Our Providers

Brittany English, LPC

Philosophy of Care 

Brittany English is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in working with children and adolescents who have experienced life difficulties and/or trauma. She has over 15 years of experience working in the mental health field, and she obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. 

Brittany was trained in EMDR therapy by Francine Shapiro’s EMDR Institute, and she completed the EMDR Child Specialist Intensive Training through Ana Gomez’s Agate Institute. She also has training in play therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), expressive arts therapy, and sandtray therapy. 

Brittany is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and their families. She believes in incorporating a variety of methods and techniques in order to create an individualized treatment plan that will keep the client interested and engaged in the therapeutic process, and she strives to create a warm, supportive space to assist in their healing journey. 

Education 

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of Phoenix 

Specialties 

• Trauma
• Abuse
• Grief and Loss
• Domestic Violence
• Major Life Changes
• Divorce
• Parent-Child Relationship
• Self-Esteem
• PTSD
• Depression ● Anxiety

Caitlyn Sears, Resident in Counseling

Philosophy of Care

“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon not too late. You don’t have to like it…. It’s just easier if you do.” 

Caitlyn is passionate about helping you live the most fulfilling, happy life you can. Everyone’s life and personality are different, so it won’t look the same for everyone. To Caitlyn, a huge part of counseling is meeting her clients where they are at and helping them grow in the direction they want to.

Caitlyn believes in controlling what you can control and letting go of the rest. Much of our stress and unhappiness stems from trying to control what is wholly out of our control. The process to letting go of that desire and being okay with a little chaos can be hard, but that’s what Caitlyn is here for!

In her personal life, Caitlyn loves to play Basketball, go for runs, listen to music, read books, and engage in community service and humanitarian work.

Caitlyn is currently a Master of Counseling Student who is working towards her LPC. She is excited to put what she is learning in the classroom to practical use. She’s ready to learn people’s stories and grow as a counselor.

Her passion lies with counseling adolescents and young adults; however, she is more than happy to work with anyone.

She has run DV and DUI groups in the past and understands that our past does not make our future. She believes in giving her clients the power to break free from their past and the strength to create their future.

Specialties

• Adolescent Counseling
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Life Transitions
• Alcohol/Substance Abuse
• Self-Growth
• Counseling for College Students
• Self-Image

Courtney Dunson, Resident in Counseling

Philosophy of Care

“We have within us an extraordinary capacity for love, joy, and unshakeable freedom.” -Jack Kornfield

Courtney is passionate about helping individuals build connection with themselves and expand that connection into a positive relationship with their environment. Through life’s experiences, we learn how to navigate through hardships to the best of our ability. However, Courtney understands how these hardships can leave us wounded and feeling as if we can no longer recognize ourselves. Courtney loves to challenge that disconnection and empower clients to re-engage with their values to work towards self-authenticity once again.

Courtney’s counseling philosophy includes unconditional positive regard and creating a life that fosters meaning. Often, we are convinced that for life to have meaning, we need to show what we can do rather than who we are. By showing a person their abilities rather than their limitations, clients can then see the value that they naturally bring to their environment.

Courtney’s experiences have helped shape her into the empathetic, driven counselor she is. She has worked in applied behavioral analysis (ABA) with children diagnosed with autism and their families, helped implement life skills and family preservation interventions, and worked with eating disorder diagnoses.

Courtney has also had the opportunity of running groups, specifically CBT, DBT, Relapse Prevention, Multifamily, Process, and Recovery and Goals.  At Thriveworks, she is excited to work with clients ages 7+.

In the counseling room, Courtney employs many therapeutic strategies, all with one goal in mind: to meet you where you’re at. She favors a person-centered approach with an emphasis in CBT (focusing on creating a healthy mental and emotional space) and DBT (focusing on creating healthy and intentional behaviors).

Specialties

• Eating Disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Autism Therapy for Families and Individuals
• OCD
• PTSD
• Grief/Loss
• Coping Skills
• Military Life
• Mindfulness
• Family Dynamics
• Life Adjustments/Transitions

Elysia Robbins, LPCC

Philosophy of Care 

Elysia Robbins is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in the state of Colorado. Elysia's area of  expertise is in working with pre-teens, adolescents, and adults, and her goal is to help you tap back into  your truest, most authentic self and uncover barriers that may be preventing you from living your most  joyful life. Anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, self-esteem, stress, and other challenges will be  addressed by tapping into your own mental and emotional strengths, using well-researched and proven  techniques. 

