**I don't have any availability until mid-October** I consider the therapeutic relationship very important, as is the fit between counselor and client. I like for our work to be collaborative and interactive, so it is together that we will be navigating your path of awareness and unfolding. I consider myself an eclectic therapist, drawing mainly from Psychodynamic, Relational, and Emotionally Focused Therapy models. My speciality is working with couples, helping you and your partner develop a sense of safety between each of you, allowing for trust and vulnerability.

A good life begins on the inside. I believe therapy is a collaborative relationship involving caring support, humor and spontaneity to gain self awareness, improve interpersonal relationships, increase coping skills, understand emotional patterns and enhance self esteem; empowering you to transform your life so that you can emerge a stronger, healthier person.

Do you see people changing and wish you could too? Sometimes all a person needs is a little encouragement to move forward. Other times self motivation or outside forces make change more complicated. I have helped people of all ages find creative ways to change either by altering the way their approach to a problem or by finding peace within themselves through acceptance. I meet with individuals, couples and families and see that often magical things happen once internal or external obstacles are set aside. Life is an strange and wonderful adventure!

I am a licensed psychologist based in Phoenix, AZ specializing in issues affecting men and the LGBTQ+ community. My research focuses on strategies targeted to resolve issues related to intimacy, sexuality, communication, anxiety, and trauma. What makes a good partner, husband, son, father? Am I a poor communicator? What is healthy sexuality? Is this addictive or unhealthy? Is what happened traumatic? Am I healed? These questions can continue over our lifetime and sometimes navigating solutions with others can be complicated. I offer safe non-judgmental space to explore these ideas with you individually, as a couple, or a family.

We can do hard things-Glennon Doyle. These times are filled with uncertainty, change, and great opportunity. Therapy can help you find ways to manage uncertainty and overwhelm, feel calmer, more connected, and balanced. Together we will create a trusting and respectful space where you can pause and truly listen to yourself. I will invite you to grow in understanding and appreciation of your strengths and struggles. With this awareness, we will work on developing new habits and skills in responding vs. reacting, enabling you to choose your path forward with confidence.

*PRACTICE IS FULL* I practice from a primarily cognitive-behavioral approach. Treatment typically includes challenged unhelpful beliefs about yourself, others and the world. Exposure and Response Prevention is typically used as the first line of treatment for OCD, OCD related disorders and anxiety disorders. I also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment, Dialectical Behavioral, and Relational therapies. Any behavior is an intention to sustain the self; yet many times the preserving behavior exacerbates the distress, fear, sadness, or anger.

Most people considering therapy are deep into the pattern Albert Einstein warned of: "...doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results." Sadly, when life isn't working it can be difficult or frightening to think of options other than the old ones which perpetuate the distress and dysfunction. Finally picking up the phone can be the beginning you need. To learn more about my practice please visit my website at: www.drerniedowns.com

I have over twenty years of experience working with individuals and families struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and relationship difficulties. I believe that the power of listening is even more important these days and that the best therapy is a true collaboration. We'll take the time you need to feel understood and develop a plan. You may know what you need or have vague concerns. Either way, we'll figure it out.

I believe that when people feel understood, they have the best opportunity to successfully address life's challenges. Finding a therapist with whom you can talk honestly--one who can help you find the words to explain your feelings--can be life-changing. Creating a trusted relationship with a therapist can be the first step in developing the tools to live a life that feels richer and more authentic.

*Not Currently Taking New Clients Until March 2021 *. When life finds you in rough waters there is no reason to paddle alone. I work with individuals and families to help get through tough times. Mood, health, and stressors can be chronic, temporary or both. There are ways to work through difficult circumstances without feeling like a sinking ship.

I love what I do. Most of us are overwhelmed right now and are challenged with how to get through this global health crisis. This may come in the form of anxiety/depression about health/safety, job loss, financial stress, parenting frightened children, loneliness that comes with social distancing or trigger previous life traumas. I work to establish a safe working relationship that allows you to take risks and address your deepest concerns. Together we will compassionately understand your life, applaud how you have gotten through and empower you with new skills to manage trauma/stress. Resiliency is a verb (Elisha Goldstein)

I have fifteen years of experience as a psychotherapist, partnering with men and women to address a wide range of concerns. I collaborate with clients to explore patterns, often contributing to emotional pain, while helping to make meaning of their feelings and experiences, resulting in self-awareness and healing. The counseling process allows one to identify core issues and develop more effective coping skills to ultimately result in meaningful and lasting change.

Therapy is a journey of self exploration that often begins with a problem or symptom that brings one pain or discomfort. When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. My role is to provide you with empathic support and to assist you in enhancing the skills and strengths already within you. I treat adults (18+) who are looking to make changes in their life and may need some extra support along the way. If you are feeling stuck, unmotivated, and just overwhelmed I can help. Let's get you back on track together.

Because of a broad range of training and experience, I work with the entire lifespan of people, from high schoolers to retired persons in individual and family contexts. I focus on assisting with life transitions, resolving interpersonal conflicts, improving family and social relationships, and also individual emotional and self-regulation issues. I work with people in a collaborative, positive, non-blaming way, using a variety of approaches including cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused therapies. As a retired school psychologist, I am also familiar with how challenges such as ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Developmental Disabilities can impact adjustment

I love my work and am in awe of the adults and adolescents I work with who courageously address the hurts in their life that prevent them from living more fully. It maybe a crisis in a relationship, ongoing anxiety or depression, a painful trauma, or an inner sense that things are just not right. Together we pay attention to these feelings, enabling them to be talked about, more fully experienced and then understood. This transformative process can restore joy and resilience in life, as well as improve the capacity to care about oneself and be in relationship with others.

Reclaiming our lives by working to ground in today and ride out challenges is the thread of emotional work. Loving connections, grounded self-esteem, and mindful self-care can be hard to achieve. Yet when we find success in these areas, the way we experience and navigate our world changes. I create a safe, supportive environment which provides the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of yourself, experience growth, and bring about lasting change. You are the expert of your life experience. Together, we walk through the therapeutic process and hopefully return you fully to the life that's waiting for you.

Welcome to my practice. With over 18 years as a practitioner in the mental health field, I have learned that at the heart of every successful clinical relationship is a strong therapeutic connection between the therapist and client. I consider it my responsibility to create a safe and nonjudgmental space that allows you to openly explore your thoughts and feelings. My approach is collaborative, present-focused, and solution-oriented. I also believe strongly in the connection between the mind and body and support a holistic approach to emotional health and wellness.

Good psychological care offers people relief from acute pain and new ways of framing the challenges they face. We will work together using a variety of tools, strategies, and insights that support your recovery and growth. Seeing you through this process is my greatest honor. My approach is integrative and responsive, intelligent and professional.