you, there's hope. I'm here to guide you on a journey of self-discovery, helping you connect with yourself, manage emotions healthily, and attain a sense of intimacy and balance. Achieving security within yourself and making peace with the past is not only possible but within reach.

Life can sometimes move too fast, too slow, or just be a bit too much – it can throw you off-balance as things continue to change around you. You may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or discouraged when you try so hard to get by but still feel like things are not going the way you wish it would. All of this is even harder when you have burdens from past traumas or aren’t sure where you want to go. The truth is that behind all the struggle, life curveballs and misunderstandings you may experience, there is strength within you that can be uncovered and brought to the forefront.

It can be overwhelming and even downright disappointing when life isn’t going quite as you expected or planned. You find yourself stuck and maybe lost, wondering how you got here. This life isn’t the life you imagined. Perfectionism, motherhood, low self-esteem, significant loss, death of a loved one, or other life challenges have thrown you for a loop and left you in a place of great discomfort. This current path is upsetting, and you feel more stressed, frustrated, and tearful than you’d like to be. You know things can be better, and you’re ready to get some help to bring back the peace and happiness you long for.

Individual therapy, whether with adults or adolescent clients, must truly be individual in my mind - a unique experience that really depends on the nature and reason the person is there to see me. My training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is only one part of my approach due to my varied and eclectic background. I respect and value the research based approach of CBT and its goal to teach clients how to interpret and deal with various aspects of their environment, but my training as an attorney and my role with the FBI also influences my approach to clients.

I believe that all of us have the capacity for meaningful, positive change. But change is hard and most of us benefit by having professional support to work on specific change goals. I am here to provide that support. I have a MA in Educational Counseling and have spent over twenty years as a professional educator and therapist. I became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2004 and have served on the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners Credentialing Committee and have provided counselor supervision to help grow our profession with exceptional professionals throughout the state.

Do you feel alone? Or shame more than serenity and self-esteem? This can be due to being depressed, loss of someone dear to you, experiencing trauma, an accident, or recovering from cancer. Perhaps your hope and purpose in life is gone or in question. Or your sense of meaning in life uncertain. I will walk along with you as you walk a path to healing and hope as you process this and grow to feel more confident, less depressed or anxious, and life makes sense again. Life can present many difficulties. Together we can find the answer for you.

At times we are faced with circumstances that feel painful & unfair. You have grief over the loss of an important person, yet others tell you, “it was their time” instead of offering condolences. You’re grieving the loss of a loved pet and people say, “it’s just a cat” or “you can always get another dog” completely dismissing the relationship you had with your companion. If you have been through trauma, you can begin to question everything you once believed in, trying to make sense of your world. We all need support to grow through what we go through. My role can be to walk the journey with you so that you don’t have to go it alone.

My mission in life is to create and hold a safe, trust-filled space where everyone who enters feels understood, seen, heard, accepted and loved. Through my own life experiences and a person-centered, strengths-based lens, I welcome individuals, couples and adolescents. My scope of practice encompasses life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, survivors of suicide, women’s issues, separation and divorce, parenting/co-parenting, caregiving, and individuals coping with chronic pain, illness and degenerative diseases.

Does life currently feel like you are just existing, surviving, reacting, or coping? Are you lacking real connection to yourself or others? Do you strive to feel more balanced and engage in behaviors that align with your values and goals? Excessive worry, lack of motivation, social isolation, and loss of self-worth are just a few of the symptoms that can be experienced from suffering trauma, grief, anxiety, or depression. Whether you are looking for a therapist for the first time or need to start back up, you have come to the right place.

I graduated from Capella University in 2020n after earning my LMSW. My bachelor's degree was earned from Ohio State University in 2015 with a major in Social Work. I have experience with teens, seniors, and SMI (Seriously Mentally Ill) adults. My counseling style is based off an individual’s strengths and the mind-body connection. I work through a trauma informed lens as an EMDR specialized counselor who also has experience with CBT, Solution – Focused therapy, Grief therapy, and DBT techniques. Having lived in Ohio, and Illinois I now reside in Phoenix Arizona with my cat Dante.

Are you facing any challenges with trauma, grief, ADHD, postpartum, relationship issues, or navigating life's unexpected transitions? It's okay to ask for help! As a compassionate and experienced therapist, I specialize in supporting individuals like you through these difficult times. With a deep understanding of the complexities of trauma, loss, and life changes, I provide a safe and nurturing space where you can explore your feelings, heal from past wounds, and discover the strengths within you to embrace a brighter future.

If life and all it brings leaves you feeling trapped, fearful, depressed, or overwhelmed, I can help. I offer a safe, collaborative, therapeutic experience, uniquely tailored to meet your needs. Together we will move toward success in managing stress, satisfaction in relationships, enjoyment of life, & well-being. I work with issues related to Depression; Grief/Loss; Women's Issues; Adjustment to Change or Loss; Issues associated with Cancer, Chronic illness and/or Pain; Life Transition Issues & Relational problems. Faith based counseling available. Currently I exclusively offer tele-counseling for clients in Arizona and Virginia.

I specialize in trauma, grief, and loss. I have worked with many who experience depression and anxiety. I help individuals who are dysregulated find coping and relaxation skills to help them live more fulfilling lives!