Therapists in Camelback East, Phoenix, AZ

I work with people using a variety of philosophies, but those encompassing humanistic and psychodynamic theories inform most of my practice. This generally means I am most interested in focusing on emotions, insight, relationships, past experiences, meta-emotion, self-worth, authenticity, fantasies, and the unconscious. I rely heavily on discussing shame, vulnerability, emotional needs, and creating meaning in life. I am fairly non-directive, and I will be most focused on helping you find your own authentic path by reflecting and exploring deeper meanings and patterns that arise in our discussions.

I strive to create a trusting and collaborative experience that recognizes your unique self, the joys and challenges you have faced, and honors your resilience for your own healing. The therapy process can help increase awareness of your needs, beliefs, and actions, understand and change self-defeating patterns, and build confidence to create healthy situations and relationships. My specialties include trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationship concerns, LGBT Issues, spirituality and personal growth. I specialize in healing the effects of trauma.

Have you reached a point in life where it seems that something needs to change in order for you to be truly happy? Maybe you can't quite put your finger on it, or perhaps you thought you left it behind years ago. If you are living with depression, anxiety, unsatisfying relationships, addiction, or unresolved grief or trauma - there is hope and there is help. I strive to provide an honest, warm and collaborative environment so that you can feel safe embarking on your journey of self-exploration, healing and growth. This isn't easy work, but I truly believe that it is the most important work we can do for ourselves.

Humans are by nature social animals and yet many of us have lost connection within ourselves and our community. I believe this is due, in part, to a frantic world that has led to relational trauma, a poor sense of self, health challenges, addiction, loss and isolation. Feeling relevant, finding meaning, having a mission, knowing joy and learning emotional regulation/tolerance/resiliency are ways in which we can heal ourselves and the world at large. I work with individuals (adults only) and couples.

Throughout our life’s journey, we may encounter various stresses that challenge us—experiences of grief, depression, and anxiety may frequent as we navigate this terrain on our path to mental health and well-being. Engaging in the process of counseling can be intimidating as you move through feelings of sadness, despair, loneliness, and periods of expansion and contraction. As an Existential- Integrative Therapist, it would be my honor to walk with you as you transcend these challenges and reclaim your autonomy, experiencing wholeness, enhanced connectedness to self and others, and rediscover meaning and purpose in life.

Welcome! If you are struggling with relationship stress, depression, anxiety, confusion or trauma counseling may be right for you at this time. Therapy can increase your options and help you move toward (or set) goals that reflect your needs and challenges. Most on this journey of healing need a combination of encouragement and hope balanced with accountability and collaborative direction.

I am an attachment based psychologist. I specialize in traumatic loss, marriage and family, bereavement, Play therapy, Parenting coaching, EMDR, and Somatic Experiencing, child, adolescents, and adult and relationship therapy. I am a solution-focused, brief therapist. The client sets the goals and we work collaboratively, using the skills and strategies mentioned above to achieve his or her goals. I try to create a warm, caring, safe relationship in which my client can discover his or her answers within. I also write evaluations and do expert, witnessing in wrongful death suits, for those who have lost a loved one

Finding the right therapist is not easy and comes down to having meaningful, fun and memorable conversations with a person you can safely share your complicated healing issues with. You need to trust you won’t be judged, can safely share your vulnerable issues and ultimately get help learning new perspectives to look at your most stubborn problems. I’m here to help you with all of that if you think I’m the right therapist for you. It is your motivation and resilience that improves your life – I only want to help you find the best answers for your healing. My style is interactive and tends to be short-term (7-15 sessions usually.)

At times we are faced with circumstances that feel painful & unfair. You have grief over the loss of an important person, yet others tell you, “it was their time” instead of offering condolences. You’re grieving the loss of a loved pet and people say, “it’s just a cat” or “you can always get another dog” completely dismissing the relationship you had with your companion. If you have been through trauma, you can begin to question everything you once believed in, trying to make sense of your world. We all need support to grow through what we go through. My role can be to walk the journey with you so that you don’t have to go it alone.

