Grief counselors and therapists in Phoenix, AZ

I work with people who feel caught between who they've been and who they're becoming. Many of my clients are navigating trauma, identity shifts, major life transitions, or a longing to feel more connected to themselves and the people around them. Often, they arrive feeling overwhelmed by change, weighed down by old roles or patterns, and uncertain about what comes next.

My goal is to create a space where you can slow down, explore what you're carrying, and begin moving toward a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and aligned with who you are.

I am trained in EMDR, CBT, DBT, EFT, Gottmans and much more as well as being a client centered, trauma informed LCSW who makes my clients a priority. I treat many issues but specialize in trauma, grief, comorbidities, end of life, identity challenges, anxiety, depression and helping you thrive regardless!

I am a trauma-informed therapist with extensive experience helping individuals heal from anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. I believe people deserve results therefore I use evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion focused therapy (EFT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I also do trauma processing using Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) which is an innovative approach to EMDR that produces lasting change in 1-3 sessions.

I’m Kristen Vallely, a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Arizona and in Colorado I earned my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Arizona State University and also hold certifications in Sex informed therapy, EMDR, DBT, CBT, and trauma-informed care. I utilize Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Solutions Focused and foundational family systems models.

In addition to traditional therapy models, I bring in a holistic and somatic lens—blending evidence-based techniques with intuitive awareness, especially for clients exploring trauma, relational healing, parenting, and alternative relationships such as polyamory.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with adults and adolescents navigating life’s challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship concerns. I earned my Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University and have additional training in EMDR. I offer services in both English and Spanish, creating a space where clients can express themselves comfortably and authentically. My goal is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard and understood.

Sanjay Kestner MC, LPC, CHST is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in sex therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Sanjay received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Gonzaga University, and his master's degree in counseling from Arizona State University. He is a Certified Holistic Sex Therapist who specializes in men's issues. Sanjay is a sex positive and LGBTQ friendly counselor.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona and hold a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling. My professional journey as a counselor has allowed me to sit with various individuals. My unique experiences have inspired me to create a therapy space that welcomes creativity, cultivates collaboration, and pursues authenticity.

Healing can begin with considering how past experiences have shaped your view of self, emotional patterns, and relationships with others. Grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, and the weight of patterns carried across a lifetime have a way of becoming invisible — so woven into daily life that they no longer feel like patterns at all. Just how things are now. You may have tried to push through, stay busy, or simply manage — and found yourself back in the same place, wondering why nothing seems to stick.

What most people don't realize is that the experiences keeping them stuck aren't just stored in memory — they live in the body. In the tension you hold without knowing it. In the way your breath shifts in certain rooms, around certain people, in certain moments that shouldn't feel as heavy as they do. This is where the real work happens — not just in understanding what you've been through, but in helping your nervous system finally catch up to what your mind already knows.

I bring a particular kind of presence to this work — calm, grounded, and genuinely unshakeable. Not because the hard stuff doesn't land, but because it doesn't destabilize me. For clients carrying trauma, that steadiness matters more than almost anything else. You need someone who can hold the full weight of what you bring in without flinching — and keep showing up the same way, session after session.

What we build together goes beyond the therapy room. Complex relationship patterns, grief, and the slow erosion of self-confidence are connected — shaped by the same experiences, reinforcing the same conclusions about who you are and what you deserve. We'll trace those connections, understand what your nervous system has been protecting, and build something more sustainable than simply getting through the day.

People come to therapy carrying all kinds of things. A teenager navigating identity and anxiety. An adult whose depression has become the background noise of daily life. An older adult sitting with grief, transition, and questions about meaning and purpose. I work across all of it — with teens, adults, and older adults — and I bring the same grounded, genuine investment to every person who walks through the door.

What I offer isn't just clinical range, though I have that. It's the perspective that comes from over a decade working across outpatient, intensive outpatient, and inpatient settings, serving as a clinical director, supervising clinicians toward licensure, and training the next generation of therapists at universities across Arizona. That kind of career doesn't just build skill. It builds a clinician who has seen enough to know that the most important thing in the room is never the framework — it's the relationship.

I'm an Arizona native, down-to-earth, and genuinely easy to be around. I value humor and believe lightheartedness has a real place in the therapy room — not as a way of avoiding the hard stuff, but as a reminder that healing doesn't have to feel relentlessly heavy. I work with people navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, co-occurring conditions, and complex life transitions, and I meet all of it with warmth, steadiness, and real clinical depth.

What I'm ultimately working toward with every client is simple: a better relationship with yourself and the people around you. More clarity. More purpose. A life that feels more like yours. Whether you're just beginning to understand what you're carrying or you've been at this work for years, I'll help you build something from there.

Hi, I’m Virginia, a Licensed Master Social Worker in Arizona with over 12 years of experience supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, stress, and self-esteem concerns. My approach is warm, collaborative, and personalized, and I believe therapy should be a safe space where you feel heard and supported. I’ll work with you to understand your goals, build on your strengths, and find approaches that feel comfortable and meaningful for you.