Taana Abbitt, Licensed Clinical Therapist

With over 23 years of dedicated practice, I specialize in helping people heal from trauma and anxiety.

My approach is rooted in my extensive training and experience, and in experiential therapies, which are powerful and evidence-based methods that allows clients to process emotions and experiences, reconnect with their inner selves, create healthy relationships, and achieve lasting relief and change. I’ve worked with hundreds (probably thousands) of souls over the years, tailoring my techniques to each unique journey, ensuring that healing is not just possible but transformative.

I’m not just a therapist; I’m a highly qualified guide through the complexities of trauma, offering a compassionate, non-judgmental space where clients feel truly understood. My extensive training and decades of experience equip me to understand and address even the most deeply rooted challenges, empowering clients to reclaim their lives and thrive.

Not only have I been trained by world-famous experts in the field of trauma, I have participated in 12 years of therapy myself. I have done the work that I now facilitate for my clients, which gives me authenticity and tremendous insight of not only problems, but of ways to resolve them.

I am a specialty therapist for people who are ready and willing to work on their trauma and anxiety.

Highly experienced – I have 23 years of experience continuously working in the mental health field since completing graduate school in 2001. My passion for working with survivors of trauma was born during my undergrad years in Virginia, 27 years ago. I first volunteered, and then was hired as a trained crisis intervention counselor working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. See this amazing non-profit agency, where I spent my first 3 years in this field, still going strong here: Wrcnrv.org

Highly trusted – I have always done my best to help the thousands of clients I have worked with during my time in this field. When clients have had problems that were beyond my knowledge and skills, I have invested in more high-quality training to provide continuity of care. It makes me feel really good that so many past clients return to me if they need therapy services again.

Highly trained – I invest thousands of dollars each year into ongoing, high quality training, consultation, and certification. While working at The Meadows, I had the incredible opportunity to receive training from their fellows, who are world-famous experts in this field, such as Bessel Van der Kolk, Peter Levine, Claudia Black and Tian Dayton. I am also trained in the Meadows Model.

I practice client-centered therapy.

Client-centered therapy aims to help people strengthen personal authority over their own healing by promoting self-actualization and creating a safe and accepting space.

The goal of client-centered therapy is for the person to grow in self-actualization, and to learn to speak up about their feelings and needs. 

I am highly trained in evidence-based tools to work on your goals at your own pace.

My credentials and education:

I am an independently Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Arizona. This is the highest level of licensure available in our field, and requires the successful completion of 3200 hours of supervised work as well as passing two rigorous national clinical exams.

I completed a 61 credit master’s degree in Social Work at Radford University in 2001.

During graduate school, I was inducted into Phi Alpha, the national social work honor society, dedicated to excellence in scholarship and high professional standards. This requires a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5.

I completed a bachelor of arts degree in English, with concentrations in Theater Arts and Women’s Studies, in 1998.

Some Recent Trainings relevant to my current practice:

I am currently engaged in a 6 month training for Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Level 1.

I plan to do another 6 months to complete SP Level 2.

I am currently undergoing EMDR certification hours through EMDRIA.

Integrating Yoga Techniques in EMDR. EMDRIA-approved training!

20 hours of training in Psychodrama with Soozi Bolte, Grayce Guzmano, Marlo Archer, and Deb Gion, our local Arizona psychodrama experts (my words, not theirs)!

3 days of training in Psychodrama by Tian Dayton.

3 days of training in Somatic Experiencing by Peter Levine.

I am trained in EMDR 2.0 by Ad De Jong! I am one of only 1500 therapists in the US currently using EMDR 2.0. EMDRIA approved training!

EMDR DeTUR Training: Urge Reduction Protocol for addictions and dysfunctional behaviors–The Accelerated Adaptive Information Processing Model. EMDRIA approved training!

14 hours of training in Utilization of EMDR Therapy with Complex Trauma by Roger Solomon, PhD. EMDRIA approved training!

14 hours of training in Addressing Attachment issues through the 8 phases of EMDR Therapy by Roger Solomon, PhD. EMDRIA approved training!

