Discover Meaning Beneath the Surface / Insight, Compassion, Connection

You may feel stuck – repeating the same struggles without fully understanding why. These patterns might show up in your relationships, your work, or how you see yourself. Beneath the surface, you may feel torn between conflicting parts of yourself, weighed down by anxiety or shame. Maybe you’ve tried therapy before and found some relief, but not the lasting change you were hoping for. In our work together, I’ll help you understand the deeper patterns and unconscious dynamics that keep you feeling trapped – so you can finally move toward a more grounded, authentic sense of self.

I won’t offer quick fixes or one-size-fits-all advice. My aim is to create a space where you can slow down, reflect, and gain insight into your inner life. I will listen closely – to both what’s said and what’s unsaid – to help you find meaning in your experiences and connect the dots between past and present.

My approach is grounded in curiosity, compassion, and respect for each person’s autonomy. Therapy with me is collaborative, exploratory process where all of your thoughts and feelings are welcome. I won’t rush you. I won’t judge you. And I won’t offer simplistic solutions to complex struggles.

Theory

My approach to therapy is largely informed by affective neuroscience and psycho-dynamic theory.

Affective neuroscience holds that our emotions evolved to enhance our survival. They do this by providing information about our innate needs – telling us, in their own way, whether these needs are being met. Emotions also motivate us to act, moving us toward safety, connection, and fulfillment.

Personal change can be so difficult because we ourselves are complex. Psycho-dynamic theory helps explain this complexity in several ways.

(1) We do not fully know ourselves. Even the most self-aware among us have unconscious thoughts, feelings and wishes that influence how we live and relate.

(2) We do not completely want to know ourselves. To protect ourselves from pain, we unknowingly push many of these thoughts and wishes out of awareness.

(3) We contain many parts. Each of us holds a range of contradictory feelings and perspectives. Many of our struggles arise when we deny this inner multiplicity – when we can’t yet see the full, nuanced reality of ourselves and others.

Therapy

My primary goal as your therapist will be to understand you – and help you understand yourself more fully. To do that, I’ll focus on building trust and creating a space where you feel safe, seen and accepted. Our work together will be guided by curiosity, openness and respect for your pace.

It will be your responsibility to speak as freely and truthfully as possible, and to choose what we talk about each session. A useful guideline is to begin with whatever feels most present or emotionally alive in the moment – whether that’s a recent experience, a dream or a persistent thought or feeling.

I will listen carefully and nonjudgementally, often asking questions to help you explore your inner world more deeply. Together, we’ll pay special attention to your emotions – to what they’re telling you, and to the thoughts and wishes that may lie just beneath awareness. Over time, we’ll begin to understand how and why certain feelings or desires have been pushed away.

As you come to know yourself more fully – including your deepest wishes and the meaning behind your emotions – you may start to see new ways to get your needs met and to address the struggles that first brought you to therapy. My hope is that this understanding will bring you a greater sense of clarity, freedom and peace.

I began my career as a school social worker, supporting elementary and middle school students and their families. I now provide individual psychotherapy to adults. I am credentialed by the State of Colorado as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker CSW.9925883.

Don’s favorite quote:  “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend.  Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx

Don’s favorite book: American Pastoral by Philip Roth 

Don’s favorite movie:  Rocky