About Laura Walton, MAS-MFT, LMFT

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Laura Walton, MAS-MFT, LMFT – Mental and Emotional Health Therapist and Phoenix Center for Grief and Trauma Director

I believe avoidance limits and experience expands.

Confused?

What I mean by this is; I believe there are a million and one ways we can find to distract ourselves.

I believe many of us have experienced traumatic things in our lives.

I believe it can be so easy for us, or our loved ones, to try to distract us from situations that feel painful and uncomfortable, and that these distractions can lead to habits that can permeate all areas of our lives and result in us living lives that feel dull, limited, or uninspiring.

Therapist and Phoenix Center for Grief and Trauma Director

Laura Walton – Therapist and Phoenix Center for Grief and Trauma Director

I believe if we are allowed to feel all of our feelings and to be supported in being present with each moment of our lives, that our lives can feel richer, more fulfilling, and more expansive.

I know what it is like to avoid. I tried HARD to avoid the pain of a traumatic childhood, my dad’s suicide, and my then-boyfriend’s drug overdose. Facing these realities seemed too painful and overwhelming, and I tried many different methods of avoidance. None of them worked. It wasn’t until I tried facing the reality of the situation that I truly felt some relief. The practice of being present with the pain and the discomfort changed my life.

Maybe someone who’s very important to you has died or is dying. Maybe you are the survivor of a traumatic event. Maybe you’ve been avoiding to some degree or another for so long that you’re not sure how to do any different.

Life feels flat.

It doesn’t have to.

I am a grief and trauma therapist. I am also a bereaved sister, daughter, and girlfriend.

I work with people who have survived a traumatic event. I provide a space for trauma to be seen and to be held. I support people in living their grief fully and honestly. I help people learn how to adapt to their losses. I provide the opportunity for survivors to create their own path. The process of experiencing life by experiencing the span of emotions can help to free survivors to be present in their life in new ways.

I specialize in traumatic grief and trauma therapy and provide a holistic approach to treatment. By this I mean that I believe the mind and body are deeply connected and both must be involved in healing. I specialize in grief and trauma therapy using holistic, systemic, person-centered, and mindfulness-based practices. I have training in and may utilize elements from the following counseling theories:

Cacciatore’s ATTEND Model
Trauma Informed Care
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMD RTEP (Recent Traumatic Event Protocol)
EMD GTEP (Group Traumatic Event Protocol)
Attachment Based
Prepare/Enrich
Infant/Toddler Mental Health
Nutrition for Mental Health
Somatic Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Family Systems Theories
Narrative
Gottman Method Level 1
Gottman Method Trauma and Affairs
EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)

License and Certifications

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT-15249) in the state of Arizona
Approved Clinical Supervisor through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
Certified as a Compassionate Bereavement Care Provider and Compassionate Bereavement Yoga Provider through the Center for Loss and Trauma in partnership with the MISS Foundation and the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Family Trust
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals
EMDR Trained Therapist through EMDR Institute
MBSR Trained Facilitator through the UCSD Center for Mindfulness
Certified Prepare-Enrich Facilitator
Certified Yoga Instructor-1000

Jodie Graham, LAC, CCTP

Jodie Graham was born and raised in the Cowboy State of Wyoming. After obtaining her bachelors degree in psychology at the University of Wyoming, Jodie went on to pursue her masters degree in professional counseling at Grand Canyon University. Jodie has over seven years of experience in the field with a strong emphasis on treating children and families. Her passion lies in helping children and families overcome adverse experiences through relationship focused therapies. Jodie has formal training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, attachment work, Sandtray Therapy, Play Therapy, and Child Parent Psychotherapy. She is a strong believer that trauma is treated through a mind body perspective and the greatest interventions are found in the context of the relationship.

Biz the Therapy Dog

Biz - Therapy Dog

Biz is a sweet male Goldendoodle and has trained to be a Therapy Dog. Biz’s services are offered because research has shown therapy dogs to be helpful in the creation of the elements needed for trauma work, including building rapport and lowering resistance, elevating mood and increasing memory recall, providing comfort and promoting relaxation response, and lowering anxiety and feelings of loneliness. Other than being cute and providing unconditional love, Biz’s favorite thing to do is chase tennis balls.

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