Therapists for college students near Denver, CO

Hi and welcome to my page. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor providing outpatient therapy to children, adolescents and young adults. I spent my first few years serving the underserved in a community mental health clinic. During this time I supported clients experiencing a wide range of difficulties including: anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual abuse, grief and life transitions. I am particularly passionate about working with young adults around issues of anxiety, depression, relationships and grief. My approach is psychodynamic and collaborative, which means that I seek to understand your point of view and history while we examine together areas in which you may be struggling or feel "stuck." My goal is to meet you where you are and work together to improve your level of functioning and provide you with a fresh perspective that will empower you to live the life you want. I offer a free 10 minute phone consultation in order to determine if I am a good fit for your needs. I look forward to being a part of your journey.

We all face challenges, stressors, traumas, losses, and changes in life. Especially as women. Especially now. We are supposed to have it all, do it all, be it all. For everyone. All the time. Like yesterday. At Discover Peace Within, we recognize that as a human being, you have access to a reservoir of strength, resiliency, and peace within you. Yet, right now, you feel so far away from that sense of peace. Your childhood trauma keeps repeating itself in your relationships. Your low self-esteem makes you say “yes” when you mean “no.” You’re constantly worried if you belong. You lay awake at night wondering if you said the right thing? Did the right thing? You’re fearful of being “too much” while also feeling “not enough.” Life is happening so fast - you feel that you can’t keep up. You want to feel closer to yourself. Your true self. Not the self that you present to the world. Or to your boss and co-workers. Or even friends or family. You know what living in your true self feels like. You’ve had glimpses of it before. When your body-mind-spirit all clicked into place. You know she’s still there. She’s underneath all of the trauma from childhood. Or the messages from others about what you SHOULD be. What society makes you believe you HAVE to do. You’re blocked from making choices that YOU want to make. You’re held back from going for that job, putting yourself out there with friends, or resting when you need to. You struggle seeing the good in you. And yet, there is a voice within you, reminding you of your true self. Therapy can be a helpful place to get back to you. To get back to your true self. Working with a therapist at Discover Peace Within can offer you a sacred space - a time dedicated solely to you and your needs. A time for you to heal. Take a chance on you to discover peace within and book an appointment now.

Hi, I’m Joanna Lester—founder of First Circle Therapy, a Colorado-based virtual practice. I specialize in working with college and grad students who are thoughtful, creative, and sensitive—but overwhelmed by the pressure to keep it all together. If you're juggling deadlines, relationships, family expectations, and big questions about who you're becoming, you might feel anxious, unmotivated, burned out, or just not yourself. You’re not alone—and therapy can be a space to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what really matters to you. Our work can help you move through cycles of self-doubt, people-pleasing, or perfectionism and into a more grounded, self-led life. Whether you're processing trauma, navigating identity shifts, or learning to set healthier boundaries, I offer space to explore your inner world with clarity and care. In our sessions, we’ll use nervous system tools (to help your body shift out of fight-or-flight and feel more at ease) and parts work (to help the different sides of you—like the achiever, avoider, or inner critic—work together instead of against each other). You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. I offer free consultations to see if we’re a fit, and I accept several major insurance plans to make therapy more accessible. Feel free to reach out—no pressure.

At Elevated Counseling & Wellness, we will work with you to reach new heights! With mental health professionals familiar with the stress that often comes with being a student, we are prepared to support you with life transitions, mood disorders, relationship or family concerns and trauma, including EMDR when appropriate. Being a young adult, as well as a student is a time of growth, change and transition, as well as challenge and adversity. Don't hesitate to reach out to get the support that you need to make the most of this time of life. Offering both virtual and in-person sessions, email us today at info@elevatedcounseling.org to schedule your free consultation!

I work with college-aged individuals and young adults, who are stepping into adulthood. You might be adjusting to college, starting your first career, or learning how to navigate changing relationships with family, friends, or romantic partners. I love supporting clients as you build independence, strengthen relationships, and grow into an authentic, fulfilling adult life that truly feels like your own. My approach combines evidenced-based trauma-informed models, including strength-based, skills training, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing. I have experience working with young adults from diverse backgrounds and am committed to creating an inclusive, non-judgmental space for clients of all genders, sexual orientation, cultural group, or belief system. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you decide whether my therapeutic approach aligns with your needs. I look forward to meeting you

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I have been a licensed psychologist for the last 27 years. I work from Psychodynamic (self-psychology/intersubjective/relational), Cognitive-Behavioral, and Systems perspectives, all of which I consider integral to effective work with clients. I also am certified in Therapeutic Assessment, which is using psychological testing to help clients get unstuck and to achieve the insights they seek (therapeuticassessment.com). In addition to my private practice, I was Clinical Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver for the past 25 years. I retired from the university at the end of 2023 with the Emeritus distinction.

