Z DeWald, LAC

Z graduated from Prescott college with a Masters in Counseling with a focus on social justice and an Educational Specialist degree in Nature-Assisted Therapy Program Administration. They are Neurodivergent, Queer, and Disabled. She values gentleness, honesty, humor, weirdness, communication, defiance, liberation, hope, community, and identity pride. Z’s therapy style is flexible and collaborative. Clients can expect to be asked for honest feedback, support needs, etc., so changes and plans for therapy can be matched to their needs. Their office has areas to sit, lay, or stand, and they are also able to go outside/into nature with clients (weather permitting). She believes that while therapy can be difficult, effective healing should also feel liberating, fun, and empowering.

Z is influenced by salutogenic theories (i.e. what creates health vs. what creates illness). Discrimination, prejudice, and oppression in all forms are enemies of mental health; how we respond to these and the systems that enact them is where we find health through empowerment and celebration of communities, kinship, and revolution. Their favorite part of therapy is honoring each feeling (sadness, joy, rage, confusion, fear, etc.) as important, valuable, and part of a beautiful whole that is each stunningly unique person.