Charissa Moreno, LAC
Therapist
Danielle Watts, LAC therapist
Javen Bear
intern
Jessie berg, LAC therapist
Karen Gawin, LAC therapist
Elisa MItchell, MACP
Co-founder
Caleb Mitchell, MDIV, MAC, LPC, Co-founder
The Phoenix Office
Janis Brown,
client corrdinator
Nicole Dunn
intern
in-person & Teleheath
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"... we are people of hope. Hope wrestles with despair, but it doesn’t generate optimism. It just generates this energy to be courageous, to bear witness, to see what the end is going to be. No guarantee, unfinished, open-ended. I am a prisoner of hope. I’m going to die full of hope. Their’s no doubt about that, because that is a choice I make."
— Cornel West
Caleb does not approach therapy as the "all knowing" therapist. Instead, believing in his solidarity with his clients in both weakness and strength, Caleb trusts the internal wisdom of his clients to uncover their own answers for their path and replace ineffective coping strategies with effective ways of living more whole. Counseling is the process of slowing down to listen to and be aware of the impact of one’s story and the communal systems at work on one’s life. Out of a new awareness, one is able to choose to practice one’s internal wisdom, which leads to growth and freedom.
For the last 20 years Caleb has treated patients in inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings. Caleb typically works with individuals and couples and specializes in working with those with religious trauma, physical or sexual trauma, substance use, sexual addiction, depression, and other relational issues. He also works with those in the LGBTQIA community and those working through racial identity development. Caleb uses EMDR to help clients with trauma or are stuck in other arenas of their life.
As a consultant, Caleb pulls from his leadership roles, understanding of psychology, and national speaking and teaching experience to coach leaders, run groups, and speak on the topic of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in the workplace.
Caleb is a co-founder of The Phoenix Counseling Collective. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor in the state of Arizona. Caleb believes that his work as a counselor is to facilitate a process where clients listen to their stories, are mindful of their bodies, and become aware of their internal experiences. Out of this process clients become aware of how they are automatically responding out of self preservation, which often leads to poor coping mechanisms and/or relational distress. They then are able to grow and make effective decisions that are in line with who they truly are - leading to freedom and getting “unstuck”.
Co-Founder
Caleb Mitchell
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"At any given moment you have the power to say, ‘This is not how the story is going to end."
— Christine Mason Miller
She believes our stories not only tell us where we’ve been, but also who we are and where we are going. It is in these stories that we have experienced both great joys and great losses, and have learned how to relate to others and our world around us. How we live in our relationships is core to who we are and how our story continues to unfold. We don’t have to respond automatically in ways that once provided protection and now hinder our ability to be fully ourselves in this world. We have the gift to view our stories with grace and to learn to live in a way that hopes for a full and lovely life. Together we can walk through the stories and relationships of your past in order to illuminate your true self and help you live more freely in your world today.
The systems we live in, whether we are talking about family, culture, or community affect our emotional health. Elisa enjoys working with those in the LGBTQIA community, those working through sexuality identity development, and others who desire to wrestle with the impact the systems around them have had on them. Elisa often integrates traditional psychotherapy with body awareness to help invite clients to connect to their authentic self and navigate their current circumstances. She enjoys working with those desiring to feel less stuck with their anxiety, depression, relational issues, and the transitions of parenting.
Elisa received her Bachelor's from Arizona State University in Nutrition and Family Studies and her Masters from The Seattle School in Counseling Psychology.
Elisa co-founded The Phoenix Counseling Collective after over a decade of work in various therapeutic settings working at inpatient and residential facilities focused on eating disorders and dual diagnosis, a counseling center focusing on relationships, spiritual issues, & addictions, and in private practice working with adolescents, adults, and couples. Elisa feels honored to walk with clients as they gain insight, awareness, and experience growth.
Co-Founder
Elisa Mitchell
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“Every life story can be a miracle or a tragedy – it just depends on how you write it.”
— Dr. Ramani Durvasula
In session, Karen uses a combination of narrative therapy, interpersonal therapy and EMDR (trauma reprocessing therapy) techniques. She loves hearing peoples’ stories and believes therapy is a dynamic process that, while sometimes challenging, leads to positive change and growth. Karen works with clients to develop greater self-compassion and understanding of their personal values and dreams, so that they can lead more authentic lives.
When speaking with Karen, she will notice both your strengths and your wounds, and work with you to help you find the best way forward. It takes courage and determination to embark upon a therapeutic relationship, and Karen is honored to be a part of her clients’ journeys.
Karen works with people who struggle with perfectionism, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, body image issues, career transitions, codependency, decision-making, depression, eating disorders, and identity issues, as well as people with a history of sexual trauma, narcissistic abuse, and the children of personality-disordered parents.