Elysia works from a person-centered, collaborative, and holistic perspective, offering a non-judgmental  space for clients to explore all parts of themselves. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical  Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Solution-Focused are her starting frameworks. 

Elysia views therapy as a joint effort and firmly believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship to  promote change. With a supportive and collaborative relationship her goal is to help you reach yours;  through humor, validation, challenging, and creating a safe, non-judgment space. 

Education 

Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Gannon University 

Specialties 

• Anxiety  
• Depression 
• Trauma 
• Stress Management 
• Self-Esteem 
• PTSD 
• ADHD 
• Anger Management 
• LGBTQIA 
• Veterans

Emily Hatch, LMFT

Philosophy of Care

“The main thing in life is not to be afraid of being human.”Aaron Carter

Emily is passionate about helping people learn and practice the skills they need to keep
living out their values, in spite of the difficult thoughts and feelings that come with being
Human.

We all know difficult times come and go - getting through these times alone is difficult.
Emily partners with clients, working to explore and learn about themselves and the
world around them. She has extensive knowledge and experience in walking with
clients through life transitions, relationship struggles, and specific mental health
concerns. She knows it’s hard to be human, and it can also be beautiful and rewarding.
Working alongside Emily, clients are able to find and experience the beauty in life.

Emily has extensive experience with couples, families and individuals. She is trained in
many areas, including ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), CBT (Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy), client-centered, and solution-focused theories. She loves how
ACT approaches problematic thoughts – the thought itself isn’t the problem, it’s how we
react to the thought which can cause difficulty. Emily believes we can all benefit from
taking our own thoughts a little less seriously.

Emily uses a systems approach when working with families and individuals. She has
seen many times how one motivated person can send ripples of positive change
throughout their family system. She loves seeing an individual, couple or family be
successful - in their own, individual and unique way.

When Emily is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three
dogs. She also enjoys knitting and solving Rubik’s cubes!

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Body image concerns
• Self-image
• Family changes or conflicts
• Relationship strengthening and struggles
• Teen/Adolescent issues

Holly Claire Werstein, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Holly Claire Werstein, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner has 12+ years of experience in mental health.  Holly completed her BSN and MSN from the University of Texas at Austin. She became a psychiatric nurse practitioner in 2015. She also has a BA in Psychology, BCom in Management, and an MBA from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.  She cares a great deal about people and wants to support her clients becoming their best selves. She knows that mental health is a foundational pillar to personal and community wellness. Without mental health, clients, relationships, careers, and families can falter. With it, they thrive!

From outpatient to inpatient care to emergency rooms and corrections, Holly has helped heal afflicted minds and emotions and assisted clients to find peace. With patient-centered medication prescribing, a trauma-informed approach, mindfulness, therapeutic laughter, and up-to-date neurobiological research, Holly supports both adolescent and adult clients.

Holly’s ideal clients are adolescents and adults seeking to be free and find peace from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, disordered eating, psychotic and mood disorders, family conflict, existential crises, and/or life transitions. She is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and welcomes the opportunity to serve those questioning gender, orientation, and identity.

Education

University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
BSN in Nursing
MSN in Nursing

Specialties

• Trauma & PTSD
• Women's Issues
• Teen & Parenting Issues
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Anger management

Kayla Thompson, Resident in Counseling

Philosophy of Care

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” -Viktor Frankl

Kayla is passionate about helping adolescents during difficult transition periods. She always enjoys watching clients come in and reach their goals through healthy outlets and coping skills. She understands from personal experience that some transitions are painful and confusing and expressing yourself can be challenging. She strives to be a supportive individual through her warmth and outward empathy.

Kayla’s philosophies include helping clients work towards a healthier and happier lifestyle and to help them develop beneficial outlets and coping mechanisms.

Kayla currently works with a non-profit organization serving mostly youth and empowering children by providing the space to explore and encourage personal growth through bicycling. She is passionate about working outdoors and sharing that experience with those who do not get the same access. Her experiences as an avid mountain biker, rock climber, and camper feed her passion and experience in working towards experiential or outdoor therapy.

