MEET OUR EXPERTS

Our team of professional Contributing Experts is committed to sharing  their knowledge so you can THRIVE!

Amanda Halamka

Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, National Certified Counselor, MC, PLLC

Amanda Halamka is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has been helping people since 2015. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTSI) and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She received her master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University in 2016.

Amanda uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to help her clients find a different perspective, be mindful and have acceptance in their lives so they can progress forward.

Through her private practice in Chandler, AZ, Amanda works with patients in person or virtually.

Andrea Martin

Board-Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Andrea Martin offers reproductive and sexual health care to all genders. She has a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degree in nursing science. Her nursing experience includes inpatient medical-surgical and telemetry, and nurse practitioner expertise has encompassed family planning, gynecology, urogynecology, and sexual medicine.

She has always been acutely aware of the many shortcomings of health care today and is a fierce patient advocate. She strives to provide an atmosphere of approachability and trust and looks forward to providing exceptional care.

In her free time she enjoys caring for her two dogs and two cats as well as cross-stitching nerdy medical humor designs.

Beth Leonard

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Christian Sex Therapist, AAMFT, ABCST

Beth Leonard is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Beth says, “My life motto is, ‘Don’t waste your pain.’ In life, pain is inevitable. The many ways we try to push it away, anesthetize it, or avoid it can further wound us and cause damage to us and our relationships. But when we allow it, pain can be a powerful tool in the Father’s hand for change and growth.

"Specific sex therapy issues I address include trauma, sexual/physical abuse, desire disorders, mismatched desire in couples, female sexual pain, and recovery from the impact of sexual addiction/betrayal.”

Beth is a member of the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (AAMFT) and the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists (ABCST) and is in training to become an AAMFT approved supervisor. She is also trained in EMDR, Sand Tray, and Trauma-Focused Art Therapy.

Bethany Bice Wilcox

Psychotherapist, MSSW, LCSW

Bethany has been a psychotherapist in Phoenix, Arizona, since 1988. Her specialties include Christian counseling, marriage counseling, blended families, depression/anxiety, communication/problem solving, anger management, sexual abuse recovery, adult children of alcoholics, women's issues, codependency and grief counseling.

Among other therapeutic modalities, Bethany is trained in and uses EMDR and Lifespan Integration (LI).

Carla Mannes

Holistic Therapist, Certified Grief Facilitator, MSW, CGF

Carla Mannes is a hollistic therpaist who specializes in adverse childhood experiences as well as grief and loss. Carla believes that when emotional disruptions begin early in childhood go unresolved, they create unhealthy behaviors, lifestyles and future outcomes.

She earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University. She is also a Grief Recovery Facilitator, Arizona Certified Mediator, and Adverse Childhood Experience Expert.

Carla says, "My passion: helping people feel... so they can truly heal."

Carla is the proud mother of four beautiful grown and married children, "Nan" of eight grandchildren (her "littles") and resides in Mesa, Arizona. She helps clients and families throughout Arizona and across the U.S.

Carol Lourie

Naturopath, Acupuncturist, Homeopath 

From Carol Lourie: "I’ve helped thousands of women around the world recover their health and enjoy life again. My superpower is figuring out exactly where we need to start to peel back the layers of complex health conditions so we can fix them together, step by step.

"I’m a Naturopath, Acupuncturist, and Homeopath with over 35 years of clinical experience. I specialize in complex chronic diseases such as breast cancer. My goal is to help women emerge stronger, healthier and more vibrant through their breast cancer journey."

Cinthia Hiett

Life Coach, MC

Cinthia Hiett is a life coach, relationship expert, author, and motivational speaker with over 25 years of experience.

Her education includes a Master's Degree in Counseling. Cinthia has taught the Psychology of Religion at Arizona Christian University, among other courses.

With a passion for helping men and women understand relationships and gender differences, she is widely recognized as an excellent speaker, sharing inspiration and relevant teachings, traveling internationally presenting biblically based seminars and lectures on relationships, gender and conflict resolution.  

Dawn Hopkins

E-RYT 500 Master Yoga Instructor and Trainer, Certified Yoga Therapist, Thai Yoga Massage and Reiki Practitioner, and Licensed Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Facilitator

Dawn Hopkins is the Founder and President of Inspiritus Yoga: Wholistic Wellness & Training Centers. In addition to the certifications shown above, Dawn also holds BA and MA degrees from UIUC.

