About Jean
I grew up in rural Vermont, the middle child of 5 in a French-Canadian family. I knew I wanted to be a therapist at the age of 16—a psychology class, summer camp counseling, my relationships with my family and grandparents, friends who confided in me, and my own deep longing to be seen and heard called me into the work. I moved to Hawaii for my last 2 years of college and in 1989 met my husband who was a Submariner in the US Navy. This partnership of almost 30 years has been much of the reason I have specialized in Couples Therapy. I understand the real dynamics of loving someone and the messiness of living life as two imperfect beings coupled together.
I have been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1998- received my Master’s degree at San Diego State University (1993), completed a 2-year Marriage and Family Therapy post-graduate training program at Denver Family Institute (1997) and over the years studied in depth many modalities including Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Pragmatic Experiential Couples Therapy, PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy), Energy Psychology, Gentle Reprocessing, Mindfulness-Based Practices, Somatic Experiencing and EMDR. Along the way, I have developed my own unique integration of theory and practice and am continually learning and challenging the limits of what therapy can offer to alleviate suffering and inspire thriving. I have worked in many settings: inpatient care, substance abuse, community mental health, crisis response, and the last 15 years in group and private practice in the Farmington Community.
In my personal time, my focus is my family- keeping healthy a 29-year marriage to Julius and being Mom to Noah (age 19-, now at New Mexico Tech) and Josiah (age 17 and finishing High School). I’ve got a soft spot for animals and give time to the Farmington Animal Shelter as a Foundation Board member. I love to be out in nature and need the sustenance of daily walks and hikes with my 2 beloved dogs, checking in with family & friends, cooking with my husband and daily spiritual practices to pause and enjoy life’s moments.
Jean Manz, MA, LMFT
License # CMF0101581
Jean’s Approach
My approach is active and experiential. I believe that lasting change requires us to experience new interactions, feelings, and perspectives and I aim in each session to move clients forward via these fundamental change experiences. We will talk, but we will also do things that get to the actual part of the primitive brain that is most often running the show. My work is collaborative and supportive, and I emphasize growth and self-awareness for the individual and couple as a way to become a successful and skillful partner.
My approach is directed by
About Charles
I have been around the block for 70 years. I grew up the middle child in a high-functioning Irish alcoholic family and spent much time around radio stations, recording studios and actors. I am still today active in the music scene with singing, songwriting, and recording.
My first career was working 23 years as a news cameraman, editor, and producer. I have continued to use the videoing and editing skills in both music and therapy. I discovered family therapy by getting into family therapy during my first marriage and, to my amazement, seeing it really worked for me. In 1989 I went to graduate school and became a family therapist. I’ve worked in the Four Corners Area for the past 15 years and am proud of helping to develop programs that integrate traditional healing with Western approaches.
I have been married to Cynthia for 25 years, and together we have raised a blended family of 7 kids and 6 grandkids.
One of my greatest joys and most meaningful work is helping to prepare the next generation of therapists. I serve on numerous Boards and community programs, including: Chairman of The Four Corners Training Consortium, Treasurer for the New Mexico Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Board (10 years), member of the Totah Behavioral Health Board, Adjunct instructor for the Highlands Master of Social Work Program (12 years), current mentor in the Organic Intelligence Heart Trainings with founder Steve Hoskinson, and tireless mentor and teacher for new Counselors having provided low cost and
Since 2007 I have been fascinated with and trained in numerous brain-based approaches to treating trauma, including EMDR, Somatic Experiencing and most recently spending the last 4 years training with Steve Hoskinson in Organic Intelligence.
Charles Stacey, MA, LMFT
License # CMF0068702
Charles’s Approach
My approach is an integration of almost 30 years of personal exploration, growth, training and perhaps most importantly, what my clients have taught me. First and foremost, it’s built on a foundation of understanding and working with the Organic Intelligence we each carry in our bodies. Our bodies rev up and down depending on what happens to us and what we have to respond to-
There are techniques that we use along the way based on the unique make-up of the client. These may include Conversation, EMDR, Meridian Tapping, HeartMath Breathing, Focused Attention, Eriksonian Hypnosis, Hand Mirroring, Creative Expression, and Supportive Touch to name a few. All the work builds on the strengths of the individual and their family system and building capacity in the nervous system. The process is gentle, respectful, powerful and focused on feeling good, not bad.
You may find more information about Organic Intelligence on our Resources page.