I really enjoy getting to know you as a person first, before diving into treatment right off the batt. It allows you to gage your comfort level with me to see if I am a good fit for you!

Hello my name is Melissa Smith and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-LPC.0013198. I approach therapy as a process of collaboration between therapist and client in order to provide exactly what the client needs. I have worked with families and children for a majority of my career. I know like to focus on all ages and stages and needs of clients. I am an open and honest person who wants to make any client comfortable working with me by asking questions about me and making sure the client knows to let me know if they are not getting something they need from me.

Practicing in the mental health field for over 50 years, I thoroughly enjoy working with just about anyone that comes through my door. I am always amazed and honored by the wide variety of individuals that enter my office. My strengths are working with adolescents, adults , and couples with all kinds of issues. A particular area that I have committed myself to over the past 30 years is supporting couples in which one or both mates are living in the aftermath of childhood abusetrauma of all kinds. In particular the "Partners" of survivors of abuse need a specific kind of support to be response-able through the healing process and beyond. Each person that chooses to work with me should know that my overall focus is on moving them forward into a positive, competent, engaged, energized and loving experience in their lives. It is most often necessary to understand and address the pain and challenges people bring into my office, and to support healing. However, as soon as possible we begin looking forward towards growth and increased anticipation of success in all aspects of your life. This "positive" frame of reference is solidly grounded in many wonderful discoveries in the brain science that has emerged within my life time.

Life can be difficult and unexpected, and having a constructive place to work through these challenges can make all the difference. Whether it is planning for a major life change or dealing with life’s unanticipated waves, Gwen Lyons believes in a holistic approach to help you through whatever troubles bring you to therapy. She approaches her clients with non-judgment and creates a safe therapeutic space for growth and healing. Her honest and empathetic style facilitates personal exploration and the opportunity to flourish. · Adolescents and Teens – self-esteem and self-worth issues, anxiety, depression, cuttingself-injury, effects of divorce, school and family issues, social and relationship problems, body image issues · Mental Health and Wellness – anxiety, depression, stress, sexual and gender identity issues, drug and alcohol abuse and addiction recovery, self-esteem, self-care, boundaries, life transitions, holistic health · Individual Counseling – anxiety, depression, stress, worrying, empowerment, social anxiety, abandonment issues, codependency, assertiveness training · Life Transitions – life-coaching, career counseling, job transition, geographical transition, establishing self, disability issues, sex change, newlyweds Gwen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the State University of New York – New Paltz and a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Her personal experiences, Buddhist upbringing, and passion for continued growth and learning inform and influence her counseling style. Gwen draws from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and integrates somatic and polyvagal techniques to meet her clients’ unique situations with an integrative person-centered approach. Gwen has always had a passion for helping people and making lasting, meaningful changes in their lives. In the past, she used this passion while working in career consulting and in her time supporting adults with disabilities. Meeting people where they are to empower them and unlock the possibilities within themselves drives her love and commitment to the counseling profession, her “true calling”.

If you’re feeling stuck, caught in worry, self-doubt, or anxiety that just won’t quiet down, you’re not alone. Maybe the ways you’ve managed things before don’t seem to help anymore, or you're just feeling tired of holding it all together on your own. Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, and I want you to know it’s okay to not have it all figured out before you do. I work best with people who are thoughtful and ready for change, even if they’re not sure where to start. My job is to help you make sense of what you’re going through, and to walk with you as you move toward a life that feels more balanced, meaningful, and true to who you are. In our sessions, I use proven approaches like ACT, CBT, ERP, and EMDR, but more than that, I focus on what actually works for you. We’ll slow things down, get curious about what’s going on inside, and work together to build tools that help you handle hard emotions, make decisions that fit your values, and feel more in control of your life. I believe change happens when we feel seen, supported, and safe. Therapy with me is a space where we can be real, with all the messiness, fear, and hope that comes with being human. If you're ready to begin, I’m here to meet you where you are.

I believe we all possess the strength needed to get through tough times, but sometimes you need an ally. We'll get to know your story, your pain, and your resilience, discovering insights and taking action towards creating the life you want. I’d love to meet you and hear your story.

