As a committed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Lakewood Colorado, your well being is my number one priority. I believe in the healing power of play, creative arts/expression, and understanding how the mind, body, and spirit communicate with each other to overcome life's challenges, trauma, pain, stress, loss, and imbalance. I am honored to be a part of your story, and to provide you with the care and attention you (and your kids/families) deserve.
Why BlueRaven
Life can be wildly beautiful, terrifying, passionate, and challenging. It is also full of the unknown which can be difficult to manage on our own. While we cannot avoid the pain that comes with life's experience, it is possible to heal aspects of our pasts, learn to exist fully in the present moment, and look towards the future with hope.
The name of my practice is very intentional. BlueRaven prides itself on remaining open to universal meanings and symbols, and stems from the belief of personal animal messengers. In many cultures, a Blue Heron symbolizes self-reliance; its legs represent balance and the ability to evolve---the longer the legs, the deeper the water the heron can feed. For humans, the sturdier your foundation is, the deeper life can be explored. Blue herons are considered “jack of all trades” and stand out for their (albeit goofy) uniqueness and ability to thrive in different settings and tasks. They know how to “snatch” advantageous moments, and rely on their powerful flight to create movement towards opportunities. Their strength comes with their assertive stance to follow their own path and manage life circumstances. For BlueRaven, I also believe that blue herons represent protection. When a blue heron is seen, either flying above you or nestled in a marsh, it is a reminder to trust in your innate intuition and wisdom, stretch your legs, and fly.
Ravens are found in ancient symbology across the world. They are recognized as having powers of prophecy and insight, a messenger between the material and spiritual worlds. They have the ability to make the unseen, seen. Although often mistaken for causing confusion with their shapeshifting abilities, ravens are considered magical and creative creatures. It is the bird symbol for birth and death, and all that encompasses life’s journey. BlueRaven believes that the therapeutic journey largely entails gaining insight to help us better understand the internal processes influencing our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Once we know ourselves more deeply and gain awareness of unconscious patterns, we become empowered to make changes that impact the direction of our lives and relationships. Ravens also have the reputation of being “tricksters,” which I like to interpret as reminding us of the importance of being playful in life, and finding a way to laugh and find joy where we can. So.. expect to get silly in some of your work with BlueRaven. Play can be an unexpected way to access deeply felt and long held emotions that are waiting to be known.
Together, these two animals represent my mission to provide a space for clients who are searching for healing, connection, and freedom from old ways of functioning.
How I Work
Together we can decide if I am the right match for you with a complimentary 15 minute consultation
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
I graduated from the University of Colorado in Denver with my Masters in Counseling in the Couple and Family Track (MFT). This means I provide therapy to individual children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples/partners.
Certifications
Certified Synergetic Play Therapist (SPT) • EMDR Level One • Integrated Somatic Trauma Therapy (IST) • TheraPlay Level One • Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) • Circle of Security (COS) • Marshak Interaction Model (MIM) • LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Care • (and more).
Specialities
Trauma (big and small) • Abuse • Neglect • Family Challenges • Transitions • Attachment • Identities • Depression/Stuckness • Self-Esteem • Gender Affirming Care • Personal Growth • School Performance • Family, Childhood, Teens, Parenting • Anxiety • Grief/Loss • Mindful/Somatic • ADHD • Autism Spectrum • (and more).
Therapeutic Style
While I have extensive training in trauma, attachment, and creative expression, the most important component to therapy is my relationship with you. My intention is to collaborate with you, find what style fits best, and offer a navigating hand to walk alongside you through distressing times. Please feel free to ask me about any of my trainings! I recognize intersecting identities and how privilege(s) impact relationships. It’s with great consideration that I recognize how identities talk (or don’t talk) to each other, and I aim to be advocate for communities marginalized by systemic oppression. Therapy is YOUR space, so I ask all of my clients to have a willingness to share their discomfits, correct me when I am wrong, and form a genuine connection.
Rates and Policies
Insurance: BlueRaven DOES NOT accept insurance but can provide monthly Superbills if requested. I accept Victim Compensation in the First and 17th Judicial District. I also accept Second Wind Fund referrals.
Cost: $120 for 50 Minute sessions
Adjusted Fee: I offer some adjusted fee slots to a limited number of clients with a financial need on a case-by-case basis. Please don’t hesitate to contact me; I will do my best to make counseling affordable for you.
Payment: Fees are due/collected at the end of each session unless otherwise arranged. I accept credit/debit cards via Simple Practice, check and cash.
Cancellation Policy: Appointments are reserved specifically for you and I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. I offer one "freebie" if a session is cancelled after 24-hours.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-6pm, Virtual and In Person. Intensive Programs are offered scheduled weekends.
Good Faith Estimate for Health Care Items and Services (No Surprise Act) -
You have a right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical care will cost. For questions or information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call the Colorado Division of Insurance at 303-894-7490 or 1-800-930-3745.
Helpful Information and Resources
Finding the right therapist can be overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating. I'm here to help reduce those feelings and provide some information about what play therapy is, define modalities, and offer resources.
What is Play Therapy?
What is Synergetic Play Therapy?
What is EMDR?
The Association for Play Therapy defines Play Therapy as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development." In other words, children communicate through play! When invited into their worlds, the therapist supports self-expression, self-knowledge, self-actualization, and self-efficacy.
Founded by Lisa Dion and taken from the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Website, "Synergetic Play Therapy (2008) is a researched-informed model of play therapy blending the therapeutic power of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity. It grew from personal experience as well as research in neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and attachment theory (see Badenoch, 2008; Porges, 2011; Schore, 1994; Siegel, 1999 for coverage of the ideas behind SPT). Preliminary research suggests that SPT significantly improves emotional tolerance and regulation (Dion & Gray, 2014; Simmons, 2020)."
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidenced based psychotherapy that reduces disturbing thoughts, events, feelings, and sensations. It is facilitated in an eight-phase treatment and uses bilateral movement. EMDR brings attention to the past, present, and future and addresses distressing experiences without “speaking in detail or doing homework used in other therapies” (2020 EMDR Institute, INC).
What is Theraplay?
Recommended Books
Colorado Crisis Line
“Theraplay is a dyadic child and family therapy that has been recognized by the Association of Play Therapy as one of seven seminal psychotherapies for children. Your therapist guides the parent and child through playful, fun games, developmentally challenging activities, and tender, nurturing activities. The very act of engaging each other in this way helps the parent regulate the child's behavior and communicate love, joy, and safety to the child. It helps the child feel secure, cared for, connected and worthy” (2023 The Theraplay Institute).
The Whole Brain Child, Daniel Seigel
No Drama Discipline, Dan Siegel
Aggression in Play Therapy, Lisa Dion
The Body Keeps Score, Bessel van der Kolk
Rewriting Family Scripts, John Byng-Hall
Eating in the Light of the Moon, Anita Johnston
The ADHD Parenting Handbook, Colleen Alexander-Roberts
Windows to Our Children, Violet Oaklander
Heart of Trauma, Bonnie Badenoch
Call: 1-844-493-8255
Text TALK to: 38255
Website: https://coloradocrisisservices.org
LGBTQIA+ Hotline: (888) 843-4564
Blackline (BIPOC): (800) 604-5841
