Our very first session with Dr. Marie Gagnon of Empathetic Counseling really made us feel heard and understood.

Instead of going straight to activities, she ensured that we felt at ease, which allowed us to share our true feelings without her pushing for it. While sharing, we loved that she leaned in closely, so she really listened intently.

She also asked thoughtful questions that helped us explore our emotions more deeply. Some even led to positive insights we hadn’t considered before.

Additionally, we love that all our sessions here never feel rushed. Dr. Gagnon would always reassure us that we can take our time, so we can process our emotions during the session.

This counseling clinic is also a safe space for young children. So, if you’re planning to use counseling services that can address behavioral, emotional, or even developmental issues in children, then you’ll find their sessions very helpful.

However, parents should be prepared to participate in their child’s sessions. Parents will need to adjust their schedules on weekdays, since Emphatetic Counseling isn’t open on weekends. 

And since this space is free of judgment, parents who suspect their child may be engaging in bullying can also explore their specialized bullying counseling. 

Great at handling multiple issues

“Dr. Gagnon is one of the most impactful clinicians I have come across in my and my son’s mental health journey. She is a kind, empathetic listener who can guide you towards real change with your adolescent & family. She helped me navigate a tough time with my middle school aged son who has ADHD, an absent father due to alcoholism, and a brand new romantic relationship. Thank you for all you have helped us with!”

Nicole Culver, Google Review

Continuously empowers patients

“It is so difficult to navigate technology and trust a review when you are looking for someone to speak about things you have never shared…WITH ANYONE. Dr. Marie Gagnon is the real deal, and words can never give justice to the gratitude I have for this woman! What a blessing you have been to me! You have empowered me in ways I never thought possible! I am healthier than I have ever been! Mind, body and spirit!”

Heidi Young, Google Review

If you’re looking for a good combination of gentle and firm approaches, then sessions with Denise Manseau at Body & Soul Community Counseling Services may be a good fit for you. 

Here, they focus on activities and sessions that will guide their patients to a better day-to-day living. Aside from counseling, this place also offers help for employment and housing.

We love that we have an option to have the session in-person or virtually, which is really convenient. And while this clinic isn’t open on weekends, you’ll appreciate that this counseling space offers weekend slots, provided you book them in advance.

During our initial visit, Denise, one of the counselors, didn’t just listen; she also asked questions to understand my day-to-day needs.

What’s great about this facility is that they also provide various support groups that we can visit. This definitely added to the emotional support that we needed outside the therapy room.

However, booking for an appointment, especially for new patients, could be quite challenging. Even after leaving voicemails, they didn’t return our calls, so we had to visit their clinic just to book an appointment.

Additionally, their sessions felt a little unstructured, which left us wondering what the next sessions would be.

Her programs and support groups have given me community, strength

“I started working with Tamara after becoming sober. At the time, I felt alone on my journey and didn’t fully understand what living without alcohol really meant. Through Tamara’s coaching and group meetings, I’ve learned that sobriety is so much more than simply not drinking—it’s about creating an emotionally healthy, fulfilling life. Her programs and support groups have given me community, strength, and the reminder that none of us are alone. Thank you, Tamara, and thank you to all the courageous women I’ve met along the way.”

Vicki Schmidt, Google Review

Tamara is incredibly supportive and genuinely cares about her clients

“Tamara is incredibly supportive and genuinely cares about her clients’ progress. She not only helps you navigate the challenges of recovery but also empowers you to set and achieve personal goals. If you’re looking for a therapist who’s both dedicated and compassionate, she’s is the one to trust!”

Amanda Bradley, Google Review

Pathways Counseling Services offers a broad counseling service in Scottsdale, Arizona, supporting children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Its approach centers on personalized, relationship-based care, with therapy plans shaped around each client’s goals, needs, preferences, strengths, and pace.

The range of services makes the practice suitable for different life stages and concerns. Counseling includes individual, couples, child, teen, family, and group therapy, with specialties covering anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, anger, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, parenting concerns, relationship challenges, and life transitions.

Pathways uses several evidence-informed therapeutic approaches, allowing treatment to be adapted to different needs. Options include CBT, DBT-informed skills, EMDR, mindfulness and somatic tools, play therapy, solution-focused therapy, and Gottman Therapy, with therapists potentially integrating multiple approaches when appropriate.

The counseling process is presented as collaborative and structured rather than one-size-fits-all. Clients begin with a listening-focused intake, work with their therapist to establish priorities and goals, develop practical tools for use outside sessions, and revisit the plan as their needs and progress change.

