Barbara Mutagamba
Hello, my name is Barbara and welcome. If you are experiencing tension, stress, depression, anxiety, self-image issues, co-dependency issues, other effects of trauma, or trouble in your relationship or relationships, or feeling rejection, abandoned, disappointed, hopeless, shame, breach of trust and many other feelings, or you are looking for perspective, a good listener, and/or a nonjudgmental, approachable atmosphere to share your pain and gain some insight into your story, you are not alone. Over the years we accumulate various life experiences, acquire patterns and behaviors, and then develop certain ways of looking at ourselves and others. Most issues that people bring to me are an exploration and healing of relationship trauma or disruption of connection with a significant other or people in their lives. I like to think of myself as a therapist who disassembles people’s narratives, experiences, and emotions and then help them put them back together in a way that feels better in order to improve lives and find hope during difficult times. You have taken a huge step towards finding tools to deal with the issues that you are struggling with. I know that beginning therapy can sometimes be hard, but it is often an act of courage, hope, self-care, and self-determination. If this is your first-time seeking therapy, or even if it is not, you might be nervous, or you might have some apprehension. I just want to assure you that this is normal. MY PHILOSOPHY: I believe that therapy should be a safe, comfortable place where you should feel heard, validated, and accepted as you are so that you can be honest about what is troubling you. It should be a place where you feel understood and feel comfortable to work out unwanted feelings and behaviors. I also believe that therapy should address physical, spiritual, psychological, and relational aspects. Because of this, my treatment plan for each client is unique and is designed specifically for each individual needs. I am committed to providing services that help reduce the stressful symptoms that led to you seeking out therapy, whether these challenges are recent challenges or longstanding challenges, whether you are looking to improve your relationships with your significant other or others, whether you are searching for strategies to improve your mood and manage depression, or increase your self-worth, or increase positive coping skills for anxiety, or identify triggers and replacement behaviors, or even strategies to cope with difficult emotions or understanding and processing traumatic experiences. My goal is not to get you to who you were before the issues started, but to integrate the lessons learned and expand your ability to experience a deeper connection with yourself, partners and other. WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY ABOUT ME: I am a great listener, very insightful, genuine, welcoming, honest, compassionate, empathetic, and approachable. I have a nurturing and gentle approach in helping you set your goals and achieve them. I have spent a lot of time learning about issues that bring people to therapy. I use practical tools that are helpful in resolving conflict, improving communication, and finding solutions. I partner with you to create trusting relationships through honest interactions. Most of all we have fun! There are difficult parts of therapy, but we laugh too. WHY I LOVE WORKING AS A THERAPIST: I understand how debilitating some of the life experiences can be and how they can keep us from living life to the fullest. I put a lot of dedication into learning different practice models so that I can help you feel less alone, help you heal and celebrate finding strength and knowledge to become a survivor, help you gain perspective about life’s stressors and disappointments, take control of your life, overcome poor self-image, establish a healthy feeling of hope and faith, help you learn to see your family or relationships as a team and not a burden, help you become less resentful and be yourself again. I consider it a blessing and honor to walk with you through these trying times. I am very relatable, and clients feel understood when they work with me and so can talk freely. EXPERIENCE: I have been a social worker for 20 years in various settings. This has ranged from working in mental health settings, to family sessions, child welfare, school setting, working with individuals struggling to start or keep relationships, people adjusting to parenthood, people coping with infidelity, same-sex couples, depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, life transitions, trauma, or substance abuse. My experience has taught me that we all experience things in our lives that may impact our lives in different ways and bring us to a crossroad where we get stagnant because we are not sure which direction to take. With a little help and assistance from people who are genuine, empathetic, and accepting we begin to experience a deeper connection with ourselves, our partners, and others. We all have inner strengths that help us through life, and I believe that many people can grow and build on those strengths through encouragement and empowerment. My goal is to work collaboratively with you to identify strengths, patterns, coping skills, discover practical solutions and tools to help you make positive changes in your life. MY COUNSELING STYLE: My counseling style is very client-centered, interactive, empathetic, warm, strength based and holistic. I focus on building a safe, non-judgmental environment utilizing a multi-dimensional approach that not only explores your thoughts, your emotions, and behaviors as they relate to different situations in your life, but also explores solutions with the goal of enhancing your ability to achieve stability and growth. The direction we take is determined by your individual needs but there are different theoretical approaches that I draw from. I incorporate evidence-based techniques such as emotionally Focused Therapy, Strength-based therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Problem Solving therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy as well as Narrative Therapy. EDUCATION: University of Denver: Master’s degree in social work. Certificates: Family engagement, Family sensitivity, positive behavior supports, strengthening resiliency, system values, trauma informed practice, cultural competency, grief and loss counseling. I have over 20 years of experience helping adults, families, youth and couples dealing with anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, family issues, grief, loss, addiction, adjustment issues, abuse, anger-management, trauma, career difficulties, as well as self-esteem issues. LICENSE INFORMATION: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Colorado: CSW# 09926714 I look forward to working with you.
