Kimberly Bates

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona with over 12 years of experience in providing counseling and direct mental health to my clients. The majority of my career has been spent with adults with a multitude of presenting issues such as developmental trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship and family issues, PTSD, self-esteem and self-identity issues trauma substance abuse, and other process addictions. I received my Bachelor's degree in psychology at The University of Kansas, in Lawrence, KS. I attained my Master's degree at Doane University, in Lincoln, NE. I have worked extensively with individuals who have experienced trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. My experience is varied, and I have worked across many different settings, as I have provided group therapy, and individual therapy in residential treatment programs, and outpatient therapy in community mental-health agencies. I believe the connections we make are critical for positive change. I current work with an agency that focuses on the need to find connections that are healthy and supportive of recovery/improvement in all areas of life. My main focus in therapy is to meet clients where they are with acceptance and non-judgement and to use an approach that will work best for both of us, as we work toward meeting your therapy goals. My approach to therapy is rooted in empathy, compassion, and non-judgment. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where my clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and feelings, and where they can develop the skills and tools they need to thrive. I work to support my clients find the underlying causes (the root) of why they behave and feel the way they do. Let’s create the behavioral/lifestyle shift to improve your wellbeing. Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self-esteem, life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Attachment Issues, Body Image, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Dependent Personality, Mood Dysregulation, Dissociation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation/Loneliness, Jealousy, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic Stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-Love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Somatization, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues. Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Certified Sex Addiction Therapy (CSAT)--Candidate.