Our Team
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Jeff Cowell M.A.,  L.P.C., N.C.C.
jeff@akcenterforcounseling.com
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Jeff received his Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2011 from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He opened a private practice in Anchorage, Alaska upon graduating before moving to Nashville, Tennessee to work and train at a treatment center. Jeff returned to Anchorage in August 2012 to restart in private practice.
Before professional therapy, Jeff served in a staff roll in two evangelical churches for 15 years as a student pastor/pastoral counselor.
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Areas of emphasis of Jeff's counseling practice include marriage counseling, relational/communication issues, therapy for anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, bereavement, parenting, and conflict resolution. Jeff has also completed the basic training for EMDR and continues to work towards becoming a certified EMDR therapist.

Jeff traveled the world as a military dependent but has made Anchorage his home beginning in 2002. Jeff is married to Erin and has three adult daughters. Jeff's interest include hanging with his family, doing anything outdoors, and his dog, Brooks.
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Joy Knight M.A., L.P.C., CDC II
​joy@akcenterforcounseling.com
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Joy is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Alaska, in practice as a family therapist. Her education and professional skill sets have focused on the mind, body and heart. Joy received her Master's degree of Arts in Counseling with honors from Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX in 2015. This led to an internship in chemical dependency treatment, then employment at Providence Alaska Medical Center, a return to work after a 5 years as a stay at home mother. Joy joined Alaska Center for Counseling in 2016. Prior to pursuing a career in counseling, Joy worked in fitness and physical therapy, providing care for clients/patients suffering with chronic pain, sports injuries, and the geriatric population.

Joy has experience in counseling adolescent girls, couples and adults who struggle with addiction, depression, anxiety, complex trauma, self-worth issues, marital/relational discord, and personality disorders. Joy strives to create a safe nurturing atmosphere, a "sacred space", in which individuals can be supported to stay present, process feelings, change, grow and be who God created them to be.

Joy grew up in Germany with her family as a "military brat", and later met her husband Eric, when he was stationed there. Together they have lived in Arkansas, Japan and Alaska twice and enjoyed traveling the world. This year they celebrate 24 years of marriage and are raising two daughters.
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Joy loves to do most anything physically active such as Zumba, hiking, biking, snowboarding, and being outdoors with her family and two labradoodles, Mufasa and Rainbeaux.
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​​Uliana Fleener, M.S., B.A.
uliana@akcenterforcounseling.com
 
Uliana received her Bachelors degree in Linguistics and International Communication from the Chelyabinsk Institute of Economics and Law, Russia in 2003 and her Masters degree from Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage in 2015. During her internship at Anchorage’s Providence Family Medicine Center, Uliana enjoyed working with people from different backgrounds and countries of origin who struggled with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, personality disorders, trauma, chronic pain, and loss of loved ones. Uliana utilizes a strengths-based approach in her practice. She strives to help people make meaning of life events and move forward in a more positive and satisfying way. Uliana approaches clients in a holistic way by focusing on lasting change and treating the whole person, not just the presented issue. She strongly believes in the power of joy, cultivation of an open heart, and laughter.
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Uliana traveled to the United States from Russia in 2004 as part of her language studies, and permanently moved to Alaska in 2006. She worked extensively on various international projects and initiatives providing project coordination and translation services. She is married to her husband who she met drinking coffee at Starbucks 12 years ago. Together they are raising a 5-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter. Uliana enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, beach time, good food, coffee, yoga, and studying everything about natural living.   
 
Counseling is offered both in English and Russian.
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Susie Edwards, M.A., B.S.
​susie@akcenterforcounseling.com

Susie received her Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Sciences from Liberty University in 2015. She joined the Alaska Center for Counseling staff as a counseling intern in August of 2019 before graduating with honors in September 2020 with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. Susie has clinical experience in treating adults, couples, and adolescents struggling with anxiety, depression, chemical dependency, relational problems, trauma, and other life stressors that tend to get in the way of holistic wellness. Susie believes in a wellness perspective that values the person's capacity to move toward growth and connectedness with counseling operating as a process that promotes this. Susie also has experience working with troubled female youth in a residential program.

Susie grew up in Colorado before meeting her husband of over 25 years. Her husband was in the military which brought the adjustment of many moves over the first 15 years of marriage before settling down in Alaska to raise their four children.

Susie enjoys hiking, paddle-boarding, camping, and riding ATV's in the beautiful Alaskan summers as well as skiing, reading good books, and watching movies when the temperatures get cooler. No matter what the activity is, Susie's corgi mutt Charma is usually in tow.