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 Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Alaska. I graduated with my Master's degree in Community Counseling from the University of South Alabama in 1999. Since that time I have worked with teens, adults, couples, individuals and families. I have worked with clients who have experienced trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, anger related issues, domestic violence, substance abuse, communication problems as well as grief and loss issues. I practice by utilizing an eclectic, strengths based approach to therapy. I have experience using cognitive behavioral therapies, motivational Interviewing, mindfulness techniques and emotionally focused therapy.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor LPC) in both Alaska and Colorado, and I hold a current Master Addiction Counselor national certification (MAC.) I have many years of mental health, emotional health, and addictive behavior counseling experience. I work with clients who struggle with a wide range of concerns that include depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance abuse/addictive behaviors, lifespan developmental issues, and PTSD stemming from various traumatic life experiences. My counseling style is gentle, non-confrontive, honest and non-directive, while assisting clients to develop a path to initiate positive change in their lives. The goal is to assist clients to reach their highest desired personal and professional potential. I ensure each client has a comprehensive honest and thorough assessment, followed by a relevant and realistic goal-centered treatment plan jointly developed by both client and me. The treatment plan is treated as a fluid document that can be reassessed and goals changed if needed to bring about the desired outcome. A thorough and openly honest assessment expedites the treatment process so progress towards working through personal issues/struggles can be seen as attainable and achievable. My personal and professional goal has always been to never chastise or talk down to anyone. Please know that I will challenge irrational thoughts and inconsistencies (in a non-confrontational, noncondemning manner) if they appear to be blocking progress towards the client’s desired treatment outcome. My therapeutic model incorporates various therapy techniques and skill-building approaches. These approaches include motivational interviewing, active listening, cognitive-behavioral, client centered, and rational-emotive therapy. All is assimilated into the treatment plan to help facilitate self-awareness, motivation to change, and self-empowerment to make the identified changes. I believe life is all about moving forward and reaching our personal and professional potential. Everyone finds themselves “stuck,” at various times along life’s journey, and not able to figure out how to get back up and start moving forward again. That is what the goal of therapy is. If this approach towards therapy appears to be a good match for you, please let me know. Sincerely, Joe M. Bray MA, MS, LPC, MAC

Hello, my name is Steven Kirkilas. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Masters Degree in Social Work from University of Illinois at Chicago. For the past 10 years, I have assisted individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds in overcoming their unique struggles. I believe my role is to meet individuals where they are at, nonjudgmentally. My most passionate work is in providing trauma informed care. I am trained in EMDR therapy and enjoy using somatic therapies. I am also passionate about the benefit of mindfulness practice in managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and many other struggles. Lastly, I believe every person deserves to be understood, please feel welcome.

Using a person-centered approach and evidence-based, yet culturally safe techniques, I have had some successes in working with those who've experienced trauma, especially related to adverse childhood experiences (ACES) resulting in depression, anxiety or relationship and/or boundary issues. It is my belief that the client holds the reins and that goal attainment is within her/his grasp. My training at Columbia University and New York University, along with my Social Work code of ethics, are foundation for a philosophy of respect for the client's right to self-determination while monitoring for safety.

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’m Jennie, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Alaska, but more importantly, I’m a human being who is passionate about helping others identify the source(s) of their distress, and implement strategies that invite continuous growth and genuine contentment in life. I want to get to know you and what makes you tick, to assist you in gaining a thorough understanding of yourself, your strengths, your weaknesses, your emotional ‘triggers’…all of the fun (and not so fun) characteristics that make you a unique individual or couple. From there, my work focuses on identifying problematic thinking, relational dynamics, and/or behaviors, then systematically replacing those maladaptive tendencies with positive self-talk, healthy communication and boundaries with others, and productive behaviors that help you reach your fullest potential. People have always deeply interested me. I grew up in a military family and have seen many parts of the world. I love to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I completed my Bachelor of Science in social psychology and graduated with highest honors while serving 7 years on active duty in the US Navy. Later, I earned a Master’s Degree in counseling psychology and opened a private practice specializing in treating trauma (PTSD) in combat veterans and victims of sexual assault. Years later, I discovered I have a real passion for couples’ work, and also for treating people with mood and personality disorders. I believe we are all doing the best we can in life with the tools we have, and the field of psychology offers a plethora of resources with which to improve your toolbox. I’m here to listen, guide, and support you as you identify and learn to utilize the tools that will help you reach and even surpass your life goals.

I am licensed in Alaska and Michigan with over 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. 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.

I am a Licensed Therapist in the state of Alaska with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Hi there! Way to go on taking a beginning step to achieve one of your many goals in life. My name is Ivy and I have worked with people my entire life. I found that as a child, I was able to meet people and understand where they came from in a way that not many people could. As an adult, I have been able to develop that into a career. There is always a story that begins with "when I was a child", and mine is no different. When I was a child, I was faced with many different problems and situations that I felt that no one in the world could understand. I tried many different things in an effort to get my own life on track without letting anyone else know that I was struggling. As you may or may not know, this is not always the best option. However, what this did was that it lead me down a path of being able to walk in the shoes of other people; to see things as they see things. I have experience working with families who are involved in the child care system, both as foster parents and as clients involved in the system. I have experience with individuals who are questioning where they are in life and where they want to be. I have experience, helping people feel like people again. The way that I chose to work with individuals is that everyone is an individual and everyone lives their lives through a day to day schedule. I believe in checking in and allowing you to tell me what you need and what you want. What do you feel like you need today; what about yesterday. Can we plan for tomorrow? Do you need me to listen or do you need me to respond? Would it be helpful for a brainstorming partner or someone who can take all that emotional weight you have and take it off your back for a while? My work is not based upon a single method of thinking or processing, but rather whatever combination you need. I believe that even if you don't believe in your own ability to help yourself right now, it is there, and together we can make a difference and a change that you can continue to use and implement long after we are no longer working together.

I am licensed in Alaska and Kentucky with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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. 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.

Hi! I'm Karen and I'm so happy that you've gained the courage to ask for help! I've been a counselor for 18 years, and have worked with a broad range of clients. My style is casual, but I really like to focus on problem solving. My hope is that you'll come out of your first session with a couple of tools that, if you apply them, will help relieve the problem. During every session, we build onto the foundation we've laid, increasing your tools and addressing any new issues. I'm a great listener, and am able to tease out things that might guide you to relief. Counseling is a great tool, but its a two way street - you'll have some homework and activities to do between sessions, and it's important that you fully engage in your healing. I have expertise with Military - active duty or veterans and have worked with Regular and SOF troops, spouses and families. I believe in empowerment for my clients, and my hope is that through our work together, you can heal and move through your problems with strength, integrity and grace.

I am licensed in Florida with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. 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. 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.

I am licensed in Alaska and Florida with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Alaska with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, 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.