Christine O'Neill
Hello! I am a therapist with a passion for helping people to make positive changes in their lives. Throughout my 76 year career I have worked with many different populations in a myriad of ways and have found that most people want to have a better life and just need that catalyst to make it possible. My style lends itself to be more on the coaching side and I often times have clients work on different small tasks outside of the therapy session. I would consider my counseling style to be warm, interactive, and goal oriented. Humor is a tool I use regularly to bring reality to difficult situations and to show that while life can be tumultuous, there should always be room to find laughter. I have extensive experience in mood disorders, teen issues, addictions, life changes, divorce, and family issues. I lend more towards messaging and live messaging therapy as I feel it gives the client more time to really think about what they want to say and to be able to better absorb the responses. You have taken the first and often times hardest step towards improving your future! I hope to hear from you soon and I look forward to working towards a more fulfilled life.
Ryan Laverdiere
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years of experience. I have worked at a Community Mental Health Center and have worked with a wide range of clients with various concerns including depression, anxiety, stress management, and trauma. I am strengths focused and client centered. I have a solution focused approach and often incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) into my practice. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I want your experience to be focused on your specific needs and will tailor treatment to you as an individual. It takes courage and strength to work on yourself in order to achieve a happier and more fulfilling life. I want to help you build on this courage and strength and be able to identify ways you can use your individual skills in all aspects of your life.
Stephanie Santo
I am a licensed clinical social worker in Colorado with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
Sarah Sifran-McClellan
I am licensed in Oklahoma with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey. Services can be provided in English or Spanish.
Kathleen "Kathy" Wecher
I am licensed in Colorado with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & compassion fatigue. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
Zyra Guyon
I am licensed in Colorado with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
David Woodrum
I am licensed in Virginia, Colorado, Texas, and Nevada with over 20 years of combined professional experience in the mental health field (6 years of providing therapy). I have experience in a number of areas, and I'm focused on helping individuals with stress and anxiety, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! Need an after hours therapist? I have live session availability after 6pm EST with some available time on weekends and very early mornings (6am to 8am). I recognize the needs of full time folks who struggle with finding someone outside of the normal 9 to 5 hours. Education Background: 2009-2012- Masters of Social Work, Radford University 2007-2009- Bachelor of Science: Human Services, Old Dominion University
Amanda Mattila
I am licensed in Colorado with over 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, life transitions, self esteem and confidence, & career difficulties. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our sessions and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!
Diane Stapleton
I am licensed in Colorado with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I am semi-retired and conduct sessions Thursdays through Saturdays.
How to find a therapist for counseling in La Jara
Finding the best therapist close by in La Jara can feel challenging, but know that once you narrow your search for a counselor serving your area, you can find a therapist in your city that is accepting new clients and fits your goals. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, marriage, family issues, or other emotional challenges, feel proud that you have begun your search to find the mental health care services with therapists in La Jara that work best for you in order to begin your personal journey towards emotional healing with a therapist.
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist in La Jara. Perhaps you're interested in narrowing your search for a psychotherapist that can offer psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), talk therapy, provide group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy. Each type of support of this kind with BetterHelp therapists can offer various benefits and address or treat different disorders. If you're still unsure or are new to counseling in La Jara, feel free to contact the provider via email to find out which methods they practice.
