**Telehealth (secure video conferencing), and phone sessions available
Who We Are
McElfresh Professional Counseling is a partnership between Dave and Cindy McElfresh. Both use techniques from all the major counseling theories in order to bring about the most change in the shortest period of time.
Dave
Dave McElfresh is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC). He has a Bachelor's Degree in Religion and Philosophy from William Jewell College and received his Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He has been practicing therapy since 1978. Dave also taught psychology for seventeen years at Rio Salado College and for twelve years at Ottawa University where part of his responsibility was to mentor master's level students just entering the field.
Dave works with adults and adolescents and specializes in OCD, anxiety issues and obsessive sexual behaviors (sex addiction). He's also achieved mastery with depression, bipolar disorder, relationship issues, grief and loss, spiritual angst or questioning, difficulties managing anger, psychosis, and managing through stress and change. His 42 year span of experience has given him opportunity to work with the majority of issues presented.
A Side note: Dave on Music and Therapy
"As soon as I finished my Master’s degree in Counseling I moved from Kansas City to Tempe and opened up a record store.
"Music and self investigation through therapy have long been mutual passions. And over time music has worked its way in to my counseling sessions.
"I frequently ask clients about their musical inclinations. Many of them have very specific, even quirky playlists which they’re always willing to share and explain. Through these I find what each person finds relevant internally. Junior high school boys play me videos of songs that say what they don’t know how to express themselves. And many clients can rattle off the complete lyrics of a song they have used as guidance since first hearing it years earlier.
"I’m still fascinated with many forms of alternative music. Clients, regardless of age introduce me to new artists all the time, and I’m able to return the favor. It’s unintentional, but nothing moves me out of the ‘old guy who can’t relate’ category quicker than that!"
-Dave
For 16 years Dave McElfresh wrote over 2,000 music-related articles, interviews and album reviews for the following publications: Downbeat, New Times, Bossa, Signal to Noise, Goldmine, Tucson Weekly, CD Review, Get Out, Jazz Now, Coda, Jazz Journal, Route 66, Cadence, I.E. Magazine and Stereophile
*See a review below about Dave written by Cindy!.
Cindy
Cindy McElfresh (formerly Kelsea) is a licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who earned her Bachelor's and Master's of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling (MAPC) from Ottawa University. and has been practicing therapy since 2006. She also taught parenting skills classes at Child Crisis Arizona, formerly the East Valley Family Resource Center in Mesa. Cindy has an exceptionally good rapport with clients, and has a strong interest in working with adults of all ages. Along with most issues presented, she is particularly versed in anxiety issues, relationship difficulties, issues stemming from childhood, infertility issues, depression (including post-partum depression), bipolar disorder, psychosis, domestic violence, grief and loss, and managing stress and change. Also, as a special needs parent herself she has a special place in her heart for parents of special needs children.
"Dave and I are the enormously proud parents of our 10 year old daughter Elise, that more than likely you'll hear us gush about at one time or another. When she was diagnosed as developmentally delayed at just 4 months old, this for me began a very unique roller coaster of euphoric love, that all parents are gob smacked by, and heart sinking fear and grief as the reality of what lies ahead for her, and me as a special needs mom became clear. This experience challenged my own history of anxiety that I thought long gone, and showed me the deep and tumultuous waters of sadness and grief that so many have a reluctant knowing of. I'm so grateful now for how it has broadened my respect and understanding for what my clients are experiencing in their own unique challenges and deepened my own sensitivity for my clients' unique struggles."
"Over the years I've had the great honor to work with those with Serious Mental Illnesses, to those simply needing a session or two to hash out their feelings, or help to make a plan. I'm often asked if I ever get bored, and my response to the question is always, "never!" Everyone has a story that I'm always happily fascinated by and completely invested in."
"With my passion for building a relationship based in a deep respect for ones history and unconditional lack of judgement, and Dave’s unique gift of warmth, ease and approachability, between the two of us, we are well versed and prepared to address just about any issue you bring to us." .-Cindy
*See a review below about Cindy written by Dave!
The following are excerpts taken from comments, letters, cards, texts and emails we have received from clients we've been privileged to work with .