"Life is hard, not because we're doing it wrong, just because it's hard." -Glennon Doyle Melton
More Details and Credentials
Outside of Base Camp Counseling I work as a full time Co-Responder (Mental Health First Responder) imbedded within the Boulder Police Department. I respond to 911 calls for service with officers and assist individuals experiencing substance use or mental health crisis. I work in collaboration with law enforcement utilizing their expertise and mine to decide the best intervention. I have a strong passion for this work and am open to discussion, presentation, trainings and consultation services in regards to bridging the gap between law enforcement and mental health.
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I hail from the Midwest and love animals and the outdoors. I live on a small acreage in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies with my husband, 3 dogs, 2 horses, 1 donkey, 3 cats, 14 chickens, and wild rescue donkeys seeking adoption. When I'm not working you can find me taking pictures, snowboarding, playing video games, surfing, hiking, donkey training, or spending time with the animals.
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I hold a counseling license Colorado and can see clients from anywhere in the state via telehealth. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from North Dakota State University and a Master of Science in Counseling from The University of Mary. I have worked in the mental health field since 2007 and have a background in crisis stabilization, mental health first response, inpatient treatment, animal-assisted therapies, outpatient treatment, adult and child trauma, in-home family therapy, and adolescent residential treatment. I have specialized training in crisis counseling, trauma, and equine therapy. I utilize an eclectic approach with clients, though tend to draw primarily from a humanistic, person-centered approach. I also utilize principles from leading psychological modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
What to Expect in Counseling
First session
The first therapy session is very similar to the first time that you meet anyone else. The first session is filled with questions and awkwardly getting to know each other. We won't dive right into difficult questions, but rather ease in until you are feeling more comfortable. This helps to encourage people to take down their guard and move on to more complicated topics as they're ready. We will discuss basic information about you and why you're seeking counseling. The first session and early sessions are spent getting to know each other and getting an understanding of who you are.
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Goal Setting
The question “What do I talk about?” largely depends on what you’d like to get out of therapy. A common misconception is that therapy topics are always related to hitting rock-bottom or experiencing a crisis. While this can be the case, therapy is really just about removing roadblocks in your life and being happier.
Roadblocks can be as simple as:
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“I’m having a hard time deciding what to do next in life.”
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“My partner and I aren’t talking, and when we do we have arguments.”
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“I’ve lost my passion for my job, and it’s affecting my work.”
Creating a list of a few topics you’d like to discuss in therapy will help you and your therapist get a feel for where you’re at in your life, and what’s most important to work on in the moment. This reveals another misconception about therapy: the only thing you discuss is your troubled past.
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Online Sessions
At its core, online therapy is similar to traditional therapy in providing tools, solutions, and ways to reframe your current issues, allowing you to overcome challenges in many areas of your life. Online therapy differs, however, in that it puts therapy in the palm of your hand and enables you to share your thoughts and challenges anytime you wish. This makes therapy more convenient and affordable for those who are new to the experience. Additionally, online or text-based therapy is known to be as effective, if not more, than brick-and-mortar therapy.
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