Find a Therapist

Human Settings Institute is a compassionate and skilled therapist dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and groups navigate life's challenges. With a rich background as a Certified Master Trainer and certifications from the International Association of Counselors and Therapists, Human utilizes various approaches, including Coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Hypnotherapy. Their expertise encompasses working with preteens, teens, and adults struggling with issues such as depression, stress, and anxiety. Human Settings Institute's warm and supportive environment empowers clients to explore their emotions, uncover strengths, and cultivate resilience on their journey towards mental wellness.

Compassionate Spaces Counseling is dedicated to supporting adult couples and individuals as they navigate various challenges, including anxiety, depression, codependency, and anger management. Often, the root of these issues lies in unhealthy behavioral or thought patterns that keep individuals trapped in cycles they wish to break. The therapist emphasizes the importance of recognizing these patterns and setting actionable steps toward change. With a focus on tailored approaches, they utilize a range of therapies—such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy—to ensure that each client receives the most effective care. The Enneagram is also employed as a powerful tool for many clients to uncover underlying life patterns and explore transformative strategies. Compassionate Spaces Counseling provides a nurturing environment that encourages individuals to take the necessary risks to examine and shift both old and new patterns of thought and behavior.

Dr. Paul Stanford is a dedicated marriage and family therapist whose expertise lies in revitalizing relationships. He understands that couples often find themselves feeling more like roommates than romantic partners and can struggle to balance work, family, and personal time. Whether clients are experiencing infidelity, grappling with trust issues, or simply seeking to strengthen their relationship for the future, Dr. Stanford is eager to support their journey. He specializes in couples therapy, offering his skills to those who are married, cohabitating, dating, or even divorced and co-parenting. With his profound understanding of interpersonal relationship dynamics, he actively engages in the therapeutic process, helping clients reconnect, rekindle passion, and redefine their relationships moving forward. Dr. Stanford works collaboratively with his clients, aligning their goals with his expertise to foster positive outcomes, and he is knowledgeable in the efficient use of secure video conferencing for those unable to attend in person. His passion for helping relationships thrive is evident in his research and practice.

Marsja Stearnes, a licensed professional counselor with a PhD, embodies a compassionate and individualized approach to therapy. She customizes her treatment strategies to meet the unique needs of individuals, couples, and families, which allows her to effectively address the diverse challenges her clients face. Drawing from her extensive experience and a range of evidence-based techniques, Marsja empowers clients to recognize and leverage their strengths, supporting their journey to cope with and celebrate their individuality. With a rich background in assisting clients from various walks of life regarding religion, ethnicity, sexuality, and ability, she is especially skilled in working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigating life stressors like grief, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, relationship challenges, life transitions, and self-esteem concerns. Marsja brings over nine years of experience to her practice, integrating health and wellness as essential components of a comprehensive treatment environment. She values the connections she builds with her clients, fostering an atmosphere that encourages them to attain a fulfilling and content life.

Casey Stewart is a dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist with over 20 years of experience in supporting children and families through their emotional and behavioral challenges. Specializing in play therapy, Casey understands that children under 13 often find it difficult to articulate their feelings verbally. Through engaging play, Casey equips these young clients with the necessary tools to navigate and comprehend their emotions and surroundings. With a compassionate approach, Casey works with individuals ranging in age from 3 to 65+, helping those facing issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, self-harm, grief, LGBTQ+ concerns, autism, and experiences of abuse or neglect. Furthermore, Casey is passionate about serving LGBTQ+ clients and appreciates the unique perspectives they bring to therapy. In addition to their professional expertise, Casey enjoys a variety of personal pursuits including macrame, gardening, belly dancing, training dogs, birdwatching, and exploring metaphysical topics, all of which contribute to a well-rounded understanding of life’s complexities and joys.

Brittany Stilwell is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor with enormous expertise in navigating the complexities of mental health. With a strong foundation in various therapeutic modalities such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Trauma Focused therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), she skillfully addresses the unique needs of preteens, teens, adults, and elders alike. Brittany's approach is culturally sensitive, ensuring that every individual feels understood and respected. She is particularly adept at supporting those dealing with trauma and PTSD, as well as personality disorders and gender identity issues. Brittany's practice embodies a person-centered philosophy, integrating expressive arts and emotion-focused techniques to foster a nurturing and empowering therapeutic environment. She believes in the importance of connection and healing through relationships, making her an ideal choice for individuals and families seeking guidance in their journey towards mental wellness.

Catherine Swiatocha is a compassionate LPC Associate specializing in helping individuals who are navigating challenges such as depression, relationship and family conflicts, addiction, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, grief and loss, self-esteem, and life transitions. She works collaboratively with adults, couples, and families, focused on empowering clients to navigate life's complexities with resilience and skill. Catherine employs evidenced-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Therapy, fostering a strong therapeutic rapport that leads to real, significant results. Her clients often describe her as goal-driven, understanding, and assertive, highlighting her ability to truly listen and intervene effectively. As she pursues her PhD in Psychology, Catherine remains eager to support clients who are ready for meaningful change, guiding them through the complexities of life with expertise and empathy.

