Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Commerce City, CO

Do you struggle with persistent anxiety or depression? Do you have an adolescent with emotional or behavioral problems? Are you having issues with addiction? I've been assisting people in the Denver area for the past thirty years. I have worked in inpatient psychiatry and drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and I currently teach psychology and related subjects at the University of Denver. Although my clinical specialties are working with adolescents and addictive issues, I also work with individuals, couples, and families dealing with mood disorders, anger management, men's issues, and spiritual issues.

"I believe that clinical credentials are only part of the process of selecting a therapist. To that end, I offer a free fifteen-minute consultation to determine if I'm the right therapist for you."

I am a veteran with a tech background, and I have over 12 years of experience as a counselor. I went back to school in my 40's, so I bring a lifetime of practical experience to my work. I focus on getting to the heart of the matter with clients, while looking for perspective into what may have caused the problem, and tools for the future. We will meet in person most or all of the time - I find this to be more effective.

I’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner who works from the belief that people are not broken—and that many of the struggles we call “mental illness” make sense when we look at trauma, context, and lived experience. I’m especially attuned to the ways mental health systems, stigma, and labels can unintentionally cause harm, and I aim to practice in a way that feels respectful, collaborative, and deeply human.

My approach is unconventional and trauma-informed, influenced by perspectives like those of Gabor Maté, which emphasize compassion, curiosity, and understanding symptoms as meaningful responses rather than defects. I do not believe in rushing to pathologize the human experience. As Joni Mitchell once reflected about depression, sometimes what we’re feeling is not an illness to be fixed, but a signal—an honest response to pain, loss, or a world that has not been kind.

I am a published researcher and licensed professional counselor with a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology.

I am trained in the scientist-practitioner model and strive to ensure my clinical approach to therapy is informed by up-to-date and cutting edge research. I strive to create a safe and judgement-free therapeutic relationship where we can collaborate to accomplish your goals.

Are you feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you? Maybe anxiety or OCD is keeping you from living your life in the way that you would most enjoy. Or perhaps you are challenged by losses or life transitions which are difficult to face alone. Having a safe place to express your thoughts and feelings can make a difference.

I became a therapist after seeing the benefits of counseling and art therapy on both personal and professional levels. I’m a licensed professional counselor since 2011 and a board certified art therapist since 2022. I hold a Master’s degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Art Therapy. In addition to my degree, also have significant training in a variety of evidence based treatments, including ERP, CPT, Motivational Interviewing, CAMS and ACT.

My experiences with hospice patients and caregivers, seniors, people in addiction recovery, people in crisis, people struggling with anxiety, trauma, life transitions, cultural and social justice concerns, have inspired me to offer therapy in private practice. In my spare time, I love to cook, sing, hike, and make art.

Many of the men I work with feel cut off from their emotions, weighed down by anxiety, and uncertain about how to manage stress at work or at home. Together, we uncover what’s getting in the way, rebuild connection to self, and cultivate the tools needed for healthier relationships and a more balanced, rewarding life.

My approach to therapy is guided by something my Grandpa Ted Ross said:

"When you are with something and try to understand it, you learn to love it."

I aspire to provide a compassionate and intuitive presence (with 16+ years of experience) to support your journey to contact, connect with, and express your Core Self while understanding + learning to love the obstacles and challenges that come with being human.

I can help you to develop a warm, loving relationship with the parts of yourself that may get in the way of the healing and recovery you are interested in. With attention to how pain, loss, and suffering can be held in the body and through cultivating compassion and attention, together we can work to move these experiences through to completion and create space for something new.

I use Post-Induction Therapy to heal relational trauma. I have worked everywhere from juevnille correctional settings to affluent Residential Facilities with Professional adults. I honor all clients to be completely understood and how it impacts Love for ourselves, Family and Spiritual engagement. My earnest hope is that we develop courage (Animo) and no client feels like they are wasting time in therapy.

I offer virtual or in-person therapy sessions in Castle Rock, Colorado. I know what it's like to struggle with depression, addiction, and narcissistic abuse. I became a therapist and an energy healer after going through my own "dark night of the soul." Many clients tell me that they relate to me because I have been though similar experiences and know what it's like to push through depression, and overcome addiction and trauma. My goal isn't to help you merely mask symptoms, but to help you navigate through them while healing the underlying roots, staying grounded, and discovering your most authentic self and a life of fulfillment and thriving.