Therapists in Alaska

Life happens; the effects of loss vary; and the impacts of stress/trauma are more ‘normal’ than most people realize. You are not alone; your struggles are real; and your mental wellness is and should be treated with as much vigor as your need for food and shelter. It is natural for our bodies to want to heal themselves; and our human strength and natural behavior is to adapt and evolve. We develop negative coping skills as we adapt to stress/trauma, grief/loss, major life changes/transitions, chronic illness/pain, identity struggles, and relationship conflicts.

www.audrayorktherapy.com, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) specializing in the areas of trauma (sexual abuse, physical abuse, child maltreatment), anxiety, depression, self-esteem & identity, LGBTQ+, and perinatal mental health. I see children ages 3 & up, teens, adults, and families. I use evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy: I am 1 of the 4 nationally certified TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) counselor in Alaska, am a certified EMDR provider, Filial Play therapist, Expressive Arts Therapy certified, PSI certified, and Yoga teacher.

I help adults and adolescents who struggle with anxiety, depression, relational issues, low self-esteem, stress management, as well as traumatic experiences. As a retired Veteran, I am especially passionate about serving active duty military, retirees, veterans and military dependents. I have experience offering counseling to people across the life-span in various residential and outpatient community-based mental health settings, and am excited to use my experience to help you create positive change in your life.

Are you creative and intelligent, but organizationally challenged, sitting at Procrastination Station, tired of losing things, forgetting appointments and deadlines, a little bit like Dory in Finding Nemo with the short term memory loss? Do you struggle with self confidence, depression and anxiety when you don’t quite fit in with neurotypical linear thought patterns? Do you feel isolated, judged, and very misunderstood by family members, coworkers, and well meaning friends who offer you advice and simple solutions that just don’t work? Maybe it’s someone in your family facing these struggles. You are not alone.

As a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist I work with individuals, couples, and families on a wide variety issues related to mental health and relationship concerns. I believe every person has the skills and tools to achieve a healthy and fulfilling life. However accessing these tools and applying them one's life can be a challenging process which can create dissatisfaction in life and relationships. As a therapist, I see my role as that of guiding people through the journey of identifying and harnessing the power of their unique strengths so that they may achieve satisfaction and fulfillment from life.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I specializing in the areas of trauma (sexual abuse, physical abuse, maltreatment, PTSD), anxiety, depression, self-esteem & identity, and couples and family work. I have experience working with children ages 3 and up, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. When working with couples I utilize the research and theories of the Gottman Method developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman to facilitate reconnection and strengthen communication. I find it is important to use empathy, respect, compassion, and authenticity to form a genuine, trusting relationship with all my clients.

Hello. I have a strong pull towards attachment-based and strength-based approach to therapy. I build upon this foundation with Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting (BSP) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) as primary approaches, seeking to support insight and growth in clients who experience depression, dissociation, distress arising from trauma, attachment issues, and/or anxiety.

I enjoy working with teens, adults, and Elders in individual, family, and relationship-based therapies. I have a passion for working with those effected by trauma, those with challenges related to rural and Alaska-living, and those experiencing chronic health and mental health concerns.

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.

I have experience working with pre-teens and adolescents in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and adults in outpatient settings. Part of my approach to the therapeutic process is to develop a trusting relationship with my clients. It is through the development of this relationship that growth and change happen as we work toward a common goal; to feel empowered to ignite a change for themselves. I work to help clients make sense of circumstances that have been confusing or upsetting, I also help them develop insight into how they relate to others, how they see themselves, and how their choices affect themselves and others.

Your Story Matters. That is the philosophy behind Healthy Minds Counseling. Before any movement can occur, you need a safe and non-judgmental space where your concerns, fears, and goals can be identified and addressed for the singular purpose of positive personal growth.

The secret suffering we all experience is rarely laid bare for one another, yet we know it's shared. Feedback that I have received is that I am "blunt, but with a heart." I respectfully and directly refer to and discuss the suffering and its sources. I have extensive experience working with youth and their families, include in my field of interest improving communication within couples, coping skills for individuals struggling with a variety of mental health and interpersonal issues, teach and facilitate effective communication through a Circle model, and focus always on a client's relationship with the self.

Do you ever wish you could truly be listened to and understood? I have felt the intensity of that longing and know the joy of having it answered. Because of my experience, I love connecting with people, building relationships, and hearing people's true hearts. It can feel scary to invite another person into our deepest places, but it can help us clarify who we are and allow us to experience healing within a safe relationship. This is why I love counseling. It is a joy to walk alongside people as they discover who they are made to be.

Many people I meet with began therapy because life became overwhelming. People pleasing, perfectionism, and “holding it together” for everyone else left them at a loss. Hiding their imperfections and needs did not lead to better relationships, it actually led to more stress, worry, and feeling alone. I’ve sat with people who have difficulty knowing even the seemingly simplest things about themselves, like where they’d like to go to dinner, or what color looks good on them. All of this reflecting a deeper problem.

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.

Ever find yourself going around and around with a problem, talking about it but not seeming to get that problem solved? An alternative form of therapy: art therapy, may help. People of all ages and families can benefit from using art and play therapy. Problems that may respond well to the use of art and play therapy include depression, anxiety, childhood behavioral issues, difficulties in parenting, trauma, life transitions, and substance use disorder. Make today the day that you start today on your path to wellness. Face to face sessions available in my extra large office. Tele-health sessions are also available.

When you have tried everything to help your child, and are still not seeing meaningful change, that is where I can help. I have worked in a variety of settings throughout my career, but my passion lies in working with preschool and elementary school children. Young children face unique challenges in learning to navigate the world around them, and benefit from having a supportive space outside of their daily lives where they can explore their inner worlds, while also learning how to interact appropriately in the outside world.

More than any other factor, it is the relationship between client and therapist that has been found to profoundly impact personal change. We are hurt, and healed within relationships. With this in mind, I take a relational approach to all my therapeutic work. I believe in honoring the individual needs of each client, ensuring they are known, seen, and heard. While also gently offering alternative to one’s longstanding views of self, others, and the world. I take a special interest in expanding the social and wellness supports of individuals outside the therapy room.

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.