More Than Words: How I Found Art Therapy
Before I was an art therapist, I was a high [...]
Scott Visser
Licensed Associate Counselor
Rate: $130/session ; $150/intake
*Accepting new clients*
Specializes in: Multicultural Engagement, Job/Career transitions, Athletics, Faith/Spirituality, Religious Trauma, Relationships, Anxiety.
Training: Multicultural Counseling, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma-Informed Care, Masters of Organizational Leadership, Masters of Biblical and Theological Studies, and 10+ years of professional experience working in higher education
Teens, adults and couples.
What image comes to mind when you think of therapy?
Team Sports. There is a lot of work that is not seen but is necessary to reach the desired outcome. Everyone sees the trophy but no one sees the 4AM gym sessions, but both the inner work and celebrating wins are needed. No one gets there on their own, it takes a team built on trust and safety.
What materials do you enjoy playing with?
My background is not in the arts but I am learning to appreciate art in new ways. My “materials” where I hone my “craft” typically consist of a ball, a grass field, and a team…
Or colored pencils.
What do you wish someone would have told you before you stepped into your first therapy session?
The hardest part is often asking for help but also the most brave, courageous thing you can do for yourself. And you’re worth that. Second, that our stories are part of us but they do not have to define us.
Scott offers Telehealth sessions for those whose primary residence is in Arizona
For a consultation, you can reach out to Scott at 602-633-5866 or scott.thewellmesa@gmail.com
Lexie Harding
Licensed Master Social Worker | Associate Therapist
Rate: $120/session ; $140/intake
*Taking new clients now, sessions start August 1st
Specializes in: Trauma & Attachment, Expressive Arts Therapy, Play Therapy, Sand Tray, Early Childhood, Anxiety, Depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Kids, Families, Teens & Young Adults.
Training: Trauma-informed Care, Expressive Art Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Crisis Intervention & Behavioral Interventions, International Rescue Committee working with refugees and asylum seekers, Phoenix Childrens Hospital, and Abuse Survivors.
Children (3+), teens, families and young adults.
What image comes to mind when you think of therapy?
When I think of therapy, I picture the sun. Sometimes it gently breaks through the clouds, offering warmth and clarity; other times, it’s hidden behind many layers and can be hard to see and hard to feel. But it’s always there. I believe that with the right tools, we can begin to find that light within ourselves. To me, the sun represents hope—the reminder that each day holds the possibility of a new beginning.
What materials do you enjoy playing with?
All the materials! I especially love using sand and clay.
What do you wish someone would have told you before you stepped into your first therapy session?
I wish someone had told me that you don’t have to be ‘ready’ or have the perfect answer — you just have to be willing to show up as you are.
Lexie offers Telehealth sessions for those whose primary residence is in Arizona
For a consultation, you can reach out to Lexie at 623-233-2364
Lauren Frandsen
Licensed Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Rate: $130/session ; $150 intake | *Taking new clients now
Specializes in: Family Transitions, Relationships, Early childhood, Attachment, Trauma, Cross-cultural challenges such as living overseas or Refugees.
Training: Trauma-informed care, Circle of Security (parenting & attachment-based intervention), and Prepare & Enrich Certified (premarital), Sand Tray Level 2, Expressive Art Therapy.
What image comes to mind when you think of therapy?
Sowing seeds…you never quite know what will spring up and it will take time. It can take a few tries to discover what is needed for growth. The work is surprising, challenging, rewarding, and beautiful. Sometimes it looks like a pile of dirt! It is full of change and so much is happening – but most of the movement often remains unseen beneath the surface where the roots are growing.
What materials do you enjoy playing with?
Everything! I love to just make a mess! But if I have to pick, my first love is watercolors. I love its transparency and ability to blend and change.
What do you wish someone would have told you before you stepped into your first therapy session?
You have no idea what awaits you and it’s okay to not know what you don’t know.
Lauren offers Telehealth sessions for those whose primary residence is in Arizona.
