who we are

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor in Alaska and a licensed counselor in Oregon. I also am a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and have a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacific University in Oregon. I graduated n in 2007, and have over 20 years of experience working in the mental health field in a variety of settings and incredible experiences where I have learned form each one.

I was born and raised in a small community at the base of Mt Hood Oregon and now call Alaska home, where I live with my family and 4 wild animals and have been here for over 11 years, 

My approach to therapy is trauma-infomed, strength-based, and person-centered, with a deep belief in the power of lasting change through connection and unconditional positive regard.  Each of us have an intrinsic capability to heal, strive for meaning and to create one's own path, no matter what life experience we may have had and I have witnessed these many times over.

 My background includes work in residential treatment, community mental health, university counseling, integrated care at the Native Medical Center and private practice. I hold degrees in both art and psychology and often incorporate expressive arts into therapy.

I am EMDR-certified and specialize in trauma and PTSD, including generational trauma, using attachment and somatic-based EMDR. I work with teens, adults, and elders on issues including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, grief, substance use, mood disorders, postpartum depression/anxiety, neurodivergence, and more.

This is your journey and believe that therapy is a process of collaboration, and it is a necessity for you to feel safe, heard and accepted.

Each of us experience stress and challenges in life at times and the therapy process can be beneficial for personal growth and transformation for everyone.

"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

-Leonard Cohen

 Sierra Stevens, Licensed Professional Counselor, Eagle River, AK, 99577 | Psychology Today 

Hi, I’m Lina Villar. My journey in serving others began in the military and continues now in my work as a counselor. Supporting people through life’s challenges is something I care deeply about, and I truly believe in each person’s ability to grow, heal, and create meaningful change.

I was raised in Los Angeles, CA, and my time in the military allowed me to travel the world and connect with people from all walks of life. That experience gave me a deep respect for different cultures and perspectives. Since 2011, I’ve made Alaska my home—and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Professionally, I’ve worked in both individual and group therapy settings, including as the lead clinician for a Partial Hospitalization Program where I supported adults facing acute emotional and behavioral challenges. I’m fluent in Spanish and offer therapy in both English and Spanish.

I’m here to support you through life’s transitions, challenges, and everything in between—whether you’re facing trauma, depression, PTSD, relationship issues, codependency, people-pleasing, grief, or other emotional struggles. You don’t have to go through it alone.

I see therapy as a collaborative journey. You are the expert in your own life, and I’m here to walk with you—helping you build practical tools, deepen your relationships, and move toward healing and resilience. Together, we can create a space where you feel safe, seen, and empowered to grow.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/lina-villar-eagle-river-ak/1487499

Maria is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Alaska and an Alaska Pacific University graduate with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She’s been working in the fields of trauma, grief and loss, perinatal mental health, disordered eating, and life transitions for 10 years. Maria completed an Insight yoga teacher training program with Yoga for Mental Health in 2018. She seeks to help others (and herself) thrive in life by nurturing body, mind and spirit.

She specializes in self-empowering body-mind tools to better handle life's stressors and support physical and mental health. She offer's the body-centered approach for addressing the effects of trauma, chronic conditions, anxiety and depression. She feel's passionate about helping individuals overcome their challenges, cope with pain, regulate emotions and improve relationships with others.

Maria utilizes somatic therapy, mindfulness and self-acceptance to promote psychological flexibility and build resilience.

Her main client focus is individual one-on-one therapy (adults, children 16+). The primary therapeutic modalities she uses are: Humanistic, Eclectic, Person-Centered, Strength-Based, Trauma informed/focused, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness/Attachment-Based, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Motivational Interviewing

Her therapeutic specialities are: trauma and PTSD, chronic pain, grief, perinatal mental health, parenting, spirituality, body

awareness, mindfulness. She also works extensively with anxiety, depression/mood disorders, eating disorders, stress, coping skills, life transitions, life coaching, relationship issues, LGBTQ+, transgender and ADHD.

More than just her work:

“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.”- Rainer Maria Rilke