Joel Covert, MSW, LCSW, BCN
It takes a lot of work to fully accept oneself and simultaneously be committed to growth, healing and wholeness. This is what Joel strives to do in his own life and in his work with his clients. Navigating our painful emotions, coming to grip with ourselves and learning to have healthy relationships is daunting, yet possible. Joel would love to journey with you as you learn to be more authentic and to fully embrace your story!
Joel has been working with clients for over 12 years. Knowing he wanted to be a therapist from the age of 13yo, Joel is both honored to be working in this field and passionate about his work. Joel earned his Master’s degree from Arizona State University. He graduated with a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) with an emphasis in direct practice. He is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and an Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AzBBHE) approved supervisor. Joel is also Board Certified in Neurofeedback (BCN), a treatment approach that is known for helping in ADHD, learning disorders, processing disorders, anxiety, depression, migraines, sleep disorders and trauma. Joel has a Counseling and Bible degree from Moody Bible Institute and is ordained in the Non-denominational Christian Church. Though not all clients want spiritual integration in their counseling, for those looking for this, Joel is able to bring faith into their treatment.
After completing his graduate studies, Joel completed a 2 year counseling residency at Phoenix Interfaith Counseling. He was extensively trained in Behavior Therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Gottman Couple’s Therapy, Attachment informed approaches and in treating personality disorders. Later, he was trained in Level 1 and 2 of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Joel has experience working at the Arizona State Hospital on the forensic psychiatric units, the Gilbert Police Department and Dynamic Living Counseling where he facilitated court- ordered substance abuse group therapy, worked with domestic violence offenders and victims, and facilitated psycho-education groups for minor consumption and substance use. Most recently, Joel practiced in Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) as a therapist to underprivileged families and as a trainer of becoming counselors at Amani Counseling Centre and Training Institute. He lectured courses in Psychopathology, Group Counseling and Counseling Ethics. Joel has worked with at risk students mentoring, counseling, and educating. Joel has extensive experience working with anxiety and depression issues. He also has treated those legally determined by the state “Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI).”
Joel's thorough training allows him to provides treatment to children, teens, adults, couples and families around the issues of depression, hopelessness even suicidal ideation and self-harm, anxiety, anger, parenting, foster/adoption transition and/or trauma, family/relationship discord, pre-marital counseling, addictions including sexual impulsivity/addictions and treating all types of trauma including sexual related trauma.
Joel provides Family Court Services including: •Therapeutic Interventionist (TI) services, •Court Ordered Behavior Interventionist (COBI) •Therapeutic Supervised Parenting Time, •Supervised Parenting Time, Co-Parenting services, •Reunification Therapy and •Court Appointed Counseling.
Joel is married with four kids. He enjoys spending time with his family, learning, meeting new people, traveling, spending time in new cultures, volunteering, and being outdoors. Joel enjoys running, playing other sports and coaching his kids activities. He also loves studying and reading in his spare time.
Penny Rivera, MA, LPC
Penelope Rivera is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Arizona. She earned her Masters of Counseling degree from Northern Arizona University and completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Education from the University of Arizona. Penelope was an elementary education teacher prior to becoming a counselor. She is also an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Penelope is bilingual and provides counseling services in English and Spanish. Penny specializes in working with children and utilizes play therapy in her practice. Her practice also consists of individual counseling with adolescents, teens, and adults, as well as family and marriage counseling. Penelope is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Other specializations include trauma/abuse issues, depression, anxiety, spiritual issues, anger, divorce, parenting, grief, and relationship issues. She also conducts anger management classes for ages 18 and above. Additionally, she provides forensic services and can be appointed as a Therapeutic Interventionist, Reunification Therapist, Safe Haven Therapist and Court Appointed Professional Counselor.
