Find a therapist in Tempe, AZ — covered by insurance

Find a therapist in Tempe, AZ — covered by insurance

What should you know about me? I specialize in helping adults heal from trauma using approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS), which gently explore the different parts of ourselves shaped by past experiences. Trauma can leave us feeling stuck, disconnected, or overwhelmed—but I believe healing is always possible. Whether you're carrying the weight of childhood wounds, navigating the aftermath of a toxic relationship, or simply feeling lost, I offer a grounded, compassionate space where we can begin to make sense of your story together. I’m here to support your healing with curiosity, care, and respect for the pace and path that feel right to you.

I have a particular passion for supporting people through the emotional challenges that can arise during pregnancy, postpartum, and new parenthood. These seasons of life can bring joy, but also grief, identity shifts, anxiety, and intense pressure—especially for those navigating them without the support they deserve. Whether you're feeling disconnected after giving birth, overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, or struggling to adjust to the demands of parenting, I offer a space where your experience is validated and your mental health is prioritized. I also work closely with individuals who’ve experienced fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, or traumatic birth. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strength, find clarity amidst the uncertainty, and support your healing with care that honors your unique journey.

I’ve worked in mental health for over a decade, and every person I meet reminds me how powerful it is to feel truly seen. My practice is trauma-informed, gender-affirming, and culturally aware, with a special focus on the LGBTQIA+ community, first-generation individuals, and those recovering from high-control environments. I draw from CBT, DBT, ACT, and IFS, always tailoring care to your specific needs. No matter where you are in your journey, I’m here to walk alongside you.

Trauma can leave a lasting imprint, but healing is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Addiction Counselor, I specialize in trauma recovery, addiction, anxiety, and PTSD, with a particular focus on helping first responders, healthcare professionals, and individuals in high-stress environments. I understand the toll that chronic stress and past experiences can take on both the mind and body, and I tailor my approach to meet you where you are—creating a space where healing feels safe, empowering, and within reach.

I use evidence-based practices, such as EMDR, EFT, and CBT to help individuals and couples break free from painful patterns and move toward greater clarity, emotional resilience, and lasting fulfillment. Whether you’re an individual working through trauma, anxiety, or relationship challenges, or a couple seeking to rebuild trust, improve communication, and strengthen emotional connection, we will identify core issues, heal emotional wounds, and develop practical strategies to foster meaningful, sustainable change.

The process of healing doesn't look the same for everyone. Each person’s story is unique, shaped by their history, relationships, and experiences. That’s why I take a holistic and personalized approach, ensuring that therapy is tailored to your specific needs. My goal is to help you feel more connected to yourself and others, to develop self-compassion, and to create a sense of balance in your life.

I believe that healing happens in connection—with ourselves, our past, and the people around us. Together, we’ll work toward understanding your experiences, strengthening your emotional well-being, and building the tools you need to move forward with confidence. Taking the first step toward therapy is an act of courage. If you’re ready to start your journey, I’m here to walk alongside you.

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Healing from trauma takes courage, and I’m here to support you with evidence-based care and compassion. I specialize in trauma recovery and use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) along with other proven approaches to help you heal from painful experiences that continue to affect your thoughts, emotions, and relationships. Having experienced the power of healing firsthand, I understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate mental health struggles, trauma, and life transitions. My approach is both gentle and direct—meeting you where you are while encouraging growth at a pace that feels safe and sustainable.

Therapy is a space where you should feel heard, valued, and empowered. My role is to walk alongside you as we explore patterns, heal emotional wounds, uncover strengths, and create meaningful, lasting change. I believe healing happens in connection—with ourselves, our past, and others. My therapeutic style is rooted in collaboration, authenticity, trauma-informed care, and trust. Together, we’ll identify what holds you back, work through difficult emotions, and develop practical tools to strengthen resilience, nurture self-compassion, and foster clarity and confidence.

As an immigrant from Romania, I bring a deep understanding of cultural identity, adaptation, and the complex experience of belonging. I welcome and celebrate diversity in all forms, honoring the richness that different cultures and life experiences bring to therapy. Let’s begin this journey together.

Although I consider myself a specialist in trauma issues, I have worked with clients across the lifespan on a broad range of needs. Some of the most common topics include life adjustments, ADHD, anxiety, chronic illness & pain, grief, depressive disorders, parenting, relationships and PTSD.

I know looking for a therapist can be a little awkward. I’m here to end that awkwardness. I’ve been helping people overcome their depression, anxiety, addictions, and relationship issues for over eight years. I’m an existential therapist (therapy of existence), this involves helping people overcome the four universal internal conflicts we all face: Fear of death, Fear of isolation and loneliness, fear of choice and taking control of our lives, and our fear of meaninglessness and not finding purpose in life. Life can be struggle, we’ll address those struggles and give you the tools to help you find relief in therapy.

As a therapist, my focus is helping adults and couples navigate difficulties related to attachment, relationships, and emotion regulation. This can often look like feeling stuck in the same old patterns, feeling frozen, or feeling scatterbrained. I take a research based, collaborative approach to help understand your goals, emotions, needs, and barriers to feeling progress. Together, we’ll work to understand how your past and present relationships and environment influence your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, working to create meaningful shifts that extend beyond each session.

I'm Kristi Plinski, a Licensed Professional Counselor who helps adults gain clarity, confidence, and direction—especially when facing career transitions, unresolved childhood or family issues, or the lingering effects of past trauma.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent many years in the high-tech industry, so I deeply understand the pressures of high-performance environments and the challenges of making big life changes. My background allows me to connect with clients who feel stuck or burned out, and to help them navigate their inner world while making real progress in the outer one.

In our first few sessions, you can expect to feel heard and validated as we explore the story of you—your hopes, your fears, and your vision for the future. Together, we’ll uncover what’s getting in the way, build self-awareness, and develop a clear, personalized plan for change—with accountability and support every step of the way.

I provide a warm and nurturing environment to process life stressors and past trauma and to learn new skills. I believe in a balanced approach of processing negative experiences as well as bringing in positive resources and learning new adaptive skills and hopeful perspectives.

If you’re facing challenges with anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or other mental health concerns, I’m here to help. I specialize in treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, and co-occurring substance use disorders. I offer a personalized, evidence-based approach that combines medication management with therapeutic techniques, tailored to your unique needs. My goal is to help you find relief, build resilience, and regain control over your life.

Hello. My name is Heba. I have a bachelor's degree in Family and Human Development and Master's degree in Social Work. I specialize in working with children, youth, adults, and family.