Services

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) works directly to reprogram the way in which distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so they no longer trigger strong emotional and physical reactions. This is accomplished through the use of rapid eye movements similar to eye movements that occur during dreaming. Although techniques similar to these are used in other types of therapies, this very specific and directive approach can achieve rapid recovery from symptoms and reactions that are recent or may have been present for many years. 

A.R.T. can be used to treat almost any distressing issue, but some of the most common are: trauma, shame, addiction, betrayal, anxiety, OCD, chronic pain, ADD/ADHD, fear, anger, dyslexia, and stroke.

Therapists:
Kim Buck, PhD, LPC
Laurie Raymond, LPC
Julie Young, LPC
Nick Miller, LPC
Lisette Li, LPC
DeAnne Holden-Hall, BHT, CSAT-C
Ron Anderson, BHT
Allison Kerby, Intern
Angie Hatch, LPC
Jacob Ybarra, LAMFT
John McLean, LPC

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) helps in treating individuals who struggle with emotional pain, healthy relationships and boundaries in relationships, self-injury, eating disorders, substance abuse, and loss of control. The Dialectic part refers to the ability to hold two opposites at the same time, accepting the experience and changing the behavior attached to it. DBT works out of four categories to help manage these issues: 

• Emotional regulation- The ability to manage the highs and lows of emotions by finding a middle ground.
• Interpersonal effectiveness – The ability to ask for what is wanted respectfully and with integrity, while considering another’s feelings and preserving the relationship.
• Distress tolerance – The ability to experience and tolerate difficult emotions. 
• Mindfulness– The ability to focus at the moment on what is presently happening, without other thoughts intruding.

DBT uses these areas of focus to acknowledge painful experiences while promoting change in unhelpful or harmful behaviors. 

Therapists:
Heather Koutsogiannis, PsyD

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is considered one of the most empirically validated forms of couples therapy. It focuses on seeing love as the ultimate attachment bond and seeing the negative communication patterns as insight into each person’s lack of bonds with their partner. It focuses on fostering a healthy dependence and a secure bond, not by avoiding conflict but rather by understanding it and how to use it to create a long-lasting connection. EFT helps couples to come together to work through the problem instead of seeing each other as the problem. Couples can learn to choose to love and understand their partner and themselves and team up to the difficulties couples face.

Therapists:
Angie Hatch, LPC, CSAT
Eric Shultz, BHT, CSAT
Marie Ricks, LPC
Ron Anderson, BHT, CSAT-C
Jacob Ybarra, LAMFT

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. To date, EMDR therapy has helped millions of people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress. EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as many other psychological disorders including anxiety and depression. The goal of EMDR is to reduce the intensity of distressing feelings by working with the circuitry in the brain.

Therapists:
Laurie Raymond, LPC
Eric Schultz, BHT, CSAT
Steph Faust-Morineau, LAC, CSAT-C
Kirra Crump, LMSW

Family Counseling

Family therapy is usually provided by a psychologist, clinical social worker, or licensed therapist, and is a type of counseling that can help family members resolve conflicts and improve communication within the family unit. Family therapy may include all family members or just those who are willing or able to participate. Specific issues such as marital or financial problems, the conflict between parents and children, or the impact of substance abuse or a mental illness on the entire family can be addressed in a therapeutic environment. This type of therapy not only helps families learn skills to deepen family connections and cope with stressful times but also empowers each individual to continue to use these skills in their day-to-day lives after therapy is complete.

Free Educational Workshops and Seminars

At Family Strategies Counseling Center, expert therapists offer a variety of timely and informative workshops throughout the year. These workshops are free and curated with local community needs and interests in mind. 

An example of topics would be:

• Parenting
• Suicide prevention and awareness
• Talking with your kids about sex and other sensitive topics
• Emotional recovery and resilience
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Etc.

Spanish language workshops are also available. Check out our Free Workshops webpage today to find out more and register for one of these helpful presentations.