Kayla is excited to work with all groups. She is especially passionate about working with groups surrounding grief, parenting, peer support, substance abuse, trauma, and assertiveness. Specifically, Kayla is passionate about working with groups ranging from ages 8 years old to 25.

Kayla utilizes a well-rounded approach highlighting certain aspects in Alderian and Choice/Reality theory. She believes humans are social beings who all need a sense of belonging and the choices they make determine the outcome of their goals.

Specialties

• Youth Counseling
• Life Transitions
• LGBTQ youth
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Substance Abuse
• Trauma
• Parenting

Kristianne Goff, LCSW

Philosophy of Care

"Love yourself just as you are." Melody Beattie

Kristianne believes that life can be fun, and that laughter is great for your heart. She is passionate about empowering others to find their passion. She imbues her positive philosophy into her work and loves how it gives her the chance to express her gifts and creativity.

Kristianne believes in you- your true, authentic self, and the power you have to change your life.

In her own life, Kristianne strives to keep healthy boundaries, open communication, and a close, supportive, respectful relationship with her family at home. She seeks to instill the same values in her counseling relationship with clients.

In a counseling session with Kristianne, she will help you to stretch and challenge yourself while learning to love yourself and act from a place of personal integrity. She’s a believer in mindfulness and the personal power we all have to take responsibility for our world. She understands that we will fail, but when we have the right-sized mindset of ourselves and others, there’s nothing we can’t overcome.

Kristianne has ample experience working with brain injury, autism, attentional issues, mindfulness techniques, and school-related mental health. On the other age spectrum, she has experience supporting clients in parenting, relationship trauma, family issues like living with an alcoholic, or coping with family members struggling with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

With a background in social work, Kristianne has been able to work with diverse populations across states. She has worked in a psychiatric hospital, managed a shelter, taught parenting lessons, was a life coach for people experiencing homelessness, and worked with children whose parents struggled with alcoholism.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for Kristianne’s unique and diverse experience in the mental health field. She has worked with everything from brain injuries to musical therapy. In a counseling session, she loves to draw from CBT therapy, mindfulness techniques, brain-based strategies, and DBT.

Specialties

• Autism
• Brain injuries
• Depression and anxiety
• ADD/ADHD
• Family conflict
• Adolescent counseling
• Trauma
• Codependency and other relationship issues
• School-related Issues
• Parenting
• Mindfulness
• Women’s issues

Lauren Mingle, MA, LPCC

Philosophy of Care

Lauren Mingle is a Professional Counselor Candidate in the state of Colorado. Lauren loves helping people who have decided to make a change in their life, and are ready to invest more fully in themselves and their mental health goals. Lauren understands that each individual is unique and therefore, needs a unique and personalized approach in therapy; Lauren often relays to her clients that is essential for them to feel comfortable, safe, and encouraged by their therapist and does her best to foster these qualities.

Lauren uses person-centered, collaborative, strength-based, solution-focused, and emotionally-focused approaches to therapy to meet people where they are at and work with them to best meet their needs and goals-- all the while helping them feel heard, understood, and respected. Lauren has experience in working with youth and adolescents, adults, couples, and families with a myriad of struggles, including anxiety, communication issues, anger, trauma, and depression.

If the above sounds like you, Lauren encourages you to call Thriveworks. The first step of reaching out for therapy is often the hardest! She relays that she will be with you throughout your journey to reaching your mental health goals and is excited to work with you.

Education

Master in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling/Therapy
University of Northern Colorado

Specialties

• Children/ Youth/ Adolescents
• Anxiety
• Self-esteem
• Trauma/ Stress/ PTSD
• Grief

Lenore Senior, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Lenore Senior is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado who has 17 years of experience providing clinical assessment and therapeutic care to adults and couples. Depression, anxiety, complex PTSD, life transitions, women’s, relationship, meaning of life, geriatric/health, and LGBT concerns are common issues among Lenore’s clientele. She completed her B.A. in English from Hastings College and her M.A. in Community Counseling from Adams State College.

Lenore’s approach is authentic, warm, kind and full of humor. In order to provide the individual therapy most helpful, she is eclectic in her modalities, using imago (couples), schema, cognitive-behavioral, gestalt, person-centered, and mindfulness theories and is an active listener and participant with the client in the process.

All human beings are wounded and in need of healing. We hurt from things we may not even remember. These powerful forces can cause us to act out in ways that are self-defeating and/or hurtful to others. As an intuitive and empathetic counselor, Lenore has been told she has a warm and calm presence which tends to have a positive effect on anxious clients. It’s your life. You have the answers within. If you need some clarification, an excellent listener who has your well-being at heart, someone non-judgmental, and someone by your side as you figure it out, Lenore would be honored to be that person for you as you journey toward your own best self.

Education

Master of Arts in Community Counseling
Adams State College

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Relationships
• LGBTQIA

Lindsay Coyle, Clinical Psychologist

Philosophy of Care

Lindsay is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Lindsay believes that therapy should be best suited for your needs, and she has made it her goal to create the perfect formula for every individual that seeks her counseling skills. She understands that not everyone is seeking the same goal or comes from the same past. Part of the wonderful and beautiful thing about counseling is getting to watch each person heal in the way that is best suited for them!

Throughout her many years in the mental health field, Lindsay has accumulated certifications, trainings, and licenses that help her achieve her goal of giving every individual a unique treatment plan. She is passionate about learning in both formal and informal ways and is constantly seeking to expand her understanding of the human psychology and this world.

Above all, Lindsay is here for you. She is here to help you grow, heal, and reach new heights. She is excited to meet you and begin the counseling process together.

Lindsay’s background in numerous fields of psychology means she can see a problem from many different angles. If one type of therapy style isn’t working for you, she can easily switch to something new.

In her arsenal of therapeutic techniques and knowledge is neuropsychology, DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), Forensic Psychology, Sports Psychology, and Cognitive Rehab, among others. Whatever you are seeking counseling for, it is never too big or too small for Lindsay. At the end of the day, counseling is about providing a safe, nonjudgmental, empathetic space for you to come heal and grow.

Specialties

• Trauma and PTSD
• Sports Psychology
• Autism
• Child or Adolescent
• OCD
• Learning Disabilities
• Depression, Anxiety, and other Mood Disorders
• Addiction and Substance Abuse
• Family Counseling
• Testing and Evaluation

Mariah Bennett, Resident in Counseling

Philosophy of Care

“There is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it. There is light, if only we are brave enough to be it.”-Amanda Gorman

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Mariah has a passion for helping others to see the strengths and abilities they have inside of themselves. She understands the difficulty in overcoming past fears, traumas and experiences, so she walks with people through this. She believes tough experiences can build us to be our best selves.

She works with people to help them understand their worth and value in this world. Feeling valued is a fundamental part of wanting to live. She is passionate about helping people to find reasons to live and to find enjoyment, peace and purpose in their daily lives.

Mariah received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from CSU-Pueblo and her Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Services from UCCS. Before working with Thriveworks, she worked as an elementary school counselor, as a mental health technician and as a therapist. Through these experiences, she gained valuable experiences and insights which allow her to feel comfortable in working with people in crisis as well as many stages of life.

Through each counseling session, Mariah is genuine, compassionate and non-judgmental. She sees the strengths in people and works to acknowledge the strengths and build on them. Each client and each session is individualized based upon what the client needs. She is trained in many different theoretical bases and draws from these when the situation calls for it.  She is particularly drawn to CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), which guides clients on their journey to unlocking a positive belief system in themselves and helps them to challenge their negative beliefs.

Mariah believes in approaching each session and each client with unconditional positive regard. Her goal is to make sure each client feels like she is a safe person to talk to, no matter their ethnicity, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Education

Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Services
University of Colorado

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Self-esteem
• Conflict resolution
• Life-adjustment and transitions
• Career planning
• College or school related stress
• Body image
• Depression
• LGBTQIA+

Caitlin Clote, Supervisee in Social Work

Philosophy of Care

“What is not brought to consciousness, comes to us as fate” -Carl Jung

Caitlin is passionate about empowering others to enhance their own quality of life. She believes in the power everyone has to change their situation given the right support and armed with the right knowledge. Caitlin is here to provide her clients that unconditional, nonjudgmental support and give them the knowledge they need to win their battles.

Learning new things is one of Caitlin’s favorite pastimes. She is always pursuing new information in order to improve her own life and better her ability to help others. By improving her mind, she is cultivating her body and emotional state.

This mind-body connection plays a central role in Caitlin’s counseling style. She believes in the connection of all things and in understanding that connection, we can understand ourselves. Her individualized, client-centered treatment ensures every client gets the best possible treatment for their unique personality and situation.

Caitlin understands that different tools are needed to beat different types of mountains. Wherever you are climbing, for whatever goals, there are ways to get the freedom you deserve and reach new heights. Caitlin is here for you every step of the way.

Caitlin’s experience as a Clinical Social Worker ensures she understands the multi-faceted nature of mental health. She has developed an eclectic approach utilizing many research-proven therapies to address needs on an individualized basis. From Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to address aversive behaviors to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to root out negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones, Caitlin is equipped to address the emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral aspects of mental health.

Specialties

• PTSD
• Trauma
• Domestic Violence
• Emotional Abuse
• Substance Use and Addiction
• Co-occurring disorders
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress Management
• Life Transitions

Cheryl Spice, Resident in Counseling, RN

Philosophy of Care

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Our brain and body are inextricably linked. Where one goes, the other will often follow. So why should counseling focus on just one of those aspects? Cheryl doesn’t think it should! She believes in the mind-body connection and the power we have as an individual to influence that connection. Her clients leave a session with Cherly feeling refreshed in the mind and body.

Her holistic approach is backed with the understanding that each client is wonderfully unique. She loves working with people because of these individual differences in life experiences and personal goals. The safe and nurturing environment she creates is perfect for bridging the gap between mind and body.

Cheryl understands that counseling is the process of being invited into another’s reality to facilitate personal understanding and growth. It is a privilege and a great responsibility- one that she boldly takes up with joy, passion, and empathy.

Cheryl brings unique experience to Thriveworks with her in-depth medical training. As a registered nurse, she has experience working with people struggling with a medical diagnosis or are trying to navigate the medical system. As a school counselor, she also has ample experience working with children. She enjoys working with all ages and has the most experience and skill working with children and adolescents aged 3-18.

Cheryl does not adhere to any one counseling strategy- she draws on her bank of knowledge to use what is needed for the individual client. Typically, she likes to take a humanistic, client-centered focus on counseling. Some examples of strategies she will use include choice/reality theory, CBT, interpersonal, systemic, guided imagery, mindfulness/mediation, solution focused, and dream analysis.

Education

Masters Degree in Community Clinical Counseling
Masters Degree in School Counseling
University of Colorado

Specialties

• Health and nutrition
• ADHD
• Autism
• Life transitions
• Abusive relationships
• Anxiety/depression
• Family Therapy/Parenting
• Stress
• Grief and Loss
• Military Life
• Social Skills

Elizabeth Rosas, LMFT

Philosophy of Care

 “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.”      - Jimmy Dean

Elizabeth believes we can all grow and strive to be our better self with the right support and by learning new tools. To her, our current situation is not an accurate representation of our future. We may not have the power to change how we got here, but we have the power to change where we end up.

Elizabeth does this by empowering her clients through encouragement, trust/respect, and increasing their self-understanding. In a counseling session with Elizabeth, the focus is on you and your personal growth.

In her own life, Elizabeth carries through the values she displays as a counselor. She believes children are our future, and as such, she loves investing time in supporting the community by giving back to programs that support activities for youth. She has volunteered at many schools.

She also believes it is important to learn and experience new cultures and environments and is an avid traveler. As a counselor, she understands the importance of knowing where someone comes from and embracing their unique culture.

Elizabeth has 13 years of experience working in the mental health field. Specifically, she’s worked with children and adolescents in school, in home services, and outreach programs. She has 5 years of experience working with children with Autism and their families.

She also has unique experience running small groups with adolescent and teen girls. She focused on self-esteem, positive identity, mediation, and building positive coping skills. On the other hand, she’s done parenting workshops that focus on positive parenting tips, behavior strategies, setting goals within the family, health boundaries, and communication skills.

Elizabeth believes every individual and family is unique and wonderful. There is simply no one like you- with your past, goals, dreams, culture, and family. Because of this, she draws on a variety of strategies when counseling a client.

