About Us
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Kimberly Kino, MA, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor Founder/Owner
I truly have been honored to be working in this field for over twenty years and in private practice since 2002. I started young, maybe age 5, where my fondest early memories were sitting around the table with older people, listening to their stories, fascinated with questions and wanting to know more. Pursuing my love for psychology, in the 1990's I received my degrees from Rutgers University, BA, New Jersey City University, MA, Magna Cum Laude. With my Jersey roots, dog Bailey at the time, being fed up with family of origin dysfunction, and earned degrees in hand, I decided to move to Arizona in 2000 to explore a new environment for a year or two. Years later I now have turned into a lizard because I love the heat and the desert. I find my time restoring and re-energizing by hiking our wonderful Arizona trails, reading a great book, getting a fantastic night's sleep, painting oil/acrylic paintings, exploring new finds anywhere in nature, or finding the hidden local gems on a weekend unplanned with my son and/or significant other.
As we age and grow in life, events and circumstances can provide unforeseen challenges. Getting knocked down is painful. On the other side of pain, these challenges surprisingly became the foundation for my toughest learning and personal evolution. We forever continue to grow and change. Darkness cannot survive in the light, but sometimes it can feel that way.
Arizona life has allowed me to practice in an environment where people move to from all over the world. I love the diversity and continue to be inspired by the fascinating stories! I have gained a humbling appreciation for the unique paths of human beings. Every hour is an amazing story that leads to seeing the inner workings of change. What a mind blowing gift for a career.
With the current increased need, acceptance, and awareness of mental health needs, especially in the subset of trauma, I am also very grateful for the opportunity to mentor and supervise wonderful and very talented counselors in training and sharing this experience/adventure in the counseling world.
Melody Knudson, MCMHC, LAC, Licensed Associate Counselor
I come from a close-knit family and, as the second of four girls, my sisters are my endless source of encouragement and inspiration. I am an artist at heart and met my husband eight years ago at an audition for a play. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies from Biola University in 2009 and completed my undergraduate internship in Uganda.
My interest in counseling was born from summers spent volunteering at a camp for foster children. I saw children who, as a result of abuse and neglect, experienced a corrupted sense of identity. I saw similar patterns in my work as a Behavioral Health Technician, providing respite care for teenagers with behavioral health diagnoses. I truly believe that all people are valuable and worthy of love, respect and dignity and I became curious about how we as people can help one another heal from traumatic experiences.
This sparked a curiosity about the mind; if it can be impacted by negative experiences, it must also be possible to restore the mind to wholeness through the impact of healing experiences. As a recent graduate earning my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University, I have developed a particular interest in helping women recover from trauma to reclaim their sense of value and recover a strong personal identity. Trauma has a way of distorting our view of ourselves and our view of the world and through my own heartbreak and challenges, I have found Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to be a useful tool to reprogram the negative and fearful thinking that comes in the wake of trauma.
Outside of work and school, I enjoy anything creative. I have been acting since I was three years old and have a deep love of classical theatre and Shakespeare. My love of theatre has given me a deep appreciation for stories, and I cherish the opportunity to listen to the life stories of the clients I work with.
Charisma Carter-Graham, MA, MS, LAC Licensed Associate Counselor
Hi there! :) As a therapist, I take a trauma-informed, whole-person, client-focused approach to the therapy relationship and process. I believe that the relationship between therapist and client is vital to the growth and healing process.
I ventured into this line of work because of my love for people and a desire to provide others with a compassionate, authentic connection to heal and grow into the version of themselves that has a full toolbox of skills and self-understanding to start healing past trauma and tackle current and future stress life can bring. I believe that everyone is inherently worthy and is capable of good and healing, and I build a therapeutic foundation of trust on this belief.
I am a Trauma-Informed, Licensed Associate Counselor who is experienced in working with a variety of individuals and their concerns and goals, such as anxiety, self-esteem and relational issues, depression, trauma/PTSD, and ADHD, as well as experience working with a variety of minority populations and ages. I have a background and Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies, with a focus on sexual and domestic violence treatment and advocacy and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
I have a passion for helping those who are looking for a supportive, empathetic, evidence-based, client-centered approach to their concerns and believe that my clients are the “drivers” of the therapy journey and I am their passenger holding the map and providing assistance in the growth process. I am passionate about fostering a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for individuals from all walks of life. My approach values and welcomes clients regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, body size, ability status, or cultural background. I am dedicated to fostering an environment where LGBTQ+ individuals, plus-sized individuals, and those from diverse minority communities feel respected, heard, and understood.
I am an Arizona native and avid reader. I love working on creative projects, baking, and spending time with my loved ones often, as it is a form of self-care for me.
Bruce Burke, Billing/Technology Support
I have an avid interest in all things tech and have been working in software development, testing, and support for over twenty years. My role is to ensure Kino Counseling Center runs smoothly on the computer end so that staff can focus solely on clientele. As a person who supports the importance and value of working on one's mental health
I have an avid interest in all things tech and have been working in software development, testing, and support for over twenty years. My role is to ensure Kino Counseling Center runs smoothly on the computer end so that staff can focus solely on clientele. As a person who supports the importance and value of working on one's mental health, I share a passion for the field.
Bruce emigrated from Canada to the United States to start his career in the technology industry. After spending many cold nights in the winter's of Maine, he was drawn to the sunny skies of Arizona. He and his cats moved here a few years ago where he now enjoys his time as an avid hiker and lover of nature: plants, birds, rocks, and things, especially with his amazing partner in love.