Office Hours 
Monday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

additional appointments available upon request

Service Area
Peoria, Surprise, Glendale, Phoenix, and the surrounding Valley

Private Payments & Most Insurance Plans Accepted

Sonoran Life Solutions, Inc.
Call our office in Peoria, Arizona today!
  (623) 974-3333
Now with offices in Peoria, Scottsdale, & Goodyear, Arizona!
  (623) 974-3333
Team Meeting

Meet Our Counselors!



Valerie Girod, CEO, LPC:

Valerie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Arizona. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma and has over 20 years of experience in the social service field. Valerie has been a Clinical Director for several programs in the valley but enjoys providing therapy to individuals and families the most. Valerie believes strongly that the relationship built between the client and Therapist is very important in order for trust to be developed and people to feel comfortable sharing their feelings and experiences with her. Valerie works with children, adolescents, adults, and seniors and provides individual, couples, and family therapy. She believes her life experience, as well as her education, has assisted her in providing excellent services to the people she works with. Valerie understands that taking the first step towards getting help can be the most difficult and looks forward to gaining your trust and helping you regain peace and happiness in your life.

Valerie Girod

Sharon Hollenbeck, MA, LPC:

Sharon is a graduate of Ottawa University of Phoenix, Arizona. Sharon has experience working with various populations, including children, families, couples, substance abuse/addictions, and adults. Sharon is trained in Expressive Art Therapy, EMDR, and Circle of Security.

Sharon Hollenbeck

Tom Unsworth, LPC:

I graduated from the University of Miami in Corral Gables Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science and got my Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale FL. I have been a practicing Psychotherapist for more than twenty years. I focus on the two of the most common mental health problems of depression and anxiety that frequently join forces.

Tom Unsworth

Adena Ray, MSW, LCSW:

Adena is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Arizona. She graduated from Arizona State University and has over 20 years of experience working in the social services field in a variety of settings. Her experience includes individual, family, and group therapy with children, adolescents, adults, pregnant teenagers, and the elderly. In addition to program development, Adena has utilized her experience and expertise for over 12 years providing clinical supervision to therapists and staff in various programs. These include four Advocacy centers partnered with police departments assisting victims of crime, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, and assault victims, juvenile prevention and diversion programs, and family preservation and parent aide programs.

Adena Ray 

Adena has a passion for helping others, is positive, empathetic, and a good listener. She believes a strong, trusting relationship between client and therapist is the foundation for creating a safe, accepting environment to share one’s experiences and foster change and growth. Adena utilizes a strengths-based approach focusing on partnering together to identify positive attributes a person already possesses, exploring thoughts, experiences, and emotions, which may be limiting a person’s ability to achieve their potential and learning skills to address areas of challenge. She believes people are the best “experts” in their own lives and, with encouragement and support, possess the ability to create a more fulfilling life.

Adena currently works with adolescents, adults and seniors in the areas of building healthy relationships, setting boundaries, adjusting to life transitions, grief and loss, women’s issues, codependency, self-esteem, trauma, domestic violence, sexual abuse, victims of crime, depression, anxiety, parenting skills, identifying self-limiting thoughts and beliefs, life skills, developing insight into challenging areas of one’s life, problem-solving, skill development, recognizing opportunities for growth/initiating change, managing stress and regulating emotions.

Adena welcomes the opportunity to support you in your journey to a happier, more fulfilling life.


Margot Aspen, MS, LPC, CCFC:

Life would be easy if it weren’t for other people.

Whether it’s family members, significant others, co-workers, bosses, or we’re thinking about change--whether it’s changing jobs or contemplating divorce, we have the choice of being rational and calm or making a difficult situation far worse and being more miserable. In reality, it’s not them. It’s us. How do you manage difficult people and situations? Do you often ask yourself, ‘Why did I do/say that?’ ‘What was I thinking?’ ‘What do I do now?’ Are you stuck? In over sixteen years of practice, I have helped countless individuals discover why they keep making the same mistakes and bad decisions with disastrous outcomes. I have helped them discover the root cause of their self-defeating behaviors. I look forward to working with you.

