Frequently Asked Questions

Trauma counseling is a type of psychotherapy designed to help individuals who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events, including physical or sexual abuse, natural disasters, accidents, violent crimes, or combat. The goal is to help individuals process their experiences, manage their symptoms, and develop coping skills.

Trauma counseling may involve cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), along with relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises. Treatment is typically a long-term process, and length may vary depending on severity and individual response to therapy.

Overall, trauma counseling helps individuals heal from the psychological and emotional effects of trauma, supporting them in their journey toward recovery and resilience. Learn more about our trauma treatment specialties.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain heal from trauma naturally. During EMDR sessions, your therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) while you process distressing memories. This helps your brain reprocess traumatic experiences so they no longer trigger intense emotional responses.

The World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the VA/DoD all recommend EMDR for treating PTSD. A Kaiser Permanente-funded study found that 100% of single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple-trauma victims were no longer diagnosed with PTSD after six sessions. Visit our EMDR specialty page or learn about EMDR Intensives for accelerated healing.

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) typically develops after a single traumatic event, such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster. C-PTSD (Complex PTSD) results from prolonged or repeated trauma, often occurring in childhood or in situations where escape is difficult—such as ongoing abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.

C-PTSD was officially recognized in the WHO's ICD-11 in 2022 and includes additional symptoms beyond PTSD, such as difficulty regulating emotions, negative self-perception, and challenges in relationships. Our therapists at Beckstein & Associates specialize in treating both PTSD and C-PTSD using advanced approaches like EMDR and Structural Dissociation Theory. Learn more on our Complex Trauma page.

You may benefit from trauma therapy if you experience flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, difficulty trusting others, or feeling stuck in patterns that don't serve you. Trauma doesn't always stem from a single dramatic event—growing up in an invalidating environment, religious harm, or chronic stress can also be traumatic.

If past experiences are affecting your daily life, relationships, or sense of self, trauma therapy can help. Our team in Mesa, AZ offers free consultation calls to help you determine if our approach is right for you. Contact us or book online to get started.

Dissociation is the mind's way of coping with overwhelming experiences. It can range from everyday experiences like daydreaming to more significant disconnection from your thoughts, feelings, body, or sense of identity. Dissociative disorders often develop as a protective response to trauma.

At Beckstein & Associates, we use Structural Dissociation Theory and a phase-oriented treatment approach recommended by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD). Treatment focuses on stabilization, processing trauma memories, and integration. Visit our dissociation specialty page to learn more.

Our self-pay rates are: Intake Session $175 (60-minute diagnostic interview), 45-Minute Session $150, and 90-Minute Session $285. We accept debit/credit card and HSA. We also accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United/Optum, Aetna, Humana, and TriWest VA Community Care Network insurance. For other insurance providers, you can request a super bill for out-of-network reimbursement. Visit our Rates page for full details including EMDR Intensive pricing.

Simply contact us through our Contact page, send us an email at [email protected], or book online. To expedite your scheduling, include your photo ID and insurance card in your email.

No, we do not. Beckstein and Associates Behavioral Health provides therapy services. We do not have a doctor on staff who is able to prescribe medications. However, if you are looking for a great prescriber, just ask—we have many vetted referrals for our clients.

Pronouns are words used to refer to someone in place of their name (e.g., she/her, he/him, they/them). Using someone's correct pronouns is an important way to show respect and create an affirming environment. At Beckstein Behavioral Health, all team members share their pronouns and are committed to using yours correctly. Learn more about our affirming approach to care.

Misgendering happens, and your therapist understands that. The generally accepted approach is to correct yourself as soon as you notice and move on. You can say "Sorry, [correct pronoun]" or simply "[correct pronoun]" and continue the sentence. Avoid lengthy apologies or explanations, as this can move the conversation in an unhelpful direction. Therapy is a safe space to learn and grow, and if it becomes a regular occurrence, your therapist may gently bring it up to explore what's happening.

All of our therapists are trained to use gender-affirming language, including your pronouns. If a misgendering occurs, your therapist should immediately correct themselves. However, if they miss it, please know you can bring it up at any time—immediately, later in the session, or even at the next session. It is never too late. Your safety is our highest priority, and continually correcting your therapist should not fall on you. If you are experiencing consistent misgendering from a therapist elsewhere, you have the right to request a new therapist, and we want you to feel confident that you will not have that experience here.

The length of therapy varies based on your individual needs and goals. Some clients benefit from short-term focused therapy (8-12 sessions), while others find value in longer-term therapeutic relationships. Trauma therapy, particularly for complex trauma, often requires more time to process and heal. Your therapist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that aligns with your goals and will regularly check in about your progress. For faster results, consider our EMDR Intensive programs.

