Therapists for college students near 80204

“I feel like I’m trying so hard to hold everything together, but inside I’m barely holding on.” “I feel burned out, like I’m surviving instead of thriving.” “I’m surrounded by people, yet I can’t shake the feeling that no one truly sees me.” If any of these feel familiar, you’re not alone. College and young adulthood can bring a mix of pressure, uncertainty, and self-doubt. The fact that you’ve made it this far shows real strength. Love and joy have always been your birthright, and I’m here to help you find your way back to them. Together, we’ll explore what’s been holding you back, uncover your strengths, and build healthier ways of coping, all while honoring your unique lived experiences. I take a trauma-informed, holistic approach that draws from CBT and mindfulness to help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and patterns. My hope is to provide a space that feels safe enough for honesty and soft enough for healing—a place where you can finally exhale and begin to feel like yourself again. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to support you on your path toward greater well-being. Reach out by phone or email today to set up your free consultation. I look forward to meeting you.

I am a clinical social worker and therapist assisting patients with many intersectional identities whose adverse experiences cause difficulty in their lives. As a patient-centered therapist, I specialize in fostering a safe space and building a trusted partnership for you to look deeply at your situations, experiences, and feelings. I'm passionate about relieving the pain of adverse, even traumatic experiences, and helping you develop coping skills and find broader, easier paths to progress, fulfillment, and joy in your life. My specialties include issues with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, phase of life and adjustment issues, family and relationship challenges, substance use, trauma, and much more. No matter your struggle, I am dedicated to applying my clinical training and background, and my varied life experiences, to guide you along the path to greater mental wellness. I look forward to meeting and engaging with you wherever you’re in your life journey and working with you and your situation to fulfill your goals and wishes for therapy and growth. The cornerstone of effective therapy is empathy, making a genuine connection, and seeing the world through my patients' eyes. Relating in this way enables me to assist you in understanding, dealing with, and resolving difficult experiences and patterns in life to gain insight, freedom, and joy. These deeply held values allow me to build a dependable environment to see and resolve issues in our work together. My style is warm and candid – I'll be your ally in the process while utilizing a blend of therapeutic modalities tailored to your situation, goals, and wishes. Through our sessions, you'll gain insight and relief to turn challenges into coping skills and adverse experiences into assets. My time as a young ski instructor taught me the value of empathy, which later led to my becoming a mental health therapist. Teaching skiing on the side of a mountain requires building trust and rapport, effectively managing the scene to meet the client's needs and wishes, and maintaining safety all while fostering a fun and educational environment. I've used this empathy-based, client-centered approach throughout my therapeutic practice. Coupled with life experiences, my passion for empathic connection became my calling to train for a career dedicated to exceptional clinical work. When I’m not seeing patients, you’ll find me on the slopes! Skiing is a special blend of exercise, outdoor adventure, and connection with others. As a passionate skier and certified ski instructor, I love sharing this fantastic sport with my wife, family and friends, and students of all levels and backgrounds. Off the snow, I’m often hiking with my wife and friends, enjoying the exercise and the beauty and scale of nature.

You don’t have to keep managing this on your own. If anxiety, grief, relationship stress, or unresolved trauma are making it difficult to feel like yourself, therapy can help you regain clarity and control. I work with young adults and adults who are seeking more than surface-level coping skills. Together, we will identify the patterns that are keeping you stuck and create practical, sustainable change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Colorado (MSW, Florida State University, 2013), I bring over a decade of experience helping clients move from survival mode to feeling grounded and confident again.

As a collaborative clinician with experience helping folks of all ages, I specialize in guiding patients ages 12 and up as they navigate conflict, life transitions, bullying, anxiety, identity development, stress, depression, and grief. I am especially passionate about working with the LQBTQ+ population. Through collaboration, empathy, and authenticity, I work alongside you to build personal autonomy and self-reliance. Reach out today to take the first step on your journey toward growth. I look forward to collaborating on your healing journey. I believe in genuine and authentic human connection, which results in a relaxed and patient-led environment where you are empowered to overcome any struggle. Care is tailored to your needs and includes a person-centered and narrative approach (with a touch of humor!) to guide your therapeutic experience. My path to becoming a therapist began as a first responder, when I realized the deep need within my community for quality mental health support. This experience affords me a unique perspective into the current struggles of those around me, an insight I bring to each session to better help my community. When I’m not in the office, I love getting out in the world, going on long walks and attending musicals at DCPA. I also enjoy curling up with a good book during those quiet moments at home.

