Our therapists offer grief & loss counseling in Phoenix, AZ

I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with 16 years of experience supporting individuals facing complex mental health needs. My background includes acute inpatient care, outpatient treatment, and work with military members and first responders. I am particularly sensitive to the experiences of those who have served and those who often feel unseen. My goal is always to help each person feel safe, respected, and cared for.

I hold a master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Alabama. My approach to care is thoughtful and intentional. I believe in conservative medication management and aim for the best results with the least amount needed. I am also transitioning toward a more holistic and metabolic approach because everything in the body is connected.

I know how discouraging it can feel when you’re not listened to or your concerns are overlooked. I will take the time to understand your story, honor your goals, and work with you to find clarity and healing. I promise to do my best to make you feel truly seen, supported, and heard.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 15 years of experience providing evidence-based psychotherapy. I work with adults and couples navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, infidelity recovery, and relationship challenges. Many of my clients feel stuck in painful patterns, overwhelmed by past experiences, or disconnected from their confidence and direction. I focus on helping clients build emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and create healthier patterns in their lives and relationships. My approach is active, structured, and relational.

I earned my master's degree in professional counseling from Grand Canyon University. I use EMDR and evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients process experiences, regulate emotions, and move toward change. For couples, I utilize Gottman Method techniques to strengthen communication and rebuild trust.

My goal is to provide a calm, supportive space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to grow. Together, we will identify emotional roadblocks, develop practical tools, and build skills that support lasting progress. If you are ready to move beyond surviving and begin creating the life and relationships you want, I look forward to working with you.

I have a BFA in painting and an MSW, and over seventeen years of counseling experience. Prior to earning my MSW, I worked on a crisis line. My parents came from different cultural backgrounds, and I am a parent who has been both married and divorced. While I maintain a circle of family and close friends, I have also experienced multiple losses, and both of my parents are gone. My life experiences have helped me become a better counselor. I work particularly well with clients who struggle with grief, anxiety, and depression.

As a counselor, I take a humanistic and client-centered approach. To me, counseling is the constant asking of "What next?" — meaning that through both prosperous and difficult times, it is important to make sound, responsible decisions. I have collaborated with adults, children, and adolescents, and provided individual, group, and couples counseling.

The variety and breadth of my experiences have contributed to my effectiveness as a counselor. Counseling is a journey that can be illuminating, and fun, but also arduous and demanding.  I look forward to accompanying you on that journey. 

Denise Rae is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 7 years of professional experience providing therapeutic care to individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has worked in numerous healthcare settings such as private practice, telehealth, and hospice where she specialized in counseling individuals coping with grief, anxiety, depression, family issues, adjustment issues, and more. In addition to her clinical therapeutic work with clients, Denise has spent over 24 years in social work assisting older adults and adults with disabilities.

Denise earned her Master of Social Work at Arizona State University. Depending on the specific issues at hand, Denise uses various modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness.

Through her caring and compassionate nature, Denise builds a trusting, nonjudgemental relationship with her clients. She recognizes that your sessions are a time for positive growth and change and will move at your speed toward a goal of overall wellness. Reach out to her today!

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 7 years of experience supporting adults and couples on their healing journeys. I provide a safe and compassionate space where you can explore difficult emotions, identify patterns, and develop practical coping strategies for greater balance and well-being. My approach integrates mind, body, and spirit to help you process trauma, manage life transitions, and build meaningful, healthy relationships.

I earned my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Grand Canyon University. My approach draws from cognitive behavioral, dialectical, emotion-focused, and solution-focused therapies. I also utilize trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, and somatic practices to support growth and resilience.

Whether you seek emotional clarity, improved communication, or a stronger sense of self, my goal is to walk beside you as you build the life you deserve. I look forward to helping you process, heal, and rediscover your inner strength with compassion and care.

Shelly Ehmann is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 37 years of experience providing therapeutic services to individuals, families, and groups. Shelly specializes in treating anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She is a Certified Trauma-Informed Professional with extensive experience supporting clients through various diagnoses and emotional challenges. Shelly’s work is rooted in compassion, clinical insight, and a deep belief in the power of healing and change.

Shelly earned her Master’s in Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She incorporates humor and honesty to build trust and insight. Her approach includes assigning reflective homework, encouraging self-awareness, and facilitating the processing of thoughts and emotions to support meaningful change.