Penny is on the Behavioral Health Provider Family Court Roster and provides: •Therapeutic Interventionist (TI) services, •Therapeutic Supervised Parenting Time, •Focused Assessment, •Co-Parenting services, •Reunification Therapy, •Court Appointed Counseling
Her passion is helping others experience freedom in their lives so they can achieve personal, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Hannah Covert, MSN, APRN, CNM, PMHNP-BC
Hannah is excited to come along side AZCC with her company Rising Sun Psychiatry, LLC to meet the needs of those who could benefit from services beyond counseling. Hannah’s primary service is prescribing and managing psychotropic medication. Hannah believes in providing holistic care, so part of the treatment plan may include other options, such as lifestyle modifications, psycho-education, lab work, and alternative supplements.
From a young age, Hannah knew she wanted to pursue a career in the medical field with hopes of providing holistic and compassionate care to the most vulnerable. She has now been working in the field of nursing for 15 years and absolutely loves what she does! She completed her B.S. in Nursing at North Park University in Chicago. She then moved to Arizona, where her nursing career began in the Medical-Surgical ICU. After having her first child, she made the shift to work in labor and delivery, where she cared for people experiencing high risk pregnancies, pre-existing mental health conditions, substance use, and perinatal loss. She felt passionate about building a long-term relationship with these families and empowering them through their healthcare journey, so she pursued her MSN in Midwifery at Frontier Nursing University. As a provider, it became very evident that a vast majority of her patients needed someone to care for their mental health concerns. She especially noticed a gap in care for women in pregnancy and postpartum, so she furthered her education by engaging in other continuing education opportunities, such as the Postpartum Support International Psychopharmacology Training, CBTi for insomnia, and CBT for prenatal anxiety. Eventually she completed her Post-graduate Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is honored to walk alongside people of all ages and backgrounds and hopes to provide them with individualized, holistic, and evidence-based care. She hopes each person feels valued, heard and empowered to be a part of the shared decision-making team. Her specialties include perinatal mood disorders, PMDD, Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorders, ADHD, and PTSD.
When she is not working as a PMHNP, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, adventuring in the outdoors, running, traveling, coffee shops, and serving locally and globally.
Dr. Julie Gammer, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Julie is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to guiding individuals toward mental wellness. She provides personalized care through thorough psychiatric evaluations that include detailed assessments, diagnoses, and treatment of a wide variety of mental health conditions. In addition to medication management, Julie applies principles of functional medicine to examine how nutrition, sleep, stress, and lifestyle affect emotional and mental health. She is happy to incorporate behavioral strategies, lifestyle changes, and supplement recommendations when appropriate.
Finding the right mental health provider can feel overwhelming, but Julie’s goal is to make the process simple, supportive, and empowering. She aims to build a collaborative relationship where treatment is personalized, practical, and effective, with a goal-oriented approach.
Whether you’re seeking help for anxiety, mood changes, attention difficulties, or overall emotional well-being, her focus is on helping you gain insight, stability, and confidence in your mental health. Julie welcomes new clients and would be honored to partner with you on your path to achieve mental and emotional wellness.
Dr. Bea Peterson, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Bea Peterson is thrilled to be joining Rising Sun Psychiatry as a doctorally prepared psychiatric nurse practitioner. Guided by a deep passion for whole-person wellness, Bea strives to walk alongside individuals facing mental health challenges, offering care that is both holistic and highly individualized. She values the role of medication in treatment but also emphasizes the transformative benefits of psychotherapy, nutrition, exercise, and complementary therapies.
Bea earned her undergraduate nursing degree from Liberty University and spent five years as a registered nurse in a variety of acute care settings. These experiences taught her how to support patients through their most difficult moments and to offer hope even in times of deep distress. Her exposure to patients with diverse mental health needs—and witnessing firsthand the profound impact that compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care can have—sparked her dedication to the field of psychiatry. This passion led her to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Liberty University, where she trained under psychiatric professionals from a wide range of specialties and practice settings.
Outside of work, Bea enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, taking evening walks with her husband, Josh, and visiting friends and family across the country.
Lauren Seller, MA, LPC
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms- to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way."