Emotions are a universal language that offer insight into the relationship between the outside world and our internal world. Through the ebbs and flows of life, our present emotions are the lighthouse that lets us know how far or close we are to our genuine selves. Margibel Vazquez believes that emotions are not meant to be suppressed; rather, they are meant to be honored, as they are the ground upon which we build deeper understanding, healing, and growth. With increased emotional awareness, we gain the ability to express our feelings effectively and reclaim our sense of autonomy. Because emotions are experienced both in the body and interpreted through the mind, Margibel approaches healing as a holistic process, one that nurtures both physical presence and mental awareness. She strives to provide a warm, supportive, and safe environment for that process to take place. Margibel believes that it is a sacred privilege to provide compassionate care for your healing journey. At Foundations Counseling, Margibel Vazquez works with a wide variety of clients who may be seeking services that include: · Mental health and wellness – anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss, self-care, spirituality, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), boundaries, holistic health, trauma and abuse recovery · Children, adolescents, and teens – self-esteem and self-worth issues, anxiety, school and family issues, effects of divorce, trauma, play therapy, art therapy, bullying, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), social and communication issues · Individual counseling – trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, perfectionism, self-worth issues, codependency, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), life coaching, catastrophic thinking · Relationship and couples counseling – communication, codependency, parent-child interactions, pre-engagement, pre-marital, attachment issues, conflict resolution, breakups, divorce recovery, emotional affairs, parenting · Relationship dynamics – adolescent development, attachment issues, intimacy concerns, marital difficulties, parenting skills and training, unresolved conflict Margibel Vazquez has a Master of Science degree in marital and family therapy with a certificate in play therapy from Loma Linda University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Iowa. Margibel utilizes techniques from emotionally focused therapy (EFT), emotionally focused family therapy (EFFT), internal family systems (IFS), person-centered therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and child-centered play therapy. Margibel Vazquez has been involved with helping individuals and families for the past five years. That interest led her to seek an advanced degree in marriage and family systems theory. Margibel has experience with individuals, couples, and families struggling with relationships, parenting, and emotional regulation.

A client's relationship with his or her therapist is very important. Real change is possible only when a client feels comfortable being genuine with the therapist. This ability to be oneself fosters change within a safe environment where clients can explore their experiences. Together we can help you achieve more awareness and a more authentic life. I'm excited to help you choose a path to guide your life's choices. When working with a child who is struggling, I believe the entire family should be involved. Many challenges begin at home, making the family unit an important focal point. Within the confines of a judgment-free relationships, I can help you identify problematic family dynamics. With an understanding that no two situations are alike and that every person's struggles arise from a different background, we are able to set a personalized approach to your therapy.

As a therapist, I work for you--you are the expert on you. I will help you discover the answers and solutions that will help you grow, bring you peace, or set you free. My goal is to provide you with a safe space to be your authentic self, to feel your true feelings, and to say whatever you need to say--all without judgment. I promise compassion and understanding as we work together to rebuild, and sometimes begin to build, on your strengths, talents, courage, and spirit--the first steps in discovering the wonderful, beautiful, powerful person you have always been. My own healing journey shapes my approach with compassion, empathy, and insights--all without judgment. We will work together to find the approach that best fits you and meets your needs, goals, and unique situation. Changing our lives begins with the strength and courage to seek help--together we can work towards that change you are seeking.

I’m a counselor who believes that no one should go through hardships alone. I work to help people find the context and understanding necessary to find their path through life. I take a measured and direct approach filled with compassion to help work towards set goals with the use of clinical exercises both in and out of the therapy room. I work from the concepts in CBT, motivational interviewing, and narrative therapy to help my clients create the structures in their lives needed to change their world.

I believe therapy is an opportunity for growth that each person should have access to or try at least once.

I blend the healing power of equine-assisted therapy with expressive arts to create transformative, deeply personalized experiences. By integrating cutting-edge techniques like EMDR, polyvagal theory, and trauma-informed care, I guide individuals on a journey of emotional healing and self-discovery. My approach is rooted in cultural sensitivity and tailored to the unique needs of each person—particularly those navigating trauma or chronic illness, including Native American cancer survivors. Through a dynamic fusion of creativity, movement, and mindfulness, I help clients reconnect with their bodies, emotions, and inner resilience, fostering profound healing and empowering growth.