You’re not broken—you’re worn out from living in survival mode. Many of my clients are insightful, capable people who have spent years managing anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or shutdown by staying strong and self-reliant. These patterns didn’t appear by accident—they developed to protect you. In our work together, we slow things down and listen to what your nervous system has been holding. I work with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, and life transitions through a trauma- and nervous-system-informed approach. Drawing from parts work (IFS), Polyvagal theory, somatic awareness, and feminist therapy, therapy becomes a process of restoring safety, emotional regulation, and self-trust—rather than pushing yourself to “fix” what isn’t broken. I offer a grounded, compassionate space where sensitivity is understood as intelligence shaped by experience. Healing here is not about becoming someone new, but about softening survival patterns so you can feel more at ease, connected, and fully yourself.

As a trauma-informed, relational therapist, I help adults who feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in patterns shaped by grief and trauma. My style is trauma-informed, somatic, and collaborative, integrating my background as a certified yoga teacher for holistic, well-rounded approach to care. Many of my patients are caregivers, people-pleasers, or highly sensitive individuals who struggle to prioritize themselves, feel safe in relationships, or rest in their bodies. They want relief from emotional intensity, a deeper sense of self trust, and more meaningful connection. Together, we focus on nervous system regulation, processing loss, and building relationships that feel supportive and authentic. Working together, you can expect a warm and supportive environment that incorporates relational and trauma-informed approaches to help you feel understood, find clarity, and move through challenges at your own pace. My style is gentle and collaborative, with therapy tailored to your unique needs and goals, as I’m passionate about helping you feel safe in your body, trust your inner wisdom, and build authentic, supportive relationships. My path to becoming a therapist began with the belief that each person’s story deserves to be heard and honored. This belief allows me to meet people where they are, ensuring a welcoming space to all patients. Outside the office, I love keeping my mind and body active through hiking, teaching yoga, reading, and perfecting my baking skills.

Do you wish to understand the complex ways your experiences have shaped the individual standing before you in the mirror today? Perhaps you’ve struggled to understand and accept difficult and painful situations of the past, or maybe there are certain unproductive thoughts that seem to continuously infiltrate the mind. Maybe you’re seeking your fullest potential to living life, authentically and in alignment with your declared value system. These are aspects that we can take a deeper look at to make your human experience as personally valuable as it deserves to be. I invite all identity and value exploration as we take a look at the life experiences that shape your individual, and work to understand, process, and accept the frameworks that are present today. Using a holistic approach to the psychodynamic lens, we will address the physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental aspects that make up the whole human.

I provide trauma-informed, identity-affirming therapy rooted in psychodynamic and interpersonal process approaches. Together we’ll explore protective patterns, make sense of what you’re carrying, and practice new ways of relating that feel more connecting, honest, and secure.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPPC) specializing in relational and holistic wellness-focused psychotherapy for individuals. As a psychodynamically oriented clinician, I believe that my role is to support patients in recognizing patterns of being that may be causing distress, exploring the roots of these patterns, and finding paths toward freedom from them. I often hold a focus in treatment on exploring many domains of life – relational, cultural, physical, spiritual, and more – as I believe that true healing encompasses all parts of self. Among a wide variety of mental health concerns, I particularly enjoy working with patients navigating relationship issues, chronic nervous system dysregulation, neurodivergence, and systemic-related challenges. I believe that it is truly an act of strength to seek support, particularly amidst chaos throughout the world today. If you find yourself resonating with my approach to therapy, I hope you feel empowered to reach out. Stemming from a background in biochemistry, I focus on caring for the whole person, taking into account the complex and symbiotic relationship between body and mind. My approach is authentic, creative, and integrative, focused on increasing access to affirmative mental health care while creating a space of radical acceptance in the therapy room. Working together, you can expect an intentional and collaborative environment that is tailored to each unique person. Paired with processing of core life events, I use present-oriented techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, and individualized coping skill-building to create lasting changes in your daily experience. My path to becoming a therapist began upon experiencing a deep level of change in my own life through therapy. At the same time, I began to foster an interest in human behavior, connection, and meaning making through my education. Altogether, it became incredibly apparent to me that to be human is to be vulnerable, and I'm grateful to share this vulnerability with the patients I work with. This interest, combined with my therapeutic journey, allows me to bring a perspective of resiliency, curiosity, humor, and appreciation for the absurdity of life to each session. In my free time, you can find me perusing a vintage shop, hanging out with my cat, listening to live music, or working on an abstract painting. I also enjoy reading transgressive fiction novels, poetry, and engaging in social justice, advocacy and awareness projects.

