Get To Know Our Counselors

My name is Bill Tafaro. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) contracted with Gilbert Counselors. I graduated with my Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University in Phoenix. I have been working as a therapist for over eight years, and have been in the behavioral health field for the past decade.

My life goal since I was a teenager was to become a counselor. I have always appreciated helping people navigate through life and making a difference in the everyday lives of others.  My life work as a behavior coach, case manager, and now as a therapist, has provided me with opportunities to increase my awareness of the variety of factors that affect an individual’s mental wellness.

I have experience with a wide variety of populations, including but not limited to: young children, toddlers, teenagers, adults, and the geriatric population. The wide range of issues and concerns I have experience with includes: couples and marital conflict, substance abuse, grief, mood and anxiety disorders and trauma.
I am a very down to earth individual and believe that when we change our thinking we can change our behaviors. When we change our behaviors, we can change our lives for the better. I use my extensive training and education in various counseling modalities to help those seeking a better life experience.

I am also a trauma therapist, trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. As a therapist, I strive to create positive change in others’ lives, but first and foremost, aiding in the realization that such a change is in fact, possible. I am deeply invested in the growth and happiness of those that I am privileged to serve. I am able to accept Aetna PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Cigna PPO, and United Health Care PPO insurances, and/or private pay clients.

Hello! My name is Natalie Martin, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I hold a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Phoenix and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colorado Mesa University.

My areas of clinical focus include trauma, mood disorders, marriage and family challenges, sexually maladaptive behaviors, stress-management, transitioning to adulthood, crisis management, and more. I work with adolescents and teens, adults of all ages, couples, and families.

I foster an eclectic approach to therapy that leverages techniques from cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, humanistic, and solution-focused therapies. I am passionate about trauma work and am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and Trauma Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Life can be challenging, and it can be difficult to ask for help when we need it. It takes bravery to ask for help and immense strength to make changes that lead to a happier, more fulfilling life! We are all worthy of love and support. As a therapist, I strive to provide a safe environment for my clients that promotes positive change and growth. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking and trail running with my dogs (Bernard and Milo) and spending time with my friends and family. I look forward to working with and supporting you through your journey to health and happiness!

I am able to accept PPO plans with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, and UHC, or private pay clients. 

The relationship between counselor and client is the backbone of therapy. A client needs a person they can open up to and trust. A counselor needs a client who will be open and honest. I work hard to make every client know that they are the focus of each and every session. By whatever path a client arrives in my office, I seek to know and understand that journey. My approach to therapy comes from both my life experiences as well as my educational journey. These experiences allow me to create a non-judgmental space where I can meet each client where they currently are.

I do this using a trauma informed feminist theory approach. I enjoy working with the LGBTQIA+ community and non-traditional relationships. I also work with addiction and recovery, Borderline Personality Disorder, anxiety, depression, work/life balance, and trauma.

I enjoy using skills that fit the client and the moment. I enjoy using Cognitive behavior Therapy, DBT skills, Gestalt techniques, as well as working from an Internal Family Systems (IFS) perspective. Together we can create a path to strong mental health. I look forward to working with you.

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Hello! My name is Becca and I am a Licensed Associate Counselor under the direct supervision of Julia Spain, LPC. I have a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from the University of Colorado Denver, and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Arizona University. Being a part of this field is a passion of mine, and it is an honor to be able to work with people from all walks of life.

My approach to counseling is holistic, and I integrate multiple therapeutic techniques including person-centered, DBT, and CBT throughout the counseling process to fit your individual needs. I strive to facilitate a safe, open, non-judgmental and supportive environment. Every individual is a unique being, and I consider all aspects of a person’s background, experiences, thoughts, culture, family, and relationships to better understand and support you.

I am here to work with you to achieve your goals for counseling by facilitating empowerment, motivation, and hope with new insights and self-reflections. My aim is to also help equip you with skills and strategies for outside of our sessions to better cope with your own unique challenges and create positive changes in your life. I have worked with adolescents and adults of various ages, and am dedicated to being a supportive, genuine, and empathetic counselor during your therapeutic journey towards personal growth.
I am able to accept Aetna PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Cigna PPO insurances, and/or private pay clients.  I look forward to working with you!

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Hello there! My name is Brooke Blazek and I am a licensed associate counselor (LAC) at Gilbert Counselors. I graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2023 with my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and am currently working towards independent licensure under the direct supervision of Julia Spain (LPC).

I take a humanistic approach with counseling and implement client-centered therapy and dialectical behavior therapy in sessions while also integrating elements of Gestalt therapy and mindfulness into my work. I primarily work with clients of 13 years and above.