Dr. Ally Wade, a compassionate psychologist with a PhD and MA, understands that many may feel overwhelmed by stress, emotions, or troubling thought patterns. Whether individuals are grappling with anxiety, depression, challenging family dynamics, or navigating difficult transitions, Dr. Wade believes in the inherent resiliency of each person. Her commitment is to help clients uncover their inner strength. She adopts an individualized and customized approach to therapy, avoiding a one-size-fits-all model. With a specialty in relationship issues, anxiety, body image concerns, and disordered eating behaviors—including binge eating—Dr. Wade particularly enjoys working with college students, athletes, and early-career professionals in high-performance roles. Her warm and nonjudgmental demeanor fosters an environment where authenticity thrives, and she is known for incorporating humor to ease tough moments. Dr. Wade expertly guides clients through their unique experiences, encouraging them to gain fresh perspectives on their challenges.

Nichelle Ward, a Licensed Professional Counselor with an MEd and extensive experience, offers compassionate support to individuals facing overwhelming life challenges. Her practice focuses on helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and the aftermath of traumatic events. Nichelle provides a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can openly discuss their struggles, whether they are coping with a break-up, managing anger, or dealing with the loss of a loved one. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she guides clients in transforming dysfunctional thoughts and emotions into positive and productive behaviors. Understanding that everyone encounters difficulties in life, Nichelle encourages individuals to seek help and collaboratively work towards effective solutions for managing their problems. With a commitment to fostering growth, she is here to empower clients on their journey to healing and resilience.

Dr. Travis Whitfill is a compassionate Psychologist with a PhD, dedicated to supporting clients across various age groups, including preteens, teens, adults, and elders. He believes that choosing the right therapist is crucial, as comfort and trust are essential for effective support. Dr. Whitfill focuses on establishing a nonjudgmental, honest relationship, encouraging clients to explore personal topics and gain meaningful insights into their lives. With extensive experience working with individuals facing issues such as grief, anxiety, identity struggles, and life transitions, he draws from diverse therapeutic modalities—ranging from mindfulness-based approaches to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and humanistic practices. His background includes working at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he developed skills in addressing medical issues such as chronic pain and illness adjustment through behavioral interventions. Dr. Whitfill also conducts psychological testing to understand how personality traits may affect personal well-being. He is committed to providing a collaborative, enriching therapy experience that fosters understanding and resolution of challenges preventing clients from living a fulfilling life.

Kelly Ayala is a seasoned licensed professional counselor who understands that life can be incredibly challenging. She recognizes that moments of discomfort can leave individuals feeling tender and raw. Kelly believes wholeheartedly that no one should navigate these feelings alone and that everyone has the power to heal and transform. In her therapeutic space, she offers a non-judgmental environment where individuals can freely engage in self-inquiry and show up as their true selves. Kelly’s authenticity encourages others to embrace their own. Whether facing depression, anxiety, or significant life transitions, seeking support and guidance from Kelly may be the right step. She is dedicated to helping clients discover peace and develop the resilience needed to navigate life's storms, as everyone deserves a vibrant life. Kelly approaches client issues through a holistic lens, integrating psychology with the mind-body connection and neuroscientific insights. Together with her clients, she delves into a comprehensive exploration of their experiences. Her passion for coaching and positive psychology permeates her practice; for those who may feel apprehensive about traditional therapy, her coaching style can be a fitting alternative. Kelly's curiosity about how early experiences shape behaviors fuels her belief in the incredible resilience that individuals possess. Committed to inclusivity across culture, spirituality, sexuality, and lifestyle, she is there to support, guide, and provide the necessary resources for healing and living fully.

Judy Balber is a licensed professional counselor who understands the demands of modern life, offering evening and Saturday appointments to accommodate busy schedules. Her approach is warm, direct, and down to earth, and she prioritizes getting clients to make progress quickly with a solution-focused methodology. With extensive experience, Judy has successfully worked with a variety of clients, welcoming those seeking a second opinion, or those who may feel frustrated due to lack of progress in their current therapy. Additionally, her practice includes couple counseling, where she carefully assesses the unique challenges couples face while paying close attention to their shared goals.

Adia Banks is a dedicated and compassionate Clinical Social Worker and therapist, specializing in guiding adults through life's challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and PTSD. She skillfully helps clients navigate overwhelming feelings and negative thoughts by fostering a deeper understanding of how these influence behavior. Adia collaborates with individuals to develop effective tools for managing negative thought patterns and promotes healthy alternatives through evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Her commitment to dispelling the stigma surrounding mental health is evident in the safe, welcoming environment she creates for her clients, where they feel seen, heard, and understood. Adia is passionate about supporting clients on their journeys toward personal growth and fulfillment.