Treatment | Turning Point Counseling Services | Fairbanks
- 315 5th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701
- Telehealth & in-person sessions
Our people
Meet the Team
Highly trained clinicians and support staff whose experience and compassion enable us to provide the highest quality of care in Alaska.
Our clinicians and staff
Every client is paired with a clinician who feels like a good fit. Read about each member of our team below, then call the office and we will help match you with the right person.
Gunnar Ebbesson, LPCS, MAC
Owner and co-founder
Telemedicine only
Gunnar is co-founder and CEO of Turning Point Counseling Services and has been a therapist and researcher in Fairbanks since 2002.
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Gunnar is co-founder and CEO of Turning Point Counseling Services. He has been a therapist and researcher in Fairbanks since 2002. Throughout his career, he has been an advocate for access to excellent services for people who experience mental health and substance use disorders. He graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a master’s degree in Community Psychology with an indigenous focus.
He has worked as a Child and Family Therapist at Community Mental Health and as Program Director for a suicide and substance abuse prevention project at the University called Qunaasvik, and formed and developed Turning Point alongside Joseph Nowell as a leading provider of mental health and substance use disorder treatment in the state.
Gunnar served on the Governor’s Advisory Board for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ABADA) for 8 years. He also co-chaired the Alaska Opioid Policy Task Force, which developed guidance for the Legislature, Governor, and public health to address the opioid epidemic, and was one of the founding members of the Fairbanks Opioid Work Group. He has trained and lectured around the state on the intersection of trauma, SUD, and mental health.
Gunnar is a trainer and practitioner of Brainspotting, and his clinical passion is the intersection of addiction and trauma. His passions include being in the outdoors, his two children, and sailing. He feels very privileged to work with an amazing staff of caring people who truly take their work to heart.
Joseph Nowell, LPC, MAC, NCC
Owner and co-founder
Not accepting clients
Joseph is a co-founder of Turning Point and has worked in addictions treatment since 1998 and as a mental health clinician since 2003.
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Joseph holds two master’s degrees, a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and a Master of Education in Adult Education, both from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Alaska, a Nationally Certified Master Addiction Counselor through NAADAC, and a National Certified Counselor through the National Board of Certified Counselors.
He has worked in the field of addictions treatment since 1998 and has been a practicing mental health clinician and psychotherapist since 2003. He has worked in the public sector in inpatient, residential, and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs as a Chemical Dependency Counselor and Clinician, as a Crisis Stabilization Unit Coordinator, and as a Mental Health Clinician and Clinical Supervisor.
Joseph approaches therapy as a solution-oriented therapist with a strong cognitive behavioral flavor. He is an international trainer in Brainspotting, which he often uses to help clients heal from the effects of trauma. He specializes in the treatment of addictions, trauma, depression and other mood disturbances, and anxiety. Joseph also provides clinical supervision for many of our counseling staff.
Nicolette Carrasco, BS
Chief Operating and Finance Officer
Nicolette leads operations and finance, committed to strategies and policies that promote mental health awareness and access to care.
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Nicolette holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Purdue University, where she developed a strong foundation in organizational management and strategic planning. With her educational background and a deep sense of empathy, Nicolette is committed to implementing effective strategies and policies that promote mental health awareness and provide valuable resources to those in need.
She understands the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters growth, healing, and resilience. Her dedication is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to quality care and support.
Outside of work, Nicolette finds joy in nature through kayaking, fishing, and being outdoors. Spending quality time with her daughter is her top priority.
Jonathan Miller, LPCS
Clinical Director
Jonathan has counseled individuals and families for over 12 years and specializes in anxiety and trauma in both children and adults.
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Jonathan holds a master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and has been providing counseling for individuals and families for over 12 years. He specializes in working with anxiety and trauma in both children and adults. He has advanced training in Brainspotting and is certified as a consultant in that modality, supervising and coaching other clinicians.
Jonathan is also trained in CBT and mindfulness techniques, and his approach to couples therapy is based on the principles and research of EFT and the Gottman Method. Before becoming a therapist he was a high school teacher and youth ministry leader, so children and adolescents are a natural focus, though he also enjoys counseling adults and couples.
Jonathan works with the team to make sure each client is paired with a clinician who feels like a good fit. An active Alaskan, he loves hunting and fishing, disc golf, hiking and camping, and playing sports with his kids. He firmly believes in your ability to experience healing and growth, and would be honored to be part of your journey.
Colleen Flynn, LPC
Clinician (she/they)
Colleen approaches counseling from a trauma-informed lens and is an LGBTQIA+ affirmative counselor.
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Colleen holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bradley University. Before Turning Point, they worked as an advocate for people experiencing relationship abuse through a domestic violence shelter in Utah. Colleen began working in our Intensive Outpatient Program in 2021 and transitioned to individual counseling in 2023.
Colleen approaches counseling from a trauma-informed lens with a focus on exploring our lived experience, creating a safe and caring environment in which individuals can connect with and express their emotions. They incorporate Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, behavioral therapies, and a strengths-based focus, and are especially interested in working with those who have experienced relationship trauma.
Colleen is an LGBTQIA+ affirmative counselor. Outside of work, she is usually outside adventuring with her partner and dog, cooking unnecessarily elaborate meals, or playing music.
Krista Zody, LPC
Clinician
Krista grew up in Fairbanks and fosters self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-growth in a safe therapeutic environment.