A notable advantage is the emphasis on whole-person support alongside practical coping skills. Pathways considers factors such as relationships, culture, routines, stress, environment, and emotional patterns, while sessions may address communication, emotional regulation, trauma processing, self-awareness, and family dynamics.

The practice also offers flexibility in how counseling is accessed, with in-person sessions in Scottsdale and telehealth therapy across Arizona. Weekday, Saturday, evening, and weekend appointment options provide additional scheduling flexibility, while Spanish-language service is also available.

Pathways may be particularly suitable for individuals, couples, parents, children, teens, and families who want personalized counseling with a broad selection of therapeutic approaches. Its combination of specialized concerns, age-specific services, collaborative planning, and in-person or virtual care makes it a versatile option for clients seeking support that can adapt as therapy progresses.

Incredibly kind, understanding, and easy to talk to

“Had a great experience here. The environment is safe and welcoming, and Stephanie was amazing. She’s incredibly kind, understanding, and easy to talk to. You can tell she deeply cares about her patients and their well-being. Highly recommend Pathways and their team!”

M H, Google Review

Knowledgeable, compassionate, and truly dedicated

“I highly recommend the therapists at Pathways Counseling. Their team is knowledgeable, compassionate, and truly dedicated to helping individuals, couples, children, and families navigate life’s challenges with confidence and support.

Whether through EMDR therapy, couples counseling, children’s counseling, or family therapy, the therapists at Pathways Counseling create a safe and welcoming environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to heal and grow. They understand the emotional struggles families face and provide thoughtful guidance, practical tools, and genuine compassion every step of the way.

If you’re looking for caring, skilled therapists who are committed to helping people move forward with clarity and hope, Pathways Counseling is an outstanding resource.”

Michelle N Ogborne, Google Review

Crossroads Counseling provides counseling services for individuals, couples, children, teens, and families, with a particular focus on trauma, relationships, anxiety, and family dynamics. Its services are available in Phoenix, Anthem, Scottsdale, and online throughout Arizona, giving clients several ways to access care.

The practice offers individual and adult counseling, couples and marriage counseling, child and teen therapy, parenting counseling, groups and intensives, and trauma and PTSD treatment. This broad service range makes it possible to address personal concerns as well as relationship and family needs within the same practice.

Crossroads Counseling emphasizes research-based and evidence-based approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, EMDR, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, the Gottman approach, ACT, and Internal Family Systems. Its stated focus includes helping clients address depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, relationship difficulties, and personal growth.

The counseling approach also includes faith-integrated Christian Counseling for clients who want their beliefs incorporated into therapy. The practice describes its care as warm, compassionate, and supportive, with an emphasis on creating a safe environment for growth, healing, and connection.

The team includes licensed therapists with credentials such as MA, LPC and MA, LMFT, alongside counseling interns, and the practice states that it has 12 licensed therapists on its team. Clients can also arrange a complimentary phone consultation before beginning services, which provides an opportunity to discuss their needs with a therapist.

Another advantage is the combination of in-person and online options, with offices in Phoenix/Anthem and Scottsdale and virtual therapy available throughout Arizona. Individual therapy is also listed as accepting insurance from BCBS, United, and Aetna, which may be relevant for clients seeking an insurance-supported option.

Crossroads Counseling may be a suitable choice for individuals, couples, or families who want counseling centered on relationships, trauma, anxiety, or personal growth, particularly those interested in structured therapeutic approaches or Christian counseling. Its range of services and formats also makes it worth considering for clients whose needs may involve individual, family, or relationship-focused care.

It is good to have a God centered counselor

“We were looking for a Christian counselor for our grandson in his early 20’s. My wife found  Crossroads Counseling . Travis Fry was our choice and has been a great blessing to our grandson . I (grandpa) and grandson did a group session with several other clients which was beneficial. He asks good questions which draw out hidden emotions .

A few years later our grandson lost his father who had not been in his life for a number of years. I still had Travis’s phone number on my phone. I called him and he answered.

I thank God for him and the blessing he has been to our grandson and our family. It is good to have a God centered counselor.”

Ken Rosanne Burck, Google Review

He is real, cares deeply, very present, and fully engaged

“I’ve known Travis Frye for a long time, and what stands out most is how deeply he cares about people. He is compassionate, genuine, and the kind of counselor who helps you feel truly seen rather than analyzed or “worked on.” Instead of giving quick advice or surface-level fixes, Travis helps people get to the deeper roots of what is driving their pain, anxiety, or overwhelming thoughts, so real change can happen. You will experience his down-to-earth, attuned, relationship-centered care, which emphasizes genuine connection, tailored responses to your individuality, and healing through safe relational experiences rather than rigid, one-size-fits-all techniques.

