For many people, there is still a stigma to seeing a psychologist or therapist. If you seek therapy, it suggests there is something wrong with you or you’re crazy. In fact, the opposite is true. Therapy provides clients an opportunity to talk about (& potentially resolve) their problems with someone who is objective. Ideally, clients have a goal when they come into treatment (e.g., reduce anxiety or depression levels, improve relationships, change behaviors, get “unstuck,” etc.) and therapy helps one to achieve those goals. It takes courage and strength to see someone.

Licensed mental health clinicians are all trained in evidenced-based psychotherapies that have undergone years of randomized control trials. These trials have been published in journals proving that certain modalities have validity, efficacy, and effectiveness to reduce levels of depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms, and more.

Medical doctors go through years of medical school to learn about the body, illnesses, and remedies, and mental health clinicians do the same.

There isn’t one therapy that is the “best.” Here is some info (not exhaustive) that may be helpful for you to decide what therapy you want to do:

• Reducing anxiety & depression:

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. Read more about ACT here.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Read more about CBT here.

• Reducing trauma symptoms

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy. Read more about CPT here.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing therapy. Learn more about EMDR here.

If you are struggling in an area that isn’t listed above, you can search for the issue and “evidenced based treatments” to find what therapy may be the best.

This can be an exhausting process. There are a few ways you can find a therapist:

• Search on Psychology Today and use filters based on location, gender, orientation, insurance type, and clinical specialty.

• Look at your health insurance website.

• Receive a referral from your medical provider.

• Additional therapy search websites: Zocdoc, Sondermind, Headway, & Therapy Den.

There is research demonstrating that a positive relationship (also called “alliance” or “fit”) between a client and the therapist can improve health outcomes (for adults and teens).

As a client, you need to feel comfortable with the clinician. Before you book an appointment, see if the therapist will offer a 15 minute consultation call (this will give you a good sense of their personality). Try 2-3 sessions and if, after session #3, you do not feel comfortable, ask yourself “why?” Is it the clinician’s personality? Their treatment modality? Is the source of the discomfort something that can be fixed? If not, it may be time to try someone else.

Most importantly, don’t give up on therapy! Clinicians are different with unique personalities, strengths, skills sets, and growth edges. Try another therapist!

You can read more about the type of therapy I offer in the “About Me” section. I provide individual therapy for adults (starting age 18), virtually. My favorite therapy is ACT.

I’ve had the pleasure of working in medical environments since 2017. I started my career in a Chronic Pain Clinic and then in 2018 began working for an FQHC primary care clinic in the Denver-metro area. In 2023, I worked in a primary care clinic at the VA and in 2024, I worked for a major hospital system in Denver. I’ve been all over!

Providers sought mental health support and were able to see me as long as we worked in different clinics & had no personal or professional relationships (to avoid dual roles).

I understand the challenges of being a medical provider. If you are struggling because of your work load (including management), traumatic patients/patient experiences, death, navigating challenging relationships, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, or are experiencing postpartum mental health- I can help and know that you are not alone.