It is also important to understand that mental health professionals in the United States are accredited to provide care, helping individuals and couples, with a variety of licenses for therapists. These include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinical psychologist or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, they are trained able to treat individuals and couples counseling, and sometimes children, in any type of therapy in the La Jara region and in the state of Colorado. Find a therapist under any of these distinctions and know that the sessions they offer can provide a safe place to heal.
A mental health counselor working through their own in-person therapy practice in La Jara or online may assist clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples counseling, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family therapy, or change in negative thinking patterns. A La Jara therapist may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment. Verified providers and therapists can provide licensed marriage and couples therapy, tailor to individual needs, and create a therapeutic relationship as a National Certified Counselor.
There are all kinds of therapists working with clients today across the United States and in the greater La Jara area offering:
- CBT
- DBT
- Substance use therapy
- Couples therapy
When you're ready to start your search keep in mind what support you'd like your provider to be most experienced with and choose an experienced provider with a practice located near you in the city of La Jara, elsewhere in Conejos, or in the greater state of Colorado. Get matched with one of the therapists working on the BetterHelp platform today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about therapists and mental health services
Some other commonly asked questions on therapy with a licensed counselor and BetterHelp serving the La Jara area can be found below:
How does the cost of in-person counseling with a therapist compare to the cost of BetterHelp with a licensed La Jara therapist?
The average price of an in-person therapy session in the US with most therapists is $100 to $200 per hour. These prices may be higher in La Jara due to a higher cost of living, and a limited number of therapists taking new clients. The price also depends on the type of provider you are looking for. See the following average prices for various mental health providers without insurance:
- Counseling with a psychiatrist: $150-$500
- Counseling with therapists: $100-300
- Therapy with a psychologist: $100
While many psychologists in La Jara may not take health insurance, some in the state of Colorado may work on a sliding scale, meaning they'll factor in your income and charge what you can afford per session. With a BetterHelp therapist throughout the state of Colorado you can expect significantly more affordable options, with therapists sessions ranging from $65 to $100 per week (billed every four weeks).
How is a licensed therapist on this La Jara online therapy platform verified?
Therapists in La Jara, Colorado working on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited as a doctor of psychology (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW / LICSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC). All of these psychology clinicians have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field of psychology sciences, and follow the APA Code of Ethics. Therapists have been qualified and certified by their state's professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training and practice with a patient, and extensive experience in a healthcare clinic or treatment centers, in order to become a mental health provider. While their lived experience, expertise, careers, and background vary, therapists here all possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience with adult and sometimes teen patients, and have the necessary therapist credentials to provide a safe space for long lasting emotional healing in therapy.
Please note BetterHelp does not offer or provide care from La Jara psychiatrists to prescribe a drug or medication as treatment, or perform psychological assessments and other psychiatric services.
How does working with a professional counselor in BetterHelp online therapy sessions work?
BetterHelp clinicians and therapists treat clients online across the United States (individuals and couples) through life transitions, inner child exploration, long term depression or anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, and more. An online mental health professional, including the therapists in La Jara above, can work with young adults, children, adolescents, and adults virtually as an accredited licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). You do not have to commute to a an office as a psychotherapy client.
Through BetterHelp therapy, you can partake in video, phone, or live chat therapy sessions with your licensed therapist. You can work through various symptoms, use the in app journaling feature, and receive worksheets. You'll also find support groups or group therapy helping individuals on topics including managing life transitions, symptoms affecting sexual health, behavioral health, coping skills for anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, marriage counseling, and more. Get matched today.
What mental health issues can psychotherapy address with the help of psychologists?
BetterHelp's verified therapists specialize and have clinical experience in a wide range of mental health issues and modalities, helping clients to feel better and improve their lives every day. See below for examples.
Our therapists specialties on BetterHelp include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy - This is provided by professional counselors, helping clients identify and change negative thought patterns through structured sessions.
- Behavior therapy - Behavior therapy techniques are used to help clients modify harmful behaviors and develop healthier habits, often through the guidance of a professional counselor.
