I am a Colorado Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive experience working with: individuals in the midst of grief and other major phase-of-life transitions like divorce, job loss, legal challenges, etc.; teenagers who are struggling with a variety of mental health challenges; couples and families that are struggling to find common ground; and fractured families prior to, during, and after divorce. Building strong families, even through divorce or custody battles, incarceration, or other prolonged periods of estrangement, is a particular area of focus for me. I offer reintegration therapy services for parents and children who have experienced short- and long-term separation or alienation. I love working with families who want to find a way to function better post-divorce. In addition, I spent a decade working for the Alzheimer's Association, which included counseling individuals and families who were facing a diagnosis of dementia. Prior to venturing into the counseling field, I ran a non-profit that operated a 100-bed homeless shelter, a family transitional housing program, and an eight-unit supportive housing project for Veterans. I have a heart for working with military veterans and their families -- having 22 years of service in the US Air Force myself. I served on Active Duty for 6 years, and after a break in service, completed another 16 years as a Reservist. My spouse served alongside me, with each of us deploying twice. Our son is currently serving as well. Therefore, I have been the deployed service member, the spouse left to manage things back home, and the mom watching her "baby" deploy to far-off places. There is almost no part of military service I do not understand through first-hand experience.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

During our first meeting, we will quickly review and sign the dreaded paperwork and make sure everything the State requires of me is in place. Then we will move on to a bit of question and answer where I can start to learn more about you and what is leading you to invite me into this part of your life. For minors, we usually start with parents/guardians in the room, but as things progress, I normally ask the adults to allow me time to meet with the kiddo alone so I can get an unvarnished take on the situation. During this first meeting, in addition to getting a fairly detailed history of both the person and the presenting problem, I am also getting a feel for how we may want to structure your treatment plan. This will be a collaborative process, meaning I will make suggestions based on my training and experience, and it is up to you to decide if this is the right path for you. Is it realistic and practical for you? If not, we will continue to work together to find a better way to spend our mutual time and efforts so that you get the most out of the process.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

What tends to make me most effective is that I balance out empathy and compassion for others with being blunt at times when the client needs a more direct approach. I describe myself as an incurable optimist, in that I sincerely believe in the greatness of all people - whether they are currently tapping into that greatness or not. I will be your biggest, loudest cheerleader as you set and meet your treatment goals. Seeing clients move on to more satisfying and fulfilling lives is my greatest goal.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I serve clients aged 12-100 and from all walks of life. I get excited when working with clients who desire positive changes in their lives, believe change is possible, and are willing to try new ways to achieve that change. These clients in the Action Stage of Change are fun to watch as they realize their goals and set new ones for themselves. However, I also have seen many clients who were mandated to attend therapy by courts, parents, or some other person or agency, and I greatly enjoy working with these clients who don't necessarily see the value in or point of therapy when they first walk through the door. They usually come in expecting to be told they are a problem to be fixed. Or they think they will be manipulated or molded into someone else's vision of what they should be. Helping this kind of person to identify what they want to change in their own life, and coaching them through the process of achieving their personal goals is my sole focus. In the end, when we are successful, they see their life becoming easier, more manageable, and hopefully, more enjoyable, which is thrilling to watch. Whether a client is anxious to get started on their new journey, or being forced into therapy against their will, I approach the situation with the same level of enthusiasm because I genuinely LOVE seeing people successfully improve their lives and relationships with others -- all in ways that are most meaningful to them. I have helped people at both ends of that spectrum to develop goals and steps to address their individualized problems or diagnosed condition. I work hard to help clients find the motivation they need to see themselves and others through a lens that is not defined by a diagnosis or their past. I believe strongly in the power of the human mind to overcome and heal itself from the negative effects of all manner of life events. This can include the teen who is not on track to graduate high school, couples who are stuck in unsatisfying marriages, or the parent who is battling to keep their family together during tough times. While mental health awareness and acceptance is important, it is important to me to guide my clients to a place where they see themselves as a whole and wonderful person and so much more than just their diagnoses.

About Teresa Black