Beginners Edge Sports Training, LLC

Many people worry about whether they or their loved ones can defend themselves if someone tries to hurt them. At Cactus Jiu Jitsu in Scottsdale AZ, we teach Gracie Jiu Jitsu (also known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), a street-tested martial art and self-defense system that will help you and your family feel safer and more confident. Classes for men, women, children (5+), teens, and adults.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works in private practice providing mental health therapy to children ages 4-12. I specialize in treating trauma with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and play therapy techniques. I also treat children with depression and anxiety or those who are struggling behaviorally.

Fun & Fit Functional Fitness provides Occupational Therapy and personal training services to children of all abilities. Our therapy and fitness sessions are designed to improve coordination, strength, endurance, and sensory processing skills through functional movement.  We make therapy and fitness fun for kids- leading to stronger, healthier, and happier lives!

Speech Therapy services are now being offered at Nest Psychological!

Lauren Sawyer, M.S. CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist who carries a Certificate of Clinical Competence granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders, with multiple years of experience in a wide range of settings and populations. Because of her experience in multiple school districts, she is highly skilled at understanding Special Education proceedings, including IEP meetings. She is skilled at evaluating and treating expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation delays, fluency disorders, and social language (pragmatic) skills from ages 3-18. 

Call Nest today to talk with Lauren about your concerns and schedule an evaluation today. There is currently no waitlist.

. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a wide array of clinical experience. I graduated summa cum laude receiving my Bachelor’s of Science in psychology from Arizona State University and continued my graduate education there earning a Master of Advanced Studies in Marriage and Family Therapy. I became independently licensed while working as an outpatient therapist at a community behavioral health agency in the East Valley.
Prior to completing my Master’s work, I worked as a social worker with a state agency serving low income children and families with intense behavioral health needs. This initial work inspires and informs my work today with a wide variety of presenting concerns. Upon entering the field of behavioral health, I received a crash course in a variety of entities that often are involved with children and families experiencing mental health challenges. I learned about the school system, parent’s rights, and how to collaborate with the school system to provide an optimal environment for the individual needs of a child. I learned about the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and how to navigate this complicated state agency in order to get the best care and support for your loved one. I learned and interacted with the adult and juvenile legal system, working to bridge the gap between mental health and criminal justice. I frequently worked alongside Department of Child Safety (DCS) to support families and children who needed stability, skills, and healing from trauma, both past and ongoing. Finally, I worked with a variety of specialty behavioral health service providers throughout the valley, to ensure the proper level of care and supports were provided to my clients.
Currently, I draw from all of my experiences to work and treat clients using a systemic lens. I believe we are all part of a larger system that impacts the way we see, feel, and move through the world. In order for me to provide my clients with the best, most effective care, I make it my priority to really see every one of my clients and their journey that brought them into therapy.  I focus on understanding each individual’s unique experiences and guide them towards personal growth, emotional awareness, and healthy relationships.

I believe in an integrative approach to therapy, incorporating a combination of evidence- based treatment modalities. I consider affective, cognitive, developmental, behavioral, and environmental factors that contribute to client’s difficulties, and incorporate these to provide individualized treatment. I believe all people have the ability to grow and move beyond life’s obstacles. It is my role to help clients feel safe enough to identify what is holding them back and support them in overcoming their unique challenges to live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Making the decision to attend therapy is often difficult. It is an investment in time & money. I recognize how scary and uncomfortable it can be. Research shows the average couple doesn’t attend counseling until 6-7 years into relationship trouble. Finding a therapist, you connect with is essential for effective therapy. Contact me to discuss if I am a good fit or I am always happy to discuss other options for support or another type of referral.