Couples therapists in Tempe, AZ

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 Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Arizona and Louisiana with over 17 years of experience in trauma-informed psychotherapy. I earned my Master of Social Work from Tulane University in 2008 and have worked across inpatient and outpatient treatment settings, university counseling, grief and bereavement care, and trauma-focused programs. I am EMDR trained (finalizing certification) and integrate CBT, DBT, IFS-informed parts work, somatic approaches, and mindfulness-based therapies.

I specialize in complex PTSD, sexual trauma, religious and spiritual trauma, attachment wounds, ADHD, anxiety, and shame-based relational patterns. Many of the individuals I work with are high-functioning on the outside but feel lost, fragmented, or deeply self-critical on the inside.

Clients often describe me as warm, loving, affirming, and validating. I also bring a teacher’s heart into the room. I believe understanding how trauma impacts the nervous system, relationships, and even women’s biological health helps reduce shame and restore clarity. I see therapy as sacred work. You are not a diagnosis to me; you are a whole person whose nervous system learned to survive.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) providing compassionate, evidence-based care to adolescents and adults. My approach blends clinical expertise with a collaborative, patient-centered philosophy, I believe treatment works best when you feel heard, understood, and actively involved in your care.

I earned my graduate degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing from Northern Kentucky University and have experience treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, trauma-related conditions, mood disorders, and medication management for complex psychiatric presentations. My background includes working with individuals navigating life transitions, high-achieving professionals experiencing burnout, and patients seeking thoughtful, personalized medication management.

I specialize in comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and medication management, with a focus on clarity, safety, and long-term stability. I aim to avoid overmedication while ensuring symptoms are effectively treated. When appropriate, I integrate supportive therapy techniques into sessions to help patients build insight, resilience, and practical coping strategies.

My practice is fully telehealth-based, allowing for convenient, private access to care. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable discussing what’s really going on — without judgment — and to work together toward meaningful, sustainable improvement in your mental health.

Welcome, I am Amanda! You don’t have to wait for a crisis to want something to change. Therapy can be a space to reconnect with yourself, get clarity, and actually feel better, not just survive the day.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience helping people untangle the stress, self-doubt, and the "what now?" moments that come with being human. Whether you're overwhelmed, burnt out, stuck in your own head, or going through a major life shift, you don’t have to figure it out alone.