Meet Brianna Reinhold, LPC, CFRC, ERPSCC of Northern Lights Therapy, PLLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Reinhold, Lpc, Cfrc, Erpscc

Hi Brianna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a household where service and action were at the core of everything. My dad was a homicide detective and SWAT negotiator, and my mom was a 911 dispatcher. From a young age, I was fascinated by people—their actions, their choices, their motivations. It made me want to understand why people did what they did. I also worked as a detention officer for many years while attending college. This curiosity led me to earn my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling with a Forensic Concentration, and I spent years working within the criminal justice system, helping offenders and victims of abuse.

But despite my commitment, something didn’t sit right. The more I worked within the system, the more I realized that I was only scratching the surface. It felt like I was constantly putting a Band-Aid on deep, systemic issues, rather than making a lasting impact. I was helping—but I wasn’t truly healing. I knew I could do more, and I needed to do it in a way that felt authentic to me, not just by following the prescribed paths of others’ visions or goals.

In 2020, I made the bold decision to open my own private practice in Maricopa, a community with limited mental health resources and a pressing need for care. Just days before my grand opening, the state shut down due to COVID-19, and I was hit with a wave of panic. But instead of giving in to fear, I pivoted—I rethought my marketing, found new ways to connect with the community, and adapted to the situation.

Fast forward five years, and my practice is thriving. We’ve expanded to two locations, with over 15 dedicated employees, and we’re about to celebrate our five-year anniversary. Every challenge along the way has only reaffirmed my passion to be a part of real change, not just follow the status quo. And today, I’m not just helping people heal—I’m creating a space where that healing can happen on their own terms.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to where I am today has been anything but smooth. Over the last five years, I’ve faced challenges on both personal and professional fronts, and it hasn’t always been easy to keep going. But through it all, I’ve made it a priority to be open and transparent with my community. I want them to know that we all face struggles, and none of us—no matter our role—are immune, even mental health counselors.

Graduate school didn’t prepare me for the realities of running a private practice. My internship was focused solely on community health, and I was taught to accept things as they were rather than push for change. So, I had to learn everything along the way—from navigating the intricacies of my field to figuring out what it takes to be a business owner. I had no idea how to manage employees or juggle the demands of running a group practice. Every day was a lesson in growth.

On a personal level, life threw even more challenges my way. I navigated pregnancy, balanced the role of a partial stay-at-home mom, and endured a high-conflict divorce and a child custody battle just last year. All of this ultimately led to me becoming a single mom of two. The emotional, physical, and mental toll was significant, and there were moments when I questioned if I could keep going. But through it all, I learned the importance of giving myself grace while still pushing forward because, at the end of the day, others were counting on me.

Though it hasn’t been easy, these challenges have taught me the strength of resilience, the power of self-compassion, and the importance of perseverance. And while the path isn’t always clear, I continue to move forward with the knowledge that the work I’m doing today will create a better future for my children and the community I serve.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Northern Lights Therapy, PLLC?
At Northern Lights Therapy, we’re not just providing mental health services—we’re creating a space where individuals of all ages, from infants to adults, can find healing. Our practice has expanded to offer therapy for children, teens, adults, families, and couples, while specializing in complex trauma. We offer a diverse array of therapeutic modalities to best serve our clients, including EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Brainspotting, play therapy, sand tray therapy, the Gottman method, IFS, EFT, and much more.

Personally, I focus on working with individuals who have experienced severe trauma, including children and first responders. I have a deep passion for giving back to those who keep our communities safe, and I’ve seen firsthand the toll that line of work can take on friends and family members. My goal is to be a safe space for healing and recovery for those who are currently in these high-stress careers.

We accept clients with private insurance and also work closely with organizations like victim compensation to ensure that individuals get the care they need. In addition to my therapy work, I serve as a clinical supervisor, guiding associate-level clinicians as they work toward independent licensure. This allows me to help shape the next generation of therapists—challenging their thinking and pushing them to break away from the cookie-cutter molds that schools often try to place them in.

Both of our office locations are designed to be warm, inviting, and relaxing—an environment that encourages healing through all five senses. We believe in creating a space that feels safe and personal, where each clinician is empowered to bring their unique personality into their office decor and therapy sessions. It’s important to me that we move away from the typical stereotypes of what people think of when they imagine a counselor. That’s why I chose bold colors like black and neon green for our brand and encourage our team to proudly display their tattoos and embrace darker clothing, challenging the traditional neutral color palette often associated with the profession. We believe in the power of individuality, showing our clients that you can be your true self and still be deserving of all the good life has to offer.

In addition to traditional therapy, we offer a biofeedback training program called RechargeTM, which we introduced in partnership with LifeSpan. This one-of-a-kind program helps individuals manage stress through breathwork, using a finger sensor that monitors heart rate. When the user’s heart rate increases, the PC games or imagery on the screen disappear—reappearing only once they’ve managed to control their heart rate through proper breathwork.

We also offer play therapy rooms at both of our locations to give younger clients a fun, immersive space where they can engage in therapy and look forward to their sessions. Our approach is all about offering clients a holistic, well-rounded experience that helps them heal and move forward in their lives, rather than getting stuck in traditional talk therapy.

Beyond therapy, I’m passionate about spreading awareness and sharing valuable mental health information. I provide guest speaking on important topics like suicide awareness, the impact of social media on youth, and more. I collaborate with local businesses, schools, and organizations to share vital insights with students, employees, and community members. My goal is to reach as many people as possible, spreading knowledge that can make a real difference in how we approach mental health.

Looking back, I am incredibly proud of what I have created—something that feels authentic to me, pushes past the norms of the industry, and truly resonates with who I am. We’re not just helping people heal—we’re redefining what it means to be a counselor in today’s world.

How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck. To me, everything happens for a reason—but those reasons are shaped by the energy, time, and dedication we invest into the life we want to build. Looking back, I can see how my struggles and hardships played a pivotal role in shaping me—not just as a clinician, but also as a leader. They taught me what I needed but didn’t always receive, and they’ve fueled my drive to create a different, better experience for others.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that this doesn’t come easily. It requires hard work, the ability to reflect both outwardly and inwardly, and the commitment to channel that energy into constant forward momentum. Life’s challenges don’t define us—they refine us, pushing us to evolve into the people we’re meant to be. And through that evolution, I’ve learned that change doesn’t just happen to us; it’s something we actively create.

Pricing:

• Individual Therapy Sessions (55 minutes) range from $110 to $180 an hour
• Interns are $50 an hour
• Discounted rates for first responders/Veterans
• Recharge is $75 per 30 minute session
• Life coaching is $80 per 55 minutes

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.northernlightstherapyaz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northernlightstherapyaz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northernlightstherapy
• Other: email – [email protected]

Image Credits
Personal Headshot: Eye of Odin Studios
Office Photos: Victor Moreno Photography