Licensed to practice in Arizona and accepts 11 insurances. Specializes in Coping Skills, Life Transitions, Peer Relationships and 5 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I'm Dr. Cohen. I'm a licensed clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience working in the mental health field. I believe that people are the experts on themselves — and that through guidance and exploration, I can empower you to find understanding and achieve personal growth. I work with clients facing challenges like: • Life changes • Relationship and social issues • Mood issues (such as depression and anxiety) • Setting boundaries (including assertive communication) • Coping with stressors The work we do together might involve talking through a difficult experience, addressing a specific issue, or changing the way you think about or handle challenging situations. I put time and effort into building relationships with my clients; I want you to experience an environment of trust and comfort as we work together. My favorite part of what I do is helping clients improve their life, achieve a goal, or feel genuinely content in a way they didn't before. I earned my bachelor's degree at UCLA and my Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University, before going on to build a rewarding career in Arizona.
Sometimes people come into therapy feeling apprehensive or uncertain — very understandable emotions. My goal is for you to feel at ease, and to leave every session feeling like it was worthwhile and productive. Before our first meeting, I will review any information you provided ahead of time, and when we meet I’ll give you the opportunity to tell me about yourself and share details you think are important for me to know. At times people are unsure about what to tell a therapist initially; I will both listen and ask questions to help guide that process. You may have your goals identified and ready to share, or we may figure them out together. Either way, you’ll have a chance to ask questions about—and help shape—the course of therapy.
Seeking therapy takes awareness and courage. So I strive for a person-centered approach offering warmth, acceptance, and a nonjudgmental space as we work together to meet your goals and get you where you want to be. I balance this approach with skill-based, problem-solving work aimed at helping you view situations from different perspectives and exploring how to respond to them in a more healthy way. I have found it incredibly helpful to conceptualize clients' issues from a wide perspective, then individualize treatment based on your unique circumstances. All with the empathy and validation that are part of my natural style, both personally and professionally.
Though I have extensive experience addressing issues involving mood, relationships, boundaries, and coping with life stressors, my focus will always be more on the person rather than a specific issue. You may already know what you want to accomplish in therapy, or you might be unsure—either way, I can help guide you toward growth and goals. I'm eager to help you talk situations through, feel listened to and empowered to view things in new ways, make decisions, practice new behaviors, and take new actions.
We will explore how you view things, and the ways these thoughts impact feelings and behavior. If we discover that some thinking patterns are leading to ineffective behaviors, we will work on reframing thoughts, or viewing situations in new ways.
Empathy (having a sense and understanding of the position you are in), acceptance of where you are at, and sharing my genuine reactions will be used to create a supportive, caring environment where you will feel empowered to explore issues and grow.