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Transformational Psychotherapy in Uptown Phoenix

Counseling services for individuals and couples who need help healing from emotional wounds

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About Uptown phx Counseling

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My Expertise

I am an EMDR therapist who works to find the root causes for clients' symptoms. My goal is to help the client discover the root of what’s causing distress and work to heal the root and not just treat the symptoms. I approach treatment through a trauma-informed lens which means I pay particular attention to adverse experiences throughout one's life and how those experiences and the beliefs one has about that value and identity.including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues.

I also have experience working with PTSD, infidelity, sexual abuse, OCD, grief, and work/life balance. If you're interested in starting counseling, please don't hesitate to email me today.

My Approach

I partner with my clients in pressing into the current challenges, using EMDR and internal family systems to move toward healing. I believe that when the root causes are identified and restored, the symptoms naturally start to decrease. Christian integration is available if desired.

Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy

During an EMDR therapy reprocessing session, clients self-administer a small amount of sublingual ketamine to support the adaptive resolution of traumatic memories.

At low doses, ketamine has a calming effect that helps reduce emotional overwhelm. Since EMDR therapy involves revisiting distressing memories, this sense of relaxation fosters emotional safety, enabling clients to engage with their memories with less fear and self-judgment.

Trauma can lead to rigid thought patterns and emotional responses that keep individuals feeling stuck. Ketamine enhances neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections—helping clients adopt new perspectives and experience deeper cognitive and emotional shifts during EMDR therapy.

Protective mechanisms like avoidance or emotional numbing can sometimes hinder progress in EMDR therapy. Ketamine helps quiet these defenses, allowing clients to access and process the root causes of their distress more effectively.

Many clients describe entering a state of curiosity, compassion, and clarity under ketamine’s influence. This mindset is particularly beneficial for EMDR therapy, as it encourages individuals to approach traumatic memories with openness and self-compassion rather than fear or criticism.

By integrating the focused bilateral stimulation of EMDR with ketamine’s neurobiological and psychological effects, clients often experience accelerated healing. Memories that once felt unbearable become more approachable, making it easier to release the emotional burdens they carry.

These sessions are conducted in a safe, supportive environment, creating an opportunity for deep healing and transformation.

Photo of a family receiving therapy services

My Background

I am a Licensed Associate Counselor, and hold a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. I am a member of Alpha Chi at GCU and received my Bachelor's from Wheaton College. I have experience in private domestic adoption as well as in foster care. II specialize in EMDR and will soon be providing marital intensives.

Contact Us

Pricing

Individual sessions are $135, and I take payments via American Express, Cash, Health Savings Accounts, Mastercard, Visa.

I do not take insurance but can provide a superbill for clients to submit for out of network reimbursement.

Utterback Counseling

5757 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, United States

602-377-8236

Available Hours

Open today

08:30 am – 03:30 pm

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at jutterback@christiancounselingservicesaz.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. It involves a structured eight-phase approach where clients recall traumatic events while undergoing bilateral sensory input, most commonly in the form of guided eye movements.

How does EMDR work and who can benefit from it?

The exact mechanism of EMDR isn't fully understood, but it's believed that the bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) helps the brain process distressing memories, making them less vivid and disturbing. While initially developed to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR has since been found effective for a variety of psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, and certain phobias. EMDR has been adapted for children and can be an effective treatment for trauma and other distressing experiences in children and adolescents.

Is EMDR a type of hypnosis?

No. While both involve focused attention, EMDR does not involve a trance state or suggestibility like hypnosis. The client remains alert and in control throughout the session.

How is EMDR different from traditional talk therapy?

While traditional talk therapy often involves discussing distressing events at length, EMDR focuses on processing distressing memories with limited detailed discussion. The bilateral stimulation (like eye movements) is unique to EMDR and is not used in traditional talk therapy. You do not have to go into deep detail about the traumatic event. The aim is to process the memory without re-traumatizing the individual. I will guide you through the process with this in mind.

How long does an EMDR session last and are there any side effects?

An EMDR session typically lasts 50-90 minutes. The number of sessions required can vary depending on the individual and the nature of their trauma. Some individuals might experience increased memories or dreams related to the trauma, heightened emotions, or physical sensations following a session. However, these effects are generally temporary and diminish as therapy progresses.

Is EMDR scientifically validated?

Yes. Numerous research studies have shown EMDR to be effective for the treatment of trauma. It's recognized as an effective form of trauma therapy by organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

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Transformational Psychotherapy in Uptown Phoenix