MENDING HEARTS STAFF

Sharon Carl, M.A., M.Ed., LPC-S, CCTP

President/CEO of Mending Hearts
Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

Sharon specializes in play therapy, early childhood trauma, trauma recovery, grief/loss, attachment, adoption issues, children's therapy, women's and family issues. Sharon also periodically offers parenting classes. She is a trainer for the "Taming the Trauma Tremors" training for foster/adoptive parents.

Sharon holds a M.A. degree in Counseling from Ottawa University and an Advanced Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. She additionally holds a M.A. in Education from Arizona State University. She has advanced training in play therapy, trauma focused therapy, and attachment therapy. Sharon's scriptural foundation for ministry is Isaiah 61:1-3 and James 1:27.

Christopher Stewart, MS, LAC

Chris holds an M.S. degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. He’s a Licensed Associate Counselor in the state of Arizona and Missouri and is passionate about providing counseling from a Christian or secular perspective for traumatic stress and PTSD.

Chris works with adults, children, and adolescents who face divorce, bullying, peer pressure, and difficulty with managing interpersonal relationships. With children and adolescents, these challenges can often manifest as anger and defiance, fear, low self-esteem, ADHD, depression, and anxiety and Chris will address each issue with psychoanalytic depth. His approach is emotion-focused, trauma-informed and it addresses underlying needs.

Chris also uses Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with a Family Systems approach to treat families and couples struggling with communication, trust, emotional regulation, and parenting issues. He facilitates therapeutic groups to treat addiction and mental health issues.

Chris provides telehealth services only.

Armand Ntwari, MS, LAC

Armand earned a bachelor's degree in general law from Light University of Bujumbura in Burundi. Armand also holds his master's degree in clinical Mental Health and Counseling from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

Armand is a licensed associate counselor in the State of Arizona. As a therapist he specializes in helping clients develop better cognitive and emotional skills, reduce symptoms of mental illness, and cope with various life challenges to improve their lives. Armand believes that clients need a safe space where they can explore their emotions and feelings from a nonjudgmental and noncritical standpoint.

Armand helps clients navigate issues of anxiety, depression, anger, grief, relationship issues and complex trauma. The treatment modalities he uses are, but not limited to, CBT, ACT, DBT, MCBT, Gestalt Therapy, Solution focused Brief Therapy, Person Centered and parts work.

Christopher Stewart, MS, LAC

Chris provides telehealth services only.

Crystal McCabe, Ph.D., LPC-S

Crystal McCabe holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology, a Masters of Science in Education/Special Education, a Masters of Science in Professional Counseling, and a Ph.D. in General Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Crystal has been working as a professor in higher education since 2013.

Crystal has been working at MHFS since 2011. Prior to joining the MHFS family, she has experience in working both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric. She also worked in public education as a Special Education teacher. Her experiences and passion for helping others has helped her discover a special interest in working with children, adolescents, and individuals and families with disabilities. Other areas of special interest include depression, anxiety, grief/loss, trauma, pre-marital/marital and relationship counseling and behavior management.

Crystal is married to Mike and has two sons.

Mark Gonchar, MS, LAAC, CCTS, ASDI/CAIP

Mark is a Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor in the state of Arizona. He graduated from California State University -Fullerton with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy. While in the service of Mending Hearts, Mark received education and certification as a Certified Autism-Informed Professional and he is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. He is EMDR and Theraplay Trained. He utilizes CBT and motivational interviewing.

Mark is experienced working with most mental health populations in a wide variety of settings. He uses his substance abuse background along with his marriage and family therapy education to create a non-judgmental, authentic and therapeutic environment. Mark works with most addictions and compulsive behaviors.

Mark assists client’s with identifying negative thinking patterns and helping with replacing them with healthy and effective thinking patterns. He promotes and encourages self-care, coping skills and self-confidence.

Sheila Jones, MSW, LMSW

Sheila Jones holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Social Work from Arizona State University. Sheila has been working as a professional in Criminal Justice since 2002. Since 2021, Sheila has worked with individual adults and teens, couples, and families in office and through telehealth.

Sheila has experience working with clients in a variety of mental health settings. She has worked in private practice focusing on client’s working through, trauma, foster care issues, anxiety, depression and divorce. Sheila uses her diverse background to create a non-judgmental, authentic and therapeutic environment. She uses Trauma Focused CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing and other evidence-based modalities in her work.

Sheila focuses on helping clients rebuild self-esteem and self-confidence, find security, and learn healthy coping skills to assist in healing. Sheila’s special interests are Women’s mental health, relationships and personal growth.

Tricia Jimenez, Licensed Associate Counselor, LAC

Tricia is a Licensed Associate Counselor. She holds an AAS in Advanced Behavioral Health from Glendale Community College, a BS in Psychology and a MS in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Tricia has a compassion to help children, adolescents, and adults overcome any obstacle that is negatively impacting their wellbeing, relationships, and/or functioning in daily life.

In the past three plus years, Tricia has worked with children, adolescents, and their families to navigate and heal from both acute and complex trauma experiences. She is experienced with working with the most vulnerable population of children and adolescents who also struggle with additional behavioral and mental health disorders such as ADHD, ODD, and Level 1 AS. Tricia completed her internship at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, AZ.

Tricia takes a whole person approach to treatment: mind, body, and spirit. She uses her training and experience in various therapeutic approaches, practices, and skills, such as CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, EMDR, Play Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy, and Health and Wellness for Trauma. Tricia believes that building a level of trust and commitment between the therapist and client allows them to work together as equal partners, journeying together to explore who you are by discovering and gaining insight to your positive traits, strengths, resiliency, abilities, and behaviors.

MENDING HEART, BOARD

Sharon Carl - Founder, President/CEO

Sharon is the Founder and current President/CEO for Mending Hearts. She serves as the Board President and oversees the clinical and administration of Mending Hearts. Sharon holds a M.A. degree in Counseling from Ottawa University and an Advanced Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. She additionally holds a M.A. in Education from Arizona State University and advanced training in non-profit leadership.

Sharon has served as an Adjunct Professor for Fuller Theological Seminary, Grand Canyon University, and South Mountain and Glendale Community Colleges. She served on the Arizona Association for Play Therapy Board in the past.

Joni Pourchot - Vice President

Joni Pourchot is a Phoenix native with over 20 years of experience in the accounting field, working in Phoenix and overseas. Her expertise is in the non-profit sector, working in the behavioral health, social service, and medical fields.

In June 2008, Ms Pourchot graduated with honors from the Masters in Business Administration program at Keller Graduate School of Management. Her business is Pourchot Accounting, LLC.

Mike Marks - Treasurer

Mike Marks is a pastor at Echo Mountain Church. Mr. Marks has also been very involved in non-profit business and technology for several years and has served the behavioral health and social service groups quite closely.

Mr. Marks and his wife, Kathy, of forty-eight years have a married daughter.

Qualifications

Therapists/Counselors

Counselors working directly with consumers in individual, family, marital, or group therapy, shall have at least a master's degree or be an intern in an accredited university counseling program or social work program. Master's level therapists with related social work/mental health degrees are most often used and are preferred. All therapists shall be licensed through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

Consultants

Mending Hearts Family Services uses consultants in various professional disciplines on an as needed basis. These include, but are not limited to, the following: Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Neurologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Medical Doctors, Speech Therapists, Teachers and Clergy.