Something doesn't feel right. Maybe you are experiencing a heaviness that you haven't known before. Perhaps your relationship with your body, your work, or others is consuming your time and energy. Maybe you are grappling with a significant loss that has shaken your sense of the world. No matter what you bring in, you are multifaceted and deserve to explore and process your own experience. Understanding the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that have shaped you can make way for profound and lasting change. Relief often arrives when we find we have learned to interpret the world from this new vantage, as does self-compassion. I believe that mental health is a product of the whole self, extending beyond just mind and body but to the creative, intuitive, and spiritual aspects of our being. Working from a psychodynamic lens, we will explore the present with particular attention paid to how our histories, relationships, and unconscious wishes and fears shape our world. I believe each person carries their own complex and dynamic history. Unearthing that story together through the counseling relationship can heal, transform, and provide the freedom to live a more conscious and fulfilling life. I am so glad you are here. It would be an honor to walk with you on this journey. I would be happy to explore working together.

My mission as a professional counselor is simple: Create a safe and respectful space where my clients can honestly explore, and learn from their personal stories. It is a true honor and privilege to facilitate these personal moments of discovery, that are often raw, difficult and challenging. My areas of focus are those who may be struggling with issues relating to depression, anxiety, grief and loss and life transitions. I also work with young adults in assisting them in facing challenges such as: negative body image, lack of confidence and self esteem, pressures around academics and friendships, loneliness, and future employment concerns While I utilize a variety of counseling techniques depending upon the situation including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, these are simply means to an end. I’ve learned my clients are seeking someone who listens, and guides them to a path of discovery and healing.

If you are open to deeper exploration, reconnecting to your authentic self, and challenging problematic patterns of thinking/behaviors, then I can provide a safe space for you. Making the decision to start therapy can often feel daunting and part of the work may revolve around confronting those fears. I ascribe to a psychodynamic approach that allows me to focus on you as a whole, not just your presenting concerns.Together, we can work towards identifying and exploring the barriers to growth and self-fulfillment that may be holding you back in your life. I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders, including food, body image, and self-esteem. I work with those struggling with substance abuse and addiction as well as mood disorders and managing life transitions. I am experienced in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to aid patients with trauma and PTSD. I enjoy working with adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I believe that you are the expert in your life and I am here to guide you in the process of self-exploration, growth, and understanding with compassion, directness, and humor.

I believe that therapy can help us to move toward greater self-understanding, empowerment, and fulfillment. I strive to create a supportive therapeutic space in which you and I can collaboratively process through thoughts, feelings, and experiences with openness and compassion. So often societal messages and stigmas can cause us to view our behaviors with shame and judgment, which can lead us to feel even more stuck. My goal is to support you in slowing down, shifting toward curiosity and compassion, and feeling empowered to make the changes that you seek. I believe that therapy can help us to move toward greater self-understanding, empowerment, and fulfillment. I strive to create a supportive therapeutic space in which you and I can collaboratively process through thoughts, feelings, and experiences with openness and compassion. So often societal messages and stigmas can cause us to view our behaviors with shame and judgment, which can lead us to feel even more stuck. My goal is to support you in slowing down, shifting toward curiosity and compassion, and feeling empowered to make the changes that you seek. I specialize in supporting individuals who are working through experiences of trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use. I utilize a blend of cognitive and somatic approaches in therapy including EMDR, IFS, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness approaches. I am available via telehealth (M/T/Th) and in-person (W). I look forward to supporting you on your journey to self-understanding and healing.

As an openly queer, neurodivergent, kinky, and non-monogamous therapist with 12 years of experience, I provide a deeply affirming, non-judgmental space for alternative relationship dynamics and sex-positive lifestyles. My approach is practical and structured, specializing in complex trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and relational concerns. I am Level 3 Trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, fully trained in EMDR, and utilize concrete tools from DBT and CBT to help clients break through stuck core beliefs, manage triggers, and foster authentic self-acceptance.

My goal is to walk alongside my clients as they navigate the unique experience they're currently facing. I strive to create a safe place for individuals to come and share their experience with Grief, Loss, Caregiving, Anxiety, Depression and Life Transitions. I integrate CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and Person-Centered Therapy throughout the counseling process but may use various theories of therapy to best serve you and your situation. My experience includes working as a Grief Counselor and Support Group Coordinator at a hospice organization, where I was able to support many individuals coping with the significant journey of grief. I understand that grief can be life altering and believe no one should have to go through it alone. I prioritize honesty, compassion, non-judgement, and trust. I'm honored to walk alongside my clients through such significant moments in their lives.

We understand the importance to have someone you can talk to and gain a new perspective on struggles on your life experience and struggles. difficult life transition, stress and anxiety, depression, relationships, or traumatic experiences they seem overwhelming difficult to get away from. There’s never a bad time to seek helpful support, and to learn practice using the coping skills and strategies that will help you thrive.

We support students in breaking free of anxiety and self-destructive patterns, such as procrastination and test anxiety, as well as relational stressors. Trying to navigate school, entering the adult working world and managing relationships all at the same time is no joke! Our team are experts supports to you identify and break free of subconscious limits that keep you stuck and small. We specialize in working, holistically through the mind-body-soul connection, using advanced practices including EMDR, Somatic psychotherapy and IFS. We are a completely virtual practice.

