Therapists in Savoonga, AK

Hello, I am Dr. Shelia Williamson Collins, PhD, NCC, LCMHC, CCMHC, LCAS, CCS, SAP, MAC. I am a board certified clinical mental health counselor and addiction counselor with nearly 20 years of experience in behavioral health. I am licensed as a clinical counselor in the states of North Carolina, Illinois, and Alaska. I have a PhD in General Psychology from Northcentral University. I also have a master's degree in Community Counseling and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Chicago State University. I have worked in an adult inpatient psychiatric unit, outpatient behavioral clinic, community-based mental health services, and residential substance abuse treatment programs. My counseling style is person-centered. I have a diverse therapeutic approach to counseling. However, my primary approach includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. I specialize in mood disorders, anger management, addictions education, and relapse prevention. I believe that everyone has a story to tell; and I am here to listen. Giving voice to your concerns and issues is the first step to healing. We can accomplish this together. It would be my honor to work with you to assist you in reaching your healthy goals. Please let me know if you would prefer weekly sessions, and I will do my best to accommodate.

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

I know asking for help is not always the easiest thing to do and I seek to honor the effort it takes to stretch, grow, change and open yourself up in order to reach out. I love working with families, couples and individuals alike. I am a well seasoned therapist with over 20 years of experience helping others with many and varied challenges in their lives. As a Family Therapist, I believe life is all about relationships and connection and this gives me a unique and valuable perspective most individual therapists may not have. I have experience helping people recover from trauma, deal with grief and loss and restore broken relationships. I specialize in helping clients work toward life balance, working from wherever they are to wherever they want to be. I am authentic, non-judgmental, honest, hilarious (or at least I think I am), and look forward to helping you on your journey. I will be available to work with you on Monday through Friday (I take Saturdays and Sundays off) via live chat, asynchronous texting, phone or video. I currently live and travel in my small motorhome in the West and Southwest so my time zone may be a bit different than yours, which is often advantageous. I grew up in California (please don't hold that against me as I left as soon as I could) and I have lived in WI, UT, AZ, GA and Alaska (at the Top of the World in Barrow). I look forward to speaking with you.

Brett Wilcox (M.Ed., LPC-S, CDCII) I am a Licensed Professional Counselor licensed in Alaska with 25 years of experience working as a mental health and substance abuse counselor. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including PTSD, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, family and relationship issues, and interpersonal violence. I have significant history facilitating group counseling for teens and adults focused on substance abuse, domestic violence, and sex offending. I also enjoy working with couples. Coherence Therapy is my preferred therapy model. Coherence Therapy is a system of experiential, empathic psychotherapy that enables therapists to consistently foster deep, lasting shifts, dispelling clients’ symptoms at their emotional roots often in a relatively small number of sessions. The steps of Coherence Therapy carry out the process of memory reconsolidation identified by brain researchers. Understanding reconsolidation shows us exactly what gives new therapeutic experiences the potency to actually replace and erase entrenched, unwanted behaviors, beliefs and states of mind. Coherence Therapy differs from the approaches of standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in that it does not attempt to correct or change troubling thoughts, emotions or behaviors. Rather it enables clients to access and identify unconscious constructs empowering them to erase, transform and rewrite neural pathways resulting in profound and lasting change. Stated differently, Coherence Therapy does not label, pathologize or fight against symptoms, rather it addresses and resolves problems at the root level. Clients who have had lengthy unsatisfactory experiences with other therapists have thrived in my practice and found resolution within just a few sessions. My counseling style is informed by my foundational belief in individual autonomy and agency. I believe it is my role to empower clients to achieve their full potential and destiny in a strong and healthy manner. I view my clients as the experts in their own lives and do my best to minimize the power differential that frequently occurs in counseling relationships. I do not view myself as an expert who is reaching down to help troubled souls. Rather I view myself as a fallible human being who is able to empathize with others especially when they are unable to empathize with themselves. I do my best to avoid interpreting clients’ situations according to my perspective, because such interpretations are often incorrect and empowerment is better found when clients discover truths from within their own unconscious and conscious landscape. Each client is unique, therefore treatment for each client is also unique. If between session assignments are given, they are usually in the form of asking clients to hold in their conscious minds the constructs that emerged during the session. This simple task often results in a surprisingly natural resolution to issues that were seemingly entrenched and unchangeable. If these concepts resonate with you, then we may form a good team. If so, I would be pleased to meet with you for a few sessions so you can determine whether we’re a good fit. You are, after all, in charge of the process. If you so choose, I look forward to working with you! Specialties Addressing root constructs which result in poor self-esteem, body image, depression, anxiety, under-achievement, unhealthy relationships, couples counseling and addictions. I do my best to honor and validate clients’ various spiritual and religious experiences.

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.

I am a licensed independent clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience working in the behavioral health field and as a life coach. I have worked with clients to address a range of concerns including stress and anxiety, life changes, career challenges, motivation, self-esteem and confidence. My counseling style is client-centered and engaging. I believe in seeing the future as full of possibilities. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic and insight oriented elements. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique needs. It takes courage to seek support for a more fulfilling and happier life. I bring compassion and patience to support one’s journey of growth and view this journey as a commitment worth pursuing. I look forward to working with you!

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.

I am licensed in the state of Alaska with 15 years of professional work experience as a social work change agent for families and youth at risk. 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 over 10 years of professional work experience. I am internationally certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapist and nationally certified as a Master Addition Counselor. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, anger management, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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.