-Viktor E. Frankl
We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control what we do with our circumstances. Sometimes we are handed or inherit a difficult lot in life, and the idea of navigating this lot can leave us feeling hopeless and powerless. I firmly believe we are not without hope because we will always have the power to choose how we respond to our adverse circumstances. I have a deep sense of compassion and intrigue for the human soul, a yearning to discover an individual’s story, and desire to build a warm, empathic, safe, and authentic alliance with my clients. My own story and life experiences help me better relate to those working through relational brokenness, finding and/or retaining one’s identity in the midst of big life-transitions, and living and relating as a stranger in a strange land. I join together with you in seeking hope as we journey together through whatever has brought you through my door, whether you’re wrestling with anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, grief, relationship issues, betrayal, divorce recovery, co-parenting, or perhaps struggling to learn how to blend families in a new chapter of your life. My overall Existentialist approach to therapy pulls from though is not limited to various orientations such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Method, and Strengths-Based Therapies. I also offer Friday/Saturday non-group therapy intensives for adult individuals and couples. I work with adults, couples, and teens, and also provide faith-based counseling from a Christian perspective for those who would desire it.
I enjoy spending time with my three daughters, traveling, music, movies, working with my hands, being outdoors, and I have a deep love for cross-cultural relationships. I look forward to the privilege of meeting with you.
Cassandra Greene, MA, LAC
Cassie is a Licensed Associate Counselor in the process of obtaining her Licensed Professional Counselor credentials. Cassie recently graduated from her Masters program at Phoenix Seminary and spent over 800 hours at her previous internship site working with clients, doing research, and completing training on evidence based treatments. Cassie has experience working with children and teens who are experiencing a variety of life challenges including parental divorce and separation, anxiety, depression, trauma, domestic violence, anger outbursts, impulsivity, self harm and suicidal ideation, peer pressure, low self esteem and more. Cassie uses a variety of therapeutic modalities to meet the needs of each child she sees including play therapy, art therapy, sand tray therapy, attachment work, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Cassie also provides parent sessions to ensure parents have the support and guidance needed to help their child get the most out of therapy and to create a strong family bond. Cassie additionally enjoys working with women of all ages as they journey through the ups and downs of life. She has experience working with women who are facing anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual trauma, relationship issues including betrayal and abuse, grief, parenting, foster and kinship care, boundary issues, family of origin issues and more. Cassie is able to integrate the Christian faith into counseling for those who desire it.
Prior to becoming a counselor, Cassie worked with children and families in a variety of roles including nannying, teaching preschool, parent aide services, and foster care licensing. These experiences have given her a passion for seeing individuals and families thrive. Cassie enjoys being in nature, painting, playing spikeball, walking her dog, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.
Samantha Banner, MA, LAC
While hardships are inevitable, healthy coping skills can help manage stressors and overcome
challenges effectively. As Carl Rogers said, “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is
a direction not a destination”. Each day we have the opportunity to heal and grow. Most of us
have a difficult time recognizing the unhelpful attributes in our lives that may be causing
unhappiness. As a counselor, Samantha would be honored to provide connection and
understanding during this process.
Samantha graduated with Bachelor degrees in psychology and health from Graceland University
in Lamoni, Iowa. She completed her Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
degree from Grand Canyon University. Samantha is licensed a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). Attending Christian institutions has constructed Samantha’s ability to integrate faith-based practice. Professionally, she has experience
empowering young women in the development of self-awareness, positive self-talk and affirmation skills.
Samantha offers individual and family counseling sessions, working with children, adolescents, teens and adults. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Samantha is a proud mother and homemaker. She is a Missouri native who enjoys the outdoors,
yoga, book club and journaling. Samantha is passionate about psychoeducation and human
services. As a therapist, Samantha’s objective is helping clients manage stress and cultivate a
prosperous lifestyle.
Jennifer Domey, MSW, LMSW
Jennifer resonates with a quote by Brene Brown from her book Daring Greatly which says, “Connection is the ability to recognize our shared humanity and to invite others into a sense of belonging and worthiness.”
Jennifer believes that choosing a path to heal and grow by starting a therapeutic relationship can be the beginning of a meaningful journey. She has experienced her own personal healing journey from trauma that has given her a passion to help others heal and become more of their authentic self. This desire led her to gain her bachelor’s degree in social work from Arizona State University and her Master of Social Work degree from Grand Canyon University. She is licensed with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners as an LMSW.