For a consultation, you can reach out to Lauren at 480-447-4571
Brittany Johnson
Licensed Professional Counselor
Rate: $180/session ; $200/intake
Specializes in: Trauma and Attachment, Sexual addiction and Betrayal trauma, Anxiety and Depression. Ministry/church Leaders, Burnout, and other Helping Professionals.
Training: Board-certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC), Sensorimotor Art Therapy – Clayfield and Guided Painting, Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (CSAT), Psychodrama, Emotionally-focused Therapy (EFT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Young adults, Adults, Couples.
What image comes to mind when you think of therapy?
Giving Birth. The pain gives way to something new. And it doesn’t all come at once…it’s a growing process that ebbs and flows from pain to relief from pain to relief and so on. And it takes trust in your body, your mind, and your will.
What materials do you enjoy playing with?
I always fall back to oil pastels – it’s a comfort for me. But lately I have been playing more with clay and I think I’ll hang out with that for a while.
What do you wish someone would have told you before you stepped into your first therapy session?
There’s nothing to prove. Your pain and your story are enough. It’s possible to be understood – and that is going to be the beginning of a whole new way of feeling and living. This process isn’t just about you – it’s about you healing so others get to heal too. It’s about all of us.
Brittany offers Telehealth sessions for those whose primary residence is in Arizona or Utah.
Catelin Castellanos
Licensed Associate Counselor
Rate: $130/session; $140/session for couples; $150 initial intake session
Specializes in: Fostering & Adoption related experiences, Faith Integration, Relationship Issues, Anxiety, Depression, Perfectionism.
Training: Art Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, and trauma-informed care.
What image comes to mind when you think of therapy?
I picture soft blankets. Warm lighting. A cozy couch. The smell of citrus essential oils. Shoes off (for grounding of course). Probably a sand tray somewhere close.
What materials do you enjoy playing with?
I enjoy magic model clay, oil pastels, and lots of oil paints for playful textures.
What do you wish someone would have told you before you stepped into your first therapy session?
I wish someone would have told me to take my time. I felt pressured and rushed by me to push through so much of my work and what I really needed was to slow down and learn to enjoy (or at least coexist) with the work even when it was hard.
Catelin offers Telehealth sessions for those whose primary residence is in Arizona.
For a consultation, you can reach out to Catelin at 928-487-0823
Julia Karrys
Licensed Associate Therapist
Rate: $130/session ; $150/intake | *Taking new clients now
Specializes in: Grief, Trauma, Anxiety & Depression.
Training: Art Therapy, Clay/Ceramics, Somatic/Body-focused, Trauma-informed Care, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS, parts work).
Teens, Young Adults, Adults, LGBTQ+.
What image comes to mind when you think of therapy?
When I think of therapy I think of safety. A place free of judgement and bias, where each person is met with complete acceptance to be exactly who they are, flaws and all.
What materials do you enjoy playing with?
I enjoy playing with clay and other messy materials like paint.
What do you wish someone would have told you before you stepped into your first therapy session?
I wish someone had told me that therapy wasn’t about seeking answers from someone else but about finding them within myself.
Julia offers Telehealth sessions for those whose primary residence is in Arizona.
For a consultation, you can reach out to Julia at 602-759-0025
Brent Matthew Labb
Licensed Associate Therapist
Rate: $120/hr
Specializes in: OCD, High Anxiety, Trauma, & Relationship Issues.
Training: Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Counseling Certificate, Exposure Response Therapy Training Certified, Art Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Existential Therapy.
Individuals, Couples, Teens and Young Adults.
What image comes to mind when you think of therapy?
Two humans sharing space, completely engaged with the clients experience…. with a wide open space to express freely, to express fully — with no concerns of being judged.
What materials do you enjoy playing with?
I love working with crayons and colored pencils.
What do you wish someone would have told you before you stepped into your first therapy session?
If you can get clear on what is needed for your ability to heal from your past, and move forward to your bright future.. you will one day stand confidently because you will know that you are actually the MOST trusted advisor in your own life — you are your own best trusted advisor. But for many of us, it will take lots of work to grow into this role.
Matt offers Telehealth sessions for those whose primary residence is in Arizona.
For a consultation you can reach out to Matt at 623-309-4065