Therapists for Teens in Alaska

It is a privilege to hear your story, to help you understand where you come from and how that may be impacting you today. Using tools brought in from CBT, DBT, and Gestalt, I tailor my approach around you, working to meet your strengths, your unique needs, and your goals, helping you make the changes you want to see in your life as you move forward. I believe that the relationship a person builds with their counselor is crucial to the process, so I work hard to create a safe and non-judgmental environment for you.

My specialty has been working with adolescents and their families for close to 20 years regarding various issues that come up for both the teenager themselves and within the family system. My experience spans inpatient, residential, and community-based programs, as well as private practice. I believe that treating clients in these vastly different environments has enriched the quality of my work and my perspective on life. I use an integrative approach to therapy that is based on your unique strengths, individual needs, and circumstances.

As an immigrant, I have become part of a country that values diversity and integration, where I experienced the transformation of my life and therefore the transformation of my surroundings. While living in Alaska, I realized there is a need for mental health professionals who understand the implications of being an immigrant, and the importance of processing the loss of your language, food, music, friends, and place. Who also understand the difficulty of not knowing how to preserve who we are while adopting the values and gifts of the country which opened its doors to us.

With over 20 years in the mental health field working with families and children Yolanda is available for psychotherapy, addiction assessments, mental health services, parent assessments, child custody consulting, child protection case consulting, personality disorders, trauma, child and adolescent therapy, anxiety, depression, marital counseling, co-parenting, personal growth support and family dynamics.

While it is often said that everyone has their own mountains to climb, and dark nights to get through, I firmly believe that seeking and accepting support is the key to conquering any obstacle. Therapy is a courageous step towards embracing personal growth and harnessing inner strength. Drawing from my experience, I primarily utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and a person-centered, strengths-based approach in my practice. These evidence-based modalities provide a solid foundation for fostering transformative change and equipping individuals with the tools they need to overcome personal hurdles.

I am here to help people as we all have tough times in our lives. If you are having a major life change, a loss, or a long term issue, I may be able to help. We all need a little help sometimes . With help, we can increases our personal happiness and contentment. I understand the special issues of Alaskans, Rural Residents, and Alaska Natives. I look forward to hearing from you.

Adolescence to early adulthood can be a really difficult time to navigate. It’s where we begin the path of self-discovery, establish our personal identities, form relationships, and look to the future. While these can all be very exciting things, they are often also quite challenging and accompanied by stress, conflict, strained relationships, and a whole lot of change. Through a person-centered and collaborative approach, I strive to help individuals strengthen their core beliefs, self-worth, and confidence within themselves.

Every stage of life comes with unique challenges. Navigating those challenges can be overwhelming and feel daunting. Maybe you are a parent who has done everything you can to help your teenager but it feels like nothing is working, they are still suffering. Or perhaps you are an adult who is struggling with grief, anxiety, depression or past traumas that are negatively impacting various aspect of your life. There is hope! Healing and growth are possible, and I would love to help.

As a therapist, the relationship I develop with clients is based on respect, support and encouragement, and is focused on building their individual strengths and resources. I believe that a nonjudgmental and welcoming environment is crucial to provide a safe space for clients discuss past and current issues and move forward. I work with adolescents and adults who are seeking help with depression, anxiety, family relationships, stress, adjustment problems, social difficulties, and life transitions. My approach is eclectic, tailored to each individual, and uses strategies, techniques and tools that best fit the needs and preferences of each client.

Julie is an LGBTQIA+ affirming clinician who believes the most important thing we can do for our kids is meet them where they are, as they are. It is her goal to create a therapy space that feels warm, welcoming, and safe for children and teens come as their most authentic selves. She believes that therapy can be a space for laughter, tears, anger, joy, grief, pain and so much more. She believes in authenticity, a genuine connection, and sharing of the journey. Clients will find her to be enthusiastic, engaged, open, and honest with them as they journey together.

Coastal Wellness and Counseling, LLC offers a systemic approach to healing relationships. Whether you are interested in strengthening your couple/marital relationship, your connection with your children and family, your relationship with yourself, and/or are seeking therapy for your child or adolescent, our clinicians specialize in providing an authentic and focused approach to healing. Coastal Wellness and Counseling, LLC maintains a commitment to serving Alaskans with and without insurance by offering a sliding fee scale to those who qualify. All clinicians practice under the mentorship of Ashley M. Barrera, LMFT.

Do you experience times when you are controlled by intense emotions or are paralyzed by anxiety/fear, and at other times you feel detached and numb. Are you haunted by traumatic memories that overwhelm you or disturb your sleep with vivid nightmares. Is it difficult to get up in the morning to face another day of loneliness, regrets and even suicidal ideation. Perhaps your relationship suffers from conflict and lack of intimacy or you are going through a breakup. Are you a parent and teen who are locked in power struggles without solutions that result in endless frustration.

Crystal Smith gained experience supporting Military Treatment Facilities as an Integrated Behavioral Health consultant to primary care physicians, providing direct clinical counseling at an inpatient adolescent behavioral health unit, and as a clinical director in an outpatient mental health center. She also provided mental health counseling services in private practice, residential treatment and served as case management in the field of social work. Crystal Smith is board certified and licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in Hawaii, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and as a LCPC in Guam.

Accepting new clients. Life can be hard, challenging, and at times can feel truly hopeless. There are times you may experience life controlled by intense emotions or paralyzing anxiety/fear and detached numbness takes over. Traumatic memories that are overwhelming, causing insomnia or night terrors. Relationships suffering from conflict, lack of intimacy, and distraction are inevitable. Teen conflict, locked in power struggles without solutions that result in endless frustration dominating your time. There IS hope! Learn to implement key changes and create shifts to overcome even the most challenging obstacles.

It hovers over you like a dark cloud. The pressure of trying to meet everyone's expectations (including your own) is too much to handle most days. And when you can't fulfill these expectations, the guilt & shame of not being good enough creep in. No matter what you accomplish you still feel inadequate. There's always a nagging feeling that something's wrong with you. It's exhausting, and you're tired of feeling this way each day. You wish you could have support, but don't want to burden others with your problems. Who would want to listen? In spite of being there for others, it seems that when you need help, it's nowhere to be found.

Chugach Counseling & Consulting is an EMDR trauma-focused practice. All of our clinicians are either certified in EMDR or in the process of obtaining certification. We work with teens 16+ & adults individually as well as couples ( EFT). Clinicians: Stacey Brown-LPC, Samantha Getha-LCSW, Julissa Corona-LCSW, Miriam Albert-LPC, and Michelle Maddalozzo-LCSW. Each clinician offers different specialties and schedules. Please check out www.chugachcounseling.com to learn more about each clinician.

Dr. Woods has been providing neuropsychological evaluations to patients throughout the state of Alaska. She has experience providing neuropsychological evaluation services to patients across the lifespan. She has completed neuropsychological evaluations for individuals experiencing co-occurring psychological disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, genetic disorders, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, stroke, seizure disorders, and movement disorders. She is invested in providing culturally competent care, has experience working with LGBTQ+ youth.

Are you dealing with grief, anxiety, depression, problems in relationships, or communication? Are there things you haven't been able to resolve and want to get unstuck? Do you have goals you would like to reach in life? Do you want to function better and feel better? There are many reasons to participate in counseling. We are here to help.

Life in Alaska is tough. If you feel not like yourself lately, tired, down, and not interested in your everyday activities you might benefit from talking it through with someone. I understand those feelings and can help you through it. Sometimes we feel a little stuck, and that’s ok, changes in our life often cause some discomfort and disruption. Let’s talk.