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  • Understand. Heal. Grow. We Can Do This Together

    Welcome

    Are you stressed out or anxious?

    Does it seem like you can’t communicate?

    Are you struggling with healing?

    Have you tried to solve the problems in your life on your own and realized you need help from someone else?

    If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have made the right choice by being here. We know seeking help can be hard. You’ve likely been debating seeking help for months if not years, but we’re so glad you have taken the courageous step of being here.


    “You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”

    Together we can work to help equip you with the necessary tools to help you face and overcome your challenges. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, relationships, or depression, it is important that you know you don’t have to be alone in this journey. We have the experience to help you achieve your goals, overcome these struggles, and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

    We understand no two individuals are the same, and we tailor our sessions together to address challenges unique to you. We will work together to understand the root cause of your struggles and address them with long-lasting strategies, helping you get closer to the life you’ve always wanted.

    If you’re ready to work towards the life you’ve always wanted, we’re ready when you are. Contact us today and let’s get to work.

    Meet Our Team

    Gema Rivera, MFT Intern

    Gema Rivera, MFT Intern

    Gema is originally from South Lake Tahoe, CA, and has been in Arizona for 4 years. Gema is bilingual and currently pursuing her master's in marriage and family therapy from Touro University. She is passionate about working with families, Children, and teenagers that are going 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 important for establishing positive relationships. Gema likes working with a diverse population and enjoys helping individuals navigate through problems.
    Nicole Deglane-Chavez, M.A. LAC

    Nicole Deglane-Chavez, M.A. LAC

    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.
    Jessica Wanke- LPC Intern

    Jessica Wanke- LPC Intern

    Jessica Wanke is a graduate student pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University. She is passionate about serving individuals, families, couples, adolescents, and groups who have 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 skills in coping mechanisms and communication, improve self-esteem, promote changes in behavior, and strive for improved mental health. Jessica believes it is important to not only listen to what is being said, but 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 towards 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.
    Katie Firedancing, M.A., LAC

    Katie Firedancing, M.A., LAC

    Katie Firedancing is a Licensed Associate Counselor who specializes inattachment and developmental trauma, couples therapy and mooddisorders. For the past 5 years she has worked with individuals, couples andadolescents in a private practice setting. Katie has a passion for helpingpeople identify and heal core wounds. Katie is trained in both EMDR (EyeMovement and Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Emotion FocusedCouples Therapy. She received her Masters in Professional Counseling withan emphasis in Marital and Family Therapy from Grand Canyon University.Katie is passionate about couples both married and pre-marital, equippingthem to have healthier relationships through facilitating healthyattachment and vulnerable connection. Katie employs the therapeuticframeworks of Attachment Theory, Emotion Focused Couples Therapy, aswell as the Gottman Method when working with couples. She believes thatmarriage is one of the most beautiful and transformational unions, howeveras a married woman herself understands the challenges that accompanyjoining ones life with another. Katie also enjoys working with individuals,helping each person to seek healing for their trauma through theframework of EMDR Therapy. When she is not counseling Katie enjoysspending time with her husband and children
    Tara Looney, M.A. LAC

    Tara Looney, M.A. LAC

    Tara has been practicing counseling for five years and is working towards full licensure. 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.
    Hannah Myler M.A. LAMFT

    Hannah Myler M.A. LAMFT

    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.
    Wanda Deglane M.A. LAMFT

    Wanda Deglane M.A. LAMFT

    Wanda is passionate about helping others navigate the rough storms that life sometimes throws our way. 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 leading more peaceful, fulfilling lives, and instill a sense of hope that healing is possible.
    Xinia Pansano B.A. Office Manager

    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 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

    Shari Short M.A. LMFT Owner/Approved Supervisor

    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.
    Internships available

    Internships available

    Aloha Counseling offers internships to enrolled Graduate Students who need to obtain Clinical and Supervision hours. These are offered for those seeking a Licensed Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapy Credential. Please reach out if you are looking for an internship site.