Meet the Team

I’m Michele Wiest-Alvarez, LCSW, a trauma-informed therapist specializing in developmental trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I use a holistic approach incorporating Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), and mindfulness to help adults heal from painful experiences, understand long-standing patterns, and create meaningful emotional change.

Rouchan is the warm and welcoming Practice Operations Manager at Gathered Connections Counseling. With more than 10 years of experience in behavioral health, she loves helping clients, families, and team members feel supported, cared for, and at ease. Her compassion, reliability, and genuine heart for helping others play an important role in creating the connected and supportive experience our practice is known for.

I’m Julie, a licensed social worker providing compassionate, strengths-based therapy for children, teens, adults, couples, and families. I have a special interest in supporting neurodivergent clients, including individuals with autism and ADHD, as well as those experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. Using CBT, ACT, and EMDR, I help clients better understand themselves, build practical coping skills, process difficult experiences, and move toward greater confidence and emotional well-being.

Jennifer Ramos, LCSW, is a bilingual therapist with over 17 years of clinical experience, offering trauma-informed, culturally responsive care to children, families, and caregivers.

I’m Julie Reeves, LAC, a trauma-informed therapist and developmental brain mapping specialist with more than 12 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Using the Neuro-Sequential Model of Therapeutics© (NMT™), I help clients and caregivers better understand how trauma and early experiences can affect brain development, behavior, emotional regulation, and relationships.

Courtney Larson, LMSW, is a compassionate therapist specializing in trauma-informed care for children, adolescents, families, and adults. With training in EMDR and CBT, she blends evidence-based techniques with a warm, holistic approach to support clients through anxiety, trauma, behavioral challenges, and life transitions.

Matt Sandoval, LMSW, offers therapy for individuals, teens, and couples, blending talk therapy with creative expression to support healing, emotional growth, and better communication in relationships.

**Meet Sharon**

I’m Sharon Martland, LAC, and I offer counseling for teens ages 16+, adults, seniors, and couples at Gathered Connections Counseling in Arizona. Through trauma-informed, gender-affirming care, I help clients navigate anxiety, depression, identity, and relationship challenges while building coping skills, confidence, and authentic connections.

Karen Tabloff, LCSW, offers compassionate therapy for children, adults, couples, and families in Goodyear, Arizona. With decades of experience supporting anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions, Karen brings warmth, practical guidance, and gentle humor to help you feel understood and supported.

I’m Stephanie Lamb, a therapist in Surprise, AZ at Gathered Connections Counseling. I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, grief, and major life transitions. Using CBT, DBT, and EMDR, I provide compassionate, individualized therapy focused on practical coping skills, emotional resilience, and meaningful change.

Luis A. Lopez, LMSW, provides compassionate, culturally humble therapy for children, teens, adults, and couples. With specialized training in trauma-informed care, he combines a person-centered, strengths-based approach with evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. His background in school settings informs his collaborative work with families, and he offers services in English, with Spanish available upon request.