Grief counselors and therapists in Durango, CO

Therapy with me helps you to feel different, not just to think different. I work with people looking to shift at the core. I am your collaborator in accessing more resilient states and to discover more ease in your daily life.

People who seek me out tend to be: teachers, queer folks, quarterlifers (ages 20-40), first responders, therapists, snow & avalanche workers, guides, outdoor educators, nonprofit employees, athletes ... and may be looking for help with trauma (childhood & event specific), outdoor accidents, grief & loss, chronic pain, relationship challenges, life transitions, identity exploration, & ongoing resilience support

Welcome to Red Mountain Psychiatry! With a master's in nursing and doctorate in nursing practice, I bring a wealth of expertise to mental health care. Specializing in general psychiatry, medication for opioid use disorder, and gender-affirming care hormone treatment, I am dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate treatment tailored to each individual I see.

Current hours of operation:

Monday 11am-5pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 9am-3pm

My journey towards therapy started in the forests on the Pacific Crest Trail and in the San Juan Mountains as a Wilderness Therapy Guide. I was entranced by people's stories that landed them on the trail, as well as by their takes on life. I decided to get my Master's in Counseling at Adam's State University so that I could professionally hear people's stories. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado. I have experience working with families and individuals ages 12+. I am passionate about helping people manage chronic stress that seems inevitable in the current world we live in.

I've been in private practice for over 20 years and I love my work! I specialize in couples, parenting, anxiety, low confidence, and psychedelic integration therapy.

Hello, and welcome. I'm Christine Laster, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 21 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate life's challenges. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of settings, including child welfare, school social work, and domestic violence services. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of trauma, resilience, and the unique challenges people face at different stages of life. I earned both my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) from Metropolitan State University of Denver. In addition to my clinical work, I am an adjunct professor at the University of Denver, where I have the privilege of teaching and mentoring graduate-level social work students.

“Have you been carrying a lot, but haven’t had a place to truly unpack it?” I offer a client-centered, collaborative approach to therapy, creating a supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and respected. Sessions move at your pace, with a focus on understanding the root of what you’re experiencing—not just managing symptoms. I use evidence-based approaches tailored to each individual’s unique needs and experiences. I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, life transitions, and self-esteem. My work includes supporting adults from all walks of life, including veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, men and women, human trafficking victims, domestic violence victims, high-acuity clients, and those receiving care at different levels of intensity. My goal is to help clients gain insight, build effective coping skills, and move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

As a licensed clinical social worker with a master’s degree from The National Catholic School of Social Services, I bring extensive experience from my work in university-based teaching hospitals and ambulatory care clinics. My practice focuses on supporting adults and their caregivers through challenges such as anxiety, depression, complex medical conditions (acute and chronic), medical trauma, loss, grief, and significant life transitions.

I have a specialization in guiding individuals and their caregivers through the cancer journey, encompassing every phase—from diagnosis and treatment to recovery, survivorship, and end-of-life care. I have also worked extensively with patients undergoing stem cell transplants, CAR-T and immunotherapy.

My training and experience also includes helping individuals manage disorders of the brain-gut interaction. Support, education and strategies address the connection between the mind and gastrointestinal health. Recognizing that everyday stressors can greatly affect your well-being, I adapt my clinical approach to suit a variety of life situations, always tailoring care to meet your unique needs.

Sometimes the hardest part is just deciding to reach out. I work with children, adolescents, and adults who are navigating anxiety, trauma, family stress, and the weight of experiences that are hard to carry alone. I am affirming and experienced in working with LGBTQIA+ and transgender individuals, and I welcome clients across a wide range of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whether you are dealing with the effects of trauma, anxiety that has become hard to manage, or stress that has quietly built up over time, I want our work together to feel like a genuine partnership.

• Calm, warm, friendly, humor with cultural competency.
• Knowledgeable, experienced and Empathic
• Open-minded, Non judgemental and Active listener.

Credentials and Experience

I'm a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma and Colorado, a board-certified counselor (NCC), and hold a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision - which means I don't just practice therapy, I train and supervise other therapists. That clinical depth shapes everything about how I work with clients.

My specialization is neurocounseling: integrating what we know about the brain and nervous system into practical, grounded therapy. I also hold specialized training in telehealth - so working with you virtually isn't a workaround, it's where I do my best work.

I work with adults navigating anxiety, burnout, trauma, identity, and the particular kind of exhaustion that comes from holding everything together for too long.