Internships available
Aloha Counseling offers internships to enrolled Graduate Students who need to obtain Clinical and Supervision hours. These are provided for those seeking a Licensed Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapy Credential. Please reach out if you are looking for an internship site. We currently have students from GCU and are an approved site for ASU's MFT program and Tuoro University. We are happy to work with other Higher Education programs. Internships are typically a year long, and flexibility is required. We offer training and group and individual supervision for all interns.
LaShay Cobbs, MSW, LMSW *Surprise Office & Online
LaShay has been in the mental health practice of supporting and counseling for 16 years. In her career, she has a sculpted passion in working with clients in her specialties of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief, stress, anger and trauma. She obtained her master’s in social work from California State University and has worked with a variety of ages ranging from 5 years to 98 years of age. LaShay has a background and experiences in school, community and medical mental health. LaShay has been humbled enough to continue to support individuals, couples and families with managing behavior, addictions, identity, crisis, relationships, parenting, and the hardships of end of life. LaShay enjoys practicing from a sense of understanding who you are. She utilizes strength-based approaches, family systems, and one’s biopsychosocial in the process and progression in therapy. LaShay believes it is important to meet you where you are emotionally and mentally to arrive at a better and thriving you. She understands that at any stage in your life, you may find yourself needing the space to be heard and to heal. LaShay looks forward to taking the time to meet you in that space together. LaShay is currently taking telehealth and in-office sessions.
Katie Barrett, MA, LAC Glendale office and online
Katie aims to provide her clients with a safe space to share, connect, and work ontreatment goals together. Katie’s hope is to create a therapeutic relationship with her clientswhere they can learn about themselves and how to best cope with life's challenges. Katie isespecially interested in working with children, adolescents, and young adults who havesuffered trauma in their life. Katie is passionate about her belief that we all have thestrengths within us to persevere even after unique challenges in our lives.Katie’s clinicalexperience thus far has included working with children, teens, and young adults who haveexperienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as child abuse, neglect, or sexual assault.Katie also has experience working with teens in a school-based therapy setting. Katie usesmodalities such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Person-CenteredTherapy, and Strengths Based Therapy.
Karla Barajas, MA LAC *Spanish Speaking-Surprise Office & Online
Karla is passionate about working with clients through the challenging moments in their livesand helping them achieve their therapeutic goals. She incorporates compassion and empathywhile providing clients a safe space to build a therapeutic alliance.Karla is bilingual and enjoys working with a diverse population. She is an LGBTQ+ affirmingclinician. Her experience includes working with young adults and older, struggling with anxiety,depression, low self-esteem, relationship issues, life transitions, and women’s issues. Sheenjoys using different modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-CenteredTherapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.She aims to help individuals and couples become their most authentic selves and improve theiroverall well-being.
Nicole Deglane-Chavez, M.A. LAC *Spanish Speaking *Surprise office & Online
Nicole is a therapist with international expertise and a passion for improving mental health. With a degree in Psychology from Peru and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University, she's well-equipped with the latest therapeutic techniques.Nicole's diverse clinical experience includes working with anxiety, depression, and trauma using evidence-based approaches like CBT, solution-focused therapy, and EMDR. Her empathetic, client-centered approach ensures support for all ages. As a certified provider of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Nicole also specializes in helping parents raise confident, happy children and teenagers. *Nicole is also available for those seeking a Spanish-speaking therapist. Nicole es una terapeuta con experiencia internacional y una pasión por mejorar la salud mental. Licenciada en Psicología por Perú y con una Maestría en Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental por la Universidad del Gran Cañón, está bien equipada con las últimas técnicas terapéuticas. La diversa experiencia clínica de Nicole incluye el trabajo con la ansiedad, la depresión y el trauma utilizando enfoques basados en la evidencia como la TCC, la terapia centrada en soluciones y EMDR. Su enfoque empático y centrado en el cliente garantiza el apoyo a todas las edades. Como proveedora certificada del Programa de Crianza Positiva (Triple P), Nicole también se especializa en ayudar a los padres a criar niños y adolescentes seguros y felices y seguros.
Tara Looney, M.A. LPC, *Surprise Office & Online
Tara has been practicing counseling for six years. She specializes in CPTSD and personality disorders by using integrated trauma-informed modalities. She has experience with individuals transitioning through major life changes, mood disorders, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. After working with children and families in-home, she worked for the next five years with differently-abled individuals gaining what she believes are the most important tools in therapy; patience and acceptance. Tara is passionate about system issues impacting our culture, providing holistic care, and being genuine with her clients. She believes the relationship between a therapist and client is unique and works to make sure personalities match. Additionally, Tara's experience working with LGBTQIA+ clients allows her to maintain an open mind around diversity.
Jessica Wanke- LAC *Surprise Office & online
Jessica Wanke received a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University. She is passionate about serving individuals, families, couples, adolescents, and groups with mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges. She offers an encouraging and secure space for clients to establish goals and develop approaches to address emotional issues, fortify coping mechanisms and communication skills, improve self-esteem, promote changes in behavior, and strive for improved mental health. Jessica believes it is important to listen to what is being said and how it is said, why it is being said, and what it means in the context of each individualized client. Jessica gravitates towards a mixture of Cognitive Behavioral and Humanistic Approach Therapies. She is devoted to implementing the foundational principles of counseling while also providing clients with therapeutic counseling techniques. The stress of personal problems, issues with behavior, emotional, marital, vocational, rehabilitative, educational, or life-stage nature can be overwhelming. Jessica is ready to help you establish goals and develop approaches to promote changed behavior and improve mental well-being.