Karen is a Licensed Associate Counselor and has experience working at ASU’s Counseling Services where she enjoyed working with teens and young adults. Prior to becoming a therapist, Karen worked as a professional ballet dancer. Her work in the arts has led her to see people through a creative lens and to appreciate their unique idiosyncrasies and strengths.
Karen believes that every person has the potential for a meaningful and joyous life, even after experiencing times of great suffering, abuse, or trauma. She believes her role as a therapist is to offer a space for healing by helping clients process trauma, develop insight, and experiment with behavioral change.
Therapist
Karen Gawin
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“We can do hard things.”
— Glennon Doyle
Jessie’s primary therapeutic modality is a blend of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Inner Child Work. ACT helps clients embrace their thoughts and feelings without judgment, fostering acceptance rather than avoidance. Inner Child Work compliments this by facilitating self-discovery and healing through exploring childhood experiences. Together, these modalities create a powerful framework for healing, enabling clients to process their past, understand their present, and move forward with greater purpose.
Jessie’s areas of interest and experience include:
Nervous System Regulation: Teaching clients about the nervous system in order to cultivate a greater sense of calm and safety.
Family Dynamics and Relational Issues: Helping clients understand the roles each family member plays and how these roles influence behaviors and interactions like communication patterns and conflict.
Lifespan Development: Exploring how different life stages impact mental health and well-being.
Neurodivergence: Working with individuals who identify as neurodivergent to explore their unique experiences and needs.
LGBTQ+: Providing a safe and affirming space for individuals to explore their identities and experiences.
Body and Intimacy Issues: Supporting clients navigating body image concerns and intimacy or sexual issues.
Jessie is a Licensed Associate Counselor dedicated to supporting children, adults and families. She has been with the Phoenix Counseling Collective for over three years. With an open mind and affirming approach, she aims to create a safe space for clients from all backgrounds. Jessie holds undergraduate degrees in Anthropology and Global Health from Arizona State University, and a Master’s in Professional Counseling with a focus on Childhood and Adolescence Disorders from Grand Canyon University. Jessie offers empathy, compassion, and occasionally some laughter, ensuring that clients feel heard and respected throughout their therapeutic journey.
Jessie believes that change happens by fostering self-discovery and personal growth. Her role as your therapist is to help you navigate symptoms of trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and OCD. She helps clients explore suppressed emotions and coping mechanisms, providing an opportunity to process their experiences without judgment, practice vulnerability, set boundaries, and share their authentic selves.
Therapist
Jessie Berg
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"Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud"
- Maya Angelou
I am honored to be a part of the Phoenix Counseling Collective team and am looking forward to providing you with administrative support.
Janis has over 20 years of experience working in the customer care and the hospitality industry. Her most recent position was with a family owned restaurant as an office manager and events planner. Janis recently completed training in managing electronic health records.
Her passion for working with people and interest in the wellbeing of others lead her to seek out a position in a therapeutic setting. Personally, she has found therapy, both mental and physical, to be an integral part of life. In her free time she enjoys practicing yoga and meditation, and she loves to read.
Client Coordinator
Janis Brown
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Prior to Danielle’s transition into mental health she was an educator and behavioral health worker for thirteen years where she served children and their families from across diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. During this time she worked as a member of a clinical team to create and implement effective treatment plans; specifically for students with ADHD, ODD, conduct disorder, and trauma that have generated measurable therapeutic, developmental, and educational changes.
As a biracial woman, Danielle’s diverse life experiences have instilled in her a strong passion to serve a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, and gender identities. Danielle specializes in working with adults who experience, or who have experienced anxiety, depression, trauma, and relational challenges. Danielle operates from a person-centered and emotionally focused perspective and draws from other evidence-based modalities depending on the unique needs of the client. She also loves to utilize sand tray and expressive arts as she believes these techniques can elicit powerful emotions and provide alternative forms of communication.
At the center of Danielle’s approach she wholeheartedly believes individuals have the capability to change and grow. She feels as one moves through life, each unique experience shapes them into who they are. At times these experiences can leave wounds and unresolved issues that prevent growth. The healing process can be a lonely and intimidating journey, and it is Danielle’s priority to cultivate a safe, empathic, and nurturing environment. With one's determination and her therapeutic support, Danielle works to empower clients to better understand themselves, see their full potential, and create hope in order to enact healing and personal growth.
therapist
Danielle Watts
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"Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light." — Brene Brown
Charissa desires for the counseling relationship to be a tool of connection moving in the direction of increased hope as well as what the client deeply values and desires. Charissa counsels from a trauma-informed and family systems framework and borrows from other evidence-based modalities depending on the unique needs of the individual client. Charissa enjoys working with individuals of all ages and partnering with them on their healing journey
Charissa brings over a decade of experience in human services working with youth and individuals of all ages impacted by developmental disabilities and or neurodiversity. She received her undergraduate degree from Central Methodist University, with a focus on Psychology and Philosophy. In addition to obtaining a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Grand Canyon University, Charissa has also completed coursework and training related to spirituality and is comfortable integrating this into the counseling process if desired by the client.