Jennifer is excited to have the privilege to come alongside and learn from her clients as she creates her own unique style that is grounded in empathy, acceptance, and understanding. Also, by creating a safe space for clients to explore emotions, challenges, concerns, and celebrate progress together. She understands the importance of building trust for the therapeutic relationship to thrive. She is EMDR trained and can offer a Christian faith-based perspective if desired as well.
Jennifer has valuable experience from being a part of the “sandwich generation” caring for elderly parents, navigating relational dynamics with adult children, and extended family issues. She has a heart for working with children, teens, and young adults, offering them a nonjudgemental and compassionate space to understand themselves, heal, and gain skills to live their best life.
Jennifer has been married for 22 years and has a blended family with two adult children and a teenager. She loves practicing yoga, hiking, being in nature, traveling, learning, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and sweet rescue dog.
Paityn Frye, BS, Counseling Intern
Paityn Frye holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Counseling from Grand Canyon University and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Christian emphasis. Her education and training have provided a strong foundation in understanding human behavior, emotional wellness, and the counseling process.
Paityn approaches counseling from a faith-based perspective that integrates clinical practice with a Christian worldview while remaining respectful, ethical, and client-centered for those with a different worldview. She is drawn to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and person-centered methodologies, and she strives to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. She has a particular passion for helping individuals work through anxious thoughts, grow more secure in their purpose and identity, and move toward a life of greater fullness and fulfillment. Her work is guided by the belief reflected in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
Although Paityn is still gaining clinical experience, she desires to work with young adults and adolescents and is committed to becoming well-equipped to support clients through a wide range of struggles. She also has a strong interest in marriage and family therapy and looks forward to working with individuals, couples, and families as they navigate relationships, transitions, and personal growth.
Outside of the counseling setting, Paityn is currently preparing for a marriage to her fiancé Dustin and is working full time as the game entertainment coordinator for GCU athletics. She enjoys Bible study, running, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
It takes a lot of work to fully accept oneself and simultaneously be committed to growth, healing and wholeness. This is what Joel strives to do in his own life and in his work with his clients. Navigating our painful emotions, coming to grip with ourselves and learning to have healthy relationships is daunting, yet possible. Joel would love to journey with you as you learn to be more authentic and to fully embrace your story!
Joel has been working with clients for over 12 years. Knowing he wanted to be a therapist from the age of 13yo, Joel is both honored to be working in this field and passionate about his work. Joel earned his Master’s degree from Arizona State University. He graduated with a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) with an emphasis in direct practice. He is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and an Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AzBBHE) approved supervisor. Joel is also Board Certified in Neurofeedback (BCN), a treatment approach that is known for helping in ADHD, learning disorders, processing disorders, anxiety, depression, migraines, sleep disorders and trauma. Joel has a Counseling and Bible degree from Moody Bible Institute and is ordained in the Non-denominational Christian Church. Though not all clients want spiritual integration in their counseling, for those looking for this, Joel is able to bring faith into their treatment.
After completing his graduate studies, Joel completed a 2 year counseling residency at Phoenix Interfaith Counseling. He was extensively trained in Behavior Therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Gottman Couple’s Therapy, Attachment informed approaches and in treating personality disorders. Later, he was trained in Level 1 and 2 of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Joel has experience working at the Arizona State Hospital on the forensic psychiatric units, the Gilbert Police Department and Dynamic Living Counseling where he facilitated court- ordered substance abuse group therapy, worked with domestic violence offenders and victims, and facilitated psycho-education groups for minor consumption and substance use. Most recently, Joel practiced in Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) as a therapist to underprivileged families and as a trainer of becoming counselors at Amani Counseling Centre and Training Institute. He lectured courses in Psychopathology, Group Counseling and Counseling Ethics. Joel has worked with at risk students mentoring, counseling, and educating. Joel has extensive experience working with anxiety and depression issues. He also has treated those legally determined by the state “Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI).”
