Family therapy and counseling in Phoenix, AZ

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT 123208. I worked as a teacher and decided to go back to school and continue my education, to enable me to work with families, couples and individuals in a therapeutic setting. My focus is family, marriage and couples counseling. I have experience working with families that have unconventional lifestyles. In addition, I have experience working with couples, teens, groups and children. I have worked with the school district as a mental health counselor, as well as conducted group therapy in all settings. I am trained in Gottman Method for Couples and Bariatric Assessment certified.

•Couples Counseling •Specialization in Gottman Method and Sex Therapy. Individual Adult, Tween & Teen Counseling •Anger Management, ADHD, ADD. Certified Bariatric Assessments. Supervision for Interns. Family Therapy, and court appointed therapist for Reunification Therapy.

I believe that each individual has a purpose and that sometimes we need assistance in finding our purpose. Let me help you find your own purpose or regain focus on your life's path to feeling satisfied in the life you are living. I am available via online or in person and licensed in California and Arizona.

Hello and welcome to my site. I have been licensed as a social worker since 1995 when I obtained my undergrad degree in social work. Since that time I have been licensed at the independent clinical level after obtaining my MSW degree and have been in practice independently since 2011. I work with a variety of clients with different issues, but I focus on trauma and how traumatic situations and life experiences impact how people see the world.

I believe that we all have the capacity for healing within ourselves. I work with clients of all ages. My goal is to instill hope and healing for clients presenting with concerns related to post-traumatic stress, attachment, anxiety, grief/loss, depression, disruptive behaviors, social skills, parenting, and/or relational distress.

As a dedicated trauma therapist, I bring compassionate and evidenced based approach to supporting individuals on their healing journeys. With specialized training in EMDR therapy, Safe and Sound Protocol and Deep Brain Reorienting I am equipped to provide clients with highest standard of care.

I realize that it is not an easy decision to enter counseling, to tell someone your innermost thoughts, beliefs, feelings and I am here to support you through this process so you are empowered to live your best life.

I believe when people find their purpose they find motivation. I am a neurodivergent therapist who understands others challenges and work at ensuring the client understands the why of what one does to foster behavioral changes.

Binge Eating Disorder & emotional eating is a cause close to my heart both professionally and personally. The adults I work with are cycle breakers but their relationship with food keeps them feeling burnt out when they want to feel self acceptance and open to new experiences.

Many adults come to therapy wondering, "What's wrong with me?" I believe a more helpful question is, "What has shaped my experience, and what makes sense about the way I think, feel, and respond?" Lasting change begins with understanding yourself—not fixing yourself.

I have a special passion for working with neurodivergent adults, including those with ADHD, autism, and AuDHD, as well as adults navigating anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. Whether you've spent years masking, feeling misunderstood, or believing you simply needed to "try harder," therapy can be a place to better understand yourself with curiosity and compassion instead of self-criticism.

I earned my Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University and bring over 10 years of clinical experience supporting adults with a wide range of mental health challenges, including serious mental illness (SMI), trauma, anxiety, and depression. These experiences have strengthened my belief that healing happens in relationships where people feel genuinely seen, respected, and accepted without judgment.

My goal is to help you understand how your mind, emotions, nervous system, and experiences shape the way you move through the world so we can build practical strategies that fit your life—not someone else's expectations. I believe therapy isn't about becoming a different person; it's about understanding yourself more deeply so you can live more authentically, navigate life's challenges with greater confidence, and create meaningful, lasting change.

I am Lakesha Duncan, a Licensed Professional Counselor who believes that people are more than their diagnoses, addictions, past experiences, or mistakes. My purpose is to provide a safe and compassionate space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported as they work toward healing, stability, and a renewed sense of purpose.

I earned a Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling and a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. My education and professional background have prepared me to address both mental health and substance-use concerns, including the complex relationship between trauma, emotional distress, life experiences, and addictive behaviors.

I have extensive experience providing counseling, clinical leadership, and behavioral health services in outpatient, residential, and community-based settings. I work primarily with adults, including individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance-use disorders.

My areas of experience include trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, addiction and recovery, relapse concerns, anger, relationship and family difficulties, low self-worth, and major life transitions. I also support individuals rebuilding their lives after hospitalization, incarceration, homelessness, family separation, or other significant disruptions.

I understand that beginning counseling can feel uncomfortable, especially when you have experienced loss, disappointment, judgment, or difficulty trusting others. My counseling style is warm, down-to-earth, culturally responsive, honest, and nonjudgmental. I will meet you where you are while encouraging you to recognize your strengths and move toward the life you want to create.

I believe you should not have to spend months in therapy before you begin to feel hope. My goal is for you to leave your very first session with some form of relief, a greater understanding of what you’re experiencing, and a clearer path toward healing. I specialize in trauma, attachment, and recovery, and I work with both children and adults of all ages. At the heart of my work is a deeply held belief that trauma does not have to define the rest of your life. Healing is closer than you think.

I have worked in the mental health field for over 15 years. I have worked with several different clientele including age ranges. I specialize in teenagers, LGBTQ+, women issues and young adults 18-55.