Find a therapist in Tempe, AZ — covered by insurance

As a counselor, I approach therapy through a humanistic lens—believing in each person’s inherent capacity for growth, self-awareness, and change. I strive to create a space where clients feel deeply seen, heard, and valued for who they are. My work is grounded in cultural humility and respect, honoring the unique identities, experiences, and stories that shape each person’s life. Together, we explore meaning, build resilience, and move toward greater authenticity and well-being.

If you're a physician, nurse, EMT, firefighter, police officer, or other medical professional or first responder feeling overwhelmed by chronic stress, burnout, or anxiety, know that you're not alone—and these struggles do not mean you're failing. The demands of your work are extraordinary, and it's common to carry the weight of long shifts, high-stakes decisions, and emotional exhaustion long after you clock out.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of experience, I specialize in supporting healthcare workers and first responders just like you. Having worked in a hospital setting throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I deeply understand the unique pressures you face—the relentless pace, moral distress, compassion fatigue, and the challenge of switching off hypervigilance when you finally get home.

Hello. My name is Mary ‘Sarah’ Houston. I have been a Mental Health nurse for 20 years. I have been a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) since November, 2016. As a PMHNP, I have worked inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, along with working at a crisis stabilization unit for mental health crises. As well, I have training in mental health Telehealth. I have worked with clients with depression, anxiety, insomnia, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, substance use disorder, and PTSD.

I have a passion to help those with emotional and mental health needs.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in care across the lifespan treating clients with ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, PTSD and sleep disorders. I am committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. I am a proud veteran.

With a nursing career spanning since 2008, I have dedicated over 15 years to understanding the complexities of patient care. After earning my Master’s Degree in 2021, I transitioned into advanced psychiatric practice in 2022. Having served in both fast-paced inpatient units and collaborative outpatient clinics, I offer a well-rounded perspective on mental health. My background allows me to blend clinical expertise with a deeply rooted compassion for the human experience.

With 165+ reviews and a 4.96 rating on Zocdoc, I have specialized in advanced medication management for complex, treatment-resistant conditions. I utilize a neurobiological approach that focuses on frontal lobe/executive functioning, nervous system dysregulation, and neurotransmitter systems to diagnose and treat various concerns - ADHD/executive dysfunction, OCD, trauma/C-PTSD, high-masking autism, personality profiles, and cases where standard medication treatments have failed. While I specialize in clinical complexity, I bring that same deep, careful attention to treating anxiety, depression, and clients starting medication for the first time.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Arizona, specializing in trauma, attachment, substance use, and psychedelic integration. I hold a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and am currently completing my PhD in Transpersonal Psychology, where my research focuses on inner healing intelligence, somatic integration, and transformation through altered states of consciousness.

My approach is both grounded and deeply experiential. I integrate somatic therapy, parts work, mindfulness, and attachment-focused interventions to help clients move beyond insight and into real, embodied change. I believe that healing doesn’t come from fixing what’s “wrong,” but from reconnecting with the innate intelligence within you that already knows how to heal.

I work well with clients who feel stuck in patterns they can’t think their way out of—whether that’s anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship struggles, or cycles of substance use. Many of my clients are high-functioning but internally overwhelmed, disconnected, or carrying unresolved emotional pain. Together, we create a space that is honest, supportive, and sometimes challenging—in the service of real growth.

I also specialize in integration work for individuals exploring or recovering from psychedelic experiences. I help clients make meaning of these experiences and translate insights into sustainable, grounded change in their daily lives.

In our work together, you can expect a balance of compassion and accountability. I’ll meet you where you are, but I’ll also help you move forward. My goal is to support you in building a life that feels aligned, regulated, and genuinely yours—not just one that looks okay on the outside.

I'm a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who supports teens, young adults, and families working through constant worry, big emotions, focus challenges, and the impact of difficult life experiences. Before specializing in psychiatry five years ago, I spent 13 yeas in emergency medicine, where I learned how deeply people need to feel seen and supported during overwhelming moments. That experience shaped my approach today: blending medical expertise with genuine curiosity, compassion, and respect for YOUR story. My goal is to create a space where you feel, safe, understood, and able to explore what you are going through with clarity and confidence.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to adolescents and adults. My passion is helping individuals navigate life's challenges while creating a supportive, collaborative environment where they feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their treatment journey.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Clinical Laboratory Science from DeVry University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Wilkes University.