The Next Step AZ

Business Details

Your Trusted Mental Health Partner in Gilbert

At The Next Step AZ, we provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health counseling tailored to individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Our team of licensed clinicians brings decades of combined experience in trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, and client-centered approaches. We specialize in serving children, adolescents, adults, and first responders through personalized treatment plans that prioritize holistic healing and resilience-building.

With a commitment to accessibility, we accept major insurance plans and offer flexible telehealth options. Our mission is to empower clients to reclaim control over their mental health through a collaborative, nonjudgmental therapeutic process rooted in empathy and clinical expertise.

Services

Anxiety Therapy Child Counseling Trauma Therapy Depression Treatment Life Transitions Counseling First Responder Counseling Play Therapy EMDR Therapy Telehealth Sessions Family Counseling

Highlights and features

We offer trauma-informed care from clinicians with 15+ years of specialized experience
Our team includes EMDR-certified therapists and play therapy specialists
We provide evidence-based treatments for first responders and high-stress professions
In-network with major insurance providers for accessible mental health care
We combine mindfulness techniques with cognitive behavioral therapy for lasting results

Associations and certifications

Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Optum
United Healthcare

Website

Update Listing

Services

Anxiety Therapy

Our anxiety therapy program addresses generalized anxiety, panic disorders, and social anxiety through evidence-based techniques. Clinicians help clients identify triggers, develop coping strategies, and reframe negative thought patterns. This service combines cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness practices to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning for adults and adolescents.

Trauma Therapy

Specialized trauma treatment focuses on healing from acute and chronic traumatic experiences. Using EMDR therapy, cognitive processing, and somatic approaches, our clinicians help clients process traumatic memories and develop grounding techniques. This service supports survivors of accidents, abuse, and professional trauma exposure to restore emotional stability and rebuild trust.

Child Counseling

Our child counseling service addresses behavioral challenges, emotional regulation, and developmental trauma in children aged 3-12. Through play therapy and parent-guided interventions, we help young clients express feelings safely while teaching coping skills. This service supports children experiencing anxiety, family transitions, or adjustment disorders in a nurturing environment.

First Responder Counseling

Tailored mental health support for first responders addresses occupational stress, critical incident trauma, and burnout prevention. Our clinicians with public safety experience provide peer-informed therapy using exposure techniques and resilience training. This service helps police, firefighters, and medical personnel maintain psychological wellness while managing high-stress job demands.

Life Transitions Counseling

This service supports individuals navigating major life changes including career shifts, relationship transitions, and identity redefinition. Using solution-focused therapy and motivational interviewing, counselors help clients develop adaptive strategies for uncertainty. We address adjustment disorders, decision-making challenges, and self-esteem issues during transitional periods across the lifespan.

People

Andra Perryman

CEO & Clinical Director

Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 18 years of mental health experience. Specializes in trauma treatment for children and adults. Holds dual master's degrees in Social Work and Child Development from Loyola University and Erikson Institute.

Carolyn Osenbau

Clinical Supervisor

Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in child therapy. Expert in play therapy and trauma-focused CBT for children birth to twelve. Provides treatment for attachment issues, ADHD, and behavioral difficulties using evidence-based approaches.

Ashley Ramirez

Clinical Supervisor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker with expertise in adolescent and adult mental health. Uses client-centered therapy to address anxiety and life transitions. Holds a master's degree from Arizona State University and specializes in building therapeutic rapport.

Kyle Avery

Licensed Therapist

Licensed Clinical Social Worker with six years of experience treating children, adolescents, and young adults. Utilizes CBT, DBT, and play therapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma. Specializes in creating safe therapeutic environments for authentic self-expression.

Joel Anderson

Clinical Intern

Master of Social Work student with 20+ years of firefighting experience. Focuses on mental health for high-stress professions. Holds advanced degrees in leadership and communication. Specializes in resilience building for public safety personnel.

Questions

What mental health services do you specialize in?

We specialize in anxiety therapy, trauma treatment, depression counseling, and life transitions support for children, adolescents, and adults.

Do you accept insurance for mental health counseling?

Yes, we are in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and United Healthcare for accessible mental health care.

Are telehealth therapy sessions available?

Yes, we offer secure telehealth sessions for clients who prefer remote mental health counseling options.

How do I schedule a first counseling appointment?

What therapeutic approaches do your counselors use?

Our clinicians use evidence-based methods including CBT, EMDR, play therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy tailored to individual needs.

Do you offer counseling for first responders?

Yes, we provide specialized trauma-informed counseling for police, firefighters, military veterans, and hospital staff.