Get to Know Julie McAllister and Deana Charter

February 03, 2026

Member Spotlight

EMDR Transformations Counseling, LLC
Julie McAllister and Deana Charter, Co-Founders

How many years have you been in business? 5

What product or service do you offer? EMDR Transformations Counseling is an integrated mental health practice supporting individuals, families, and businesses. We provide psychiatric assessments and medication management, trauma focused psychotherapy with EMDR as a foundational framework, EMDR Intensives, and body based services such as nutrition support, bodywork, and massage therapy.

We also offer Elevate Wellness, a workplace mental health and wellness program designed for employers and organizations. Elevate supports employee well being through therapy access, education, and proactive mental health support. Our team also specializes in working with first responders and other high stress professions. Services are available in person and virtually, serving businesses and the broader community.

What makes your business different, competitive, or unique? EMDR Transformations Counseling is distinguished by a fully integrated care model that brings psychiatric services, trauma-informed therapy, and body-based support together within one practice. Instead of fragmented referrals, care is intentionally coordinated to create a smoother and more effective experience for individuals, families, and businesses.
EMDR is used as a foundational framework across therapy services, allowing us to address trauma and chronic stress at both cognitive and nervous system levels. This integrated approach improves continuity of care, supports long-term outcomes, and provides employers and referral partners with a trusted, comprehensive mental health resource for their teams and communities.

What is the nicest thing a customer has ever said about your business? The nicest thing a customer has ever said about our business is that EMDR Transformations Counseling feels like “home away from home” and that simply walking through the door made them feel calmer, safer, and less alone. Clients have shared that our space feels like walking into a friend’s home and that our care helped them through one of the hardest periods of their lives. Hearing that our environment, compassion, and expertise helped someone regain confidence, resilience, and the ability to move forward is incredibly meaningful to us.

How has your business found value in your membership with the Gilbert Chamber? Our business has found value in our Gilbert Chamber membership through meaningful connection and community presence. We’ve especially enjoyed participating in events like the Women’s Empowered Expo, Monte Carlo Night (now known as Boots and Barrels Bash), and recently the holiday party which create space to build relationships beyond business cards. Seeing familiar faces at events and forming genuine connections with other local business owners has helped us feel more rooted in the Gilbert community. The Chamber provides opportunities to stay visible, engaged, and connected in a way that feels welcoming and supportive, which aligns well with our values as a local mental health practice committed to community well-being.

What motivates you professionally? What motivates us professionally is seeing people and communities genuinely heal and thrive. We are driven by the belief that mental health care should be thoughtful, ethical, and human, not rushed or transactional. Supporting individuals through meaningful healing, helping teams and workplaces function more sustainably, and showing up for those in high-stress roles like first responders continues to fuel our work. We are also motivated by building a practice that reflects our values: collaboration, integrity, and connection. Creating a space where clients feel safe, clinicians feel supported, and the broader community feels cared for is what keeps us invested and inspired in the work we do every day.

What do you consider to be your greatest success? Our greatest success has been building an integrated mental health practice that fills a real gap in the community. We have created a model where psychiatric care, trauma-focused therapy, and body-based services work together rather than in silos. We are especially proud of expanding our impact beyond individual therapy through workplace wellness partnerships and specialized support for first responders. Growing a trusted practice that community members, businesses, and referral partners rely on for ethical, high-quality care has been a meaningful accomplishment for us.

Who do you look up to or admire? We admire business owners, leaders, and helpers in our community who lead with integrity, humility, and care for people, not just outcomes. We especially respect those who build values-driven businesses, show up consistently for others, and are willing to do the hard, often unseen work that supports families, teams, and communities. Locally, we are inspired by fellow small business owners and first responders who serve with dedication and resilience, often while carrying significant responsibility themselves. Their commitment to others motivates us to lead thoughtfully and stay grounded in why our work matters.

When you're not working, where in Gilbert do you spend your time? When we’re not working, we enjoy spending time around downtown Gilbert, supporting local restaurants, coffee shops, and community events. You’ll often find us meeting friends, attending Chamber events, or enjoying time outdoors when the weather allows. We value being part of an active, connected community and appreciate the small-town feel Gilbert offers while still having so much to do. Whether it’s a casual night out, a local event, or simply running into familiar faces, those everyday connections are a big part of why we love living and working here.