Yes, our licensed therapists can provide clinical diagnoses as part of the therapeutic process. A diagnosis, when appropriate, helps guide treatment planning and may be required for insurance coverage. However, we believe in treating the whole person, not just a diagnosis. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to understand your experiences and develop an individualized treatment approach.

Yes! We offer telehealth services to clients in Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, and Oregon. Our therapists are licensed in these states and can provide the same high-quality care via secure video sessions. Telehealth is a great option for those who prefer the convenience of therapy from home or have mobility limitations. Contact us to get started with telehealth.

Your first session (intake) is a 60-minute appointment where your therapist will get to know you, understand your concerns, gather background information, and discuss your therapy goals. This is also your opportunity to ask questions and ensure the therapist is a good fit. Together, you'll develop an initial treatment plan. It's normal to feel nervous—your therapist will create a welcoming, non-judgmental space for you.

These are different licensure levels in Arizona:

LAC (Licensed Associate Counselor) - Working under supervision toward full licensure LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) - Fully licensed, independent practice LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) - Working under supervision toward clinical licensure LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) - Fully licensed, independent practice

All of our therapists are highly qualified and work under the supervision of our clinical directors when required. Supervised therapists often bring fresh training and perspectives while receiving expert guidance. Meet our full team to learn more about each therapist's qualifications.

Yes! Beckstein & Associates Behavioral Health, Beckstein Behavioral Health, BBH, and BA Health AZ are all names for the same practice. Over time we've used a few different names and web addresses, including bbehavioralhealth.com and bahealthaz.com, but they all lead to the same team, the same care, and the same commitment to helping you heal. No matter which name you found us under, you're in the right place.

Yes, several of our therapists work with teens ages 13 and up. We offer both in-person sessions at our Mesa, AZ office and telehealth sessions for teens in Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, and Oregon. Our teen-friendly therapists are experienced in issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, identity exploration, and neurodiversity. Visit our team page to find a therapist who works with adolescents.

Ketamine-assisted therapy combines the use of ketamine, a dissociative medication, with professional counseling to treat conditions like treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and chronic pain. At Beckstein & Associates, we offer trauma-specific ketamine-assisted therapy intensives. These are currently self-pay, and costs vary based on the treatment plan. Learn more about our ketamine-assisted therapy programs or contact us for details.

LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy is an approach that actively validates and supports clients' sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationship structures. Rather than treating these as problems to solve, affirmative therapists recognize that stigma, discrimination, and minority stress are often the true sources of distress. At Beckstein & Associates, our entire team is committed to LGBTQ+ affirming, sex-positive, kink-allied, polyamory-affirming, and neurodiversity-informed care. Learn more about our affirmative care approach.

Our standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some therapists offer evening availability—check with our scheduling team for current openings. We also offer telehealth sessions, which can provide additional flexibility. Contact us to ask about available appointment times.

Traditional EMDR therapy typically takes place in weekly 45-55 minute sessions, which means it can take time to really get into deep processing. EMDR intensives condense this work into half-day, full-day, or multi-day blocks, allowing for extended, uninterrupted processing. This format often leads to faster breakthroughs because your brain stays in processing mode longer. Our intensives also incorporate Structural Dissociation Theory to address potential roadblocks. Visit our Intensives page for pricing and details.

No, EMDR intensives are a self-pay program and are not covered by insurance. Half-day intensives start at $600, full-day intensives at $1,000, and multi-day packages are available at reduced rates. A 50% deposit is due at the time of scheduling, with the remainder due at your first appointment. See our Rates page for complete pricing.

Look for a therapist who has specialized training in evidence-based trauma treatments like EMDR, CPT, or PE—not just general talk therapy. Ask about their experience with your specific type of trauma and their approach to treatment. A good trauma therapist should make you feel safe, respected, and in control of the pace of your healing. At Beckstein & Associates, all of our therapists specialize in trauma-informed care. Meet our team to find the right fit.

Our primary focus is individual therapy for trauma and related conditions. While we do not offer traditional couples or family counseling, our therapists can work with you on relationship challenges, attachment patterns, and communication skills within the context of individual therapy. If you need dedicated couples or family therapy, we're happy to provide referrals to trusted colleagues.

Our office is located at 1811 S Alma School Rd #250, Mesa, AZ 85210, serving the greater Phoenix East Valley including Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Phoenix. We also offer telehealth therapy for clients in Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, and Oregon. Contact us to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.

Absolutely. Finding the right therapeutic fit is important, and we want you to feel comfortable with your therapist. If you'd like to try working with a different member of our team, simply let our scheduling coordinator know—no explanation needed. We'll help you transition smoothly. Browse our team to learn about each therapist's specialties and approach.