Find a Therapist in Alaska

Karen Cooper is a highly skilled counselor with over twenty-three years of experience in helping adults navigate the complexities of trauma, PTSD, relationship issues, and sexual addiction. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with prominent leaders in the field, including Dr. Robert Weiss, PhD, and has mastered Dr. Patrick Carnes's PhD task-based recovery model for sex addiction. Deeply embedded in the recovery community, Karen possesses the unique ability to empathize with her clients, providing nuanced understanding and expert support for those facing challenges that disrupt healthy sobriety. Recognizing that personal and relational difficulties often stem from underlying mental health issues and past traumas, she effectively addresses self-destructive behaviors that arise in response to distress. Employing a comprehensive approach that includes mindfulness-based practices, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and trauma-focused strategies, Karen is dedicated to facilitating healing. Whether an individual is new to recovery or someone seeking assistance with established sexual compulsivity that impacts their mental and emotional well-being, she offers the professional guidance necessary to navigate their path to recovery. Licensed in both Washington and Alaska, Karen provides engaging telehealth services as well as in-person sessions.

Michael Aanavi is a dedicated therapist who draws on a diverse range of psychological practices, including Jungian, existential, and relational psychologies, alongside teachings from the world's great spiritual paths, particularly the Buddhist and Daoist traditions. His work transcends traditional cognitive and insight-driven methods; it embodies an energetic practice that embraces dreams, intuition, meditation, and the imaginal process, recognizing that discovering one's unique purpose is vital for healing both psyche and body. As a licensed acupuncturist, he seamlessly integrates acupuncture and elements of Chinese medicine into his psychotherapy, creating a holistic approach. Michael's expertise encompasses a wide array of emotional, physical, spiritual, and mind-body issues, including anxiety, depression, personal and intergenerational trauma, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and energy depletion. He is particularly attuned to individuals grappling with identity, direction, and life path, offering support to those who feel stuck, unwell, or unfulfilled, as well as to those wishing to deepen their spirituality and connection to their sense of purpose.

Ashley Barrera is a compassionate and skilled Licensed Marital and Family Therapist who works with teens, adults, couples, and families navigating a diverse range of mental health and relationship challenges. She firmly believes that each individual possesses unique abilities and strengths that can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life. However, accessing and applying these tools can sometimes feel overwhelming, leading to dissatisfaction in various aspects of life and relationships. As a dedicated therapist, Ashley guides her clients on a journey of self-discovery, helping them identify and harness their inherent strengths to achieve greater satisfaction and fulfillment. Her areas of specialization encompass relationship issues, including dating and cohabitation, marriage, separation, divorce, remarriage, blended family dynamics, parenting, and co-parenting concerns. With Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (GMCT), she incorporates this evidence-based approach to foster healthier relationships and strengthen connections among couples. Her warm and empathetic approach makes her a trusted partner in navigating life's complexities.

Paula Bemis is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker and therapist, holding both LCSW and LICSW credentials, with a Certificate from the National Board for Certified Counselors awarded in 2016. She is passionate about creating a safe and nurturing environment where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. Paula excels in guiding individuals and couples through the complexities of life, particularly in areas such as anxiety, marital and premarital challenges, and various relationship issues. Her eclectic therapeutic style is tailored to fit each client's beliefs and current circumstances, incorporating trauma-informed, strength-based, and collaborative approaches. Paula is also a certified EMDR therapist and utilizes modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and attachment-based strategies. With a wealth of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families facing psychological, emotional, and behavioral challenges stemming from trauma and biological factors, she is equipped to support clients in healing and aligning with their authentic selves. Paula's ultimate goal is for her clients to recognize and feel their worthiness of love, approaching therapy with compassion and a commitment to helping them navigate life's journey.

Sandy Bhargava is a dedicated therapist who believes in the transformative power of therapy. With a compassionate approach, they create a safe and nurturing environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings. Sandy is committed to guiding individuals through life's challenges, fostering resilience, and promoting personal growth. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to empower clients in their mental health journeys, helping them uncover inner strengths and build fulfilling lives. Sandy's warm energy and genuine concern for their clients make them a trusted partner in the therapeutic process.

Karen Cunningham focuses on the strengths inherent in each individual, couple, and family. She holds a fundamental belief that people are innately good and that psychological problems often stem from a rigid or outdated coping system. Karen emphasizes individual growth and the significance of self-actualization in her therapeutic practice. In her couples' therapy sessions, she guides partners to listen to each other's emotional truths, fostering greater authenticity in their own expressions. Through genuine appreciation of one another, couples can learn to recreate, or perhaps experience for the very first time, true understanding, connection, joy, and love. Karen's approach to individualized therapy is an inner journey of self-exploration, self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-expression. As a warm, kind, and interactive therapist, she works collaboratively with clients to help them achieve their specific goals. Couples therapy with Karen is a process of developing relational intimacy, creating trust, building connection, and enjoying the happiness that a healthy relationship with a primary partner can provide. The formation and maintenance of a healthy relationship can offer numerous physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health benefits.

Marie Albertson is a dedicated licensed professional counselor and life coach, holding advanced degrees and credentials including MA, MEd, LPC, LMHCA, and MHP. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Marie understands that life can often bring significant stress, impacting moods, anxiety levels, thoughts, and behaviors. She recognizes that conventional coping mechanisms may sometimes fall short, leaving individuals feeling overwhelmed and out of control. Marie’s goal in therapy is to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can learn to manage their thoughts, feelings, and actions effectively, allowing them to reclaim their power and control. She partners with her clients, ensuring they do not have to face their struggles alone. Under her guidance, individuals cultivate the resilience needed to navigate life's challenges, leading to a more balanced and calmer state of being. With Marie’s expertise, clients are equipped with the tools necessary to weather life’s storms and achieve a fulfilling, happy, and successful life.

