Arizona Trauma Institute

Dr. Robert Rhoton, Founder of the Arizona Trauma Institute and President at the Trauma Institute International possesses a rich history of experience in the mental health field. Dr. Rhoton has supervised multiple outpatient clinics, juvenile justice programs, and intensive outpatient substance abuse programs for adolescents, day treatment programs for youth and children, adult offender programs and child and family therapeutic services. Dr. Rhoton served as president of the Arizona Trauma Therapy Network from 2010 through 2012. Dr. Rhoton was a Professor at Ottawa University in the Behavioral Sciences and Counseling Department whose primary interests were training counselors to work with traumagenic family dynamics, child and family trauma, and non-egoic models of treatment. Dr. Rhoton is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and collaborates and consults with numerous Arizona agencies fine tuning their understanding of trauma and the impact of developmental trauma on the individual and family. Dr. Rhoton works internationally with organizations to improve the delivery of trauma treatment services.

Vanessa Ruiz, ND, RN-BSN, is a Naturopathic physician and registered nurse. She utilizes natural therapies such as biofeedback, somatic therapies, nutrition and botanical medicines in an integrative setting for behavioral health and medical conditions at Integrative Mental Health Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. She earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at Southwest College in Tempe, Arizona, and her nursing degree from Stony Brook University, New York. She has been featured in the “Dig Deep Documentary” and “Voyage Phoenix” for her work with trauma and natural mental health. She speaks nationally on the effect of adverse childhood experiences and how to approach them from a holistic perspective. She has also been a practicing nurse for over 10 years, in the areas of pediatrics, geriatrics and global health. She is the founder of Nurses for Natural Health, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering nurses in natural health.

Leah Miller is a skilled, multi-disciplinary therapist with a devotion to helping clients exceed their goals and thrive. Her approach draws on her extensive experience and training, and a true dedication to helping people transform. She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Phoenix Seminary located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Leah also holds a health coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and has trained with Dr. Leslie Korn, PhD in Nutritional and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Practitioners. Leah is currently enrolled in a yearlong advanced training in Mental Health Nutrition. Leah is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is also in her intermediate year of Somatic Experiencing Practitioners training, a three-year certification in somatic work—a body-oriented approach to healing trauma and other stress disorders. Leah’s work is underwritten by her holistic approach to meeting vital mental health and wellness objectives. She utilizes her dynamic background to help clients approach their goals through a mind-body-spirit paradigm, allowing them to transcend past limitations and create a foundation for lasting wellness. Leah weaves her knowledge of psychology, health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices with trauma resolution modalities such as somatic experiencing and EMDR to help people re-connect with their best selves and flourish.