Dr. Berens profile picture
Picture of Dr. Berens as a child

Vanessa Berens, PhD

Psychologist

Arrow right
Psychological Evaluations
Arrow right
Pediatric Psychotherapy
Arrow right
Adolescent Psychotherapy
Arrow right
Adult Psychotherapy
Arrow right
Consultations
Arrow right
Research and public speaking

Dr. Berens is a licensed psychologist who has worked with a wide array of disorders and diverse populations. Dr. Berens works with adolescents, adults, families, and couples in individual or group sessions. She has extensive background working with intimate partner violence, individuals recovering from traumatic events, and anxiety disorders. She also specializes in working with mood disorders, sleep disorders and the gifted population. Dr. Berens received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, Imago Relationship Therapy and Mindfulness. Dr. Berens also conducts psychological evaluations and personality testing. The evaluations helps determine the core components of a person's psychological functioning, coping skills, behaviors, and personality traits to assist in creating an effective treatment goal plan or treatment recommendations.

Dr. Berens believes change is possible with a supportive working alliance to create new ways of coping and thinking to manage the stress in your life. She offers a safe, warm, yet challenging environment to help heal from the past and transition to the future. Psychotherapy enables people to overcome negative, repetitive patterns and make meaningful changes in their lives. Her goal is to help empower individuals whom she works with to become better versions of themselves and to be able to move forward in their lives.

Dr. Berens graduated from New Mexico State University and completed her internship at Eastern Kansas VA Hospital to further her specialization in trauma work and anxiety disorders. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology at Arizona State University and her Master’s Degree in Counseling at Northern Arizona University. She has been a guest lecturer at Paradise Valley Community College and has given presentations on Intimate Partner Violence, Substance Abuse, Relationships and Sleep Disorders throughout the valley. Dr. Berens is a member of American Psychological Association and Arizona Psychological Association.