(he/him)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Josh Burke, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing therapy across, Colorado, New York and Vermont. I’ve spent over 12 years working with individuals navigating a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and major life transitions. I understand that reaching out for therapy can feel vulnerable. Because of that, I place a strong emphasis on building a genuine, trusting relationship from the start—one where you feel supported, understood, and able to be honest about what you’re going through. My approach is both relational and goal-oriented. I primarily use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), which means we won’t just talk about what’s wrong—we’ll also focus on what matters to you and how to move toward it in practical, meaningful ways. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or navigating a significant transition, our work will center on helping you better understand your experience, develop new ways of responding to stress, and take steps toward the life you want to live. I tailor therapy to each person, recognizing that no two paths forward look the same. I believe change is possible—even when things feel difficult—and I aim to walk alongside you in a way that feels collaborative, grounded, and forward-moving.
The first session is really about getting to know you—your story, what’s been weighing on you, and what’s bringing you in right now. I want to understand not just the challenges you’re facing, but who you are as a person. We’ll take this at your pace, and there’s no pressure to have everything figured out or to share more than you’re ready to. A big part of that first conversation is building a genuine connection. Therapy works best when you feel comfortable, understood, and able to be honest. My goal is to create a space where you can do that—without judgment, and without feeling like you have to “perform” or get it right. As we begin to explore things together, I’ll often start getting a sense of what matters most to you—your values. Thoughts and emotions can shift quickly, especially when life feels overwhelming, but values tend to be more steady. They can serve as an anchor when things feel uncertain. We may look at questions like: What kind of person do you want to be in your relationships? What really matters to you in your work, your family, or your day-to-day life? From there, we can begin to gently explore whether your current patterns and actions are lining up with those values—or where things might feel off. I also like to spend time understanding what’s already working for you, even in small ways. Often, people overlook their own strengths or the things they’ve done well. Identifying those moments helps us build on them. At the same time, we’ll look at what hasn’t been working—patterns, habits, or responses that may be keeping you stuck—so we can begin to shift them. By the end of the first session, my hope is that you feel heard, have a clearer sense of direction, and begin to see that change is possible. We don’t need to solve everything right away—this is the start of a process we’ll move through together.
My approach is both honest and forward-moving. We won’t stay stuck in the problem—we’ll identify what matters, build on your strengths, and take practical steps toward change. Clients often leave feeling clearer, more grounded, and better equipped to handle what’s in front of them.
I’m best suited for clients who are ready for change and willing to engage the process. Many are navigating transitions—graduation, career shifts, relationship changes, or seasons of increased stress. They’re open to setting goals, building insight, and developing practical strategies. Rather than avoiding stress, they’re interested in understanding it, learning from it, and moving forward with greater clarity, purpose, and direction.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people find a different way of relating to what’s going on inside of them—especially when thoughts or emotions feel overwhelming, sticky, or hard to escape. A lot of the people I work with feel stuck in cycles of overthinking, avoidance, or self-criticism. Instead of trying to “fix” or get rid of those experiences, ACT helps us slow down and change how we respond to them. Together, we work on making space for difficult thoughts and feelings, so they don’t have to run the show. In sessions, this often looks like learning how to step back from unhelpful thought patterns, getting clearer on what actually matters to you, and taking small, meaningful steps toward that—even when things feel hard. I’ll guide you through practical tools, but just as importantly, we’ll stay grounded in a real, collaborative relationship where you don’t have to navigate things alone. ACT can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with anxiety, stress, burnout, or feeling disconnected from your sense of direction. My goal is to help you feel more present, more aligned with your values, and more able to move forward—even if life isn’t perfect.
Collaborative Management and Assessment of Suicidality (CAMS)
I use the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) as a direct, compassionate way to work with individuals who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. In my experience, one of the most important parts of this work is creating a space where you can talk openly about what’s going on—without fear of judgment or immediate loss of control. CAMS is built around that idea. Instead of working around suicidal thoughts, we work with them—seeking to understand what’s driving them and what they’re asking for. In our sessions, we take a collaborative approach. We’ll identify the specific stressors, pain points, or experiences that are contributing to how you’re feeling, and we’ll build a plan together that focuses on helping you get through those moments safely. You are an active part of that process—not just a recipient of care. I also integrate practical tools for managing intense emotional states, while keeping the focus on helping you feel more stable, more understood, and less alone. The goal isn’t just to reduce risk—it’s to help you reconnect with reasons for living and a sense of forward movement. CAMS can be especially helpful if you’ve felt misunderstood in past treatment, or if you’re looking for a more direct and collaborative way to work through suicidal thoughts.
Gestalt
I draw from Gestalt therapy to help people become more aware of what they’re experiencing in the present moment—both internally and in their relationships. Often, we move through life a bit disconnected from ourselves, reacting automatically or carrying patterns we haven’t had space to fully understand. Gestalt work helps us slow that down. In our sessions, I’ll gently invite you to notice what’s coming up in real time—your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and even how you’re experiencing our interaction. This isn’t about overanalyzing, but about helping you develop a clearer, more grounded awareness of yourself. From there, we can begin to understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck—whether that’s in relationships, self-perception, or how you respond under stress. As those patterns become clearer, you have more freedom to respond differently, rather than feeling like you’re just repeating the same cycles. I tend to use Gestalt in a flexible, relational way. That might include reflective dialogue, exploring unfinished experiences, or simply paying closer attention to what’s happening in the moment. The goal is to help you feel more connected—to yourself, to others, and to the life you want to live. Gestalt can be especially helpful if you’re feeling disconnected, stuck in recurring patterns, or wanting to better understand yourself on a deeper level.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients move toward meaningful change without feeling like they have to unpack every detail of the past to get there. In my experience, people often come in already carrying more strength, insight, and resilience than they realize. SFBT helps us bring that into focus. Instead of getting stuck in the problem, we spend time identifying what’s already working—even in small ways—and how to build on it. In sessions, I’ll ask questions that help clarify your goals, highlight moments when things feel even slightly better, and explore what those moments can teach us. Together, we’ll develop practical, realistic steps that move you forward in a way that feels doable and aligned with your life. This approach is collaborative, encouraging, and often brings a sense of momentum early in the process. It doesn’t ignore challenges—but it keeps the focus on progress, possibility, and what change could actually look like for you. SFBT can be especially helpful if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, and are looking for a more focused, forward-moving approach.
Christian Counseling
For clients who want it, I offer Christian counseling as a way to integrate faith into the therapy process in a thoughtful and meaningful way. I approach this work with a lot of respect for where each person is in their faith—whether you feel grounded in it, are struggling with it, or are simply curious. My goal is not to force beliefs or provide easy answers, but to create space where your spiritual life can be explored honestly alongside the challenges you’re facing. In sessions, this may include reflecting on Scripture, exploring themes like grace, identity, suffering, and purpose, or considering how your relationship with God connects to your emotional and relational life. I also draw from evidence-based practices like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), while allowing faith to inform values, direction, and meaning. At the core, this is still a relational process. I want you to feel safe bringing both your struggles and your questions—without pressure or judgment. Whether you're working through anxiety, loss, burnout, or life transitions, we can integrate your faith in a way that supports healing and growth. This approach is always led by your preferences. If faith is an important part of your life, we can make space for it in a way that feels authentic and helpful to you.