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Krista grew up in Fairbanks, enjoys being involved in community outreach, and has personal military family life experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Linguistics with a focus in American Sign Language and a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, both from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and is an active member of the American Counseling Association.
Krista provides individual psychotherapy. Her approach uses cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, trauma-informed care, Brainspotting, somatic experiencing, psychoeducation, and strength-based support.
In her leisure time, Krista enjoys being in nature, exploring, spending time with loved ones, and attending community events.
Laurain Hackett, LMSW
Clinician
Telemedicine only
Laurain is certified in Brainspotting and focuses on substance use, relationships and couples counseling, and military families.
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Laurain holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker and certified in Brainspotting. She previously served as an Intensive Outpatient Program facilitator at Turning Point and has experience treating substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Her professional strengths are substance use, relationship issues and couples counseling, trauma-informed therapy, and working with military families. As a veteran herself, she understands the hardships service members and their families endure. She also has a passion for working with Native and other multicultural populations, and with adolescents and young adults with anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Laurain uses an eclectic approach, most commonly Attachment Theory, Gottman couples therapy, Brainspotting, mindfulness-based DBT, and CBT. In her free time she enjoys traveling, experiencing cultures through food, live music, running outdoors, and time with her children and pets.
Elizabeth Nicaise, LMSW
Clinician
Elizabeth uses a client-led, strengths-based approach and has a special passion for active-duty military, veterans, and their families.
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Elizabeth holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker trained in EMDR, and believes in a client-led, strengths-based approach rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies.
Elizabeth is passionate about serving those struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health and personality disorders, as well as their loved ones. She also works with families and adolescents facing PTSD, grief, and severe depression and anxiety. As a military veteran and spouse, she understands the hardships and services of the military community.
A certified yoga instructor, Elizabeth believes every movement on the path to wellness is significant. She offers individual and family counseling for clients of all ages, cultures, and abilities. You will find her with her family, on her yoga mat, reading fiction, or enjoying video games.
Melodee Morris, M.Ed
Clinician
Melodee is a licensed professional counselor specializing in trauma work using the Internal Family Systems framework.
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Melodee Morris, a Connecticut native raised in Colorado, moved to Alaska in 1994. There she started a family, earned her bachelor’s degree, launched a business, and completed her master’s in Community Counseling in 2011. Her graduate thesis explored the connection between mental and physical health, and she founded a local fitness business, Simply Core Alaska.
With her children grown, Melodee returned to clinical practice in 2021. She specializes in trauma work and has received training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) from the IFS Institute. IFS holds that our internal system includes multiple parts, and that our core Self inherently knows what is needed for healing. This approach fosters deeper internal awareness, guiding individuals toward integration and wholeness.
Daniel Tanner, MA
Clinician (he/him)
Daniel works with clients of all ages through a trauma-informed lens, helping them build a stronger sense of self and self-worth.
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Daniel was raised in Alaska and has lived in the Fairbanks and North Pole area since 1989, apart from time in the Lower 48 with the Army and during his internship. He holds a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, and during that program worked in residential treatment for clients with severe mental illness and in mobile crisis.
Daniel uses a trauma-informed lens in all of his work, integrating Narrative Therapy with behavioral therapies, EMDR, and Brainspotting. Since joining Turning Point he has developed a passion for group therapy while facilitating the Intensive Outpatient Program.
Outside the office, Dan enjoys time with friends and family, collaborative storytelling, fishing, and being in nature.
Rachel Castaneda, MFTA
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Rachel helps individuals understand themselves within their larger family system, focusing on connection, repair, and lasting change.
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Rachel was born in Bandon, Oregon. She enlisted in the Air Force in 2004 and worked in Medical Logistics for 8 years, then earned her BS in Social Psychology from Park University. She has worked with children and teens for 3 years in the DOD CYP program.
Rachel earned her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy through Capella University and holds an Associate License with the Alaska Board of Marital and Family Therapy. Her work focuses on deep, long-term change, connection, and repair, examining each individual within a larger systemic context.
Rachel uses Emotion-Focused Therapy, Structural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Bowenian Family Therapy, Strategic Family Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Collaborative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Brainspotting.
Victoria Avery, M.Ed
Clinician
Vicky supports people healing from trauma, depression, overwhelming emotions, and anxiety in a collaborative and respectful way.
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Vicky completed her M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and her MA in English at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is a member of the American Counseling Association. She grounds her practice in a person-centered approach, together with narrative therapy and DBT skill-building.
When not in the office, Vicky enjoys traveling, yoga, reading, board games, and learning to bake. She is a military spouse with two very lively rescue dogs.
Simi Skipps, LMSW
Clinician
Simi brings 10 years of behavioral health experience and a person-centered approach that honors each client’s story and strengths.
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Simi is a compassionate and dedicated social worker with 10 years of experience in behavioral and mental health care and community advocacy. He values self-determination, cultural humility, and treating the whole person, with a strong belief that every individual holds the capacity for growth and healing.
Simi earned a Master of Social Work from Missouri Baptist University. His person-centered approach integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with an emphasis on cultural responsiveness, strength-based practice, and trauma-informed care.
Outside of work, Simi enjoys coaching high school football, spending time in the community, and connecting with loved ones.
Find the right clinician for you
Call the office and our staff will help match you with a therapist who fits your needs and schedule.