New to Grow
I am Colorado's leading expert in work related issues and innovated new tools and concepts for work-related issues affecting mental health. My professional career as a worker peaked in 2022 and I decided I would benefit more by being self-employed instead, as about 10% of US workers currently are. I worked at a variety of inpatient and outpatient substance abuse and mental health units for many years. Working for myself has allowed me to work with clients with less restrictions from management, and I often keep a small caseload because that's my preference. It has also given me time to continue to research and publish work on the subject of working and mental health. I've operated my private practice since 2017 and went full time in 2023.
Our work involves setting and tracking progress towards goals. I tend to offer clients a lot of psychoeducation and frequently send resources for them to follow up on. I make it a point to help clients by giving them the space to speak and be heard and understood, and whenever possible also providing them tools or direct resources to practice.
I'm empathic and a very good listener. I help clients process grief and be heard. However I'm even better as a tactician, who comes alongside the client and helps them hear their own words and understand the choices they have on how to respond to an external situation or internal symptom. I offer more psychoeducation and hard data and information than other counselors. My education didn't end in 2010, I continue to acquire, process, and help clients with the most up to date clinical research - and even relevant economic conditions. I refer clients to additional providers and inform them of additional resources when relevant, I'm well acquainted with a wide variety of additional public resources throughout Denver and Colorado, both voluntary and free, and medical related. I hold clients to goals they firmly communicate and follow up on progress towards the client's goals. --- Here's some useful information in front of me you may not be aware of. - The average US worker holds a job for 4 years before leaving. Younger workers do leave jobs more frequently, for documented reasons like summer or partial employment, completion of education, increased job precarity, and career growth. - Workers who leave jobs more frequently typically earn more lifetime real wages than workers who stay with employers for longer. - "Lifetime jobs" or the idea of a job you can hold for an entire career is only possible for under 10% of workers. This also isn't a new development, historically "lifetime jobs" have not been observed in the US, though data only goes back to 1947. - A recent study shows that in a 25 year gap between workers entering the workforce in 1981 versus 1994, the younger generation earned 10-20% less in real lifetime wages over 30 years of working. - "Employee Friendly Workplaces" offering better wages, employee control over conditions, benefits, and other various conditions profit more, have happier workers, and physically and mentally healthier workers when compared to "Non-Employee Friendly Workplaces". Employee Friendly Workplaces are likely to profit more though this link has not conclusively been proven.
I am the only licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in work-related issues affecting mental health. Topics worked on with clients can range from simple career counseling and guidance to topics such as leaving abusive employers, regaining career growth, overcoming hopelessness and developing a high level of skill and comfort at the job seeking process, and even negotiating pay and working conditions. I sometimes help clients learn about and navigate short term disability leave from work. I work well with a wide variety of populations, groups, and ages. I have training and experience practicing culturally informed counseling and working with LGBTQ+ individuals. I also sometimes work with c-suite executives, owners, or contract directly with businesses that have problems occurring among their workeforce (often due to the company's own policies or working environment). This skillset works with clients of any education level and job level. Students and young workers under 30 are a specialty group I often work with and sometimes give presentations to. I work well with managers, another specialty group. On topics of general counseling related to mental health and addiction I have experience working with a wide variety of clients from different backgrounds presenting with different issues and needs. Many clients come to me without work-related needs. I have over 18 years of experience working in a variety of inpatient and outpatient mental health and addiction settings throughout Colorado. My last position had me overseeing the mental health care of 3000 medical employees. Instead I prefer providing one-on-one care and I look forward to meeting you.
I identify as
Eclectic
I provide therapy that draws from multiple styles based on the client’s needs, though typically I focus on a solution-oriented and individualized style, where I seek to understand the client’s goals, individual strengths, and barriers, and to help the client recognize and change systemic patterns. Compared to other counselors I tend to take a more solution focused approach where we identify goals, and track action towards them. I specialize in helping clients with issues related to the workplace or working. Some clients are referred to me due to problems with work-life balance, feeling stuck at work, difficulty advancing a career, toxic employers, or other workplace or career related issues.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I often use CBT and DBT techniques when working with clients and have innovated new tools that I have published.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I often use CBT and DBT techniques when working with clients and have innovated new tools that I have published.
Humanistic
My core clinical background is related to client-centered aka humanistic or Rogerian counseling