Travis is not just playing the role of a counselor. He is real, cares deeply, very present, and fully engaged. He has a way of helping people feel safe enough to face what is really going on, without getting overwhelmed. He is one of the best counselors I know, and I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking compassionate, honest, and genuinely transformative counseling.”

Scott Makin, Google Review

If you’re looking for a good combination of gentle and firm approaches, then sessions with Denise Manseau at Body & Soul Community Counseling Services may be a good fit for you. 

Here, they focus on activities and sessions that will guide their patients to a better day-to-day living. Aside from counseling, this place also offers help for employment and housing.

We love that we have an option to have the session in-person or virtually, which is really convenient. And while this clinic isn’t open on weekends, you’ll appreciate that this counseling space offers weekend slots, provided you book them in advance.

During our initial visit, Denise, one of the counselors, didn’t just listen; she also asked questions to understand my day-to-day needs.

What’s great about this facility is that they also provide various support groups that we can visit. This definitely added to the emotional support that we needed outside the therapy room.

However, booking for an appointment, especially for new patients, could be quite challenging. Even after leaving voicemails, they didn’t return our calls, so we had to visit their clinic just to book an appointment.

Additionally, their sessions felt a little unstructured, which left us wondering what the next sessions would be.

Provides tools to support patients

“Elizabeth has been a blessing to our family. She’s compassionate, well versed in scripture, gentle when needed but also firm when necessary. She genuinely cares about her clients & it shows in her work. She’s been very accommodating to meeting with us in person or virtually as needed. She’s given us the tools and knowledge to overcome struggles that have been holding our family back from reaching our highest potential. Because of her service to us, our marriage is stronger now than ever. I would definitely recommend Body & Soul to anyone in need. No regrets here, pricing is very reasonable as well.”

Jennifer Frier, Google Review

Promotes self-care

“I have receive care that has been above and beyond. From my first meet with Daisy, stylish and beautiful paved the way for Giselle which came in and showed me what being grounded and owning my emotions and actions but self care is important and the routine I have at this very moment is because of her. Then I met Elizabeth which was my marriage counselor and she went above and beyond even though my marriage didn’t work out. She has become such an amazing asset to my family’s life. She deserves a raise to say the least. She works her tail off. I have met quite a few people at this company and they all are God fearing and I am fortunate to have met them.”

Janae J, Google Review

We always love visiting White Tiger Counseling because of how calming their space is. This helped many clients feel at ease the moment they walked in, which we really appreciated.

One of the counselors who accommodated us was Dr. Dace. Our favorite part about dealing with him was how he kept the sessions structured, which allowed us to follow the succeeding sessions well.

He’s also a great option for single and couple sessions, as he knows how to adjust his approach depending on the requirements and dynamics around the therapy room.

If doing different activities helps you during therapy, then you’ll love that Dr. Dace would always give you something to work on. Aside from journaling, he will provide you with specific breathing exercises that can really help when you feel anxious outside the clinic.

We also appreciate that Dr. Dace fully understands how normal it is for clients to experience a spiral. So if you ever experience it during a session, you can trust him to hold a non-judgmental space for you, while gently guiding you back with the support that you need.

However, Dr. Dace appears to be handling a high volume of clients, which makes booking appointments somewhat challenging. We recommend scheduling an appointment at least three weeks in advance to secure a time slot.

Provides productive ways to manage the issues

“My SO and I have been to several visits now and each time we learn something new or are re-oriented in our communication with each other. Both of us find Dace to be great at listening and then making an observation that is insightful and helpful. He then coaches on how to manage the issue in a more productive way.”

Cheryl Gallaga, Google Review

Very patient

“Dace is a great therapist. He listens and has great patience with me. I haven’t seen men in the past but I like to hear his perception when I’m having issues with my husband. I highly recommend him.”

Becky Mozier, Google Review

Since many clients deal with multiple mental health concerns, it’s reassuring that Desert View Counseling and Consulting offers both individual therapy to more specialized treatments.

There are several therapists who focus on different mental health concerns, but we’re lucky to meet Kevin. He is the kind of therapist who will help you navigate your issues while respecting your time and boundaries, which we really appreciate.