 IFS informed EMDR therapy for Addiction and Relapse Prevention by Susan Brown. EMDRIA approved training!

87 hours of training in Attachment-Focused EMDR by Laurel Parnell, plus 10 hours of consultation with her. EMDRIA-approved training! (At the time)

4 hours of training in EMDR and the Dance of Attachment, by Deany Laliotis. EMDRIA-approved training!

7 hours of training in IFS & PARTS WORK 101: REAL LIFE SKILLS by Marianne Turley.

6 hours of training in Internal Family Systems by Frank Anderson, MD.

40 hour basic training in EMDR and 10 hours of consultation – Ira Dressner, PhD. EMDRIA Approved Training! 2015

My Work Experience:

2021 – current: Private Practice at The Awakened Heart LLC

My outpatient private practice focusing on anxiety disorders and trauma.

2015-2021: Clinical Therapist at A New Beginning in Scottsdale, AZ

Provided therapy to hundreds of adolescent and adult clients with eating disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, and family trauma and dysfunction. Facilitated eating disorder group therapy for adults and adolescents. Outpatient level of care.

2013-2015: Primary Therapist and Family Week Program Director at The Meadows, right after they purchased Remuda Ranch

Here I was assigned two positions at the same time:

  1. Primary therapist for 12+ adolescent and adult clients at a time with eating disorders and co-morbid diagnoses. Led a minimum of 7 group therapy sessions per week. Worked in the inpatient, residential and partial hospitalization programs.
  2. I co-created, organized, and facilitated Family Week once per month for adolescent clients and once per month for adult clients. This included giving psychoeducational presentations on eating disorder topics and conducting family therapy in a group format for all participants.

I worked with hundreds (probably a thousand or more) of clients with eating disorders and co-morbid diagnoses during my time there.

2015-2018: Therapist at Quail Run Behavioral Health Hospital

Here I worked on the impatient psychiatric units with adolescents and adults providing assessments, group therapy, and participating in team meetings. I also assisted the Clinical Director with administrative tasks.

2012- 2013: Program Director and Therapist at Sendero, a residential treatment center for adolescents owned by Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital in Tucson. 20 months.

Here I worked as a primary therapist for up to 10 adolescents at a time needing treatment and temporary crisis placement. I provided daily group therapy and individual therapy. I was promoted to the Program Director and supervised the staff and state licensure audits and contract audits.

2012: ER Therapist/Evaluator at University Medical Center – Kino Campus in Tucson.

Performed emergent psychiatric assessments and facilitated dispositions to patients presenting to the Emergency Room. I also occasionally provided group therapy and other therapy services to patients admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit.

2008-2012: Therapist on the Psychiatric Assessment Team at Carondelet St. Mary’ Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tucson Heart Hospital. Therapist at the Extended Care Unit

Here I also fulfilled multiple roles – I performed emergent psychiatric assessments and facilitated dispositions for patients presenting to the Emergency Room across 3 hospitals, as well as on the medical floors.

I also worked as a therapist in the Extended Care Unit, providing individual and group therapy to SMI clients court-ordered to treatment and waiting for placement at Arizona State Hospital.

2003-2008: Behavior Specialist, Vail Unified School District. Provided intervention services to kids K-12 in special education for behavioral health disorders.

I provided functional behavior assessments and intervention services to kids with behavioral health disorders, including high-functioning autism.

2001-2003: Program Director and Therapist at The Regina School, a residential treatment center for adolescents.

I provided assessments, daily individual and group therapy to adolescents, supervised staff, and participated in responding to contract audits.

1998-2001: Graduate student in MSW program at Radford University.

I completed 2 year-long practicums (20 hours per week and then 40 hours per week) at The Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley (Domestic violence and sexual assault) and New River Family Shelter (family crisis services).

Prior to that, I worked first as a crisis counselor volunteer and then was employed as a Night Counselor at The Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley in Radford, Virginia.

1998: Completed my undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech.