Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind. The goal is to find it.
-The Buddha
In so many ways, serving my community as a therapist is my life calling. Even as a child, I was fascinated by human emotions and behaviors – often gravitating to Dear Abby and Ann Lander’s columns. The passion that inspires me to help people goes far beyond simply treating symptoms and providing support and guidance. I really love to see people heal, grow and create a vibrant path forward in their lives. It’s an amazing honor and privilege to witness my clients move past the places that have kept them stuck and in pain and find a healthier, happier and more alive way of being.
My practice centers primarily on working with adolescents, young adults and adults who are suffering from depression, anxiety or trauma issues or engaging in self-harming behaviors. I also help clients learn to better navigate stressful and significant life transitions. We live in a culture in which it’s hard to escape trauma, and we’re increasingly disconnected from each other and the Earth, which fuels stress, fear and sadness. I’ve experienced personal traumas and challenges in my own life, which in many ways has been the catalyst for both my personal growth and spiritual healing and my professional work. I’m constantly exploring various ways to continue to learn, grow and heal from my experiences. And, I impart this knowledge and effective and innovative techniques to my clients. Whether it’s traditional therapy, brainspotting, heart math or DBT, I only use therapeutic approaches that I’m both highly trained in and have done extensively myself. That said, I don’t have all the answers – either in my own life or for my clients. However, I continue to explore what I hold in shadow, practice mindfulness and keep my own backyard clear so I can best support my clients through new approaches to healing and growth.
I immensely value the therapeutic relationships that I cultivate with my clients. During our time together, I’ll honor where you are in your current life situation and strive to support you in reaching your highest potential. I believe in your inherent health, and will work in collaboration with you to strengthen you inner resources so that you can experience healing and growth. My training in both traditional psychotherapy and numerous complementary healing techniques gives me the unique ability to create a holistic therapy strategy tailor-made to fit your specific needs. Traditional talk therapy, the right combination of approaches, a myriad of tools and a supportive therapeutic relationship can a help you clear through issues more effectively, experience relief and find a healthy and meaningful path forward.
I provide a nonjudgmental, warm and grounding space for you to identify, explore and work through the thoughts, feelings and patterns that are no longer serving you. I listen with compassion and add a little humor to sessions when appropriate. I’m easy to talk with, and I stress that there are no right or wrong answers in life. Every life event – whether challenging or exhilarating – can serve as an opportunity to learn. When things cloud your clarity and threaten to keep you stuck, it’s what you do with the experience – what you choose to think and feel about it – that gives you the immense power to learn and grow.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your teen, you don’t have to continue to try to navigate heavy, fearful or uncertain thoughts, feelings and issues on your own. I invite you to call me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your specific needs and to answer any questions you have about my practice.
Susan Denison, MSW, LCSW earned her Masters of Social Work from the University of Denver and Bachelors of Social Work from Rhode Island College. In addition, Susan is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and has completed significant advanced training and earned numerous certifications. She is certified in EMDR, levels I and II; Brainspotting, phases 1-3; Bach Flower Essences, level I; Emotional Freedom Technique; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); HeartMath; Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy; and is a certified Hypnotherapist. She has also completed training at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, Shambahava Yoga Teacher Training and the Eastburn Hypnotherapy Center. Susan regularly gives presentations in the community and at local schools on topics ranging from self-harm to stress reduction techniques to depression and anxiety in teenagers. Susan is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Rocky Mountain Brainspotting Institute (RMBI) and the National Guild for Hypnotists.