- EMDR therapy - EMDR therapists assist clients in processing traumatic memories to alleviate emotional distress and improve overall well-being, utilizing the expertise of a professional counselor.
- Talk therapy - Clients explore their feelings and develop strategies for dealing with various mental health issues, often guided by a professional counselor.
- Depression - This counseling is designed to help individuals manage symptoms of depression and improve their mood and functioning, often working closely with a professional counselor.
- Anxiety disorders - Sessions for anxiety disorders, offer strategies to manage and reduce anxiety symptoms effectively, often through counseling sessions with a professional counselor.
- Stress - Tools and techniques to help clients cope with stress and improve their mental resilience, frequently under the supervision of a professional counselor.
- Eating disorders - Professionals experienced in eating disorders offer specialized counseling to address unhealthy eating patterns and body image issues, with the support of a professional counselor.
- Grief - Support and guidance are offered to clients experiencing grief, helping them navigate the stages of loss, often in collaboration with a counselor.
- Attachment therapy - Therapists use this to help clients understand and improve their emotional bonds and relationships, often with the assistance of a counselor.
- Relationships - Therapists work with clients to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their connections with others, often using the skills of a counselor.
- Children, adolescents, and teens - Therapists specializing in youth therapy address the unique mental health needs of children, adolescents, and teens, often involving a counselor in the process.
- Addiction (substance abuse) - Therapists offer counseling for addiction, helping clients overcome substance abuse and maintain long-term recovery, often under the guidance of a counselor.
- Divorce - Therapists support individuals through the emotional and practical challenges of ending a marriage, often working with a psychologist to provide comprehensive care.
- Trauma or PTSD - Therapists specializing in trauma and PTSD help clients process traumatic experiences and reduce their symptoms, frequently collaborating with a psychologist.
- Bipolar disorder - Therapists provide counseling to manage the mood swings and challenges associated with bipolar disorder, often in consultation with a psychologist.
- Psychodynamic treatment - Therapists use psychodynamic treatment to explore unconscious processes and how they affect current behavior, often guided by psychologists.
- Career counseling - Therapists assist clients in making informed decisions about their professional paths and resolving work-related issues, often with the help of psychologists.
- Alcohol use disorders - Therapists offer specialized counseling to help clients manage and overcome alcohol use disorders, frequently under the supervision of psychologists.
- OCD - Therapists provide strategies and support to manage obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, often via psychotherapy.
- ADHD - Therapists offer counseling to help clients with ADHD improve focus, organization, and overall functioning, often via psychotherapy.
- Mood disorders - Therapists work with clients to stabilize and improve mood through various therapeutic approaches, frequently in psychotherapy.
- Sex addiction
- Complex trauma
- Life transitions
You may also be struggling with relationship problems that could be addressed in couples therapy or with a sex therapist. In that case, you may choose to work with one of BetterHelp's experienced cognitive-behavioral therapists or licensed marriage family therapists (LMFT) who work with clients in relationships. You can also try a La Jara provider through BetterHelp's sister platform, ReGain, which is dedicated to couples and spouses worldwide with licensed therapists.
How do I know if online counseling is right for my family in La Jara?
One of the potentially rewarding aspects of working with a La Jara therapist is the validation and active listening they can provide. Your friends and loved ones may also be available to listen, but you may feel that they may lack the skills to provide objective guidance. Counselors and therapists are trained to respond to various concerns, symptoms, and mental health conditions.
Therapists in your city can support you toward a healthier emotional state, regardless of your mental health, life concerns, or healing needs. While supporting individuals in developing healthier habits, another good benefit of La Jara therapy is having an understanding, safe space with a non-judgmental party who can support you through challenging experiences.
Many people have sensitive topics that they may feel ashamed to discuss with their friends or partner. A La Jara therapist can help you confront these concerns and open up through unique methods of support. There are also many types of therapy, such as art therapy, where you may find you can express yourself through creativity instead of words with a psychotherapist.
