Person-Centered Therapists in Southeast Boise, Boise, ID

Stepping into counseling with you is a privilege. As a licensed professional counselor, I find counseling to be an invitation to listen and empathize to what is going on in your heart, your head, and your world. When these don’t align, there is an incongruence that rattles our inner world. My desire is to assist adults, adolescents and children 6 and older, to find peace. I enjoy all ages because of my work with children & adults for 20 years. I served 10 years as a Children’s Pastor, and I continue to believe that every age is important. Therefore, I chose to pursue counseling to help every individual pursue healthy mental health.

I acknowledge that the decision to seek out healing in the form of counseling is a courageous act. I consider it a privilege and an honor to work with people who want to find balance in their lives. I provide a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere where we can work collaboratively. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship can provide the context for transformative healing and growth. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

You may be overwhelmed by your life situation, haunted by unpleasant memories of the past, or worried about the future. Perhaps things have even reached a point where it's difficult to sleep at night or pay attention during the day. Each of these situations is keeping you from experiencing the peace and joy you desire to have in life. Healing can happen we find safety in ourselves and with another person. I offer a safe space, free of judgment, to work on the changes you are seeking.

Do you wake up and ask yourself "why?" If you just answered "yes!" then you have come to the right place. I believe that in today's fast paced world, it is easy to lose sight of our purpose and meaning, which in turn can lead to feeling overwhelmed, tired, and out of place. In our work together, we will work on gaining an understanding of who you are, what you value, and what you need to find fulfillment in your life.

Currently accepting new clients. My focus is to help individuals heal, find a balance, and to regain the ability to respond to situations rather than react. As a Licensed Master Social Worker, I understand the importance of creating a safe and non-judgmental space for you to heal. I attained my Bachelors of Science in Psychology and minor in family studies from Boise State University. I specialize in issues found within intimate relationships and trauma. My experience in behavioral health, and on going education enables me to offer effective outpatient, individualized, psychological care.

Life transitions, grief, and trauma disrupt the natural flow of life, which may lead to getting stuck in self-defeating thoughts and behaviors with feelings of overwhelm or disconnect. Additionally, difficulty with sleep, digestion, and focus may dominate your daily routine. It takes courage to make this first step towards healing and growth. Do current or past experiences or worries about the future keep you from living your full potential? Are you emotionally, physically, or mentally exhausted? Are you ready to make changes in your life? Then I might be the counselor for you. Together we can take steps to increase your wellbeing.

Makenna is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a graduate of Idaho State University with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Makenna has experience in hospital, school, and residential settings working with a wide variety of clients. Her specialities include working with those with anxiety, mood disorders, grief & loss, and relationship issues ages 18 and older. Makenna also specializes in working in maternal mental health difficulties including infertility, traumatic birth, pregnancy, postpartum, pregnancy loss and any additional perinatal issues.

It can be difficult to change even if we are aware where we would like to go. It can be frustrating when we ask ourselves “How did I get here?” or “I know what is wrong, I feel powerless to change?” These are important questions to be asking and shows an awareness that a part of you is recognizing that your able to change and you’re working on ways of undergoing this process.

It takes a lot of courage and vulnerability to reach out for help. I am honored to be a part of your journey. I work to provide a safe therapeutic environment where my clients can feel comfortable in sharing their life experiences. I believe that everyone can grow and heal when provided with the right environment to process their emotions. I would love to be a part of your life and to be able to support you in reaching your personal, mental, physical, and spiritual goals.

Update: Our Bend Practice is taking new clients. Our Boise Practice is NOT taking new clients. We specialize in stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. By using evidence-based approaches we can give you tools to feel better during your very first session. During these difficult times, so many people are feeling anxious, lonely, and down. We are a group of experienced licensed counselors who able to help you via in-person or online counseling. We are able to give you immediate and long-lasting results.

I believe that in therapy, the focus should first be on learning to gain acceptance of ourselves. I feel that our beliefs about ourselves are paramount because they shape the beliefs that we have about other people and in turn, the rest of our environment. After we identify the beliefs about ourselves that need to be adjusted, we can work on how to improve those beliefs, which will improve our interactions with others and the way that we see the world. I look forward to helping others with that process.

Disclaimer: For Clients from Idaho, sessions will be ONLINE only. People come to counseling for different reasons. Some need assistance to change, changing habits or patterns that no longer serve them, shifting focus or reframing experience to feel good again. Some need to heal, from a past or recent trauma, who are dealing with grief or loss. Counseling can speed up the change and healing process. We all need someone to talk with who listens and can accept us as we are, without judgement, to explore ways to make changes that allow us to look forward to the future with hope.

I provide mindful, compassionate, and strengths-based counseling support intended to arouse empowerment in those who seek to find hope through healing. I believe a strong therapeutic alliance and personal motivation are the most powerful agents for change, growth, healing, and self-improvement. I strive to meet my clients wherever they may be in their lives, providing clinical tools to assist them in achieving their identified treatment goals. I focus on maintaining a safe space physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually where clients feel comfortable facing their challenges and exploring their heartfelt desires.

I am a licensed clinician trained in EMDR and I like to work with individuals who seek to explore and understand the deeper aspects of the self. My goal is to work with you to explore the subconscious, patterns of behavior, belief systems, and the underlying reasons for current behaviors and emotions, and work with you on changing problematic symptoms and behaviors. I also work extensively with individuals with histories of trauma.

From the moment I discovered what counseling really was, I knew it was my personal and professional calling. Since that time I have had a wealth of experiences that have confirmed that being a counselor is simply what I am meant to do. Winston Churchill once said, "If you're going through hell, keep going." What better way to get through dark times in your life than to bring along someone who is dedicated to keeping you from getting stuck there?

Current Openings.My services focus on grief and trauma counseling for people navigating loss, life changes, & various wellness concerns. I believe you are a whole, healthy person, who is struggling. Likely for very understandable reasons, some within you & many outside of yourself. I am committed to build a relationship of unconditional acceptance, trust, & safety for you to express the entirety of your experiences. My role is to help you access your innate drive for healing, wholeness, & interdependence and navigate barriers to your well-being. I offer compassion, education, and support & work to co-create a path back to wellness.

I believe in the value of books and reading; they are powerful aids to mental health, growth and healing. What we read changes not only our thoughts and feelings, but can determine our long-term view of the world as well. Each person has an ongoing personal narrative or story that is shaped by our experiences--but mostly by our view of these experiences. We are our life story, in the sense that it influences our choices, what we value and what we fear in life, etc. The good news is that we can shape and change our life story through awareness, understanding, and compassion.

At Stages Mental Health, our mission is to provide effective mental health treatment and give individuals &/or families the tools to manage their lives. We believe therapy doesn’t just happen in four walls or on a screen, but also in nature, the community, and with those we love. We believe therapy is a temporary journey meant to give individuals insight toward managing their lives so they can face challenges with confidence. Stages Mental Health was voted platinum status 2023 Nampa Votes. We have very unique programs for our clients to help them get the most from their treatment goals. Email is best for fastest service response.

At various points in our lives we can find ourselves at a crossroads and in need of guidance to help navigate through the difficulties of life. I believe that it is imperative to process through the emotions and thoughts we experience in an environment where we feel safe to express ourselves exactly as we are. I enjoy working with clients who have a desire to intentionally look within every aspect of themselves to gain a better understanding of who they are, where they need to grow, and what areas need healing that can allow them to walk through life more confidently.