Family therapy and counseling in Phoenix, AZ

I have been a Mental Health Therapist for 32 years working with Children, Adolescents and Adults.

My name is Liz Sherman. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, in the northern part of Metro-Denver. In my practice I work with couples, families, and individuals living with substance use disorders, anxiety, and relational issues. If you want a committed and compassionate therapist who is dedicated to helping you meet your goals, I can help you.

Welcome! I'm John Ely - formally John N. Ely, Ph.D., LPC, informally "John" or "Doc". I hold an earned doctorate in Counseling granted by Marquette University in 1980 and have over 40 years of experience and psychotherapy. I'm essentially a general practitioner but with somewhat of a specialty in treating anxiety and trauma; I'm also comfortable with treating adolescents, couples and families and with facilitating recovery from substance abuse and addiction.

I am a double board-certified Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience across the continuum of psychiatric care, including acute psychiatric emergencies, inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, geriatric mental health, intellectual and developmental disability services, and healthcare management. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and am currently completing my Doctorate, reflecting my ongoing commitment to clinical excellence, evidence-based practice, and lifelong learning.

Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals and families navigating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, from situational anxiety and depression to severe and persistent mental illness. My clinical experience includes extensive work with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma-related conditions, and mood instability across the lifespan. I am particularly experienced in caring for geriatric patients, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and patients with complex medication regimens requiring careful evaluation, simplification, and long-term stabilization.

I also work closely with college-aged patients and adults who are navigating academic pressure, career transitions, family dynamics, identity development, and the cumulative stressors that can emerge during periods of high responsibility or change. Many of my patients are high-functioning individuals who appear “put together” on the outside but struggle internally with anxiety, rumination, intrusive thoughts, emotional dysregulation, or burnout. Others are managing chronic psychiatric illness while striving to maintain independence, relationships, and quality of life.

As a board certified psychotherapist, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest parts, so congratulations on taking that step! I’ve been practicing for 10 years, I work with a plethora of inter-generational clients aged 21-90 who are struggling with anxiety and depression and trauma.

As a chaplain, I take a psycho-spiritual approach and work with clients assisting with intercultural issues, blended family dynamics, religiosity challenges and grief & loss.