Find a Therapist in United States

I help clients cultivate self-compassion, insight, and self-efficacy while exploring how life experiences, relationships, and patterns may contribute to current challenges. Together, we work toward healing in an environment grounded in kindness, humor, and empathy.  

At Alabaster Counseling, we see you: in all your beauty, your flaws, and your uniqueness. Our space is warm and inviting, so you can be exactly who you are. We believe healing happens in healthy, non-judgmental, and safe environments, and that’s what we offer. Here, you’ll receive individualized care from women who understand many of the same challenges you face. You’ll always feel seen, heard, and most of all, valued for who you are. You deserve healing, and we look forward to supporting you on your journey.  

I have spent many years practicing massage therapy, getting to know the mind,body, and spirit connection which lead me to study Clinical Hypnotherapy at the American Academy of Hypnotherapy in Albuquerque, NM. The connection between our consciousness, our subconscious, and our higher self form the results in our mind, bodies, and trajectory through our lifetime and beyond. Hypnosis helps to find that connection, that "golden thread", that links you to your higher self and desired path. Wether that be a new goal or habit, stress relief, better sleep, or past life exploration.  

Regardless of the situations or experiences you are going through, you are not alone. Every individual deserves to be heard and understood. I provide a safe space for you to process your feelings and emotions, gain insight, heal from your past experiences, and utilize new coping tools and strategies to grow into a stronger version of yourself. I have experience working with individuals: children, adolescents, young adults, and adults that struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and trauma. I am a Registered AMFT (#135937) and work under the direct supervision of licensed Clinical Social Worker Jessica Piña (#101452)  

Counseling & Coaching compliment each other. Therapy focuses on addressing past traumas & mental health concerns, while coaching focuses on helping individuals achieve future goals & optimize their performance in specific areas. One often involves exploring the root causes of problems, helping clients process emotions & develop coping mechanisms and the other focuses on setting & achieving goals in the present & future, leveraging strengths, action-oriented strategies & resources for personal & professional development.  

I get it—life and relationships can be messy, confusing, and deeply personal. I work with individuals and couples navigating love, identity, and life transitions, bringing a warm, direct approach that meets you where you are. Whether in-person or virtual, our sessions are a space for insight, clarity, and a few “aha” moments along the way. I also weave in humor and real-life perspective when it feels right—because therapy shouldn’t be all serious all the time.  

I’m Dr. Ilyssa Swartout, a licensed psychologist dedicated to helping adults and couples heal from past wounds and create meaningful change. My approach blends warmth, presence, and evidence-based therapy to help you move beyond old patterns and reconnect with your sense of worth and wholeness. My background includes over 20 years of mentorship with James Bugental, Ph.D., founder of Humanistic Psychotherapy, and advanced training in EMDR, Brainspotting, Gestalt Therapy, and Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS). These approaches support healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties by addressing both emotional and body-based experiences. As an EMDR Consultant and Certified In-Depth Therapist, I guide clients and other professionals toward lasting transformation and self-understanding. Therapy is a courageous step toward healing and growth. Together, we’ll create a safe and supportive space for you to explore, recover, and thrive.  

On the outside, you may appear successful and capable—but internally you may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stretched too thin. Our practice offers thoughtful, compassionate therapy for women who want more than just coping—they want deeper clarity, stronger boundaries, and meaningful change. At our practice, we provide a warm and supportive space where women can slow down, process what they’re going through, and feel truly understood. Our therapists specialize in helping clients navigate anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and the emotional challenges that can come with motherhood and modern life. We believe therapy should feel collaborative, practical, and empowering. Together, we’ll help you better understand the patterns that are contributing to stress, strengthen your boundaries, and develop tools that allow you to feel more grounded and confident in your daily life. Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you’re used to handling things on your own. If you’re feeling unsure, that’s completely normal—we’re here to make the process feel comfortable and supportive from the very first conversation.  

I have over 20 years of diverse experience in the social work and mental health field. I entered the profession because I wanted to help people learn the skills necessary to live their best lives. I have served in community behavioral health outpatient, residential group treatment, and general healthcare settings primarily with individuals, children, adolescents, families, and groups with mental health and co-occurring conditions. I look forward to serving you and your family. I am passionate about helping individuals learn how to address their anger in a healthier and meaningful way. I love to help, support, and advocate for all individuals and families in their communities. I am passionate about ensuring high quality and evidence-based behavioral health services for all clients.  

