Counseling and Psychological Services

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Professional Experience

Professional Experience

Training and Experience

I received my doctoral degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, through their counseling psychology program. I chose this program because it provided a good balance between research and practice. Because I returned to school as a non-traditional student, I have life experience in the world of work as well as professional training. I have personal experience with corporate cultures and workplace issues as well as campus life and student concerns. My research areas of interest have been cross-cultural and multicultural psychology. I completed my residency on the Hopi reservation and worked in community mental health prior to starting my private practice.

As of 2015, I completed certification as an EMDR therapist. A certified EMDR therapist receives additional training and consultation beyond the basic, 2 weekend training; and requires ongoing continuing education units specific to EMDR to maintain certification.

Areas of psychotherapy where I have training and experience are:

Anxiety
History of trauma
Stress management
Depression
Women’s issues
Identity concerns
Relationship issues

I also work with individuals experiencing adjustments, life transitions, and life changes, such as:

Role changes and other changes in personal situations
Moving to a new geographic location
Recovering from a divorce or separation
Career change or job transition
Changes in health status

Multicultural and cross-cultural issues, such as:

Acculturation and culture shock
Conflicting cultures in relationships and families
Bicultural and multicultural identity

Theoretical Orientation

I use an integrative theoretical orientation, and I draw from theories, interventions, and research in areas such as:

Group and couples therapy (although I do not do group or couples counseling)
Vocational and career counseling and therapy (usually not covered by insurance)
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Interpersonal psychotherapy
Multicultural psychology
Eastern spirituality and world view
Domestic violence
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Treatment Populations

As a psychologist, I do not prescribe medication.

I only work with adults, and cannot provide family counseling that includes children or adolescents.

I do not provide couples therapy, but I am willing to include family members in treatment based on a client’s request.

I do not do psychological testing.

I do not work in addictions, including but not limited to substance abuse and dependence.

I do not work with individuals with severe symptoms requiring extensive consultation and/or monitoring outside the therapy session.

My practice is typically limited to clients residing in the state of Arizona, but I do have an e-passport through Psypact and may be able to provide telepsychology services in participating Psypact states, depending on the client’s presenting concerns and access to resources.

If you have recently applied, or plan to apply for disability in the next 6 months, you should contact your insurance panel for another provider.

If you have been hospitalized for mental health reasons; attended court-ordered treatment or evaluation; exhibited any harmful behaviors toward yourself or others; or struggled with substance or alcohol use or other addictions within the last 3 years; you should contact your insurance panel for another provider, as these issues are more likely beyond the scope of my practice.

Crisis Services

If you experiencing a crisis, you may call 911; or you may contact the EMPACT 24-hour crisis hotline at (480) 784-1500, or the Crisis Response Network at (602) 222-9444. You may also contact Banner Behavioral Health at (602) 254-4357 for intensive outpatient programs or for assistance in receiving inpatient services. Please let me know if you do contact a crisis service.

If you find that you are constantly in need of crisis services, individual outpatient psychotherapy may not be appropriate for you. You may be better served by attending an intensive outpatient program, or by utilizing inpatient services.