Mercy Dennis has been a dedicated practitioner of Marital and Family Therapy in Anchorage, Alaska, since 1976. Throughout her esteemed career, she has concentrated her efforts on Marital, Pre-Marital, Divorce, and Co-Parenting issues. Her extensive training and life experiences have significantly shaped her professional identity as a marriage and family therapist. Mercy recognizes the unique narratives and relational blueprints that each client and couple brings to their therapeutic journey, understanding that each story is integral to fostering meaningful connections. Influenced by the work of Terry Real in Relational Life Therapy and the Gottman Method of Couple Therapy, she believes that relationships undergo cycles of harmony, disharmony, and repair. Mercy's vision centers on guiding individuals and couples through these cycles to cultivate cherished relationships. As a founding member of the Alaska Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, she played a vital role in advocating for the state licensure of Marriage and Family Therapists in Alaska. Mercy is committed to nurturing satisfying relationships, which she believes are fundamental to the health of individuals, families, and communities.

Kelsey Fox views each client as an individual navigating the complexities of life. Many people encounter events that deeply shake their sense of balance, whether these challenges arise gradually or occur suddenly. In moments like these, feelings of being overwhelmed can lead to doubts about regaining stability. Kelsey reassures her clients that, with time and effort, returning to a place of equilibrium is possible. By fostering a genuine connection, she is able to uncover the unique burdens each person carries. With her extensive training in various counseling methods, she offers specialized therapy services tailored to meet the distinct needs of individuals and couples. Kelsey is dedicated to helping her clients cultivate better relationships with themselves and their loved ones. For those yearning for change, feeling adrift, or seeking clarity, the path forward begins here.

Wendy Gause is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder and PTSD, recognizing that the journey to healing can often feel daunting. Wendy understands that addressing trauma-related symptoms—such as high emotional reactivity, relationship issues, low self-esteem, and identity disturbance—is crucial for personal growth and improved quality of life. Through her empathetic approach, she guides clients in working through their past experiences, which leads to the development of positive beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. Wendy incorporates traditional therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), alongside Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a proven method for alleviating PTSD symptoms. With the capability to provide EMDR remotely via the RemotEMDR platform, she continues to offer support and healing to her clients, embodying her passion for helping others navigate their emotional landscapes and achieve healthier, fulfilling lives.

Jen Gessert is dedicated to empowering individuals who feel weighed down by issues that have persisted for far too long. With a deep-seated passion for helping clients break from harmful habits and restrictive fears, Jen is honored to assist them in overcoming the shadows cast by trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, and challenging relationships. Her approach is highly customizable, adapting session duration and frequency to suit the unique needs of each client. Jen works with a diverse clientele aged 13 and older and is an ally of both the LGBTQ and Native communities. Utilizing a variety of techniques in an eclectic and individualized manner, she skillfully navigates the specific challenges her clients face. Collaborative partnerships are central to her practice, where other clinicians also support couples, teens, and children. From mindfulness-based therapy to cognitive behavioral therapy, Jen employs a mix of modalities that resonate with her clients. Her newly established play therapy office, opened in October 2023, caters to the needs of younger clients, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for all. With a genuine commitment to fostering growth and healing, Jen Gessert remains a steadfast guide on the journey to becoming vibrant and healthy.

Patricia Gould is a compassionate therapist dedicated to fostering a healing environment for individuals of all ages, from preteens to adults. As an immigrant herself, she has a unique understanding of the challenges that come with adapting to a new culture, including the impacts of losing one's language, food, music, friends, and familiar surroundings. Recognizing the profound emotional struggles related to trauma, family conflict, and identity, Patricia utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused therapy, and Emotionally Focused techniques. At Chrysalis CFT, she creates a safe and welcoming space for every child, teen, couple, and family to explore their narratives without fear of judgment. Patricia’s commitment to acknowledging and valuing diversity allows her clients to embrace their authentic selves while navigating life's transitions and struggles, whether they involve coping with grief, anxiety, or self-esteem issues. Transformational journeys begin here, as clients learn to share their stories and reconnect with their identities. Fluent in Spanish, Patricia is ready to support a diverse clientele in their paths towards healing and growth.

Catherine Holt is a dedicated therapist who provides a unique experience where clients can feel known and understood in a safe and accepting environment. She believes that everyone deserves to experience support in their lives. With Catherine's guidance, individuals can discover the power of self-fulfilling prophecies while restructuring fear-based thoughts into positive, self-affirming messages that encourage personal growth. She expertly explores the areas of life that may be holding clients back, empowering them to confidently embark on new and exciting journeys. With over 20 years of experience providing therapy in Anchorage, AK, Catherine is well-versed in various therapeutic methods, including EMDR, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and more. She offers therapy for individuals of all ages, focusing on stress, coping skills, emotional disturbances, and other general issues such as trauma, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, as a licensed supervisor, she is equipped to provide mentorship for those seeking their professional counselor license or play therapy registration. Catherine takes the therapeutic relationship seriously, ensuring her clients feel comfortable and in control of the pace of their progress. By adopting a strength-based approach, she aims for individuals to leave each session feeling empowered and stronger.