At it’s core, Elizabeth’s counseling practice is one of positivity, empathy, and genuineness. She works to form a healthy relationship with her clients and always keeps them at the center of a session. When the time calls for it, she’s trained in interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT- identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones), mindfulness, and art and play therapy.

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Anger
• Children
• Adolescents
• Family therapy
• ADHD
• Social skills
• Self- improvement
• Suicidal thoughts
• Grief and loss
• Christian Counseling
• Parenting support
• Autism

Jerry Noel, LPC

Philosophy of Care

“No matter where you go, there you are.”

Jerry is an empathetic, non-judgmental counselor who sees the power in his clients even when they cannot see it themselves. He strives to guide clients to their own problem-solving abilities so they can achieve their goals.

His passion lies in helping his clients realize they have a choice in how they act, feel and respond to stimuli. There is nothing and no one in this world that can make you act or think in any certain way- you have the power to create your own reality. Jerry guides his clients to this understanding with empathy and acknowledgement using strategies from Choice Theory. These concepts can be difficult to learn, and even harder to implement but Jerry’s expertise, empathy and care guides clients in meeting their goals.

Of course, one psychological theory does not sum up the scope of Jerry’s passions. He also believes in the power of using one’s strengths, laughter and physical exercise as ways to relieve pain and meet your goals.

Jerry has 22 years of experience as a school counselor and over 15 years as a professional counselor. During that time, he has put his heart, skills and time into helping adolescents and adults reach their full potential.

His certifications in Choice Theory Counseling and Reality Therapy give him unique insight into client’s inner self and how they make choices, set goals and problem solve. Jerry creates a non-judgmental space for anyone to come and grow. His vast experience has offered him opportunities to work with countless people and their unique experiences.

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Relationships
• PTSD
• OCD
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (GLBTQ)
• Self-Improvement (stress management, time management, coping skills, assertiveness, mindfulness)
• Child abuse
• Parenting issues
• College mental health

Kristin Cronk, Psychologist Candidate

Philosophy of Care

“You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings, learn to use them and fly.” – Rumi

Kristin is passionate about empowering those around her to improve their lives through self-knowledge. She strives to help clients find their voice, strength, and meaning in their experiences. She believes that no one should have to walk the path of trauma and recovery alone, and she works tirelessly to ensure that her clients never have to.

Kristin also makes it a point to always look at clients as whole people, not just a problem to be solved. We are not just our trials, but our individual beliefs, personal history, cultural heritage, and lived experiences, among many other things. Those are the aspects that will flavor her work with a client.

She has a particular passion for working with elementary-aged children as this age is a critical period for growth but can also be incredibly challenging. She loves helping children acclimate to the school environment, cope with emotional difficulties or trauma, or simply work to build the skills needed for success as they are growing and find their place in the world.

Kristin believes that each client is an expert on themselves, and her job is to work collaboratively with them using a strength-based approach. She believes everyone deserves to feel safe, loved, and capable. She also believes we all have the power to create that life for ourselves, and sometimes we just need to work as a team to discover what needs are not being met.

Kristin’s job as a therapist is to hold a space in which the client feels they can safely approach whatever difficulty they face, and work through it in a supportive and empowering way.

Kristin is most comfortable with clients aged 5-13 but can see clients as young as 3 and as old as 21. She utilizes therapeutic strategies such as play therapy, mindfulness-based, Collaborative Problem Solving, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Animal-Assisted Therapy (her 7-year-old Australian Shepherd/Husky rescue dog, Juno, is the best assistant!)

Kristin’s experiences have ranged from teaching English in Paris to working as a paraeducator and substitute teacher to working in a residential setting for children dealing with trauma. During her time working in the residential center, she had the opportunity to explore different treatment modalities, including  play therapy, animal assisted therapy, dance and movement therapy, and art therapy in client-directed sessions aimed at helping the children she served to work through their trauma in a safe and meaningful way.

For the last year and a half, she’s worked as a school psychologist serving military families and children in an elementary school on Fort Carson.

Specialties

• Child and Adolescent Therapy
• Autism Spectrum
• Trauma and/or PTSD
• Emotional Regulation difficulties
• Learning disabilities or more general educational difficulties
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Body image
• Self-esteem
• Social anxiety
• Self-harm and Suicidal Ideation
• Executive Functioning Difficulties, including ADHD