Sexual Abuse Therapists in Camelback East, Phoenix, AZ

I am a Behavioral Health Psychologist and LPC, that works with adults, adolescents, and children that have experienced trauma. Sometimes, our traumatic experiences can leave a wound that interferes with our ability to connect with ourselves, others, and the world. Often, we can feel incredibly isolated and misunderstood in our pain. Working with trauma includes building safety with the person, providing warmth and stability in the environment, and consistency in their treatment. While you may feel like there is no hope, there are gentle and effective ways, that we can work together to find, that will support your healing.

Trauma is complex and affects the mind and body. When children and teens are exposed to a traumatic event or chronic trauma, their bodies’ endure toxic stress. Often children and teens are unable to communicate their complex emotions and thoughts due to the inability to comprehend their experience. Parents struggle knowing how to support their child and fear of causing further harm. Trauma heals through resolving unresolved memories and emotions. Addressing trauma is essential.

I have been a therapist since 1977, starting out working in the substance abuse field. I am also a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. I firmly believe that the majority of our issues began in childhood, some of which can be very subtle. I like to work with people on healing their underlying issues. I believe in using the therapy process to find our true selves and, ideally, achieve inner peace.

Adults and couples see me upon experiencing a variety of issues pertaining to life transitions with career or family, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, trauma, self esteem, sexual assault /domestic violence, spirituality, substance abuse, or insomnia. Clients arrive to therapy seeking a space to process difficult emotions with a trusted, empathic therapist who works to not only listen but also understand their experiences. The desire to be truly seen, heard, and accepted is a powerful but rare human phenomenon. My priority is for clients to feel secure in expressing both their sufferings and their longings.

It is my desire that each person I enter into a therapeutic relationship with will find that they are seen, heard, and valued with the ability to express themselves without judgment. My hope is that you feel empowered to understand yourself more fully as well as to create new stories, behaviors, thought patterns, and ways of being that allow you to fully align with your authentic self. I enjoy coming alongside individuals and treat a variety of struggles including anxiety, trauma, attachment issues, co-dependence, faith transitions, grief, sexual assault , body image, spiritual trauma, and racial trauma.

I treat OCD, Trichotillomania (hair-pulling), & Dermatillomania (skin-picking) using Exposure Response Prevention, ComB, HRT, & ACT. Treat past and present TRAUMA using EMDR. I have experience in individual and group therapy with children, adolescents, adults, couples, & families suffering from depression, anxiety, & bipolar disorder. I treat children and adolescents' behavioral problems such as aggression, anger, rebellion, poor academic performance, criminal problems, and sexual abuse . I have worked with adults suffering from sexual compulsivity and addiction, and educate adults on parenting skills and communication skills. I work with couples going through infertility, adoption, and relationship issues.

**CURRENTLY OFFERING TELETHERAPY SESSIONS in ARIZONA & WASHINGTON** Relationships can be challenging, particularly the ones that are most important to us. We want to feel known, connected and loved but often end up hurt and lonely, stuck in patterns which aren't working. Relational pain can show up as anxiety, fear, depression or grief among other things. I have extensive training in Psychodyamic Therapy. I have also learned directly from masters in the field of Couples Therapy: John & Julie Gottman and Phil Ringstrom to address these very issues.

I help individuals gain self-confidence and create great relationships. I only work with people one-on-one because I’m dedicated to giving you personal, in-depth support throughout your relationship journey. That could include deciding whether to stay in a challenging relationship, navigating infidelity, recovering from heartbreak after a relationship ends, learning to enjoy being single, and/or navigating dating, commitment, and the evolution of new relationships. I can provide insight into current relationship challenges and help you develop stronger skills through training in mindfulness, empathy, communication, and boundaries.

Trauma leaves us feeling constantly fearful or numb. The stress and tension in our bodies persist even when there is "nothing is wrong." You may be exhausted from feeling this way but powerless to change because no one seems to understand, and nothing seems to work. Whether you’ve been to countless medical professionals searching for answers or this is your first-time considering therapy, you are ready for some relief. You are ready to let go of anxiety and depression dictating your choices. You are ready to wake up in the morning with a sense of hope rather than dread. Most of all, you are ready to get YOU back.

I have a 25 year history working in various clinical settings with adults, couples, children and families. Supporting and facilitating the healing of individuals has been the main direction my course has taken me. The extent of my career has given me the opportunity to experience a wide range of options in the field of behavioral health.

****NOW TAKING NEW CLIENTS**** Julie Skakoon is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. Julie provides forensically informed treatment of childhood trauma and child maltreatment. Her specialties include play therapy, divorce / co-parent counseling, child forensic interviews, interventions for divorcing families (court-ordered and private), play therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

Making life changes can feel overwhelming; my goal, as a clinician, is to help foster personal growth and provide you with skills needed to manage & overcome difficult life stressors. I believe every person has the potential to improve his or her mental health; looking for a therapist who is right for you is the start to understanding what you or someone you love needs to thrive. As a therapist, I am concerned with the total health & well-being of the individual or the family unit. I have a passion for working with older children, adolescents, adults & couples to help them increase skill sets for healthier relationships.

Do you have anxiety that comes out of the blue to swamp you? Do you struggle to get out of bed most days? Have you tried to stop the worry thoughts, but they just multiply. Maybe you’ve tried so many things that the shame of nothing working weighs you down. These attacks feel like they will never end and you wish you could escape into sleep forever. Let me help you stop suffering and start living again. You can start creating that life you have been dreaming about!

After 30+ years practicing psychotherapy and marriage counseling, I still find relationships issues to be a major reason why people come to therapy. Relationships can sometimes be too emotionally merged, or too emotionally distant and isolating (however, there are times when relationships feel both merged and isolating all at the same time). My focus is on helping people realize and alter emotional issues that pop up over and over again and consistently inhibit relationships. Sometimes we know we're stuck or lost in a relationship, but we just can't figure out...any way 'out' of what we feel.

Sometime life gets crazy. Sometime, despite all our efforts, what we're doing to cope with a difficult situation just doesn't seem to be enough. If you're at that point, I may be able to help. My style in therapy is practical, goal-oriented, solution-focused and strength-based. I endeavor to use your strengths and bolster them to help you get to the place you want to be. I can also teach you new coping skills and techniques that will be successful across different situations and environments. This lays the groundwork for more calm, confidence and productivity going forward.

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and completed my undergraduate work at Arizona State University. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Family Resources and Human Development and a minor in Psychology. I then moved to Washington, where I practiced social work with at-risk preschoolers, teens and families for approximately three years prior to pursuing my Master's degree. I obtained my Master's in Social Work from Arizona State University with a specialization in Child Welfare and have been serving children and families since 1999. I am currently licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in Arizona.

The "language of children is play." I use expressive therapies like play,drama,sand,and art to help children process their problems and find answers. When a child plays out a solution to a problem he/she has the unique ability to actually experience success in the moment. I have taken extensive training to learn how to help children play out their problems. I am one of a very few Registered Play Therapist Supervisors in the state of Arizona.