Denver Psychologists and Therapists at The Colorado Center

general info

Credentials: Licensed Psychologist
Clients: Individuals, couples, and families
Fee: $170 for 50-minute session
Ages: 8+
Hours: Mon: 9:00-3:00; Fri: 9:00-2:00

therapy style

Starting therapy with someone new (and especially starting therapy for the first time) can sometimes feel overwhelming when you don't know what to expect. My hope is that this gives you a sense of what it is like to work with me.

When I begin with a new client, my goal is to help you see blind spots, find more meaning in life, and find new ways for you to manage the challenges you face. In our first meeting, we will talk about what you want out of therapy, and whatever short-term or long-term goals you are focused on. One theme that is likely to show up in our work together is my view that problems are not just 'inside' us. Our difficulties also are affected by our interactions with other people and in situations that affect us. Understanding these different relationships can make it clearer for you to know what to do to feel better. As we work together longer, I often use metaphor, narrative, and pop (or not-so-pop) culture references to expand how you view problems. . . and to discover new ways to make changes.

I have a lot of experience working with creative and gifted adults and teens who experience mood and anxiety difficulties. I enjoy working with artists and creatives to improve how you work with the ebb and flow of the creative process. I can also incorporate experiential/creative exercises, and I use approaches that emphasize mind-body integration. For example, I sometimes teach mindfulness meditation and other mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques. These and other approaches like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and interpersonal therapy can be useful to help people greatly reduce or resolve their anxiety and depression.

My training and background in developmental psychology, family systems, and narrative therapy also guides my work with children, teenagers, and families. If you are worried about one (or more) of your children, I'll ask you a range of questions and get a full picture of what's going on, and then give you some structured solutions while coaching your child to better identify their thoughts and feelings, and help them learn new strategies to solve their problems and frustrations. I also work with custodial grandparents and understand the complexities of different family arrangements.

For couples in conflict, I am likely to weave in different strategies from family systems, narrative therapy and mindfulness techniques. And I also use research-supported tools and interventions developed by John Gottman, Ph.D., one of the foremost researchers in effective couples therapy in the past 30 years, to help you identify and repair what is happening in your relationship.

Finally, as a counseling psychologist and as someone who made a significant career change, I can also offer career exploration, assessment, and coaching, with tools to help you improve your satisfaction with work and the career path you are on. If your work life is beginning to feel like the movie Office Space, if you're at a crossroads or perhaps have a teenager or young adult just starting to explore their interests, abilities, and values, I can help explore and narrow the choices that fit.

I invite you to call for a brief conversation over the phone to see how we might work together to help you find new directions for your life.