Family Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ

I'm passionate about helping clients find solutions to their problems and overcome difficulties such as low mood; anxiety; guilt & shame; anger; relationship difficulties; & other challenges. If you come to me for individual therapy, or as part of a couple or a family, I'll listen to your story with compassion and without judgment, regularly checking that I fully understand what you want from your therapy. I'll work collaboratively with you, using my knowledge, skills, and 20+ years’ experience as a social worker and therapist, to help you find the happiness and wellbeing that you are looking for; the life that you desire.

Many people look for happiness outside of themselves, but true happiness must come from within...I specialize in helping individuals and families with grief, trauma and loss especially loss of children, victims of crime, sudden death, infertility and major life changes. I also have an expertise in palliative counseling with those who are living with or have family members living with chronic, terminal illnesses. My approach is to support you in preventing and relieving suffering. I am certified in addictions and provide telemedicine as clinically indicated.

"Healing comes when we choose to walk away from darkness and move towards a brighter light." Dieter F. Uchtdorf's words echo the message I try to share with each of my clients. I work from a strengths-based perspective and believe each individual possesses unique skills and abilities to overcome struggles. I strive to create an environment of safety, allowing individuals to explore difficult issues by shining light on the situation and helping each person connect with their truth.

As a seasoned child and teen psychologist with a rich background in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, I'm here to help your child or athlete shine brightly again. I understand the struggles that come with learning, self-esteem, and navigating life's challenges—because I'm a parent too, and a former collegiate gymnast turned coach. My approach is compassionate, direct, and tailored to empower your child and your family. Let's team up to tackle the tough stuff and celebrate the victories, big and small, on the path to resilience and joy.

I work hands on with a diverse population with various presenting concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, infidelity, grief, co-parenting, mood management, LGBTQ, sexual abuse, life transitions, and more. I ensure providing a safe space for my clients so working towards the best version of themselves and their goals feels comfortable and achievable. My approach is collaborative with all clients and all presenting concerns. I believe that each client has their own unique story and I want to validate this story and healing.

Taking this first big step and going to therapy can seem impossible but as someone who has been in your shoes, I encourage you to find the courage to show up for yourself. You will learn a lot about yourself in therapy but more importantly, you will unlearn so much more. My goal is to create a safe space where you can process your thoughts and feelings and understand the purpose of your behaviors. I work with my clients to identify and unlearn self-limiting core beliefs such as feelings of not being good enough, fear of failure, and perfectionism. I hope you decide to take this leap and choose you because if not you, then who?

Welcome to EMPOWER YOU EXPERTS! I have over 22 years of diverse experience, and hold Clinical Social Work Licenses in Arizona, Illinois, and Indiana. My focus is to guide you towards becoming unstuck and creating positive changes in your life, such as alleviating anxiety and depression, reducing stress, restoring love and family relationships, healing past and present wounds, and transforming anger into positive, constructive emotions and actions. I offer a FREE phone consultation prior to your first appointment and a Sliding Fee Scale. In addition, I provide therapy in English and in Greek.

Currently accepting new clients. About me: I believe in the potential, capacity, worthiness, and value of every individual. My goal is to provide a safe place where you can explore, address, and work through whatever you may be facing. I know starting is the hardest part, so my goal is for you to feel heard, seen, and supported, without being judged or doubted, and challenged when necessary.

I use an integrated approach that allows for a spontaneous and creative interaction and exploration of your concerns and difficulties during our work together. My approach is grounded in fundamental therapeutic modalities that include Jungian psychology, existential analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, logotherapy, family systems, and depth psychology. Our sessions may include reviewing dreams, tapping into creative aspects that have been dormant, discerning a path for navigating the practical issues in life, reconnecting to spirituality, and learning new skills and insights for managing interpersonal relationships.

Accepting New Clients. Welcome! I have over six years of experience working with teenagers and adults. I specialize in working with clients who have gender identity issues, including transgender, those on the Autism spectrum, ADHD, sex and pornography addiction, Men's issues, family relationship problems, personality disorders, self-harming and suicidal ideation. My therapeutic approaches I use include supportive counseling, person-centered, strengths-based, CBT, DBT and trauma informed. I am a gender affirming therapist.

I am the founder and Director of The Mandel Center of Arizona and have created an environment to promote psychotherapeutic healing to people in need. My philosophy centers on empowering clients through the therapeutic relationship. I feel that by working with patients from a non-judgmental perspective, fostering a comfortable and trusting environment and "being where the client is", the time spent in treatment is made more productive for all involved. I provide a safe environment that promotes personal growth using proven therapeutic techniques and over 25+ years of experience.

I'd like to help you explore the root causes of your suffering and move toward lasting relief. Do you want a deeper understanding of the core issues underlying your relationship problems, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, substance use, or other issues? Are you curious about how early life experiences may be driving your current problems? Our early wounds are often obvious, like abuse, neglect, or abandonment. But some hurts are more subtle. Even when we have a so-called "happy childhood," we may still go through a lot of "less-than-nurturing" experiences that have a profound impact on our emotional lives as adults.

Feeling depressed or anxious? Having difficulties in your marriage/relationships? I am committed to helping you to make positive changes to cope with your problems as quickly and effectively as possible, with all the tools at my disposal.

When I work with couples usually the big five issues of sex, money, kids, time and extended family come up in some form. Whether it’s communication or getting through conflicts or infidelity we can start with where you’re at and work towards building a better relationship where you haven’t only solved the problems you’ve come in with but leave with a better relationship. If you’re a man (or looking for a husband, partner or relative) I help with struggles such as depression, stress (family and work related), cheating, relationship issues, anger, and emotional intimacy, and others. I’m like you and know what men deal with.

My primary goal is to offer a safe and caring environment where clients will be able to work through problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In doing so, the journey of healing and growth begins. I prefer to utilize a holistic approach to counseling, incorporating various treatment methods into my practice depending upon the needs of each client. As a result, individuals are able to heal from deep rooted issues and trauma. I offer a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation in order for clients to learn more about my approach to counseling and get a sense for my particular style. I also offer evening appointments.

Are you confused because the skills you're using are no longer working or serving you? I understand the courage it takes to bravely seek counseling while also struggling to understand the places of wounding in your story. Whether you are facing depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma, or grief, your struggles can be a catalyst for change. Using evidence-based therapeutic modalities, I am here to support your autonomy and pacing. I offer a judgment-free space with compassion and curiosity to support your own discovery and next steps, a sacred place in which transformational healing can occur.

What is more important than the quality of your life? Relationships are the cornerstones to your personal well being. I work to take a close look at bonds that continue to influence your present experience. I have worked extensively with couples, including pre-marital and marital, individuals, teens to address such issues depression, anxiety, anger, self-esteem, relationships, substance abuse, grief, stress. My approach is strength based, goal-oriented, and includes cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, strategic intervention and family systems. Additionally I am trained to conduct EMDR.

My passion as a mental health counselor lies in providing support to families with a special focus on nurturing the well-being of children. Child development holds a special place in my heart. I firmly believe that these formative stages shape a person's identity. I'm committed to creating safe and nurturing environments for children, aiming to build securely attached relationships and supporting their growth into emotionally healthy individuals. My current training emphasizes attachment science and is trauma-informed. I focus on helping individuals, couples, and families navigate their relationships through effective communication.

I work with adults who have experienced trauma or life events that have resulted in unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. You might notice them presenting as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and problems with relationships or performance. With a background in nursing, I appreciate how harmony between our thoughts, emotions, body, and spirit influences our health. Exploring those areas along with your life experiences, values, beliefs, and burdens, and identifying your internal resources helps to create more space for self-acceptance and change.