If you are here reading this, I commend you for taking this first step to healing by simply looking into counseling and different therapists. We all have the potential for change and improvement but many of us do not know the steps to do so or what resources are available to help us along the way. I believe that as the client you are the expert of yourself and as the counselor I am here as a guide to help you towards the goals you aim to achieve. Together we will work on processing your thoughts and developing skills in a safe and judgment-free space to better help you grow and thrive.   

“A person is a fluid process, not a fixed and static entity; a flowing river of change, not a block of solid material; a continually changing constellation of potentialities, not a fixed quantity of traits.”

― Carl R. Rogers

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Hello! My name is Courtney Pavone. I have my license in social work, and practice under the direct supervision of Julia Spain, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). I graduated with both my Bachelors and Masters in Social Work from Arizona State University. I have been involved in the mental health field for over 4 years.

Since I was young, I have always had an interest in understanding the why behind human behavior. In uncovering the why, it allows for true change in people’s lives, as I believe awareness is the first step in personal growth. I am a very compassionate person who has knowledge of the complexities behind human behaviors.

I have experience in working with substance use disorders coupled with co-occurring mental health challenges. Some of those include anxiety and depression. I use a trauma-informed approach, as the impact of trauma on one’s life can greatly influence one’s behaviors and choices. I also use CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) and strengths-based methods in my work with clients.

No matter the challenges one may have encountered, I believe we all have strengths and assets that have helped us through our lives.’ I enjoy helping clients understand themselves and acknowledge the strengths that reside within. I believe in the dignity and worth of human beings and seek to portray that in my work. I believe in meeting the client where they are and allowing the client to be the navigator in their own healing journey. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you in your therapy goals.

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My name is Evan Murley, and I am a Licensed Associate Counselor working under the supervision of Julia Spain, LPC.

I believe we all hold the potential to improve our lives. Through counseling we can learn and practice ways to make our ideal state of being a reality. My goal will always be to walk alongside individuals on this journey, creating an environment that is safe and supportive. I view every person I interact with, not only as an individual worthy of love and happiness, but as an individual with a story to tell and something to teach the world. You have strengths and abilities that you may not even be aware of.

Therapy is not about making life’s challenges disappear. It is about growing and becoming better equipped to handle these challenges. Improving our abilities to be introspective and self-aware is a key part of this growth. Depression, anxiety, relationship problems, addiction, and so on, are all difficult and common human experiences. Through cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and many of the principles of client-centered therapy, we can address the problems that are the most important to you. I work with clients of all ages, couples, and families.

I work with clients of all backgrounds and cultures. I feel greatly privileged to be able to join individuals in creating a life full of meaning and inner peace.  I offer both in-person and telehealth appointments.

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My name is Jessica and I am a Licensed Associate Counselor working under the clinical supervision of Julia Spain, LPC. I have over two decades of experience in pastoral and community care working to support the emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of women, youth, and children. I am wife, a mother of two adult children, and a new grandmother who enjoys gardening, traveling, and reading classic novels.

Sometimes transitions in life can be overwhelming, hard to navigate, and increase uncertainty about the future. Finding a safe place to navigate these life transitions and adjustments can be your start to finding support, identifying your strengths and resources, and empowering yourself with the tools you need to move ahead.
 

I am committed to providing a therapeutic space that is client-centered and safe. Partnering alongside clients as they navigate life transitions, stressors, and adjustments. Utilizing approaches from a solution-focused, cognitive behavioral, and dialectical behavioral perspective to collaborate with clients in identifying their strengths and resources and help them develop tools to promote their goals and well-being.

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Hello and welcome! My name is Jodee and I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), working under the supervision of Maria Grimshaw-Clark, LCSW and Julia Spain, LPC. I received both my bachelor's and master's degree in social work from Northern Arizona University.

I believe a person is not defined by a diagnosis, behavior, interpersonal conflict, or psychological trauma. However, I understand the influence they can have on our lives. As Dr. Gabor Mate states, "What we call the personality is often a jumble of genuine traits and adopted coping styles that do not reflect our true self at all but the loss of it." Through compassionate inquiry, I strive to assist individuals in understanding how our emotional well-being and social connectivity are intimately intertwined with addictions, health, and disease.

I will make every effort to provide a safe and welcoming space to work collaboratively with you. I see my role as your counselor as being supportive, present, and compassionate as we work through whatever concerns or goals you may have. I treat my clients with respect and unconditional positive regard while focusing on a holistic perspective.

I welcome you to contact me to inquire about my services. I look forward to collaborating with you toward health and fulfillment. 

