Mesa Office
WE HAVE MOVED to:
Gilbert Office
3303 E Baseline Rd #109
Gilbert, AZ 85234
1-(480) 900-8765
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Fax: 602-483-1652
1-(480) 278-5290
Our Practice
Welcome to Beyond Counseling
Beyond Counseling LLC, provides a continuum of mental health services from early intervention to intensive therapy treatment. Our overall philosophy is based on the value of preserving individual and family integrity by helping children, individuals, couples and families build on their innate strengths. We empower our clients by guiding them through the process of identifying and implementing solutions to their problems.
We provide mental health services for children, adolescents, their families, couples, and individual adults by strengthening their ability to successfully cope with social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Services include individual, group, and/or family therapy; skill-building; and parent training.
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Many of our therapists use the Gottman Method of couples counseling and have been trained in play therapy.
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Our team
Aaron Jacobson, M.S., LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Gottman Method Level 2 for Couples
​Erica Ayala, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Beyond Counseling is a place to explore your true self and confront the trials of life. Together, we create a sacred space for healing, growth, and discovery. As a counselor, hearing your story is one of my greatest privileges. It is my hope that as your life story unfolds, we can better prepare you (the main character) to face and embrace the challenges, opportunities and events that shape you.
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We will identify the gifts and qualities within you that bring about a sense of satisfaction and direction, then examine the assumptions about life that may no longer be serving you. We will also strengthen those beliefs which guide you onward toward a greater sense of fulfillment.
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In our sessions, we learn to trust in the therapeutic process, as well build trust between one another. I offer my counsel for your journey toward a consistent sense of well-being. It is an honor to be of service to you. Mr. Jacobson has been trained in Gottman Method Level 2 for Couples Counseling
I believe while our minds carry our emotional stress, our bodies do, too. We store trauma and stress in our bodies and I am looking forward to helping you to reprocess and release that trauma. What is trauma, exactly? It is any stressor that occurs in a sudden and forceful way and is experienced as overwhelming. My passion is helping my clients resolve deeper problems hidden beneath the current patterns. Whatever has you feeling stuck, I am looking forward to be a source of energy and direction as you choose to become unstuck.
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I am passionate about exploring your story with you, at your own pace, with the strengths, insights, and spirituality that are important to you. I provide a safe place to be heard and understood, supportive listening, thoughtful questions, the sharing of insights, exploration of ideas, an opportunity to explore mindfulness, and practical suggestions. It brings me great joy to empower my clients to discover and foster their innate strengths while providing help to grow their tool box.
Isabella Moreno, Ed. S., M.S., LPC, LASAC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified School Psychologist
Bilingual Therapist (English/Italian)
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Isabella Moreno is a licensed associate professional counselor and a licensed associate substance abuse counselor in the State of Arizona with 20 years experience working in community agencies, schools, and more recently, the substance abuse field.
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Ms. Moreno has received training in Structural Family Therapy at the Child Guidance Clinic and University of Pennsylvania and a post graduate certification in marriage and family therapy from Saint Mary’s University, MN. Ms. Moreno is also a nationally and Arizona certified school psychologist, where she has worked in public schools for more than 20 years.
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Isabella has extensive experience conducting groups, is versed in sand tray therapy and prefers a blend of solution-focused and narrative approach when working with adults. Ms. Moreno is also versed in psycho-educational assessment with children and adolescents.
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Ms. Moreno believes in empowering clients and families to rewrite their narratives going away from problem-saturated stories and embracing new and more hopeful narratives. Ms. Moreno firmly believes that “the problem is the problem; the person is not the problem” as Michael White, late narrative therapist often said. Ms. Moreno has been trained in Level 2 for Couples Counseling.
Rosa Ruales, MS MFT. LPC, LAMFT, MBA
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Associate Marriage & Family Therapy
Bilingual Therapist (English/Spanish)
Rosa Ruales is a Licensed Professional Counselor working with child, adolescent, individual and family therapy in English and Spanish. She creates a safe and compassionate environment in which self-understanding and self-empowerment are explored and promoted to create healthier, sustainable, and greatly fulfilling change.
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He is trained in the use of Sand Therapy and play therapy. Ms. Ruales has been trained in the Gottman Method for Couples Counseling (level 3) and has advanced training in hypnotherapy. He currently works for a mental health provider for a professional baseball team locally and internationally.