Joel's thorough training allows him to provides treatment to children, teens, adults, couples and families around the issues of depression, hopelessness even suicidal ideation and self-harm, anxiety, anger, parenting, foster/adoption transition and/or trauma, family/relationship discord, pre-marital counseling, addictions including sexual impulsivity/addictions and treating all types of trauma including sexual related trauma.
Joel provides Family Court Services including: •Therapeutic Interventionist (TI) services, •Court Ordered Behavior Interventionist (COBI) •Therapeutic Supervised Parenting Time, •Supervised Parenting Time, Co-Parenting services, •Reunification Therapy and •Court Appointed Counseling.
Joel is married with four kids. He enjoys spending time with his family, learning, meeting new people, traveling, spending time in new cultures, volunteering, and being outdoors. Joel enjoys running, playing other sports and coaching his kids activities. He also loves studying and reading in his spare time.
Penny Rivera, MA, LPC
Penelope Rivera is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Arizona. She earned her Masters of Counseling degree from Northern Arizona University and completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Education from the University of Arizona. Penelope was an elementary education teacher prior to becoming a counselor. She is also an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Penelope is bilingual and provides counseling services in English and Spanish. Penny specializes in working with children and utilizes play therapy in her practice. Her practice also consists of individual counseling with adolescents, teens, and adults, as well as family and marriage counseling. Penelope is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Other specializations include trauma/abuse issues, depression, anxiety, spiritual issues, anger, divorce, parenting, grief, and relationship issues. She also conducts anger management classes for ages 18 and above. Additionally, she provides forensic services and can be appointed as a Therapeutic Interventionist, Reunification Therapist, Safe Haven Therapist and Court Appointed Professional Counselor.
Penny is on the Behavioral Health Provider Family Court Roster and provides: •Therapeutic Interventionist (TI) services, •Therapeutic Supervised Parenting Time, •Focused Assessment, •Co-Parenting services, •Reunification Therapy, •Court Appointed Counseling
Her passion is helping others experience freedom in their lives so they can achieve personal, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Hannah Covert, MSN, APRN, CNM, PMHNP-BC
Hannah is excited to come along side AZCC with her company Rising Sun Psychiatry, LLC to meet the needs of those who could benefit from services beyond counseling. Hannah’s primary service is prescribing and managing psychotropic medication. Hannah believes in providing holistic care, so part of the treatment plan may include other options, such as lifestyle modifications, psycho-education, lab work, and alternative supplements.
From a young age, Hannah knew she wanted to pursue a career in the medical field with hopes of providing holistic and compassionate care to the most vulnerable. She has now been working in the field of nursing for 15 years and absolutely loves what she does! She completed her B.S. in Nursing at North Park University in Chicago. She then moved to Arizona, where her nursing career began in the Medical-Surgical ICU. After having her first child, she made the shift to work in labor and delivery, where she cared for people experiencing high risk pregnancies, pre-existing mental health conditions, substance use, and perinatal loss. She felt passionate about building a long-term relationship with these families and empowering them through their healthcare journey, so she pursued her MSN in Midwifery at Frontier Nursing University. As a provider, it became very evident that a vast majority of her patients needed someone to care for their mental health concerns. She especially noticed a gap in care for women in pregnancy and postpartum, so she furthered her education by engaging in other continuing education opportunities, such as the Postpartum Support International Psychopharmacology Training, CBTi for insomnia, and CBT for prenatal anxiety. Eventually she completed her Post-graduate Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is honored to walk alongside people of all ages and backgrounds and hopes to provide them with individualized, holistic, and evidence-based care. She hopes each person feels valued, heard and empowered to be a part of the shared decision-making team. Her specialties include perinatal mood disorders, PMDD, Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorders, ADHD, and PTSD.
When she is not working as a PMHNP, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, adventuring in the outdoors, running, traveling, coffee shops, and serving locally and globally.
