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.

It is a privilege to work with individuals in my home-state of Alaska. Folks that find their way to me are often looking for ways to address past trauma, improve quality of relationships, prevent relapse and/or address substance use, explore and change patterns of codependency in relationships, express and advocate new boundaries, process grief and loss, and discover options for improved overall quality of life. I coordinate care with other providers when necessary to offer a holistic approach to the whole person, with support for as many facets of your life as possible.

I specialize in work with clients who are dealing with grief, healing from abuse, navigating women’s issues, and struggling with anxiety, depression and other life and mental health concerns. I have a special love for working with those in the LGBTQ plus community, and am passionate about offering an inclusive and healing space for all. I offer individual, family and couples counseling sessions, and enjoy working with people of all ages who are looking for growth and change.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have experience working in the mental health and human services field for over 20 years. I support individuals through life's challenges by helping them in accessing their personal strengths and cultivating the skills needed to navigate toward a balanced and healthy life. I enjoy working with older teens and adults experiencing a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, bereavement, complex medical conditions, adjustment and life transitions, and issues related to sexual identity and orientation.

Life is complex, always changing, and at times can feel out of our control. The way we cope with our experiences, emotions, and thoughts can and often does become maladaptive over time. I believe that achieving mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional balance is essential in working towards creating a more effective life. Finding connection with self and the world around you can help to refocus on what is important to you, allowing you to live your life to your full potential.

From the outside looking in, you are tough, resilient and there is nothing you can't manage on your own. But inwardly, you feel consumed by anxiety, hindered from memories of the past on constant replay and intrusive thoughts about the future interrupting your concentration on other things. Your sleep is imbalanced and you feel little to no motivation to care for yourself in small basic ways each day. You feel overwhelmed by life's expectations and are starting to avoid the people, places and activities that used to make you smile! You want change, to feel happy with your choices, and to be fulfilled with yourself once more.

Jeff works with clients who are beginning with counseling for their emotional, relational, life transition, mental health, medical, end-of-life, grief/loss, and/or addiction issues, as well as those who have been to counseling and are looking for new, more effective approaches and treatments for their concerns. Not only does Jeff have training for the issues above, he also continued to study, receiving certifications in the specialization of treating PTSD, C-PTSD, Developmental Trauma, 'Little t' trauma, abuse, and deprivation.

“Life is not about how many times you fall down. It’s about how many times you get back up.”- Jaime Escalante. Do you remember what it feels like to live your life to the fullest? Greet every day with a smile, knowing that you're going to be OK no matter what life throws at you? To feel content in your essence and in your body? I work with clients who feel like they have lost "pieces of themselves" along the way during difficult/traumatic childhood or life events, grief, break-ups/divorces/ abusive relationships, struggles with depression, anxiety, phobias, attachment traumas etc.

I help people whose lives have been impacted by trauma find hope, healing, and transformation. The impact of trauma can be seen in nearly every aspect of the human experience, manifest in our mind, body, emotions, relationships, and our deepest sense of self. If you are struggling with emotional distress, chronic pain, relationship difficulties, feeling numb or disconnected from life, or hidden in the shadow of grief and loss, the truth is that you are not alone and healing is possible.

Welcome to my page! There's not a better time to start therapy than at the beginning of the year. Finding the right therapist is essential in being able to show up as you are and in the process of change. I see my role as guide, collaborator, supporter, and educator. You lead the process and I will individually tailor our sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. I specialize in working with women and older teens on trauma, attachment, family/relationship issues, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, as well as life transitions . I believe in our capacity to heal, grow, and thrive through really tough challenges.

Throughout our lives we develop belief systems about how and who we 'should' be. These systems create thought, emotion, and behavior patterns that lead to an experience of separation and isolation. I view therapy as an odyssey that moves us back into intimate relationship with self and other.

“There’s something wrong with me.” It doesn’t matter how good things get – these thoughts are always lurking in the back of your mind. All the good you do and all the positive things you achieve in your life are never enough for you to feel accomplished. The deeper you sink into these feelings, the more alienated you become. Life feels hopeless and you’re on the verge of resigning to living with that uneasy ball in the pit of your stomach. Your baseline is a constant state of emotional duck-and-cover. It’s exhausting. It’s discouraging. It’s isolating. And worst of all, you can’t seem to make it stop.

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.

You may be feeling discouraged, but it can get better. Have you tried therapy before and found it uncomfortable, unhelpful, or worse yet, harmful, or culturally irrelevant? When working with me you have a free consultation to see if we are a good fit because there is no "one size fits all." Healing occurs within the framework of a relationship between a counselor and the client. I am humbled to have the opportunity to help people envision possibilities and achieve new realities. Create new patterns of health and expand into new ways of being with Brainspotting. You can schedule online for "initial consultation"

My focus is in providing clients an opportunity to create better connection with themselves and those around them. I work with both couples and individuals, taking part in their journey by providing a new perspective, asking the hard questions, and helping people understand the habitual patterns they get stuck in. My role is collaborative as we discuss sensitive topics that are hard to explore outside of therapy such as sex, gender, communication, addiction, intimacy and trauma. I welcome the opportunity to provide you with a safe and engaging environment to explore new ways of coping.

Telehealth Counseling and Coaching throughout the US. While working with people, I help them work through the process of engagement, healing, and growth. My initial approach is to see the greatness of a person. I work with people to help them see their own greatness noting that their behaviors do not define them. The behavior is unhealthy, not the person. Who a person is at the core is always great, healthy, and beautiful. As we pull apart maladaptive behaviors from the individual, I help people become actively engaged in their own therapeutic process beginning a journey of healing and growth.

In my psychotherapy practice with adolescents, men, women and families the focus is typically on issues such as behavioral concerns, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, ADHD and anger. I believe that everyone is entitled to be treated with respect and honesty and that therapy should start where the client is at. Additionally, each client has their own ways of gaining insight and implementing new patterns into their lives and will have their own pace at which they discover the strengths within themselves. I like to work with the client to discover what is most effective for them and go from there.

I understand the anxiety often associated with going to a therapist for the first time. There are times in life we all could benefit from talking with a professional trained to help us process difficult emotions. In a safe, nonjudgmental, and supportive therapeutic partnership, I incorporate a variety of methods to help clients problem-solve and work through challenges to a better mental health.

As a therapist, my goal is to help clients find their best life. I would like to develop a collaborative space where life, relationships, employment, social, interpersonal issues can be discussed, addressed and improved. Life can be a challenge and everyone can benefit from extra support and skills. Together we can work toward building the life you deserve.