With a lot of people in CO, therapists may be booked out with clients. Through the list of profiles or therapists above and others within BetterHelp's team, you may be able to find a psychologist within 24 to 48 hours. If you're searching to find a a nearby psychotherapist close to 81140 or the surrounding zip codes, consider others available through the BetterHelp site where you can schedule a session based on your and the therapist's schedule. No matter if you are seeking help from therapists in your area or beyond, online therapy can be a great option.
How should I prepare for my first therapy session with a La Jara counselor?
Before seeing your La Jara therapist, prep for your session by reading to understand the process. You might write a list of questions you want to ask your psychotherapist, any emotional pain you may feel, and the ways in which you hope to improve. When you attend your session, you can let our therapists know if you have any concerns or feel unsure about what to talk about. La Jara therapists here may help guide you with open-ended therapeutic questions while offering mental health services. The first session will often serve as an intake to get to know you as a person and learn why you're attending therapy.
Should I find a therapist or psychologist for therapy if I feel fine?
Some simply don't feel the need to see a psychologist. However, some people may avoid attending therapy due to stigma or preconceived notions of what it might entail. Although psychologists often support people with mental health conditions, you do not need a diagnosis or specific condition. You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general feedback. A La Jara licensed clinical social worker may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.
Gaining a new perspective on yourself through various therapies might allow you to improve your self-esteem, work through relationships, and gain a better sense of your mental health goals. The success you may find with a La Jara counselor can be dependent on your process.
People may also attend therapy for specific motives, such as bullying, an autism diagnosis, a desire to learn mindfulness meditation, personality concerns, trouble with office workers, specific phobias, and many other principles that a counselor can help with.
Is mental health care and therapy with a therapist worth it?
Therapy with a licensed counselor is effective and has the power to change individuals' lives. Each client is at a different stage of their emotional healing journey in life, as each human can be unique in their personality, expression, skills, and goals. A psychologist can target various symptoms, experiences, and personalities to help you feel your best and put you on the path to healing. Unlike advice from a friend, family, or non-professional, a mental health therapist has an understanding of various disorders like ADHD and depression with many hours of experience in treating adults in their practice. For this reason, seeing an evidence based psychologist in La Jara, Colorado can be worth it. Over 41 million adults in the US attend therapy services each year, showing it's a popular option and is proven to be effective.
La Jara has many clinicians who practice person or client-centered individual therapy in-person and through online sessions to assist clients in their healing journey. If you opt into online therapy, you might also be able to meet with providers all over the United States and change therapists easily at any time. Many people struggling with anxiety and depression, substance abuse, body image issues, and more find therapists that are a good fit for them, feel supported, and gain further insight into their lives through internet-based therapy.
Do therapists judge you in therapy sessions during telehealth appointments?
The boundaries between you and a therapist are in place to help you and them regarding ethical concerns. Mental health professionals are held by ethical standards through the American Psychological Association (APA) and are not allowed to judge or harm their clients. If you are concerned about sharing details about yourself, feel free to withhold personal information. Their job in the therapeutic relationship is to create a safe place, help you gain a deeper understanding of your mental health, and support you. You might consider changing counselors if you don't feel safe or respected.
Stay up to date with the leading online counseling platform for La Jara, Colorado
To stay up to date with BetterHelp's initiatives through their social channels, you can follow them on Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For mental health tips, check out the BetterHelp YouTube channel.
Take some time today to learn more about the team of La Jara therapists at BetterHelp to understand the services available to you clearly. If you are new to therapy or have any questions about the services and terms, please reach out to customer service through the contact page or send an email to contact@betterhelp.com.
If you’re ready to sign up for online therapy, consider signing up with a platform like BetterHelp and get matched within 24 to 48 hours.
If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use this site's online services. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community, please use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
- Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ Lifeline): (866)488-7386
- SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Use): (800)662-4357
- National Eating Disorder Association Helpline:1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST)
- Child Help Hotline: Call 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat feature
- National Anti-Hazing Hotline for young adults, adolescents, and adults: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
- Physician Crisis Support Line: Contact 1-888-409-0141 if you are a first responder or medical provider experiencing crises related to Covid-19
- Sexual Assault Hotline: Call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673
Below are some of the zip codes served by BetterHelp therapists in La Jara:
81140