“I feel like my past still affects who I am today.” “I worry constantly and don’t know how to turn my mind off.” “I don’t really know who I am or what I want anymore.” You are not alone. I am here to provide support as you take the first steps toward therapy. It can feel overwhelming to begin, but you don’t have to face it alone. Therapy can be a space to slow down, make sense of what you’re carrying, and start learning how to show up for yourself with more clarity and compassion. No matter where you are in life, you have a place here to be heard and understood. My approach to therapy is collaborative, supportive, and rooted in compassion. I strive to create a nonjudgmental space where you feel safe to be honest about your experiences as you navigate your unique healing journey. Together, we’ll explore what works best for you. Therapy should feel collaborative, affirming, and tailored to your needs, and I’m here to support you as you take the next steps in your journey. If you feel we may be a good fit, don't hesitate to reach out for a consultation.

I work with people who want to understand what’s going on beneath the surface so they can move toward a more intentional, meaningful life. My approach draws from CBT and ACT with an existential lens, helping you explore questions of freedom, choice, and values and apply them in ways that change how you actually experience your life. Maybe you’ve been holding it together, but something still feels off. Your mind won’t slow down, your relationships feel repetitive or unsatisfying, or there’s a sense that you’re not quite living the life you want. Whatever brings you here, you don’t have to sort it out alone. In our work together you can expect a space that is curious and nonjudgmental. I’ll meet you where you are, and together we’ll start making sense of your experiences and develop ways of responding that feel more aligned with who you are. Change doesn’t usually happen all at once, but I believe it’s possible through small, meaningful shifts over time. If this feels like a good fit, reach out and we can find a time to connect.

I help people whose mood, trauma, anxiety, depression and intrusive thoughts are controlling their lives learn to cope and feel in control again. Seeking therapy can be a scary step, but I'm excited to say that you don’t have to manage life's difficulties alone. In therapy, I will support you in learning what your body is communicating through sadness, panic, insecurity, grief, and hopelessness. We can explore a variety of ways to process, as well as coping skills that match your life and who you are. I believe that we are experts of our own experiences, and my role is to guide you toward healing while honoring your personal values. I practice EMDR and have expertise in a variety of areas, including trauma, addiction, substance use, and the LGBTQIA community. Whether it's the big life altering traumas or the day-to-day difficulties and systems we navigate, there are ways to move forward and find hope. I hope to work with you soon!

When you feel overwhelmed with anxiety, grief, and pain, you need a safe, supportive space to begin your journey towards understanding and healing. Therapy is a space that allows you to gain deeper insight into your life experiences, patterns of thinking, and actions. It can help you create the opportunity to promote personal change and growth. It may feel daunting at first, but as a therapist, I am here to walk next to you and help you navigate your healing journey. Therapy is not “one size fits all”. We will collaborate in partnership to identify your strengths and needs and choose the best approach for you. In therapy, I choose to listen deeply, show up authentically, and give empathy freely. Choosing a therapist can be a stressful decision. I have experience working with people ages 20-65+ who are learning to navigate things like trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance use. I utilize a holistic approach that considers every aspect of who you are as an individual because your mental health is just one piece of the puzzle that makes up who you are. You are more than the worst thing that has ever happened to you. You deserve safety, peace, and kindness. I cannot wait to hear your story.

Our work will focus on reclaiming your personal power, living as an expression of your values, and growing your capacity to create change in your life. One of my guiding beliefs as a therapist is that you already possess the strength, ability, and innate qualities needed to evolve; I am here to help identify and remove the obstacles standing in your way. In therapy, we create a space to discover realistic solutions to problematic patterns and learn coping skills that produce lasting change to create your “best life.” My desire as your therapist is to offer a safe and non-judgmental space for you to show up as your authentic self. I use an evidence based therapeutic approach to construct healthy solutions to life concerns. I utilize my professional skills for treatment, but also lean on my personal experiences of grief and loss, trauma, the intricacies of couple and family relationships, hopelessness and conceptualizing a sense of purpose and identity.