And what’s great about him is that he will guide you to figure out the possible solutions on your own. This indicates that Kevin wants his patients to feel capable of handling challenges independently, which enhances their overall resilience. 

Even better, Kevin comes up with a customized program per patient. So, if you’re planning to use his services, you’ll receive a tailored plan that has been specifically designed for you.

It’s also great that you won’t feel overwhelmed about the activities. He will still check your current headspace, so he will know what path would work best in your situation.

However, a few clients reported experiencing incorrect billing details, which can be frustrating to sort out. It’s always a good idea to double-check your statements and clarify charges early on to avoid any confusion later. 

Kind and patient

“My husband and I have been seeing Kevin Lowery for a couple of months now for couples counseling. He is very kind and patient with us both as we navigate our issues not only in our marriage but also our childhood. My husband and I both wanted someone who we could talk to easily but also someone we could pray with. Kevin was the absolute perfect fit for us. We are so happy we were blessed to find him and that his counseling is very much helping our marriage. Thank you Kevin!”

Miranda Shipman, Google Review

Very welcoming

“I really enjoyed our session it was the first one and Kevin made us feel welcome and to speak freely without judgement.”

Tristan Gonzalez Roldan, Google Review

Our experience with Claibourne Counseling has been genuinely life-changing. From the very first session, we felt welcomed, respected, and truly understood. The environment—whether in person or online—was warm and calming, setting the tone for honest and open conversations. Our therapist approached every session with empathy and clarity, creating a safe space where we could explore difficult emotions and patterns without fear of judgment.

What stood out most was the balance of compassion and practical guidance. Each session felt purposeful, offering both emotional support and tangible strategies we could apply in daily life. Our counselor had a remarkable ability to listen deeply and then reflect back insights that helped us see things from a new perspective. Over time, we began to notice real progress—in our communication, our self-awareness, and how we handled stress and conflict.

The professionalism at Claibourne Counseling was evident in every detail. Scheduling was flexible, communication was clear, and sessions always started on time. We also appreciated the thoughtful follow-ups and resources shared between appointments, which showed a true investment in our growth and well-being.

What makes Claibourne Counseling special is their genuine care for their clients. It never felt like a routine service; it felt like a partnership in healing and personal growth. We left each session feeling lighter, more focused, and more connected to ourselves. Claibourne Counseling has been a guiding light in our journey toward balance and emotional health, and we couldn’t recommend them more highly.

For those who need to learn how to channel their feminine energy more, we highly recommend Jane E. Fendelman from Phoenix Rising Counseling.

She’s been practicing for over 30 years, and has been awarded as the Top 3 marriage counselors in Phoenix by Three Best Rated since 2018. And even if she’s been around for three decades, you’ll love that she’s not into the traditional therapy approach.

Here, you’ll love that she incorporates unique techniques that we haven’t tried with the other therapists, such as body-centered awareness and Gestalt. It’s an approach that will help you focus on the present to have a better understanding of what’s happening.

Still, you can expect her therapy sessions to be more structured and solution-focused, which is ideal if you want to know exactly where you’re headed in your healing journey.

Her style is also interactive and positive. I couldn’t even remember how many times we’ve shared a good laugh, which really brought us to a more positive state of mind.

We appreciate that she also holds a certification as a Death Midwife. This rare certification allows her to support individuals and families with compassion during end-of-life transitions. 

However, a few reports mentioned frequent rescheduling, so it’s best to confirm appointments ahead of time. 

Equips clients with great tools

“Jane has profoundly impacted my wife’s and my relationship. We struggled with miscommunication and misunderstanding each other’s needs. Through her insightful techniques, Jane helped us identify past issues that have surfaced in our relationship, causing challenges. She equipped us with tools to foster mutual understanding, openness, and honesty. We are truly happy and forever thankful for Jane.”

Richard Jacobsen, Google Review

Recognizable progress after a few sessions

“Working with Jane has been a truly transformative experience for my girlfriend and me. In just a few months, she’s helped us make incredible progress in our relationship. With her guidance, we’ve transformed how we communicate, gained the tools to identify and address the root causes of our miscommunication, and embraced healthier mindsets that have brought us closer together. We’ve worked hard to recognize and break unhealthy patterns, which has not only strengthened our relationship but also helped us grow as individuals. The growth we’ve achieved has been life-changing, and we’re so proud of the effort we’ve put in. We’re deeply grateful for the positive impact Jane has had on our lives and highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their personal or relationship dynamics.”

Cameron Perry, Google Review