Dianna Isles, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Dianna has experience working with individuals of all ages experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, and interpersonal issues, values that every client is an individual with unique circumstances, and strives to meet them where they are. Her approach is person-centered and strengths-based, focusing on empowering the individual. Dianna believes that the most essential component to client growth and healing is a safe, nonjudgmental therapeutic environment
Karissa Stringfield, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker
Currently serves as an Associate Licensed Master Social Worker Upon completing her Masters degree in 2021 from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI), She relocated to Arizona to pursue her purpose in clinical social work. Karissia brings a wealth of knowledge in behavioral & general mental health services across an array of populations and specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) Modalities. Specialized Client demographics: Adolescents (13-17) and Adults (18+).
Zack Boberg, MC Marriage and Family
Counseling
Gottman Method Level 1 trained
Zack, a Licensed Associate Counselor, is married to a wonderful school counselor. He graduated from San Jose State University with a's in behavioral science and Grand Canyon University with a master's in clinical Mental Health, specializing in Marriage and Family Counseling. Zack started his career in substance abuse and has experience in residential and outpatient treatment settings and private practice. He has completed his Gottman training Level 1 and enjoys working with adults, couples, children, and families with a calm supportive approach.
Alex Gonzalez, NCC, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
EMDR Certified
Gottman Level 1 Trained Therapist
Bilingual Therapist (English/Spanish)
Alex is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Alex has more than 20 years of experience working in the mental health and substance abuse field. He completed his undergraduate studies in psychology and graduated with a master's degree in mental health counseling. Prior to worning to Beyond Counseling, Alex has been working as the Clinical Director for an SMI clinic in Chandler, AZ and he spent 5 years as Clinical Director of a Psychiatric Hospital in Utah. Alex is EMDR certified and has been trained in the Gottman Method Level 1 for Couples Counseling. He enjoys working with teens, couples, and adults in English and Spanish. He also has considerable experience working with autism disorder. In his spare time, Alex enjoys traveling around the world with his beautiful wife.
Angela Binns, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker
Angela Binns is a licensed Master Social Worker. Angela completed her master’s degree from University of Denver in 2021, specializing in trauma informed care, Angela has worked as a school social worker in Phoenix and Tempe public Schools over the last two years working with children ages 5-11 year olds and their families.
She uses Cognitive Behavioral and play therapy techniques. Her experience includes but is not limited to those struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, communication, self-awareness, life adjustments and children with Asperger/autism.
She creates a safe, non-judgmental and open environment in which to explore the gifts of each individual client. She allows them the space to for clients to navigate, express themselves safely while learning new ways to effectively communicate with others, increase self-esteem, and build more fulfilling relationships.
Tricia Hetrick, LAC
Licensed Associate Counselor
Tricia Hetrick is a licensed Associate Counselor who specializes in Trauma Therapy. “My passion is to help in the healing process, those individuals who have been through a traumatic experience.”
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She works with both children and adults to identify, understand, and process their trauma in a safe, carding and supportive environment. I have 5 years of experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma, utilizing evidence-based intervention strategies such as CBT and DBT.
She has a master’s in clinical counseling, mental health counseling, and a certification in addiction.
Desirai Browning, LAMFT
Licensed Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Currently serves as an Associate Licensed Master Social Worker Upon completing her Masters degree in 2021 from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI), She relocated to Arizona to pursue her purpose in clinical social work. Karissia brings a wealth of knowledge in behavioral & general mental health services across an array of populations and specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) Modalities. Specialized Client demographics: Adolescents (13-17) and Adults (18+).
Nicole Matheny,
Master's Level Clinical Intern
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CLINICAL INTERNS
Nicole is pursuing her Master of Arts in Counseling degree from Ottawa University. Her passion is assisting women and teenagers with their mental health. Nicole understands from personal experience that it is easy to feel overwhelmed with life and its entirety.
If you are struggling with life, you are not alone. I will meet you at whatever stage you are at, and we will walk this path together. I am here to help.
On a personal note – my husband and I have two adult children and two teenagers. When not busy with school, I enjoy writing and illustrating children’s books, working out, traveling with my family, and playing with my dogs.
“You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis
Areas of Specialty:
· Teens 16+
· Women’s Issues
· Relationship Difficulties
· Parenting
· Life Changes
· Coping with Stress
· Anxiety and Depression
THE PRACTICE
TESTIMONIALS
“I've tried out many therapists and felt as if they did not want to understand me as a person but just wanted to diagnose me as a patient/client.
Here I feel affirmed and valued as a client. Very helpful especially during these difficult times during the pandemic. Thank you Beyond Counseling!”
"When we entered counseling we had seemingly lost hope. Our sessions with AJ were extremely valuable and instrumental in saving our marriage. He was the best counselor we've ever had. He not only taught us about having a good marriage, but taught us how to be better people. We are now excited to share a loving and fruitful future together. We would refer AJ to anyone and are sincerely grateful for him.
With appreciation,"
(Couples Client)