Dawn has been helping people take charge of their health and wellness since 2002 when she owned and operated a women’s fitness center. As a trauma survivor who also navigated an eating disorder in her teens, Dawn discovered the healing power of yoga and mindful eating in 2004. Since then, Dawn has used yoga and its various modalities to help her with her own healing, including two breast cancer journeys. Through yoga, she has come home to herself and has tapped into her own innate wholeness. She believes it is her life’s calling to help others do the same.

“I am grateful that my pain has been repurposed, and my misery has become my ministry. I feel honored and blessed to help others find healing, hope, wholeness, and inspiration through the various modalities of yoga, mindful eating, and wholistic wellness programs.”

Dr. Deanna Smith

Doctor of Pharmacy, Healthcare Cost Consultant

Dr. Deanna Smith is a healthcare professional who is passionate about helping others with uncovered and denied healthcare claims and services, such as prescriptions and medical procedures, by appealing and saving on healthcare costs. She educates her clients and their families about reducing their healthcare costs by appealing claims, taking advantage of healthcare savings programs, and maximizing medical benefits.

With over 20 years in the healthcare industry, Dr. Deanna knows how to navigate the complexity of the medical and insurance industries. Her passion was ignited over 15 years ago when she successfully negotiated her own medical bills after the birth of her daughter. Then, as a clinical pharmacist for a specialty pharmacy, she wrote letters of appeal to insurance companies on behalf of healthcare providers and their patients. She now advocates for patients through her company, Appealing For You Rx, LLC. 

Deborah Kellogg

Certified Lymphatic Therapist, PTA, LMT, CLT-LANA

Deborah Kellogg is a Certified Lymphatic Therapist. While working with cancer patients, she realized that many felt "alone" in their new, life-long maintenance programs. She primarily works with oncology patients to use lymphatic massage used by therapists to reduce swelling. Deborah’s practice, Pink Ribbon Lymphatic Massage, is located in Scottsdale, AZ.

She is a Certified MediCupping Practitioner, a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy), is Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) Certified and is trained in Neuro-Lymphatic Therapy.

As an Oncology Massage Therapist at MD Anderson in Gilbert, Arizona, Deborah collaborated with other rehab and lymphatic therapists, oncologists, and integrative therapists to create a specialized massage for cancer survivors affected by lymphatic damage. This specialized oncology lymphatic massage program was created and is offered to MD Anderson/Gilbert patients.

Jayne Marquis

Naturopathic Doctor, Homeopath

Dr. Jayne Marquis is a Naturopathic Doctor and Homeopath. Jayne has always held the belief that we are more than meets the eye. Like a tree, what we see is the trunk, the branches, the leaves, but what is equally important is what is not seen—the roots, the source of nourishment, security, and balance.

While receiving her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Jayne fell in love with Homeopathy. The principles of Homeopathy resonated with her profoundly, as she had always held the belief that all physical ailments have mental and emotional components.  She pursued her Doctor of Homeopathic Medicine from Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine.

Today Jayne applies her experience, knowledge, passion, and dedication to her current practice and the treatment of every patient she sees.

Jennifer Douglass

Clinical Thermographer

Jennifer Douglass was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Her experience through treatment led her to become a Clinical Thermographer, and it’s what drives her passion for educating others about thermography. 

Thermography is a non-invasive, radiation-free diagnostic tool that is like no other imaging device on the market. It’s an imaging option rarely offered by traditional, Western-trained physicians as an alternative diagnostic tool. Jennifer shares, “It has become my mission to bring awareness of this incredible and underused technology to the forefront of mainstream healthcare as an adjunctive option in diagnostic imaging. The applications for this technology are numerous and go far beyond simply detecting breast disease!”  

Jennifer received her education, training, and certification through the American College of Clinical Thermology. She is the owner of East Valley Thermography in the Phoenix, Arizona, area.  

Karen Anderson

Accredited Exercise Physiologist ESSA, Cancer Exercise Specialist ACSM, BAppSci AEP MESSA 

Karen Anderson’s early career focus, working as an exercise physiologist specializing in cancer care, helped her identify the need to create a virtual cancer health and wellness consulting service and resource networking portal. Karen founded and is the current Managing Director of Foundation 96.