Wanda Deglane M.A. LAMFT *Glendale Office & Online
Wanda is passionate about helping others navigate the rough storms that life sometimes throws us. She is experienced in treating clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relational issues, and grief. More than anything, she wants to guide her clients to lead more peaceful, fulfilling lives and instill a sense of hope that healing is possible.
Courtney Stevens, Counseling Intern *Starting end of November
Courtney Stevens is a dedicated counseling intern at Aloha Counseling, specializing in child and family therapy. With a strong focus on mental health and substance use, she brings a compassionate and client-centered approach to her practice. Courtney’s background includes extensive work with military families and experience within the Department of Child Services, equipping her with unique insights into the challenges faced by these populations. Passionate about fostering resilience and healing, Courtney is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for her clients. She believes in the importance of collaboration with families and communities to promote positive outcomes and lasting change. Outside of her professional pursuits, Courtney enjoys the outdoors, often found camping, hiking, and paddleboarding. These activities inspire her holistic approach to wellness and balance in life.
Bryanna Sawyer MFT Intern
Bryanna is a graduate student pursuing her Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from Arizona State University. She is determined to help families, couples, and individuals with emotional, mental and behavioral challenges. Bryanna likes to take time to build rapport and establish plans with clients in order to best support their therapeutic goals. She believes that positive communication, environments and relationships help to influence a positive life. She likes working with diverse populations and helping people navigate challenging points in their life.
Gina Jodat LPC Intern
Gina Jodat is a graduate student pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Trauma from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. She has over 22 years of working with first responders who are working through complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. She believes that the therapeutic relationship should be one of authenticity, and collaboration, and one that feels safe and supportive. She focuses on the client's strength and resiliency. She is interested in working with first responders, adults, families, and couples and strives to help individuals identify and harness their inner strengths. Gina gravitates towards an integrated approach rooted in Client-Centered Therapy, which respects the client as the expert in their own life, combined with Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on the interaction between events in one's life, and how beliefs about those events impact one's feelings and experiences. Gina enjoys spending time with her family. camping, and traveling. She loves how nature can refuel her body and soul.
Mary Wilyerd MFT Intern
As a Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Student at Arizona State University, Mary recognizes the impact that familial relationships can have on individual well-being. She believes that all individuals, couples, and families have it within them to overcome the various challenges in life and to find joy in their circumstances and in their relationships. She […]
Gema Rivera, LAMFT Spanish Speaking
Gema is originally from South Lake Tahoe, CA, and has been in Arizona for five years. She is passionate about working with families, Children, and teenagers through tough times. Gema likes helping individuals through challenging times and helping them feel better. She loves seeing positive results from treatment and likes to take the time to build a relationship with the patients so they feel comfortable communicating with her. Gema believes that communication and active listening are essential for establishing positive relationships. Gema enjoys working with a diverse population and helping individuals navigate problems.
Era’Shaunda Brown MFT Intern
Era’Shaunda Brown is currently attending Arizona State University pursuing her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She enjoys working with a mixture of different therapies but gravitates towards Emotion-Focused and Solution-Focused Therapies. She enjoys working with diverse clientele including families, couples, and adolescents, helping them to navigate through complex transitional periods that are experienced […]
Ashleigh Pulaski MFT intern *Full Not taking new clients
Ashleigh is currently pursuing a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from Arizona State University. She holds an undergraduate degree in behavioral neuroscience from the University of Kansas. With a long history of work in the healthcare field, Ashleigh understands the importance of putting the client first. This, along with Ashleigh’s empathetic nature and passion […]
Hannah Myler M.A. LAMFT **Not taking new clients**
Hannah has years of experience working in helping professions and is passionate about having the opportunity to walk with individuals and families through their darkest hours, times of uncertainty, change, crisis, and personal/relational development. She gravitates towards a mixture of Solution-Focused and Emotion-Focused Therapies. Her approach to therapy is validating and authentic with a pinch of humor. She is experienced in working with families, youth, and children through navigating anxiety, depression, familial discord, and unprecedented times. If she could instill anything in her clients, it would be confidence and trust in themselves to triumph over their conflict and live a life they love.
Xinia Pansano B.A. Office Manager
Xinia Pansano is a seasoned Administrative Assistant with over 25 years in the field. She has extensive experience with all administrative tasks, including scheduling and bookkeeping. Xinia graduated from Veritas University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.
Brittany McCutchan, Intake Coordinator
Brittany is a customer service professional that has worked in client services for 15 years. With a background in medical scheduling she focuses on the importance of each client's journey and handles the relationship with care and compassion. Brittany is based in Seattle and when not working enjoys spending time with her family and enjoying the great Pacific Northwest.
Shari Short M.A. LMFT Owner/Approved Supervisor **Not taking new clients**
Shari Short LMFT is the founder of Aloha Counseling. LLC. She has been working in private practice since 2006 and specializes in Couples. Shari sees a small caseload and enjoys training other Therapists (she is an approved Supervisor in the state of Arizona) Shari opened her practice in Maui, Hawaii which is where the name "Aloha Counseling" comes from. She practices in Washington State and Arizona. Shari and her husband collectively have 6 adult children and 5 grandchildren.
