Narrative Therapists in Flagstaff, AZ

As a writer and counselor, I believe in the power of words and stories for healing. We are exposed to many messages as we journey through life, both from others and ourselves. These messages have a profound impact, influencing our thoughts, emotions and behaviors, and can become detrimental to our mental health. Thus, my goal as a therapist is to provide a safe, affirming atmosphere for you to explore these personal messages, and to walk beside you as you create a more hopeful and meaningful narrative. I believe you already contain the seeds of hope and recovery within you; I would be honored to help you discover and cultivate them.

My approach is based upon mutual respect, kindness and an appreciation for all life events that have helped to shape who you are today. I focus on strength, collaboration and a nonjudgmental approach. I enjoy working with adults who are motivated in overcoming the difficulties that are a part of their journey.

I work with individuals, families, and/or systems who find themselves 'stuck'. I work from an inclusive and eclectic framework which allows me to work from the outside or join, as needed, to move past the 'stuck' points. I recently took steps towards physical gender affirming transition. Those who have known me these 13+ years in the field will find this a step in learning and growing with me; those who have heard my name as a recommendation will also find this a step in learning and growing. To learn is to grow; to grow is to be alive!

As humans, I believe one of our greatest needs is to be seen and heard by others with kindness and understanding. My intention as a practitioner is to provide a safe, calm, and grounded space in which you are heard and deeply respected. To that end, I practice counseling with focused sincerity and heartfelt joy. As a practitioner, I think of myself as a generalist and enjoy working with a wide variety of people across the lifespan with different challenges and symptoms.

Do you feel overwhelmed or confused? Do you feel resentment or chronic guilt? Do you make impulsive decisions that do not support your fundamental goals? Do you struggle with clarity, uncertainty, doubt, anxiety, or depression? Perhaps you've survived complex trauma and are looking to heal and thrive.

Is chronic stress negatively affecting your life with physical symptoms such as insomnia and digestive issues? Do you find it difficult to relax or let down, especially when someone else is present? Has traditional talk therapy felt limited and you’re looking for a way to integrate the body into your therapy? Somatic experiencing is helpful for healing from chronic stress and past traumas, recent or from childhood, and uses a bottom up processing approach, meaning it works with the physiology to resolve trauma and release the survival energy held in the body.

I am a LPC ( licensure in AZ and NH) who believes in the power of choices. I am energetic, solution-focused, and believe in being genuine. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in the mental and behavioral health field since 2009. I specialize in working with adolescents, 1st responders, and their families. I have worked with individuals with trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, suicidal ideations, and homicidal ideations. I have assisted people with overcoming their barriers so they can achieve their life journey.

I am a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Associate Counselor working towards my Professional Counselor license (LPC) under the clinical supervision of Patrica Dobratz. I earned my BA in Anthropology and Mathematics from Grinnell College and my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South Dakota State University. I am EMDR trained, DC 0-5 trained, and have extensive training in play therapy, including neurobiology, brain development and trauma. I take a trauma informed approach to counseling, working to understand the impacts of past experiences and increasing your ability to live life as your authentic self.

While experiencing pain is a part of the human experience, long term suffering does not have to be. Life brings with it a rich and vast set of experiences which can include complex and confusing family dynamics, navigating relationships, death of a loved one or an animal, an end of a relationship or friendship and existential questions around who we are, what our purpose(s) are in life and why we matter. For some people these existential questions and the emotions that accompany them have come closer to awareness in the face of climate change.

Joan Dewey (she/her), brings 25 + years of practice experience having worked for many years in rural/remote integrated team settings with indigenous groups. She is licensed to provide psychotherapy (telehealth) in Alaska and Arizona. Ms. Dewey moved from Alaska in 2019, now lives in Northern Arizona, and continues to work with individuals of all ages, life circumstances, including those with histories of traumatic events, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, addictions, and life transitions. She is BIPOC and LGBTQ+ affirming.

I have spent 10 years in the mental health field focusing my passions on mediation and conciliation for couples, families, churches, and organizations as well as childhood behavior, transition to young adulthood, and trauma. I am available for faith-affirming and Christ-centered sessions, upon request. I am trained in DBT-Informed services and utilize a strengths-based perspective as well as a solution-focused approach. I will provide a validating and supportive environment to partner with you for your desired goals. I run Peaks Counseling LLC. as a practice start-up in Downtown Flagstaff affiliated with Balance Health and Wellness.

Your story, values, and resilience guide our work together. My approach is compassionate and curious while helping you navigate your internal and external world with more clarity, support, and authenticity. My clinical areas of interest include, but are not limited to, recovery from relational trauma, substance misuse, and disordered eating.

Does any of this sound like you? You moved out of your parent's house, are a late teen or young adult, and you're tired of feeling overwhelmed, and no matter what you do, you don't feel good enough. Maybe you are stuck, and you are wondering, "Who am I?" and why is life so hard? Perhaps you are struggling with anxiety about life, relationship issues at work and school, and you are sick of trying the same thing over and over, hoping you feel better. Maybe you are struggling at your job or school or with friends and wonder what is next for you.

Are you tired of feeling like you’re pushing a boulder up a hill? Is worry controlling your life? Unhappy with your habits? When we find ourselves in these spaces, sometimes we need an unbiased set of ears to help us sort things out.

I strive to provide a safe & sacred space for you to explore issues that may be troubling you. Together we will look at how your conscious & sub-conscious mind may be interfering or supporting you in living the life you want to live. I offer a variety of methods. Together we will find the method or combination of methods that work best for you. My counseling style is supportive and non-confrontational. I take an ecological approach and will work with you and those you would like involved in your treatment as desired or needed.

Hello my name is Mike. Finding the right therapist is the most difficult part of the therapy process. I congratulate you for doing your research and trying to find the right match for you and/or your loved one. I'm sure you are struggling, but not because you are broken. We'll find and work to build on strengths. You deserve more health and happiness than you now feel. I'm here to help. People often tell me I'm calm, serene, and help them to feel accepted and at ease. Underneath the serene exterior I'm passionate about your health and my own.

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you” -Friedrich Nietzsche- I’d be honored to fight with you; and perhaps, if we're brave enough, even make peace with the monsters that you may be free. This work is powerful, transformative, and hard. I love it.

My approach to therapy is integrative as I tailor therapy to fit the unique needs of each individual. I also believe in a holistic therapeutic perspective-exploring the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of each client and support maintaining a healthy balance in life. When indicated, I incorporate holistic nutrition and lifestyle education into my work. I offer individual, couple, and group counseling. With 25+ years of clinical expertise, I specialize in treating clients with anxiety and depression, relationship issues, life transitions, trauma recovery, nutrition and mental health, and multicultural challenges.

I am a dedicated and compassionate psychotherapist offering Telehealth services to individuals in Arizona. With a focus on serving populations aged 13 and above, I am particularly passionate about working with the LGBTQ+ community including non-binary individuals and polyamory. I am also passionate about working with individuals with substance use disorders. My goal is the ability to create a safe, affirming, and non-judgmental space for my clients to explore their thoughts and emotions.