Helping People Not Just Cope But Truly Heal

480-307-6446    
401 West Baseline Road, Suite 201 Tempe, AZ 85283 (map)

Our Team

Clinical Team

Administrative Team

Seema Bacon Photo

Seema Bacon

ATR-BC, LPC
Clinical Director and Therapist
(she/her/hers)
"Do not think you ever have to tell me your story in order to truly heal, what you need is to be able to
allow yourself to FEEL your story to move through the experience and cross over to the other side of
what life holds for you."
-Seema Bacon

Education: BFA in Drawing and Painting from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, MA in Art
Therapy and Counseling from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Modalities Used: Trauma Focused Art Therapy, Certified Rape Crisis Counselor, Sand Tray Play
Therapy (I-V) Narrative Therapy, Somatic Body Work and Energy Healing, Exposure and Response
Prevention (ERP), Attachment Theory, Internal Mindfulness Awareness
Populations Served: Individuals 14+
Presenting Needs: complex trauma, sexual violations and abuse, nonverbal processing needs,
disconnections in spiritual and awakened life, grief and loss, attachment disruptions and disturbances, and
those searching for deep internal healing

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Cassi Alva

MS, LPC
Intake Manager and Therapist
(she/her/hers)
“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” -Brené Brown

Education: BS in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix, MS in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from University of Phoenix
Modalities Used: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Exposure and Response
Prevention (ERP), Narrative Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing
Populations Served: Individuals 13+
Presenting Needs: complex trauma, generational trauma, suicidal ideation, self-harm, history of abuse,
interpersonal conflict, anxiety, depression, self-esteem/identity, LGBTQ+ related issues, and obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD)

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Nicole Schuster

LAC, ASDCS
Therapist
(she/her/hers)
“Never lose your flames.” -Issues Band

Education: BA in Psychology from Argosy University, MA in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University, MA in Counseling from Ottawa University
Modalities Used: Person-Centered, Expressive Art Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness, Strengths-Based, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Reality Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Based Interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS)
Populations Served: Individuals 10+, Families, Couples
Presenting Needs: autism spectrum disorder, religious trauma, phase of life transitions, vocational/career counseling, complex trauma, depression and anxiety, high achieving and perfectionistic challenges, self-esteem/identity, disordered eating, LGBTQ+ related issues, women's issues, relationship challenges, and parenting support

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Cari S. Cruckson

MA, LMFT
QI Specialist and Therapist
(she/her/hers)
“A failure is not a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.” -BF Skinner

Education: BA in Psychology from Sonoma State University, MA in Psychology from Pepperdine
University, MA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy from Pepperdine
University
Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy (TBCT),
Mindfulness, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Motivational Interviewing, Aggression
Replacement Training (ART for adolescents)
Populations Served: Individuals 12+
Presenting Needs: attention and focus issues, depression, anxiety, interpersonal conflicts, self-
esteem/identity, trauma, school/education related issues, behaviorally challenging teens, attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and autism spectrum
disorder (ASD)

Michelle Figurski Photo

Michelle Figurski

MA, ATR, LPC
Therapist
(she/her/hers)
“If you find yourself stuck in darkness, the first thing to do is find and start capturing the light.” -Bryce Evans, The One Project

Education: BFA in Photography from Wayne State University, MA in Counseling and Art Therapy from
Wayne State University
Modalities Used: Art Therapy, PhotoTherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Person-Centered,
Intuitive Eating (IE) Principles, Health at Every Size (HAES) Principles, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Populations Served: Individuals 10+
Presenting Needs: anxiety, depression, body image, disordered eating, life transitions, chronic illness,
grief and loss, and complex trauma

Anissa Fox Photo

Anissa Fox

MS, LPC
Training Manager and Therapist
(she/her/hers)
“Life is not what it's supposed to be. It's what it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.” -Virginia Satire

Education: BS in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix, MS in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from the University of Phoenix
Modalities Used: Somatic Experiencing (SE), Body-Based Self-Regulation, Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Polyvagal Theory, Attachment Theory, Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method, Play Therapy
Populations Served: Individuals 0+, Families, Couples
Presenting Needs: complex trauma, generational trauma, anxiety, PTSD, depression, life-transitions,
grief/loss, parenting challenges, divorce, blended family dynamics/challenges, and relationship distress

Heba Elsaad Photo

Heba Elsaad

MS, LMSW
Therapist
(she/her/hers)
"Vulnerability is not winning or losing. It's having the courage to show up when you can't control the
outcome."
-Brene Brown

Education: BS in Family and Human Development with a Minor in Educational Studies from Arizona
State University. MS in Social Work and Public Administration from Arizona State University
Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Polyvagal Theory,
Play Therapy, Sand Tray Play Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Body-Based Self-Regulation
Populations Served: Individuals 0+ and their caregivers
Presenting Needs: anxiety, depression, healthy communication, trauma, building coping skills,
psychoeducation, and parenting techniques