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Hello, my name is Karen and I am a Licensed Associate Counselor under the direct supervision of Julia Spain, LPC. It is an honor and privilege to work with individuals and counseling is a life-long passion of mine. I appreciate the courage you are taking in this first step towards healing and improving your life. My approach with clients is humanistic, holistic and person-centered. I value and celebrate each person in their uniqueness and engage with clients meeting them where they are at. We each have our own story that is as individual as we are. My aim is to come alongside clients and explore the connection between thoughts, feelings, actions and interactions with the world, nurturing insight and awareness.

Our struggles with life events happen in how we experience them and it is very personal. That experience affects and is affected by how we feel about ourselves. I engage with the client from their point of view. I do therapy based on one’s unique needs and partner with clients to determine desired outcomes, identify what is standing in their way and develop specific strategies for finding a way to greater balance, healing and fulfillment to improve quality of life. By providing a safe, nonjudgmental, calm and supportive space for working together, clients can freely express their authentic selves.

I have experience working with adolescents and adults of different ages. I use an integration of therapy

including DBT and CBT to fit the client’s needs. Along with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University, I also have extensive experience as a Career Counselor, certified through the National Career Development Association and have completed the Certified Clinical Trauma Professional through the Arizona Trauma Institute.

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Much of my experience has been with people with autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and mental health concerns to achieve career goals. My current role allows me to help children, youth, adults of all ages to deal with any of the many issues that can make life confusing, complicated, or difficult. It is a profound process to sort through and make sense of complex issues, uncover answers and insights, and find personal strength – a process I feel honored to walk through together with my clients.

As a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor as well as a Licensed Associate Counselor, I have a unique perspective of mental health and neurodiversity that focuses on personal strengths and solutions, as well as an underlying assumption that success is reachable!

I look forward to working with you!

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Hi, My name is Autumn Gregory. I am a current graduate student at Antioch University of New England studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Working as an intern, I practice under the supervision of Julia Spain, an LPC.

My  main priority is to make sure all clients are comfortable. I want to take the deep dives into those hard conversations in a space that is comfortable for my clients. It can be hard to take that leap of faith alone, so I want to work collaboratively with clients to help them through those jumps. I want to help clients create some long-term coping skills in order to help mitigate some of the chaos and turn it into control.

Throughout my current education, I have been drawn to person-centered therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. I want my clients to navigate on their own as I provide support in those foggy moments, and of course, meet you where you are now and grow together. 

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Hello! My name is Lizette, and I am a Clinical Intern. I have my bachelor’s degree in psychology with Arizona State University and I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in social work at Northern Arizona University. I was born and raised in Yuma which is where most of my family currently live. I moved to Mesa right after I graduated high school to attend ASU. I have been living in Mesa for 15 years and I love it. I am married and we have a dog named Marley and we are so in love with him. I enjoy spending time with my family and walking Marley. I also enjoy being outdoors when the weather is nice or being out in the pool during summer.

I have 11 years of experience working in the behavioral health field. I have worked in behavioral health outpatient clinics with adolescents and adults as a case manager. I also have experience working in the health plans advocating for members in ensuring they receive the appropriate treatment from their behavioral health outpatient clinic. I have always wanted to pursue a career in behavioral health since I was an adolescent because I wanted to make a difference in people lives. My passion in behavioral health continued to grow throughout my professional and personal experiences. These experiences led me graduate school to be able to be a therapist and help people gain the tools they need to heal.

I am interested in gaining experience in evidence-based practice such as, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I am also interested in specializing in grief due to my own personal experience.  I will work with you on meeting you where you are at in your current journey and creating a comfortable and safe space with you. Everyone deserves to heal, and I look forward to being part of your journey to help you get there.

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 Hi, my name is Ryan Willard and I’m in the final chapter of obtaining my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Arizona University. As an intern I work under the direct supervision of Julia Spain, a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Research consistently shows that the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client is the most important factor in producing change. My goal as an intern is to foster a strong therapeutic relationship through creating a safe and collaborative environment where you feel understood and free to express yourself without fear of judgment. Through this joint process, we can make a plan to help you address the areas of your life that are causing you distress and create opportunities for you to learn new skills and relational patterns that result in meaningful and lasting change.

I am interested in psychodynamic therapy for its emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and because many of its principles can be integrated into other types of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). 

I am an Arizona native. I received my bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Arizona. I have a wife, a son, two daughters, and two dogs. I love learning new things and am an avid reader. In my free time, I like to spend time outdoors with my family, building Legos with my kids, and cooking. I look forward to meeting and working with you.

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