If you’ve found your way here, odds are something in your world might feel tangled, heavy, or out of alignment. You may love each other deeply and still feel stuck in painful patterns you can’t seem to escape. Maybe conversations escalate quickly, one of you shuts down while the other pursues, resentment keeps building, or trust has been damaged by repeated hurt, betrayal, or emotional disconnection. Over time, couples often begin feeling more like roommates, opponents, or strangers than partners. Whatever brought you here, you’re not alone and you’re in the right place to begin healing. In couples counseling, you’ll find a space where your nervous system can exhale—where we can slow down, untangle patterns, heal emotional injuries, and strengthen the threads that create secure, meaningful relationships. I specialize in helping couples slow down these negative cycles, rebuild emotional safety, strengthen communication, and reconnect beneath the conflict. My relationship counseling approach is attachment-based, trauma-informed, and grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Family Systems, and Gottman Method, helping partners move from blame and defensiveness toward understanding, responsiveness, and deeper connection. Whether you’re navigating chronic conflict, intimacy issues, infidelity recovery, parenting stress, premarital concerns, or the impact of trauma on your relationship, couples therapy can become a space where both partners feel heard, understood, and supported. I primarily work with couples and adults navigating relationship distress, attachment wounds, trauma, and emotional disconnection. I currently have availability for in-person and online sessions and would love to connect. Together, we’ll work toward creating a relationship that feels safer, more connected, and more resilient.  

*ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS* Congratulations! By seeking help you have taken a brave step toward achieving your goals and attaining a greater sense of happiness.  

I recognize that it can be tough to maintain hope in a world that constantly attacks your mental health and emotional wellbeing. I want to offer support to help you move past the things that keep you stuck in unhealthy patterns of thinking, acting, and relating to others. I'd love to talk with you today, so that we can explore what you need to live a life of greater freedom and purpose.  

If you are struggling with an anxiety disorder that is making it difficult for you to function in any area of your life, there is help to recover. I have worked with many clients over the last 20+ years in the treatment of panic attacks, phobias, OCD, intrusive thoughts, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder and many related fears. I have also helped many clients process past traumas that caused PTSD or c-PSTD is a safe, compassionate setting. People often have difficulties in romantic relationships and dating due to insecure attachment styles such as anxious-preoccupied or dismissive-avoidant. I work with clients to develop a earned secure attachment style. I also have experience treating clients with chronic illness and narcissistic abuse syndrome. This is an individualized approach to meet you where you are as well as a safe and compassionate approach to therapy. You do not have to struggle, recovery is possible.  

Something within you wants to emerge, yet you feel stuck and bound by beliefs like, "I'm not good enough," "It's too late for me," "I am shameful," or, "I'm broken." Often you feel you're watching your life rather than living it. You love your people, but you struggle to express it fully. You are carrying the weight of broken systems and feel the ache of a deep grief you can't quite name. You started this work because you want to help; now you feel like you're always in trouble. You desperately want to connect to Spirit and community, but have been harmed by church or religion. You're ready to come home to your body, to your Self. I seek to create a safe container in which you can explore your innermost landscapes, heal from trauma, release binds, and move from survival to thriving. Rooted in somatic, feminist, and liberation psychologies, my therapeutic work incorporates EMDR, parts work, and mindfulness, alongside nature-based and narrative approaches. I offer a warm, attuned presence grounded in compassion and reverence for your innate wisdom and ability to heal and grow. I support adults, pre-teens, teens, couples, and families, including folks who are engaged in or exploring non-monogamous relationship structures. It would be an honor to walk alongside you on your journey. Let's begin!  

Dena is a licensed Psychotherapist with a specialty in Addiction Disorders, anxiety and depression . She uses an integrative approach to counseling which involves hypnotherapy, mindfulness, cognitive and behavioral modalities. Her unique approach teaches clients a wide range of tools, releases old patterns, and creates a process where sustainable healing can occur.  

My foremost goal is for each counseling session with me to feel safe, organic, empathetic and encouraging. My intention is for each person I meet to feel comfortable being their truest selves and to also walk side by side with them as they bravely face challenges in life, learn new skills, and re-discover the courage and inner strength that we all possess.  

Congruence Counseling Group is dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centered care where individuals feel heard, respected, and supported. Our therapists bring diverse experiences, evidence-based approaches, and a genuine commitment to each client’s wellbeing. We strive to create a welcoming space where meaningful growth and healing can take place. If you are looking for thoughtful support and practical tools to navigate life’s challenges, we invite you to connect with our team.  

"We've Had A Hundred Years of Psychotherapy and the World's Getting Worse" (Hillman)......If this quote resonates with you and you want a groundbreaking approach using neuroscience, we are your group........You can also view more about me from a video at www.greymattersintl.com My work via a combination of cutting edge neurotechnology solutions & keen insightful advisory work has shown results 3-4 times faster than traditional 'old school' counseling. Email me anytime to learn more at info@greymattersintl.com  

Whether this is your first time in therapy or you're returning to continue the work you started, something brought you to this search today. Starting therapy can feel intimidating, even if it isn't your first time. I believe that the foundation of counseling is the therapeutic relationship created between the therapist and client: we are creating a team, and that requires trust, transparency, and feeling safe. It will be my goal to meet you where you're at and work at your pace, while also pushing you to meet the goals you outline for your treatment. I understand that whatever has brought you here is deeply personal and sensitive, and I vow to treat our counseling space with honor and respect. Feel free to reach out to me through email or phone call and we can set up a time to have a free consultation to see if we would be a good match to work together.  

I believe therapy should feel like a place where you can show up exactly as you are. I work with folks navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based therapies to help you better understand yourself, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ready to invest in your well-being, I'm here to help you move forward with greater confidence and resilience.