Foundation 96’s mission is to provide a safe and supportive care community consisting of multidisciplinary service providers, for people and their caregivers who are transitioning from active cancer treatment to everyday life.

Karin Del Maestro

Board Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

Karin Del Maestro has been working in the health and wellness fields for 20+ years, but it was her own Breast Cancer and BRCA2 diagnosis in July 2018 that changed the path of her coaching practice.

Combining her extensive education as a health coach, studying anti-inflammatory living, women's hormone health, the effects that stress has on our bodies, the importance of self-care and much more, and her own personal experiences in overcoming major traumas, Karin is uniquely qualified to support Breast Cancer Survivors after treatment is over. Using her caring, simple Lighten the Load Method, she gently guides you to get back your get-up-and-go and start creating your best life yet!

Kathe Wunnenberg

Hopelifter, Speaker, Writer, Ministry Leader

Kathe Wunnenberg is a speaker, writer, and leader known for her creative compassion and for her ability to connect with people and offer them hope. She believes God can transform anything you offer Him—your possessions, people, places and personal life experiences—into hope to help others. Kathe embraces this daily lifestyle she calls "hopelifting" and encourages and equips others to do the same.

A former sales executive and ministry leader, Kathe is the Founder and President of Hopelifters Unlimited, a Christian resource and training organization.

Kathe loves cold weather, trees, and connecting over coffee. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband, their three living sons, and two dogs.

Kathy Kates

Family Nurse Practitioner, Pelvic Health Specialist

Kathy Kates is an experienced bilingual Family Nurse Practitioner at a Boston area community health center.  As a specialist in pelvic health, she created a grant-awarded pelvic floor therapy myofascial release program at the health center to help women, men and transgender patients with chronic pelvic pain. She has been invited to lecture on pelvic health at medical conferences and teaches pelvic health awareness seminars for several local organizations. In recent years, Kathy has continued to expand her knowledge base by studying myofascial release with John Barnes (PT).  

Kathy’s passion lies in educating others on how they can function optimally in order to live their healthiest lives. Kathy offers a unique perspective, not only as a medical provider, but also as a patient who has experienced pelvic pain after treatment for breast cancer.

Kristina Calligan

Family Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Specialist

Kristina Calligan is a sub-specialty nurse practitioner in Women’s Health. A native to Arizona, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2006 at Grand Canyon University in Glendale, Arizona. Never one to stop striving and achieving all that she could, she completed two master’s degrees in Nursing Science and Business Administration in 2012.

Kris joined Arizona Gynecology Consultants (AGC) in 2009. In addition to seeing her own patients, she is Director of Operations for AGC clinics and surgery centers. Her specialties include office-based gynecology procedures, clinical research, and patient education.

Kris also has a long history in Women’s Health in the Phoenix area, having owned and operated the very first free-standing birth center in the state of Arizona. She is also a clinical instructor of nurse practitioner students having provided clinical training for Grand Canyon University. 

Lauri Leadley

Clinical Sleep Educator, CCSH, RPSGT 

Lauri Leadley's fascination with the physiology of sleep began more than 30 years ago when she was a respiratory therapist and saw a patient with sleep apnea for the first time. It led her to become a sleep technologist.

Lauri shares, "I remember my very first patient who woke up after a sleep study and said, 'Wow, I’ve never dreamt before and l last night I had dreams!' It was a turning point in my career.

"Our culture, in general, doesn’t recognize the human body’s need for adequate sleep. I was guilty of this for years. Chronic pain has interrupted my sleep and life for as long as I can remember, and I continued to ignore it. It wasn’t until my second cancer diagnosis that I found myself struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep, and I knew that the lack of sleep was impacting my body’s ability to heal. I experienced first-hand the results of having a long-running pattern of sleep loss and its effect on my health. My own health challenges over the years fed my desire to change lives. Now I’d like to help you overcome your battles."

Lauri has been changing her patients’ minds about sleep for over two decades.  Lauri and her husband, Glenn, are the owners of Valley Sleep Center, with several locations across the state of Arizona. Together they have helped tens of thousands of patients reclaim their sound slumber.