Dr. Julie Gammer, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Julie is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to guiding individuals toward mental wellness. She provides personalized care through thorough psychiatric evaluations that include detailed assessments, diagnoses, and treatment of a wide variety of mental health conditions. In addition to medication management, Julie applies principles of functional medicine to examine how nutrition, sleep, stress, and lifestyle affect emotional and mental health. She is happy to incorporate behavioral strategies, lifestyle changes, and supplement recommendations when appropriate.
Finding the right mental health provider can feel overwhelming, but Julie’s goal is to make the process simple, supportive, and empowering. She aims to build a collaborative relationship where treatment is personalized, practical, and effective, with a goal-oriented approach.
Whether you’re seeking help for anxiety, mood changes, attention difficulties, or overall emotional well-being, her focus is on helping you gain insight, stability, and confidence in your mental health. Julie welcomes new clients and would be honored to partner with you on your path to achieve mental and emotional wellness.
Dr. Bea Peterson, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Bea Peterson is thrilled to be joining Rising Sun Psychiatry as a doctorally prepared psychiatric nurse practitioner. Guided by a deep passion for whole-person wellness, Bea strives to walk alongside individuals facing mental health challenges, offering care that is both holistic and highly individualized. She values the role of medication in treatment but also emphasizes the transformative benefits of psychotherapy, nutrition, exercise, and complementary therapies.
Bea earned her undergraduate nursing degree from Liberty University and spent five years as a registered nurse in a variety of acute care settings. These experiences taught her how to support patients through their most difficult moments and to offer hope even in times of deep distress. Her exposure to patients with diverse mental health needs—and witnessing firsthand the profound impact that compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care can have—sparked her dedication to the field of psychiatry. This passion led her to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Liberty University, where she trained under psychiatric professionals from a wide range of specialties and practice settings.
Outside of work, Bea enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, taking evening walks with her husband, Josh, and visiting friends and family across the country.
Lauren Seller, MA, LPC
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms- to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way."
-Viktor E. Frankl
We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control what we do with our circumstances. Sometimes we are handed or inherit a difficult lot in life, and the idea of navigating this lot can leave us feeling hopeless and powerless. I firmly believe we are not without hope because we will always have the power to choose how we respond to our adverse circumstances. I have a deep sense of compassion and intrigue for the human soul, a yearning to discover an individual’s story, and desire to build a warm, empathic, safe, and authentic alliance with my clients. My own story and life experiences help me better relate to those working through relational brokenness, finding and/or retaining one’s identity in the midst of big life-transitions, and living and relating as a stranger in a strange land. I join together with you in seeking hope as we journey together through whatever has brought you through my door, whether you’re wrestling with anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, grief, relationship issues, betrayal, divorce recovery, co-parenting, or perhaps struggling to learn how to blend families in a new chapter of your life. My overall Existentialist approach to therapy pulls from though is not limited to various orientations such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Method, and Strengths-Based Therapies. I also offer Friday/Saturday non-group therapy intensives for adult individuals and couples. I work with adults, couples, and teens, and also provide faith-based counseling from a Christian perspective for those who would desire it.
I enjoy spending time with my three daughters, traveling, music, movies, working with my hands, being outdoors, and I have a deep love for cross-cultural relationships. I look forward to the privilege of meeting with you.
Cassandra Greene, MA, LAC
Cassie is a Licensed Associate Counselor in the process of obtaining her Licensed Professional Counselor credentials. Cassie recently graduated from her Masters program at Phoenix Seminary and spent over 800 hours at her previous internship site working with clients, doing research, and completing training on evidence based treatments. Cassie has experience working with children and teens who are experiencing a variety of life challenges including parental divorce and separation, anxiety, depression, trauma, domestic violence, anger outbursts, impulsivity, self harm and suicidal ideation, peer pressure, low self esteem and more. Cassie uses a variety of therapeutic modalities to meet the needs of each child she sees including play therapy, art therapy, sand tray therapy, attachment work, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Cassie also provides parent sessions to ensure parents have the support and guidance needed to help their child get the most out of therapy and to create a strong family bond. Cassie additionally enjoys working with women of all ages as they journey through the ups and downs of life. She has experience working with women who are facing anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual trauma, relationship issues including betrayal and abuse, grief, parenting, foster and kinship care, boundary issues, family of origin issues and more. Cassie is able to integrate the Christian faith into counseling for those who desire it.
