Ready for a Change?

Learn How Therapy Works

What you can expect: an intentional space for introspection & healing

Here is what you can expect

Let’s see if we are a good fit!
It is important to feel like your therapist understands you, and is easy to talk to. Consultations offer you a chance to ask any questions you may have, and get to know me. They also allow me to determine if I will be the best fit to help with your concerns.

Our first meeting is all about taking the time to understand what you are dealing with. What is it you are hoping to work on? What changes do you hope to see in your life?
We will take time to discuss your current life situation, and discuss your general history. Not ready to dive into the deep end day one? Don’t worry, you won’t have to get into specifics before you are ready to.

Our second session is typically dedicated to goal setting - also known as treatment planning. You tell me what you are hoping to work on, and I will offer ways that we could work together in session to help you get there.
Examples of goals include:
Learning skills to more effectively manage emotions or distress
Working to better understand how your past impacts you today.
Learning to communicate or set boundaries more effectively.
Getting to a place where your trauma isn’t getting in the way of living your life.

At the beginning of each session, we will set the agenda together. Sometimes this means following what we’ve laid out in the treatment plan. Other times, you may want to discuss a pressing concern that has just come up. The time is yours to use in any way helps you work toward your goals. If you get stuck or feel unsure what to talk about, I’m always here to offer options.
Ensuring that our time working together is spent in a way that is meaningful to you is my goal. I will routinely ask for your feedback to ensure we’re on the right track.

Schedule a free consultation

Finding a therapist that has worked with struggles like yours before is vital. While I have worked with clients with a wide range of challenges, I’ve narrowed my focus to clients I feel my set of skills serves the best. I primarily work with clients struggling with anxiety, religious trauma/adverse religious experiences, depression, life transitions, relationship concerns, and trauma symptoms. If your symptoms fall outside these categories but still think we’d be a great fit please reach out for a consultation.

Knowing that your identity and culture will be respected helps build trust. The services I provide are secular, racial justice allied, gender-affirming and LGBTQIA+ allied, and body positive. If you have any questions about how this affects my approach, please feel free to ask during our consult call. I have also worked with military service members, spouses, and family members for years. I accept Tricare West insurance to help ensure service members, veterans, and their families have access to therapy. Learn more about seeking therapy off-post here.

You deserve to feel heard and understood in a calm space without judgment

One of the benefits of working with a professional is having a space that can just be about you - without feeling selfish. Many people struggle with feeling like a burden to their loved ones, or fearing the negative reactions they might get if they open up. These fears just make the process of reaching out for support that much harder. Working with an experienced therapist you can rest assured that your problems will be taken seriously, and you can finally get the things keeping you up at night off your chest.

Woman sitting on the floor, using a computer to engage in telehealth therapy — All from the comfort of your home, or chosen space

Getting help doesn’t have to mean taking a whole day off work, or finding childcare for your kids. Holding our session online gives you the comfort and flexibility to choose where you’d like to meet.
Popular choices include: that cozy chair in your living room with your favorite blanket, the kitchen table with your favorite slippers on, on your patio, or in your office. As long as you have wifi and privacy, the choice is yours.

questions you may have

If you have already tried to manage things on your own and gotten stuck. If you have spoken to family or friends about your challenges but gotten no helpful advice, or been downright invalidated. If you have been to therapy before but not found your past therapist’s style to be helpful. All of these are indicators that therapy with Optimal Mental Health might be the right choice for you.
Even if I am not the best fit for you, I recommend working with someone who has a “licensed” destination in their credentials. The state of Colorado is one of the few states that allows “Unlicensed Psychotherapists” (abbreviated as NLC, previously known as a “Registered Psychotherapist”)- in reality what this means is the person is able to work in this field without having to meet the rigorous standards (education and ethics requirements, accountability to the Department of Regulatory Agencies) that it takes to be licensed. While some professionals use this designation as a bridge while working toward their license (and could be well qualified, great clinicians) that isn’t always the case unfortunately.
Credentials of licensed providers to look for include: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Psychologist. All of these providers will have completed a masters education or higher.
No, that is not within my scope of practice. There are a number of psychiatrists in the community that provide this service, I’m happy to provide referrals to current clients if requested.