My most curious question is: what do you want? how do you want to be different? How do you want your life to reflect about you, what you care about, what your values are? Therapists should be honest, truthful and direct with clients. I have a commitment to be direct with empathy and compassion to each and every client I work with in my office. Therapy should be solution focused with a clearly defined plan driven by the client. Vague goals, vague results. Today. most clients seeking therapy are seeking relief and understanding within a reasonable period of time. Again, that timeframe should be determined by the client.

We have all faced adversity, distress, anxiety or depression and during these times we can feel overwhelmed and alone. Clients often reminded me that it only takes one courageous step to bring about positive meaningful change. I believe that this is the time that we should reach out courageously for assistance and look for answers to deal with these challenges. I encourage you to take that first step. I meet my clients where they are in the moment and help them in managing their feelings and provide overall emotional support.

COUPLES - Are you dealing with frequently recurring conflicts or just feeling more disconnected in your relationship? Would you like to feel unstuck and instead create a relationship where you can both experience a happy, loving, fun and supportive partnership? I help couples: 1) Uncover what the real problem is. 2) Stop hurting each other, learn how to communicate well and be there for one another 3) Face past hurts, heal from betrayals and address fears so you can trust again. 4) Learn to appreciate each others differences so you both feel deeply understood. Create the relationship you want! FEE: $225/90 MINUTES, NO INS ACCEPTED

I am experienced working with individuals and couples in navigating issues related to depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, abuse, gender identity and expression, family relationships, communication, self-worth, sexuality, and intimacy. My therapeutic style focuses on building connections, emotional expressiveness, and developing self-worth in my clients. Being our true selves in every aspect of our life, including being open and honest about our feelings in a safe environment, is a prerequisite for healing.

Dr. Melissa Korkes (she/her) is a licensed psychologist who has experience working in forensic settings, community mental health, and private practice. I have had the honor of working with individuals who present with serious mental health, trauma, sex addiction, sexual offending behaviors, betrayal trauma, grief, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

I enjoy doing all types of therapy for all different issues to include depression, anxiety, addiction/substance use and abuse, health and wellness, grief, trauma, parental alienation, developmental challenges, autism spectrum disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, codependency, work stress and relationship conflict. I work with people to identify treatment goals and create a treatment regimen that fits their needs which includes psychodynamic, CBT, DBT, behavior modification, interpersonal therapy, sport psychology and coaching.

I believe the therapeutic relationship can serve a healing role in a person’s life. I utilize an interactive, person-centered approach. This approach is non-judgmental, warm and based in the belief that each person has resilience and strength. I was educated and worked for many years in NYC where I gained extensive experience providing therapy to a wide variety of individuals, especially women, young adults, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ + . I also have extensive experience with counseling patients around issues of depression, anxiety, grief, and relationship difficulties.

**Now Accepting New Clients** I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor, providing services to Adolescents, Adults, Couples and Families. I have experience working with diverse populations in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I believe gaining the tools to manage daily life stressors is equally as important as the work in other areas of mental health. My specialties include Perinatal mood & anxiety disorders, Grief/Loss, Trauma and Women's Issues.

Do you feel a loss of meaning, pain from a difficult past, or feelings of anxiety and overwhelm? Are you struggling with relationship conflict or renegotiation? When people have experienced complex trauma—whether it is oppression, child abuse, painful relationships, or the struggle of being alive—they often lose trust in themselves and others. Therapy is an opportunity to rebuild trust, redefine your sense of self, choose your values, shift your relationship to the past, create a life of meaning, and build relationship safety. I specialize in working with the LGBTQ, neurodivergent/autistic/ADHD, poly, and kink communities.

My approach is deeply person-centered, focusing on building resilience and empowering individuals on their ever evolving journey of self discovery to navigate life’s challenges. My background is rooted in community based services, and for the last four years I have worked with survivors of domestic abuse, individuals in crisis and children ages 3+ in various settings. I am a proud feminist and my work is centered around the recognition and subsequent destructing of the harsh systemic realities we find ourselves in. I am here to be your staunch advocate, encourager, and counsel. Together we will learn, unlearn, and grow as necessary.