Mary Root, LAC, NCC, EMDR-T

I'm a neurodivergent, EMDR-trained counselor helping teens and adults heal from trauma, anxiety, and the exhaustion of masking.

Have you always felt a little different, the one who never quite fit any crowd? Maybe you were diagnosed late, or you're still wondering whether you're neurodivergent. This is a space where you can take the mask off. Stim, skip eye contact, move however your body needs to. You don't have to perform neurotypical here.
I work with teens and adults who feel stuck in patterns they can't seem to shake. That might be anxiety, shutdown, overwhelm, or the same painful dynamics showing up in relationships. Many have lived through trauma, big or small. Some have already done talk therapy and understand their "why," but are still looking for the "how."
This is also a safe space for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ clients, people with justice-system history, and anyone in polyamorous, consensually non-monogamous, or other non-traditional relationships. Whoever you are and however you love, you belong here.
As a neurodivergent clinician, I know firsthand what it's like to move through a world, and a healthcare system, that wasn't designed with your nervous system in mind. That lived experience shapes how I show up for every client.
I'm trained in EMDR, which is grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing model. It helps the brain reprocess experiences that got "stuck" and are still driving anxiety, shutdown, or overwhelm. I also use parts work and an attachment-based lens. Between sessions, DBT skills, mindfulness, and compassion-focused tools give you practical ways to steady yourself. We start by building the relationship and taking stock of the strengths and skills you already have. Then we move into deeper healing at a pace that feels safe. I have experience with complex trauma and dissociation. My background includes case management for adults with serious mental illness and work in a forensic outpatient setting, so I won't flinch at hard stories.
Your sensory environment matters. Lighting, sound, the volume of my voice, and even approaches we use can all be adapted to fit you. We'll talk through what you need in our first conversation.
I see clients across Arizona by telehealth and in person at my office in Mesa. I accept Aetna PPO, BCBS, Cigna, and private pay.
Therapy with me isn't meant to be forever. My goal is to help you build what you need so that, eventually, you don't need me anymore.