In the middle of becoming someone new? I work with adolescents and adults navigating identity transitions—career pivots, new parenthood, finishing school, layoffs, or the quieter realization that the life you’ve been building no longer fits. I came to this work through my own transition after a decade in tech startups, so I understand what it’s like to question your path and grow into something not yet fully defined. I’m also a new mom, with firsthand experience of the disorientation and identity shifts that can come with early parenthood—so if you’re in that season, you won’t have to explain it from scratch. I draw from several evidence based approaches; Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). What matters more than the models themselves is how therapy feels: collaborative, structured when helpful, open-ended when needed, and grounded in approaches that are proven to support real change. Therapy works best when it feels like yours—like the conversations you’d want to be having if you had the right person to have them with. My role is to be that person, while also offering tools and frameworks that help you make sense of what’s happening, not just talk about it.

Now offering 6-Week ADHD Support & Skills Group for College Students! As a therapist with both ADHD and years of experience supporting neurodivergent clients, I understand the unique challenges that come with navigating college life. This 6-week group is designed specifically for college students with ADHD who are looking for practical strategies, support, and a space where they truly feel seen and understood. Goals of the Group: You’re not alone: This group provides a community where your struggles are recognized, and you can connect with others who “get it.” Get a Semester Reset: Feeling overwhelmed or off track? We’ll help you hit reset and build momentum for the rest of the semester. Manage Challenges In and Out of the Classroom: Learn ADHD-friendly strategies to help you manage coursework, social life, and personal well-being without feeling constantly behind. Avoid Burnout: Gain practical tools to keep up with academic demands while staying balanced and avoiding the exhaustion that can come from pushing too hard. Discover Your Strengths: ADHD comes with unique strengths! We’ll help you tap into them so you can succeed your way. Understand Your Brain: Learn more about how your ADHD brain works so you can work with it, not against it. Reject Unhelpful Advice: We’ll focus on strategies that actually work for ADHD minds—no more well-meaning but unhelpful neurotypical advice. Details: When: TBD-Group meeting times are scheduled based on availability of interested group members. Where: Groups will meet online via Zoom for 1 hour weekly. Duration: 6 weeks Who Should Join: College students with ADHD (whether or not you have been formally diagnosed) who are ready for a fresh approach to managing their challenges and tapping into their full potential. Ready to thrive this semester? Visit my website to learn more and join us!

College is a time of incredible growth and opportunity, but it can also be incredibly challenging. Balancing academics, social life, and personal growth while navigating anxiety, past trauma, or body image concerns can feel overwhelming. You're not alone. As a therapist with over 20 years of experience, I specialize in supporting students just like you. I offer a safe and supportive space to explore these challenges, develop coping strategies, and build a more fulfilling college experience. If you're ready to prioritize your well-being, I encourage you to reach out.

Beginning therapy—or starting with a new therapist—can feel vulnerable and daunting. As a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), I create a space that feels welcoming, non-judgmental, and safe to support adults who are ready to improve their well-being and navigate life’s transitions with greater clarity, resilience, and self-compassion. My specialties include perinatal mental health and women’s mental health across the lifespan, along with mood and anxiety disorders, stress management, attachment disorders, and more. When working together, you are assured a warm and non-pathologizing approach to care that is grounded in humility and respect for the courage it takes to share your story. I welcome the opportunity to connect for a brief consultation, bringing skill and compassion to your journey no matter where you’re at along the path. I believe each person is the expert in their own life. Therapy is, therefore, a collaborative process, where I listen deeply and work with you to clarify your goals and move toward healing and greater well-being at a pace that feels right for you. Together, we attend not only to areas of pain, but also to your strengths, values, and passions. My approach is warm, person-centered, and strengths-based, drawing flexibly from a range of evidence-based modalities. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. In addition, I am trained in the Gottman Method (Level 1) and use Gottman techniques in my work with couples. As a clinician with lived experience as a mother and more than ten years of experience as an educator, I bring a deep understanding of family systems, child development, and the realities of parenting. This background allows me to support mothers and families with both compassion and practical insight. When I’m not in the office, I love reading, spending time in nature, taking in all kinds of art, and having adventures with my family.

I work with young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, grief/loss, life adjustments, academic/career stress, body image, identity/self-esteem, LGBTQIA+ issues, and sleep issues. I am trained through an eclectic array of therapeutic modalities but often work through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) lens. When working with sleep issues and insomnia, I am trained in CBT-I (CBT for insomnia). I prioritize meeting every client and family where they are in order to formulate an individualized treatment plan that works best for you. I enjoy genuinely connecting with my clients and their families by leaning on client strengths, values, and the authenticity of the therapeutic relationship. I find it beneficial to bring our personalities and humanness into the therapeutic process to facilitate a safe space for my clients. Life can be really messy and I'm honored to join you in that vulnerability. If it sounds like l might be a good fit for you, please reach out for a consultation! I'd be happy to connect with you.