Gottman Method

The Gottman Method is an evidence-based couples therapy that strives to assist couples in achieving a deeper sense of understanding, awareness, empathy, and connectedness within their relationship that ultimately leads to heightened intimacy and interpersonal growth. By combining therapeutic interventions with exercises, this therapy helps couples identify and address the natural defenses that hinder effective intimacy and bonding. 

The goals of this method:

• Disarm conflicting verbal communication
• Increase intimacy, respect, and affection
• Remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy in conflicting situations 
• Create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding

Therapists:

Eric Schultz, BHT, CSAT
Lisette Li, LPC
Kim Buck, PhD, LPC
Jacob Ybarra, LAMFT
Sunny Rourke, Intern

Grief & Loss Counseling

Recovery from grief and loss trauma is as varied and individual as each person who suffers. Grief and loss counseling is designed to help individuals process and heal from the trauma of grief and loss so that they can move forward with peace. Psychoeducation about the cycle of grief is provided and the therapist helps to navigate emotional vulnerability, daily functionality, and the emotional impact of the loss they have experienced. Grief and loss counseling is for family members and individuals of all ages who have lost a family member or someone close to them including traumatic death, pregnancy loss, pediatric death, suicide, and many other types of loss.

Therapist: Marie Ricks, LPC

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a meaningful way for people to come together under the leadership of a trained group therapist to work on improving their lives in one way or another. Some of the benefits of group therapy are:

• Helping individuals realize they’re not alone. Research has shown that group therapy reduces isolation and alienation, increases the sense that “we’re all in this together,” and normalizes suffering.
• Facilitating the giving and receiving of support. Members are encouraged to turn to each other for support, feedback, and connection. As they share their own experiences, members can offer hope, inspiration, encouragement, and sometimes suggestions.
• Encouraging individuals to find their voice. Members become aware of their own feelings and needs and how they are expressing them. In groups, members are strongly encouraged to notice how they are feeling throughout the session and to talk about it.
• It helps individuals be able to relate to others (and themselves) in healthier ways. Often people don’t understand why their relationships aren’t working. In the safe atmosphere of group therapy, members can get honest feedback from others who care about them to one degree or another.
• Provides a safety net. Oftentimes, members struggle with being authentic and speaking up for themselves. They practice these skills in the group and, as they do, their confidence in practicing them outside of the group grows. 

Family Strategies offers a wide variety of groups, from educational to strengthening recovery skills, facilitating true connection, and navigating life’s transitions. We encourage you to explore our Groups page and find your community of healing.

Group Therapy for Teens

At Family Strategies we are excited to offer a variety of group therapy programs for youth. While individual therapy can be an amazing tool in helping teens overcome struggles, sometimes it might not be quite enough for their specific needs. Group therapy is a great opportunity to help teens who may be struggling with a wide variety of issues give and receive support from others. Youths can learn from each other and their group therapist by discussing and processing common struggles, learning to connect and build healthy relationships with their peers and adults, and establishing valuable and lifelong skills to help them navigate the difficult challenges they will face throughout the rest of their life. Some other benefits of teens participating in group therapy for youth are:

• Encouraging and positive peer influences
• Stress reduction
• Effective communication skills
• Identifying and cultivating healthy relationships
• Building confidence in social situations

Check out our Groups page for more information about programs for youth.

Individual Counseling

Individual therapy is when therapeutic services are administered on a one-on-one basis with a licensed mental health provider. This type of therapy can inspire change or improve the quality of life of the person seeking services. Individual therapy can also be called “psychotherapy” or “counseling”. Individuals may seek therapeutic help with issues that are difficult to face alone. 

Some benefits of individual therapy:

• Help to overcome obstacles to well-being
• Increase positive feelings such as self-compassion and self-worth
• Provide skill sets for handling difficult situations
• Assist in making healthy decisions
• Help an individual to reach important goals
• Facilitate personal growth and self-awareness 

All clinicians at Family Strategies Counseling Center provide individual counseling and are licensed in the State of Arizona or are under close supervision of senior staff who are licensed. At a minimum, all clinicians have also obtained a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or other related areas.