Margot Aspen

Rosemarie Higgins, LCSW:

I believe each person has a story and is the expert on that story. Listening, putting myself in your place, finding what puts you at ease, noticing your strengths, and bring out your problem-solving ability are the first tasks of therapy. Some people are interested in solutions and others are interested in exploring deeper change from the inside out. I try to accommodate both sets of needs.

I received a Master's Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University 41 years ago and I have worked in urban, inner city, rural, and reservation communities in three different states. I have worked in schools, hospitals, clinics, group homes and in child protection. As a therapist, I most often treat anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma. I often make use of Insight-Oriented Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Centered Therapy, DBT and the Twelve Steps. For those who request it, I am able to provide Christian Counseling. I hope we can work side-by-side to find the solutions and growth you are seeking.

Rosemarie Higgins 

Angelica Castano, LPC:

Angelica received a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Ottawa University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University. Angelica has over 7 years of experience in counseling children and families in various settings and mental health concerns. She has been in the mental health field for over ten years as a psychiatric technician, supportive staff, and case manager which has added to the strength of her experience. Angelica is also a bilingual counselor who works with the Spanish speaking community. Angelica’s approaches to counseling are in Rational Emotive Therapies, Mindfulness techniques, Solution focused therapies, Family System and Expressive Arts Modalities in both individual and group settings.

Angelica Castano

Azure Adams, LPC:

Pending bio.

Azure Adams

Rhonda Kararia, LPC:

Rhonda Kararia is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who graduated from Ottawa University of Phoenix with a Masters of Arts in Professional Counseling with concentration in Trauma, Abuse, and Deprivation (TAD). Rhonda uses a client-centered approach with an emphasis on trauma and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). She is also trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF CBT). Rhonda has experience in working with adults, children, adolescents, and families.

Rhonda Kararia

Elyse Finocchio, LAC:

Elyse Finocchio is a licensed Associate Counselor in Arizona with specialty in Geriatric and Transgender issues. She holds certification as a Clinical Hypnotherapist.  She is a competent and caring practitioner who is passionate about empowering others to achieve their very best health and meaningful life.  Elyse also provides skills for transition from life challenges (pain, stress, anxiety, fears/phobias and grief) to support a healthier and happier life. She employs a person-centered solution approach by developing a treatment plan with each client that applies and expands their strengths and skills. Elyse promotes a team approach which respects the beliefs, values, and goals of each individual to provide sustainable and compassionate support. Individual, couples, group counseling ages 18+.

Elyse Finocchio

Mallory Montefel, LPC:

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and earned a Masters Degree as well as a Doctorate in Education with focus on Counseling Psychology from Argosy University. I have worked with a variety of individuals with depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, grief and loss, substance use, parenting techniques, and domestic violence. I approach therapy in a variety of methods to include short-term solution-focused approaches, client-focused therapy to include genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and understanding; as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with focus on the antecedent thoughts leading to behaviors and resulting outcomes and changing thinking patterns and beliefs resulting in alternate outcomes. I believe in being aware of yourself and learning ways to cope and challenge unwanted feelings, emotions, and behaviors.

I look forward to meeting you and working together to develop a working relationship to help increase your daily happiness. 

Mallory Montefel, LAC

Gigi Wilemon, LAC:

When life's difficulties, hurts, or trauma overwhelms you, it may be time to find a person that will listen and validate how you feel. A gentle and accepting approach in a warm and inviting environment can help you grow, heal, and hope again. You may need new ways of thinking, new perspectives, and skills to grow, heal, and hope again. Whether you need to be heard or need direction to overcome depression, anxiety, or need to simply find yourself in the midst of chaos, there is good news, and there is hope.

I am a Licensed Associate Counselor with 20 plus years of counseling experience, which includes children, teens, and adults. I have a strong background in working with couples to rebuild communication and rekindle joy and contentment in relationships. I support family unification and work with the whole family to make positive changes and growth to walk with them through their journey of healing.

My many years of experience has heightened my belief that individuals can heal, grow stronger, and become more resilient and can find their joy in a healthier life.

Gigi Wilemon