You will find me to be an authentic and direct therapist that will focus on your values and strengths to guide the therapy process. My philosophy is that therapy is the space to get into how and why what you’re trying to do differently isn’t working (because you probably already have enough people willing to tell you), and what you should be doing with your life. I won’t promise that therapy will make the hard stuff in your life go away, but what I know it can do is help you find a way through the hard stuff with meaning and help build resilience. My specialties include depression, anxiety, family of origin issues, interpersonal distress and eating disorders (including binge eating, Bulimia, ARFID, Anorexia and disordered eating as a result of trauma or chronic illness). I also have experience with borderline personality disorder, complex trauma and navigating how to be the support person for a loved one going through mental health issues. In my 10+ years as a therapist I have supported individuals and families as they move through some of the hardest moments in their lives and into a fulfilling, meaningful journey forward and look forward to helping you do the same. I use ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) as the foundation to conceptualize the concerns you’re seeking help with. Once we both have a clear picture of the issues, we will get creative within a wide range of therapy modalities to find interventions that fit your life & temperament.In addition to seeing clients, I also provide supervision to psychology students and post graduate clinicians working on their hours for licensure. “I am thankful for my struggle because without it I wouldn’t have discovered my strength. I am learning to honor the space between no longer & not yet.” – unknown

The answers to your healing already reside within you. If you are ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, I'm here to support you in uncovering the path to success. No one understands your needs for growth and transformation better than you do. As a therapist, my role is to assist you in navigating your unique journey and offer tools that can guide you towards the healing and growth you seek. I firmly believe that each person's life path and requirements are distinct, shaped by their individual experiences and intersectionality. I strive to create a therapeutic experience that is tailored to each client, provide support, and foster achievable goals. Adopting a holistic approach, I collaborate with my clients to help them achieve healing. During our sessions, I aim to create a safe, creative, compassionate, and accountable environment. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral, Parts Work, and Attachment Theories, I integrate various therapeutic modalities to best suit your needs. My goal is to assist you in recognizing areas in your life that require nourishment, discovery, and empowerment.

When you enter my office, you enter a safe space intended for change. Asking for help is not always easy and you are taking the first steps towards a gratifying life. Healing is a journey, and I would love to join you down this path to accomplish your goals. I am here to listen and support you every step of the way. During our time together I hope we can identify what is holding you back and create a plan that best supports you. Most things in life are not one-size-fits-all and the same applies to therapy practices. You are the expert in your own experience so I will tailor my skills to best fit your needs. Before coming to Better Life, I worked with adoptees and their families to manage programs and foster community. Some of my other work includes facilitating group discussions, leading activities that promote self-identity and character, helping youth to take on a positive self-view, and supporting social interaction for older adults.

I believe that every individual is worthy of a safe therapeutic space to process, grow and heal. I am an empathetic therapist who creates an opportunity for others to understand their emotions while equipping them with practical tools to cultivate new, healthier patterns of thinking and/or behavior. I am dedicated to helping you navigate life’s challenges whether it is related to personal growth, life changes, relationships, or trauma. I specialize in eating disorders, anxiety, OCD, trauma, survivors of partner violence and working with adolescents. I draw from several different therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and art therapy with a mindfulness foundation to support you in your journey.

I like to begin by listening to why you are here, what you need out of therapy, and how I can support you. Weathering change or difficult realities can be isolating and overwhelming, and you are brave to reach out for support. I aim to create a reliable container and relationship that benefits your growth. You’ve known yourself the longest, so you will be in the expert in our relationship. I believe you deserve access to care that is transparent and informed, which is part of why I share that I am queer and will offer a queer-informed approach. Learning more about ourselves and accepting challenges can be daunting, and I would love to support you in doing so. I specifically have experience in working with OCD and other anxiety disorders. I use modalities such as dialectical behavior therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. I love working with youth, adolescents, and adults.

Hello, I am Dr. Ana Dodson. I am a licensed psychologist candidate, and I received two masters degrees and my doctorate in psychology at the University of Colorado in Denver. I am EMDR certified for both children and adults and have a certificate in the Neurosequential Model of Education developed by Dr. Bruce Perry, a neurobiological approach to understanding human development. My goal is to provide you with compassionate, personalized therapy services. Together, we'll work together to create goals that feel right for you. With my background as a former teacher and reading specialist, I have a deep understanding of how academic struggles and reading difficulties can impact a college student. I approach every situation with empathy and a focus on solutions. Outside of therapy, I love spending time with my son, reading books, traveling, and taking hikes.