Practice Description
I specialize in treating trauma and loss and I work with children, adolescents, couples, families and adults. I work with individuals and families who are experiencing challenges with life transitions such as, dealing with the loss of a loved one, caring for aging parents, blended family issues, and career changes. We all face difficult life challenges at some point, and receiving compassion and support can make all the difference. I offer a warm and encouraging, down-to-earth approach to therapy. Therapeutic interventions are rooted in respect, acceptance, and validation to facilitate successful navigation of challenging life circumstances. Whether you or a family member have encountered a recent challenge that has led you "off course" or if you have experienced a lifetime of pain, we can work together to develop healthier patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and interactions to increase inner peace. I will support you in reaching your own definition of success. I assist clients to explore ways in which current life challenges can provide opportunities for positive change. I view individuals in the context of their greater family system(s) and utilize cognitive therapy skills and solution focused therapies to assist clients in their healing process. In addition, I offer several alternatives to traditional "talk therapy" including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Brain Spotting, which are especially effective in treating trauma. In working with children, I often utilize sensory based treatment, sand tray play therapy and developing therapeutic stories/scrapbooks. I incorporate “play" as ways to promote growth and change. I frequently incorporate family therapy as a part of any therapy done with the child/teen I am seeing. I believe each individual has unique strengths and talents which they can draw upon to deal with current life stressors.
I am respectful of all cultures, backgrounds; traditional and nontraditional family structures. You can expect to be treated compassionately in a relaxed atmosphere. Children will experience a child friendly atmosphere. I have a gentle pet therapy assistant named Amy that is "on duty" as needed. Amy is a black lab mix from the Colorado "Cell Dog" Prison Program.