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Danyah Subei

ATR, LAC
Therapist
(she/her/hers)
Additional Languages: Arabic
"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain. And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy." -Khalil Gibran

Education: BDes in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois Chicago, MA in Art Therapy &
Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Modalities Used: Relational, Person-Centered, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive
Therapy, Talk Therapy, Art Therapy
Populations Served: Individuals 10+, Couples, Special Consideration for Members of marginalized communities, BIPOC, Immigrant women in the US
Presenting Needs: anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and various forms of trauma

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Charlotte Brunson

MS, LPC
Therapist
(she/her/hers)
“Balance is not something you find, it's something you create." -Jana Kingsford

Education: BS in Business from University of Phoenix, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from
University of Phoenix
Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure
and Response Prevention (ERP), Strength-Based Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Populations Served: Individuals 16+, Older Adults, Couples, Families, Individuals with Disabilities
Presenting Needs: relationship challenges, life changes, parenting, anxiety, depression, grief and loss,
trauma, physical and cognitive challenges

Sury Cortez Photo

Sury Cortez

LAC
Therapist
Additional Languages: Spanish
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." -George Bernard Shaw

Education: BA in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University
Modalities: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Based Interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Sand Tray Play
Populations Served: Individuals 3+, Couples, Families
Presenting Needs: anxiety, depression, life transitions, complex trauma, different types of abuse and neglect, generational trauma, interpersonal conflict, parent coaching, relationship challenges, and women's issues

Jennifer Steuck Photo

Jennifer Steuck

LAC
Therapist
(she/her/hers)
"The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door.” -Clarissa Pinkola Estés, 'Women Who Run With The Wolves'

Education: BA in Psychology and Feminist Studies from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from McKendree University
Modalities Used: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Positive Psychology, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Sound Healing, Earth-Based Practices, Mind-Body-Spirit Approach
Populations Served: Individuals 15+, Couples
Presenting Needs: complex trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, relational distress, and LGBTQ+ related issues, women's issues

Rachel Van Beek Photo

Rachel Van Beek

LAC
Therapist
(she/her/hers)
"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself, just as I am, then I can change." -Carl Rogers

Education: BS in Behavior Science from Western Michigan University, MA in Counseling from Ottawa University
Modalities Used: Integrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Somatic Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Feminist Therapy, Parts Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Populations Served: Individuals 14+, young adults
Presenting Needs: LGBTQIA+ related issues, anxiety, complex trauma, emotional neglect, PTSD, religious trauma, grief/loss, pet loss, and relational distress

Michael Shumway Photo

Michael Shumway

Counseling Intern
(he/him/his)
Additional Languages: Spanish
"One does not become fully human painlessly." -Rollo May

Education: BS in Humanities with emphasis in Business from BYU-Idaho, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University
Modalities Used: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Jungian Analysis, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Somatic Expression
Populations Served: Individuals 14+, Men 16-40, Couples
Presenting Needs: anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, relationship distress

Taylor McCarthy Photo

Taylor McCarthy

LAC
Therapist
(she/her/hers)
"Everyone loses their way at some point, and it’s not just because of their mistakes or the decisions they make. It’s because they’re horribly, wonderfully human. And the one thing I’ve learned about being human is that we can’t do this alone. When we’re lost, we need help to try to find our way again." -TJ Klune

Education: BS in Psychology from Colorado Technical University, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in marriage and family from Jacksonville University
Modalities Used: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Populations Served: Individuals 12+, Families
Presenting Needs: disordered eating, poor body image, trauma, LGBTQIA+ related issues, anxiety, depression, mood disorders

Kelsey Peterson Photo

Kelsey Peterson

LMSW
Therapist
(she/her/hers)
"A person is a fluid process, not a fixed and static entity; a flowing river of change, not a block of solid material; a continually changing constellation of potentialities, not a fixed quantity of traits." - Carl Rogers

Education: BS in Secondary Education and English from Northern Arizona University, MSW in Social Work from Arizona State University
Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Motivational Interviewing, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT), Person-Centered, Mindfulness
Populations Served: Individuals 3+, Families, Couples
Presenting Needs: anxiety, parent coaching, family conflict, divorce, trauma, life transitions, depression, blended families, adoption/foster care, and infertility

Sydney Burns Photo

Sydney Burns

Counseling Intern
(she/her/hers)
“People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don’t find myself saying, ‘Soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner.’ I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.” - Carl Rogers

Education: B.A. in Psychology, M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with emphasis on Child and Adolescent Development from Grand Canyon University- In progress
Modalities Used: Person-Centered, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Structural family therapy (SFT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT)
Populations Served: Individuals 6+ and their caregivers
Presenting Needs: anxiety, depression, anger, social skills, psychoeducation, learning differences, executive function, emotional dysregulation, inter-family communication



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