Lisa Nicholson

Licensed Acupuncturist

Lisa Nicholson, L.Ac., is a master acupuncturist, licensed in California and nationally certified. She holds a BA in psychology, an MS in rehabilitation counseling, and is a graduate of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.

Lisa has been in private practice in San Diego for over 20 years. She is a skilled nutrition counselor and wellness coach, with a passion for helping people experiencing physical and emotional pain to reconnect with their zest for living.

As a breast cancer survivor, Lisa is particularly devoted to helping other cancer patients get through their treatment and restore their health. She has experienced the challenges of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapies and she has successfully returned to her athletic lifestyle following treatment.

Lisa Tarantino

Certified Functional Nutrition Coach, Certified Radical Remission Coach, Radical Remission Workshop Instructor & Transformation Coach

My name is Lisa Tarantino. I am a stage 3C Endometrial Cancer Thriver. When I was unable to finish my SOC (standard of care, chemo, radiation, surgery), because of a compromised immune system, I was told by my oncologists to go home and live my life. That response was unacceptable to me. I didn't want to just go home and “wait for immune system to go back up.” I didn’t want to go home and “wait for the next blindsided diagnosis.” Instead I took my health, my immune system, my LIFE into my own hands!

I always knew the body has an amazing God given capacity to heal itself. I also knew that changing my eating and lifestyle habits would be a game changer for me. I didn’t need an MD after my name to know these things—they just always made perfect sense to me!

For the past 6 years, I have been researching, training, attending cancer conventions and speaking with and coaching cancer thrivers all over the world. As a Certified Functional Nutrition Coach, Certified Radical Remission Coach, Radical Remission Workshop Instructor & Transformation Coach, I will meet you exactly where you are on your journey. I believe my passion for helping people with cancer, along with my empathetic heart is a winning combination to teach and guide people into becoming Cancer Thrivers.

Lori LeBarnes

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist 

Lori LeBarnes has over 20 years experience as a Physical Therapist which includes Pelvic Health, myofascial release (MFR), and a strong orthopedic background.

Lori has successfully worked with all types of pelvic diagnoses, some of which include: pelvic pain, painful intercourse, urinary/fecal incontinence, pre-natal/post-partum, IC and endometriosis.

She has taken extensive continuing education classes pertaining to Pelvic Health from Herman & Wallace Pelvic Institute. Additionally, she has trained under John F. Barnes, PT in MFR therapy. With her extensive experience, she has found a direct correlation between pelvic pain diagnoses and the fascial system that is often missed with traditional pelvic therapy.

Lori has a passion to help women with pelvic/myofascial dysfunction and pain regain their former selves so they can live life with less limitations.

Lyndsey Harper

Medical Doctor—OB/GYN, Rosy Wellness Founder

Lyndsey Harper, MD, is the Founder and CEO of Rosy, an app for women with decreased sexual desire. Dr. Harper created Rosy out of frustration when she couldn’t find a modern and accessible resource to help her many patients with this problem. Rosy is a resource to connect the 25 million women in the US with decreased sexual desire with hope, community, and research-backed solutions to improve their lives.

Dr. Harper completed OB/GYN residency in 2011 at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas, Texas, saw patients in private practice for seven years, and now is a hospitalist. Dr. Harper is Associate Professor of OB/GYN for Texas A&M College of Medicine, a Fellow of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health.

Mary Jo Rennert

Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Professional Coach, Registered Nurse, Certified Disaster Recovery Coach

Divorced after forty-four years of marriage, Mary Jo Rennert shares a powerful message that it’s never too late to find joy, purpose, and fulfillment, even after life-shattering loss.

Drawing on her own experience as a divorced Christian woman faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church, she engages audiences who have experienced loss with down-to-earth humor and real-life stories to help other women navigate the heartache of trauma and rebuild their lives.

Melody Rodarte

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Internal and Obesity Medicine Specialist

Dr. Melody Rodarte, DO, is a double-boarded Internal and Obesity Medicine Specialist, also certified in Medical Aesthetics. Her medical practice is dedicated to providing personalized, whole patient care. Dr. Rodarte’s passion for treating patients, along with a science-based approach to improving quality of life isn’t limited to treating diagnoses; rather she is focused on achieving optimum health from the inside-out.