Prior to becoming a counselor, Cassie worked with children and families in a variety of roles including nannying, teaching preschool, parent aide services, and foster care licensing. These experiences have given her a passion for seeing individuals and families thrive. Cassie enjoys being in nature, painting, playing spikeball, walking her dog, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.
Samantha Banner, MA, LAC
While hardships are inevitable, healthy coping skills can help manage stressors and overcome
challenges effectively. As Carl Rogers said, “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is
a direction not a destination”. Each day we have the opportunity to heal and grow. Most of us
have a difficult time recognizing the unhelpful attributes in our lives that may be causing
unhappiness. As a counselor, Samantha would be honored to provide connection and
understanding during this process.
Samantha graduated with Bachelor degrees in psychology and health from Graceland University
in Lamoni, Iowa. She completed her Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
degree from Grand Canyon University. Samantha is licensed a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). Attending Christian institutions has constructed Samantha’s ability to integrate faith-based practice. Professionally, she has experience
empowering young women in the development of self-awareness, positive self-talk and affirmation skills.
Samantha offers individual and family counseling sessions, working with children, adolescents, teens and adults. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Samantha is a proud mother and homemaker. She is a Missouri native who enjoys the outdoors,
yoga, book club and journaling. Samantha is passionate about psychoeducation and human
services. As a therapist, Samantha’s objective is helping clients manage stress and cultivate a
prosperous lifestyle.
Jennifer Domey, MSW, LMSW
Jennifer resonates with a quote by Brene Brown from her book Daring Greatly which says, “Connection is the ability to recognize our shared humanity and to invite others into a sense of belonging and worthiness.”
Jennifer believes that choosing a path to heal and grow by starting a therapeutic relationship can be the beginning of a meaningful journey. She has experienced her own personal healing journey from trauma that has given her a passion to help others heal and become more of their authentic self. This desire led her to gain her bachelor’s degree in social work from Arizona State University and her Master of Social Work degree from Grand Canyon University. She is licensed with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners as an LMSW.
Jennifer is excited to have the privilege to come alongside and learn from her clients as she creates her own unique style that is grounded in empathy, acceptance, and understanding. Also, by creating a safe space for clients to explore emotions, challenges, concerns, and celebrate progress together. She understands the importance of building trust for the therapeutic relationship to thrive. She is EMDR trained and can offer a Christian faith-based perspective if desired as well.
Jennifer has valuable experience from being a part of the “sandwich generation” caring for elderly parents, navigating relational dynamics with adult children, and extended family issues. She has a heart for working with children, teens, and young adults, offering them a nonjudgemental and compassionate space to understand themselves, heal, and gain skills to live their best life.
Jennifer has been married for 22 years and has a blended family with two adult children and a teenager. She loves practicing yoga, hiking, being in nature, traveling, learning, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and sweet rescue dog.
Paityn Frye, BS, Counseling Intern
Paityn Frye holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Counseling from Grand Canyon University and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Christian emphasis. Her education and training have provided a strong foundation in understanding human behavior, emotional wellness, and the counseling process.
Paityn approaches counseling from a faith-based perspective that integrates clinical practice with a Christian worldview while remaining respectful, ethical, and client-centered for those with a different worldview. She is drawn to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and person-centered methodologies, and she strives to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. She has a particular passion for helping individuals work through anxious thoughts, grow more secure in their purpose and identity, and move toward a life of greater fullness and fulfillment. Her work is guided by the belief reflected in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
Although Paityn is still gaining clinical experience, she desires to work with young adults and adolescents and is committed to becoming well-equipped to support clients through a wide range of struggles. She also has a strong interest in marriage and family therapy and looks forward to working with individuals, couples, and families as they navigate relationships, transitions, and personal growth.
Outside of the counseling setting, Paityn is currently preparing for a marriage to her fiancé Dustin and is working full time as the game entertainment coordinator for GCU athletics. She enjoys Bible study, running, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.