.png)
PAONIA PSYCHOTHERAPY
I have always been a sensitive person; to animals, the natural world, and the emotions, pain, and relationship dynamics that come with the human experience. I was drawn to study psychology as an undergraduate but it was in my first job out of college, in a group home for adolescent girls that I felt my calling as a helper and healer and returned to school, earning my Master’s in Social Work degree in 2001 and, later, my Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work in 2018. I have over 20 years of experience working in a variety of settings including community agencies and private practice. I have expertise working with adolescents, adults, and families struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, relationship concerns, bereavement/grieving, behavioral problems, and the emotions surrounding life transitions.
I take an integrative approach, most influenced by psychodynamic theory, relational theory, body-mind psychotherapy, mindfulness practices, and eco-psychology/nature ways. I currently work with adolescents (age 15 and older), adults, and couples providing psychotherapy services and also Clinical Supervision and Consultation to other clinicians.
I believe doing one’s own inner healing work crucial to being a good therapist. In my personal healing journey, long-term depth therapy was the basis for my healing and evolution. I have also engaged in deep spiritual work which includes being a student of yoga and meditation since 2001, attending intensive meditation retreats, and, more recently, a 33-day shamanic retreat in Peru working with indigenous Andean and Amazonian healing ways and Tibetan Buddhism. I am engaged in ongoing study and learning of indigenous, nature ways of healing.
When not at work, I enjoy being with my partner, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and many chickens, learning much from my garden, hiking, kayaking, swimming, yoga, meditation, cooking, and trying to be a good human.
From a young age, I’ve felt a deep calling to create spaces where people feel safe to simply be themselves, explore their emotions, and discover their inner truths. Over time, this calling guided me to clinical social work, where I found a path that honors the whole person—acknowledging the many aspects of who we are and the environments that shape us.As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I bring a person-centered approach to my work, always striving to meet clients where they are and engage with them in ways that help them feel empowered, seen, and heard. I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, relational challenges, chronic illness, attachment, and I’m deeply passionate about walking alongside people on their journeys of self-discovery and healing. I also hold a special place in my heart for working with the elderly, honoring their unique stories, wisdom, and experiences while supporting their emotional well-being.
In my practice, I place a gentle focus on building healthy relationships with emotions—learning to understand, dance with, and not fear them. I believe in the profound connection between mind, body, and emotions, and I strive to help clients integrate all the different parts of themselves in a way that feels whole and authentic.
The therapeutic process, to me, is a sacred space. I approach it with presence, warmth, humor (when appropriate) and an unwavering commitment to creating an environment of safety, groundedness and non judgment. My connection with animals has taught me invaluable lessons about trust, connection, kindness and healing, and I am grateful to bring these insights into my work through training in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy with the Natural Lifemanship program. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, offering additional tools to support healing and growth.Ultimately, I believe therapy is a place where people can connect and reconnect with themselves, uncover their resilience, and create meaningful change. It is an honor to be in this space with folks.
Like you, I have known suffering, heartache, and pain. I struggled with my limiting beliefs, people pleasing, and boundaries, and those things kept me stuck. When I started to relate to my pain and took the courageous step towards it, I began to experience myself and the world more expansively.
With over 15 years of experience in diverse roles including outdoor guiding, public-school teaching, facilitating and directing a residential experiential education program, and therapy, I have supported teens, young adults, families, and groups. My greatest fulfillment comes from helping others cultivate resilience and strength while facing challenges. I have worked extensively with individuals dealing with trauma, life transitions, relationships, grief, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and autism. More recently, I have also supported people in middle and late adulthood.
I am a wife and mom and live with others in community. These cherished roles inspire my personal development, growth, and identity as a therapist. My background in mindfulness meditation supports me in each of these roles, showing up, moment to moment, with openness and kindness to whatever is happening.
I graduated from Colorado College with a degree in sociology and am currently finishing my master’s degree at Naropa University with a degree in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling. My work is trauma informed, strengths-based, and I draw on attachment styles and parts work in our sessions. I am also certified in EMDR treatment.
Having received counseling as a teen, I knew from a young age how important the role of a counselor is. I received my master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University in 2021, specializing in children and adolescents. I am a licensed professional counselor in Colorado and hold certifications as an Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist, Mental Health and Nutrition Specialist, and EMDR therapist. I have specialized training for domestic violence through the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence. My education includes trainings in integrative health, healing with plants, and the human microbiome. My goal as a therapist is to support individuals holistically throughout their healing journey. I aim to address the whole person- mind, body, and spirit.
My practice is based in the psychodynamic modality, meaning I look at the entire development of an individual to understand their beliefs and world views. I pair this modality with both neuro and trauma informed modalities, as well as CBT and solution-focused interventions. Most of all though, I want to teach clients new patterns so they can be successful after leaving the counseling setting. I’m commonly described as “genuine.” I am direct but out of a place of deep caring and love to play, do art, write poetry and be supportive to others.
Therapy does different things for different people. While much of what brings people to therapy is shared across human experience, each person’s story and experience is also unique. Personal history, upbringing, culture, attachment style, beliefs and values, personality and temperament, and more determine what will resonate and feel helpful to someone.
At Paonia Psychotherapy, we try to meet each person where they are, listen closely to their story, and understand their goals, hopes, and wishes for themselves. For some, the concern or difficulty is related to present circumstances and can be resolved quickly. For others who may be grieving or who have experienced traumatic events, it may take a bit longer. Oftentimes it is helpful, or even necessary, to understand the deep roots of the difficulties we are experiencing to create lasting healing and change.
There are many ways of knowing that influence our work, they include contemporary psychodynamic relational theory, mind-body and somatic therapy, ecopsychology and indigenous ways of healing, various trauma-informed theories, and systems theories. However, we firmly believe that the most important way of knowing is a client’s sense of themselves, what they want and need for themselves, and determining what feels helpful.
Creating space for oneself; to truly attend to, understand, accept and/or shift patterns of being that are no longer working for us, can create more space and presence in our lives and in our relationships. Each of our clinicians deeply value accessibility and mutual respect in our practice with clients and honor the vulnerability it takes to commit to one’s growth in working with a therapist. We would be honored to support you in this way.
.png){kind=small}
.avif)
