Our Team
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Vicki Loyer, PhD, LMFT
AAMFT APPROVED SUPERVISOR
Vicki Loyer (Carlson) Ph.D., LMFT, is an AAMFT Clinical Member, Approved Supervisor and current past-president of the Arizona Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AzAMFT). Dr. Loyer is the CEO/President of Blue Door Psychotherapy, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona Department of Psychiatry, and a Subject Matter Expert, Site Supervisor, and Instructor for Graduate Studies at Grand Canyon University. She uses a competency focused family therapy approach to working with individuals and families, and incorporates horses in her clinical work to provide an experiential opportunity to clients and clinical students. Dr. Loyer is a regular contributing author to the House Calls section of the Tucson magazine Desert Leaf, has co-author of books on premarital relationships and youth-at-risk, and has been publishing and speaking in the areas of self-injury, mental illness, addiction, and family therapy.
Dr. Loyer has a BA in Psychology (U of AZ), MS in Child Development and Family Studies (U of AZ), and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies (Oregon State U). After working as an Assistant Professor of Family Studies at West Virginia University, she completed externship training at the Family Therapy Practice Center in Washington DC, and returned to Tucson, Arizona in 1993 to open a private practice in marriage and family therapy.
Tara Gardenhire
MA, LMFT, Approved Supervisor
Tara believes in a whole health approach to mental health treatment with a focus on nutrition, exercise, and spirituality. She specializes in life span development (children, adolescents, adults, and aging) and family therapy, emphasizing work with trauma survivors, substance abuse, parenting, and couples. Tara has worked in the field of mental health for 10 years and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Ashley Clark
Practice Manager MS, MA, LAMFT
Ashley earned her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University (2023) and holds a Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Phoenix (2014). Ashley uses a culturally humble and competency-focused approach to working with individuals and families, primarily focusing on those families who are challenged by medical complexities, disabilities, and/or developmental delays. Ashley welcomes clients from a variety of life experiences and practices from an anti-racist, queer and neurodivergent affirming lens.
Bradley Heimann
MA, LAMFT
Bradley graduated from the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Irvine. Bradley has over 10 years of experience working with individuals, families, and children in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and is passionate in work with trauma, grief, and mindfulness. Bradley is trained and certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through Evergreen Certifications and Lane Pederson.
Emily Nelson
MA, LAMFT-T
Emily is an associate marriage and family therapist with a master’s degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from Messiah University. She is passionate about reducing the stigma of mental health care. She helps clients create change by identifying and breaking ineffective patterns, with experience in anxiety, couples’ communication, and social interactions. Emily fosters a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their challenges; Her collaborative approach empowers clients to be active participants in their healing journey, promoting personal growth and resilience. She is currently only offering virtual therapy appointments.
Other Team Members
Karysa Carson
Intern
Karysa is an Intern at Blue Door Psychotherapy and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Auburn University. She specializes in supporting young adults and children as they navigate the challenges of personal growth and emotional well-being. With a warm and empathetic approach, she is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing environment where clients feel truly heard and understood.
She has a particular interest in addressing the unique needs of children and young adults dealing with anxiety, self-esteem issues, and family dynamics. Karysa's person-centered approach allows her to tailor her therapeutic techniques to each individual's specific needs and goals.
Audrey Carlson
M.Ed (ESL and Bilingual Education)
Audrey is currently a First Grade teacher with a Master's degree in Education, specializing in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education. In addition to tutoring children who are developing their English language skills, Audrey brings a focus on service and creates opportunities for Blue Door Psychotherapy to give back to the community.
Paige Carlson
M.A. Library and Information Science (with Digital and Information Management),
AA JAPANESE
Keeping Blue Door current in research and practice, Paige brings her background in library science and information management. To enhance our equine assisted therapy, she brings her skills and background as an equine assistant. With a degree in Library and Information Science, Paige has spent time researching for documentaries and aiding others with finding the perfect bit of information for their projects. She has had experience searching through numerous government databases as well as other resources to help with any given task, and has made simple guides for students to help them with their research. Paige has also been working with horses since the age of two, and believes in the mental and physical healing that can be achieved through working with them.
Steve LeGendre
LMFT, LPC
Steve LeGendre is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has over 40 years of experience working in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient mental health clinics, and emergency room and medical hospital settings providing mental health evaluations and treatment. Steve is also recognized as an approved Spiritual Director.