Shelly is passionate about empowering clients to achieve their best life. She emphasizes meeting clients where they are, validating their experiences, and collaboratively setting goals. Her approach fosters growth, resilience, and emotional clarity through honest conversation and therapeutic connection. Schedule an appointment with Shelly today!

Debra Konecni is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in working with clients who have experienced a traumatic event — especially anyone who has experienced any type of child abuse or any type of sexual abuse. These are often individuals who have been hiding their hurts because they have been afraid to address the trauma, or do not know how to address the situation. Debra's goal is to assist each individual with working through the trauma and help them find their true self by believing in their story, giving them the opportunity to share their story sometimes for the first time. Everyone should have the option to work through hurts and not stay stuck in them — everyone should be given the opportunity to work all way to the other side and become a survivor instead of a victim.

Debra uses active listening, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). and schema therapy to help her clients. She also encourages journaling through their emotions to find their true selves. "Like the lotus flower, beauty coming out of the depth of mud; every individual could blossom out of a life of trauma, abuse, or just day-to-day frustrating moments that find them crippled or stuck in any way," says Debra. "Through the transforming and renewing of our minds, we do not have to repeat history or become the person someone tried to make us."

Through the process of addressing past hurts and trauma, it is Debra's goal and desire to empathize with individuals to reach their full potential in life. She has many years of experience rising out of the mud of her own lifelong trauma, which enables her to equip with hope and grace. "I welcome you into a safe haven to process through your hurts and struggles, to help you to strive and thrive," says Debra.

Hi, my name is Matt—guitar player, retired Naval officer, licensed professional counselor, and history buff. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in History from the University of Colorado at Boulder, served in the United States Navy, then earned my Master's degree in Counseling from the University of Arizona. I work with adolescents and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, grief and loss, and trauma. For those who are ready, willing, and able, we can start working on methodologies, techniques, and strategies to make life a little easier.

I primarily focus on trauma informed care, solution-oriented approaches, acceptance and commitment interventions, strength-based methodologies, and the development and sustainment of hope and motivation. In addition, we will work on development of practical skills and strategies that can bolster your tool belt.

Everybody struggles at times in their lives. It is ok not to be ok. Whatever journey you are on may need assistance from friends, colleagues, and/or professionals. Minor course corrections can have a significant impact. I look forward to meeting with you. Please feel free to schedule an appointment.

Evalyn Vasquez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 5 years of experience in the mental and behavioral health field. She loves sharing her knowledge with adolescents, adults and families. Evalyn specializes in concerns involving anxiety, depression, emotional management, communication, relationships, grief/loss, self-esteem, trauma, school issues, and life transitions.

Evalyn’s received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Arizona State University. The therapy approach that Evalyn utilizes is solution-focused (SFT), task-centered, eclectic, and structured.

If you are feeling unsure where to start in your personal healing, it’s okay. Evalyn will work along aside you and serve as a guide in the direction you want see yourself go. She is here to help you grow and learn, and with your commitment to the process, you can become the version of yourself that you want to become.

Janna Bolingbroke is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of experience. She specializes in addiction, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ matters, trauma, and parenting concerns. Janna also has experience with more complex concerns such as self-esteem and body image, career struggles, aging, blended families, codependency, divorce, trauma, and life transitions.

Janna earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Utah. She offers a warm, collaborative space where clients feel safe, seen, and empowered. Drawing from evidence-based therapies, Megan helps individuals navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, and personal growth.

Janna understands how hard it can be to ask for help. She offers a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore life’s challenges at their own pace. Whether you're navigating stress, identity, or past pain, Janna is here to walk with you toward healing, clarity, and meaningful change.

Debbie Bertoldo is a Certified Counselor, ready and willing to help you understand your feelings and behaviors, and why some issues in life, create stumbling blocks for us. Her clinical background includes working with individuals struggling with substance use, trauma, anxiety, and depression. She has helped many individuals understand the source of their difficult issues and separate the emotional response to help them move forward in their lives.

One of her specialties includes using a modality called accelerated resolution therapy which helps people understand and erase their emotional response to stressful situations. "If you are struggling with emotional or mental health difficulties, I invite you to seek out the experience of certified counselors, to assist you in overcoming these difficulties. Help is available," says Debbie