As a therapist, Charissa is committed to holding space for clients to address and explore a wide range of challenges, whether those present through relationships, anxiety, depression, spirituality, grief, or barriers preventing joy and peace. When experiencing difficulties in life, it can be common to believe that we are alone in our struggles. Counseling has the unique ability to illuminate our shared humanity and empower us to identify areas where we can learn, grow, and heal.
therapist
Charissa Moreno
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As a person-centered therapist, he does not see himself as the expert who teaches, rather as one who sits alongside and prioritizes relationship over focusing solely on strategy. He hopes that clients experience their time in sessions as a place of compassionate inquiry and reconnection to parts of themselves that may have become isolated. Javen’s experience working with multi-cultural youth in downtown Phoenix, other diverse communities, and in prisons has affected his appreciation for an
Internal Family Systems, Nonviolent Communication, and Emotionally Focused Therapy approach to therapy. Consequently, he seeks to cultivate understanding, connection, and empathy to help his clients understand themselves and move forward in their life.
When working with Javen, you will notice his emphasis on exploring the environments where you grew up as well as the one in which you currently live. He believes that awareness of the values and expectations of the spaces where we live is key to understanding our own story. Javen works with clients to discover and articulate an authentic story within their world. He works with adolescents, individuals and couples who suffer from depression, anxiety, career and life transitions, and other relational challenges.
Currently, Javen works in the admissions department at Grand Canyon University where he has completed all coursework towards a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. When not in the counseling room, Javen enjoys entertaining his 1-year-old, playing pickup basketball, and experimenting with coffee.
Javen believes that struggles in the present tell a story about the past. He views his role as a therapist as one who helps clients to slow down, pay attention, and listen to what their bodies are saying. He is confident that healing is possible and desires to help clients be present to both the beauty and pain of their experiences.
Intern
Javen Bear
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Nicole earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Boise State University and is currently pursuing her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University. She understands that each person is unique and aims to provide personalized support tailored to individual needs. Her approach emphasizes empathy, compassion, and unconditional positive regard, ensuring that everyone feels respected and understood throughout their journey.
Using techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Therapy, Nicole empowers individuals to address their challenges and recognize their strengths. She is also passionate about holistic health, emphasizing the importance of exercise and nutrition in promoting mental well-being. Nicole has a passion for helping people who are dealing with self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma.
Nicole looks forward to working with you on this journey toward personal growth, understanding, and improved mental health. Together, you can build a brighter future!
Nicole is currently a graduate student at Grand Canyon University. She is committed to fostering a nurturing and safe environment for individuals and families to explore their emotions and experiences. She has over ten years of experience in the behavioral health field, focusing on children with Intellectual Developmental Disorders in both clinic and school settings. Nicole also has previous experience working with families and couples in the community.
Intern
Nicole Dunn
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“He dreamed, simply, of a world intact, the family together, the place cared for, and all well.” — Wendell Berry from A World Lost
For the last 15 years, Stephen has worked with others to help them deepen their relationships with their partner and/or themselves. Trained as a Marriage and Family Therapist, his PhD research centered on helping couples navigate the grief and pain of pregnancy loss and infertility. Stephen has also worked with individuals and couples struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, and those processing life transitions.
Stephen understands that therapy can seem daunting, and that clients can at first feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, and scared. He believes in the power to change lives because he has seen it change his clients’ lives and has impacted his own.
Dr. Mitchell received his undergraduate degree from Taylor University and his Masters of Divinity and Masters in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary. He completed his PhD in Marriage and Family Medicine from Saint Louis University.
Stephen is a licensed therapist in Colorado and Georgia. He has a wide range of experience working with individuals and couples in outpatient and inpatient settings. Stephen primarily focuses on helping clients understand how experiences in their life have influenced their beliefs, behaviors, emotions and relationships. He believes that when clients become aware of how their life has developed, they gain the ability to discern if they want to continue on their path or choose what action they need to take to feel connected to themselves and others in a different way.
Therapist
Stephen Mitchell
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Working With Telehealth Clients In:
ARIZONA • COLORADO • GEORGIA
