Grief counselors and therapists in Golden, CO

My journey began with a deep commitment to serving others, which led me to work within the Georgia state prison system. There, I honed my skills in providing support to those navigating difficult circumstances, gaining invaluable experience in crisis intervention and rehabilitation.

Following my time working in the prison system, I had the privilege of working with the U.S. Army, where I provided counseling services to military personnel and their families. As a military spouse myself, I understand the unique challenges faced by military families and am deeply committed to offering tailored support to help them thrive.

My career path then took me to Palmer Lake Recovery, where I worked with individuals struggling with addiction. This role allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the complexities of substance abuse and recovery, and I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve lasting sobriety.

Outside of my professional life, I find joy in spending time with my husband, sweet cocker spaniels, and my adult children. My family and pets bring me great happiness and balance, and I understand the importance of a strong support system in maintaining mental health.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and support you on your journey toward wellness. Together, we can navigate the challenges you face and uncover the strength within you to create a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Compassionate Growth for Every Stage of Life

LPC (WY & CO) | Trauma-Informed & Solution-Focused Care

Choosing a therapist is a significant step toward the life you want to lead. I believe that while life can present overwhelming challenges, you possess an innate resilience and the capacity for profound growth. My goal is to provide a safe, confidential, and collaborative space where we can transform those challenges into strengths.

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.

I am excited to work with folks 12+ who don't want therapy to feel like a doctor's office. I have experience working with anxiety, low self-esteem, disconnection, and trauma, as well as folks navigating difficult diagnoses and changing life circumstances that leave them feeling stuck, afraid, or alone.

Outside of my work as a therapist, I enjoy spending time outdoors, riding my horses, and being with my family. These activities help me stay grounded and connected to what matters most in life. I value balance, authenticity, and meaningful relationships, and I bring those same values into my work with clients. I strive to create a welcoming, supportive environment where clients feel comfortable being themselves and working toward their goals.

With over 30 years in the mental health field, I bring a deep understanding of the therapeutic process and a strong commitment to helping people thrive. I have served as a therapist, clinical supervisor, clinical director, and adjunct professor in settings such as group homes, outpatient clinics, mental health centers, schools, and now private practice. I especially enjoy working with clients who are open to growth, even when it feels challenging.

Choosing a therapist can feel like a daunting and vulnerable step, and I want to honor the courage it takes to begin. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I work with adults ages 25 to 85, bringing a long, richly lived life experience that allows me to meet you with steadiness, perspective, and compassion. My approach is grounded in unconditional positive regard—I believe you are worthy of respect and understanding exactly as you are. I can’t fix anyone, but I am very good at helping people heal themselves from the wounds life brings and to navigate the changes that shape us all.

If you've been told your anxiety, exhaustion, or emotional shifts are "just stress" or "just aging" — and something in you knows it's more than that — you're in the right place. I'm Kristal, a licensed therapist with over 15 years of experience supporting people through life's most challenging transitions. That career — rooted in crisis intervention, child welfare, and working alongside people experiencing homelessness — built in me a deep capacity to sit with complexity, pain, and change without flinching. That foundation now drives my specialized work with women navigating perimenopause and menopause. I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience to this work. I've walked this road myself — which means when you show up, you will be genuinely seen and heard, perhaps in a way you haven't been in a long time.

Check me out on the Grit to Growth Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTvAK4pRlkM

With decades of experience, I am well-versed in many different modalities. No one approach works for everyone, so I built a large tool kit to have a broad range of tools available. Areas of expertise include individual, couples and family counseling, trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, special needs of gifted and talented, medical social work, impact of illness, traumatic brain injury, grief and bereavement, positive aging, geriatrics and end of life issues. Having been raised in a military family I enjoy working with our veterans, active duty personnel and their families.

Life isn't always about getting through a crisis. Sometimes it's realizing you've been carrying stress, anxiety, self-doubt, or emotional exhaustion for so long that it feels normal. You don't have to have everything figured out before reaching out. I believe therapy works best when you feel understood, respected, and comfortable being yourself. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, burnout, relationship challenges, or simply feeling stuck, we'll work together to help you move forward with greater clarity and confidence.