Dr. Rodarte was named a “Phoenix Top Doc|Obesity Medicine” in 2017, 2019, and 2021. She is also certified in Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Rachel Rubin

Board-Certified Urologist and Sexual Medicine Specialist

Dr. Rachel S. Rubin is a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist. She is one of only a handful of physicians with fellowship training in sexual medicine for all genders. Dr. Rubin is a clinician, researcher, and passionate educator. In addition to being education chair for the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), she serves as associate editor for the journal Sexual Medicine Reviews. Dr. Rubin completed her medical education at Tufts University, her urology training at Georgetown University, and her sexual medicine fellowship training with Dr. Irwin Goldstein in San Diego.

Dr. Rubin is passionate about providing comprehensive care to her patients. She views the role of a physician as more than someone who offers diagnoses and prescribes treatments—she sees her role as a coordinator of care for her patients to help them achieve their sexual health goals and improve their quality of life. She also is passionate about educating her patients, hoping to empower them to take control of their own health and advocate for better care.

Robyn Towt

Co-Founder GPAC Global Patient Advocacy Coalition / Arizona Association of Patient Advocates / HIPAA Certified

Robyn Towt is a former teacher and three-time cancer survivor who was harmed by a medical device. This led to a passion for advocacy medical device safety. She is the co-founder of GPAC Global Patient Advocacy Coalition. She is also an administrator of multiple patient advocacy groups and a member of the Arizona Association of Patient Advocates.

Robyn has testified twice at the FDA in support of patient safety and proper informed consent. Collaborative efforts with industry and medical societies have led to progress in finding solutions for increasing awareness and patient safety.

Robyn has worked extensively with Arizona legislators in passing an informed consent law for breast implant surgery, and her GPAC team is currently working on similar legislation in several other states. The GPAC team has also partnered with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to develop a patient decision checklist that was created collaboratively with plastic surgeons, patient advocates, and the ASPS Government Relations team.

Sara Nash, PhD

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Sara Nash is a psychotherapist who specializes in helping women recover from trauma. In her private practice, Sara counsels and consults with women and couples throughout the country about the choice to go flat.

After a breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy at age 40, Sara became passionate about using her counseling background and personal experience going flat to support women who are considering the flat option. In addition to hosting a weekly virtual "Surgery Support Circle" for women who are preparing for and recovering from surgery, Sara founded FLATworks, a digital media organization that celebrates flat closure.

Tess Devèze

Occupational Therapist, Somatic Sexologist, Clinical Sexuality and Intimacy Educator

Tess Devèze is a clinical occupational therapist (OT), certified somatic sexologist and the founder of ConnectAble Therapies, a Melbourne-based sexuality OT community practice, working with people living with cancer, chronic illness, and disability.

Alongside working as a sexuality OT and somatic sexologist, she also works as a sexuality, intimacy, communication, and consent educator for adults, clinicians and LGBTQIA+ communities across Australia, having facilitated thousands of people for nearing a decade. As a cancer battler herself, Tess’s expertise is working in the field of sexuality and intimacy for people diagnosed with cancer.

She is a registered member and practitioner of the national OT board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), clinical registration board OT Australia (OTAUS), the Society of Australian Sexologists Ltd (SAS), and the Somatic Sex Educators' Association of Australasia (SSEAA).

Finding support on this topic can be tough, but you are not alone. Tess says “There are ways to reclaim our intimacy, there is hope! Because we are more than just our diagnosis.”

Traci Owen

Certified Sexuality Counselor, Practice Clinician, RN, BSN, CSC, SE, AASECT 

Traci Owen is a veteran Registered Nurse with more than 30 years of experience in caring for individuals. Traci considers herself a healer of the human body and the human condition. While working in an oncology facility, she identified a gap in our healthcare system regarding the topics of adult intimacy and sexuality for people facing cancer. Traci believes people desire and deserve adult sexual education that is based in facts and evolves with us over time.  

Traci felt called to step into this space and began a new journey in her nursing career. She completed post-graduate studies in sexuality at the University of Michigan, obtaining a certificate in Sexuality Counseling and Sexuality Education. She is also a Certified Sexuality Counselor through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, & Therapist (AASECT). 

Traci serves patients through her business, Intimate Pathways Center for Sexual Health in Broken Arrow, OK.

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Not Professional Advice

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