Therapists in Alaska

Hi, my name is Brenda Thayer and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have been in the mental health field for 27 years, LPC for seven years and Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor for 9 years. I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Alaska. I believe in meeting the person where they are at, helping them reach their potential. I believe in treating the whole person for overall wellness and striving for reaching one’s goals and values in life. I use an eclectic approach; cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy fused with motivational interviewing. I have experience using rational emotive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, gestalt therapy and solution focused therapy. What you can expect from sessions include; questions so that I can get to know you better and to see how I can best help you, nonjudgmental and compassionate support, and energy to help you see your potential.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor, ( NCC) with other 30 years experience in both counseling and education. I started my professional career as an elementary special education teacher in the early 80's. I obtained my M.Ed in counselor Education in 1989 from the University of Arkansas and in 1989 I went to Alaska for the first time as along term substitute teacher. I worked in the Bering Strait School District, in Unalakleet, Alaska. I would return a year later, and work a total of 11 years as a teacher, itinerant school counselor, and village school principal in the district. I would go on to work in two other school districts before retiring from Alaska in 2004. After returning to Arkansas, and home, I worked as a kindergarten counselor in a center with 180 kids and 18 teachers. I fully retired in 2007. In 2009, I became a military and family life counselor and have been doing this for 10 years. My treatment approach is based on my training and my personality. I was trained in CCT and it fite my style, even though I so specialize in crisis counseling. I have found helping the client, and not necessarily directing the client is more effective for me. As I stated I specialize in crisis and PTSD counseling right now with the military, and their families.

I have experience working with those who have Mental Health issues as well as Substance Use Disorders and have worked with military personnel, those living with HIV/AIDS, the incarcerated, and in Private Practice. I use a strength-based, client-centered approach with a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; yet draw from an eclectic approach, to assist the client make therapeutic gains. I utilize my Spirituality and Christian belief implementing the tenets of faith, hope, and love to strengthen confidence, self-worth, and help one maintain their recovery and excel in their mental, physical, social, and emotional health.

Hello there. My name is Wendy Weston, and I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Alaska since 2012. I graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and got my Masters degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Let me tell you a little about my background. Since 1999, it has been my privilege to assist families of all ethnic and social backgrounds in various situations. As a military family member myself, I understand the unique issues service members and their families face. The relationship between therapist and client is essential. The more comfortable you are with your counselor, the more effective the counseling, which is why my approach is client-centered and solution-focused, meaning you decide what you want from counseling then we work together to reach that goal(s). Sometimes, life’s challenges can seem overwhelming, taking away our confidence in our own abilities. It’s often helpful to have someone outside your life listen to your personal truths without placing judgment. Together, we will identify and use your strengths while adding new coping skills to meet your needs. I’m excited to get to know you and begin working together.

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! When working with clients I strive to make the therapy experience respectful, safe, and genuine. I believe that individuals are the expert of their stories and that they have many strengths that will assist them in overcoming things that challenge them. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Fairbanks , Alaska with 7 plus years of experience working with people making a change in their life. I have worked with individuals challenged by depression, anxiety, anger issue, abuse, and life-changing situations. I have worked in several clinical settings including community mental health, hospitals, school, and prisons. I have experience in counseling couples, adolescents, and adults, and facilitating groups. My approach is strengths-based, solution-focused, client-centered, motivational interview, and cognitive-behavioral theory.

Hello! My name is Joan Dewey. I am a licensed clinical social worker with 25+ years experience. I am licensed to provide psychotherapy services in both Alaska and Arizona. I have worked with many clients of all ages, and life circumstances including individuals with histories of traumatic events, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, parenting special needs children, addictions and substance misuse and trauma and stressors related to racial, cultural and historic impacts. I support clients in building positive communication, fostering meaningful relationships, and healing from past life events, to promote optimum growth and empowerment. My therapy style is respectful, compassionate and with unconditional positive regard for you, the client. My therapy framework is the person-in-environment utilizing CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am trained in narrative therapy, mindfulness, Trauma Focused CBT, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and addictions recovery. Reaching out for the tools that therapy can offer is a worthwhile and potentially life changing event. I encourage you to take these first steps and open the door to a more fulfilling life, I look forward to working with you!

I am licensed in Georgia and Alaska with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Welcome! My name is Dr. Rachel Berke, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Alaska with over five years of experience providing compassionate therapeutic services to folks from all walks of life. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, substance addiction, relationship issues, parenting problems, OCD, and ADHD. I also have helped many people who are struggling with coping during a global pandemic (spoiler alert: everyone is)! My clinical approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, client-centered, and mindfulness orientations. I believe everyone is unique and deserves a therapeutic approach that is tailored specifically for their needs. I believe therapy requires a true partnership (we BOTH put in the work) in order to see positive results. Together we can create a space where we can have difficult conversations, collaborate on your personalized treatment plan in order to clearly define your goals, and practice effective evidence-based solutions to help you reach them! When working with me you will be treated with respect, sensitivity, and compassion (and just like what happens in Vegas, what happens in therapy, stays in therapy). It takes courage to confront life’s difficulties and to take the first steps towards change. I am SO proud of you for being here and very much look forward to working with you!

I am licensed in Alaska with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I want to congratulate you for getting started!

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) through Alaska and have a variety of work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, eating disorders, anger management, & bipolar disorder. I have worked in community organizations such as domestic violence shelters for women, as a family advocate within the Military context, and with female inmates receiving acute mental health care. I believe you are the narrator to your story, and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Sometimes all we need is a little reminder of that, and sometimes we need a little bit more. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I will never pledge to have all the answers, but I am willing to work with you to help you find solutions in the right direction.