Therapists in Sterling, CO

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Colorado with 15 years of experience in providing direct mental health and behavioral counseling. I have worked with a diverse population of clients with varying diagnoses ranging from mood disorders, personality disorders, and thought disorders with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career and life challenges, anger management, and ADHD. I also helped many people through crisis management and with everyday stressors. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach is goal directed and client-centered. I provide a hands-on practical approach to problem solving through combined modalities of cognitive-behavioral, positive psychology, solution-focused, and rational-emotive behavioral counseling. We start where you are and work towards the goals you want to achieve. I look forward to working with you and guiding you in meeting your therapeutic goals.

I have been providing therapy/counseling in various settings for almost 30 years, most recently hospital-based psychiatric emergency crisis intervention. My areas of expertise include: crisis intervention; suicide risk assessment, prevention, and safety planning; general substance abuse treatment information in Colorado; parenting (human growth & development, infants to adolescents to adults); supervised and therapeutic visitation for non-custodial parents/guardians; family conflict (not to be confused with couples counseling); couples counseling; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for "big T" and "little t" trauma; CBT for depression & anxiety; milieu treatment of severe mental illness (affect disorders such as depression/bipolar; psychotic disorders/personality disorders; treatment compliance) for adults; solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT); culturally competent behavioral health services; psychopharmacology for therapists; women’s issues (reproductive rights, infertility, sexism, domestic violence/intimate partner violence); end-of-life decisions; grief and bereavement; and non-emergent crisis intervention. My therapeutic approach is simple & straightforward talk therapy, formally referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Something in your life is currently causing you distress and you want help, from a neutral source, finding ways to cope with and work through the issue(s) so it no longer interferes with your ability to live your best life. This type of therapy encompasses exploration of healthy boundaries, self-advocacy, effective communication and coping skills, goal-setting, and reduction of unwanted and unhealthy automatic thoughts (catastrophizing, hindsight bias). The therapeutic relationship that will occur between us consists of identifying the issue(s), mapping past responses & outcomes, separating what you can & can’t control, exploring your strengths, and developing a new plan to manage the problem(s). My job as a therapist is to empower you to develop insight and create your own solutions, not solve the problem for you. Once you’ve created & implemented your plan, I will provide support, encouragement, and reinforcement. In addition to CBT, I provide Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). SFBT concentrates on finding solutions in the present and exploring ways to find a quick and pragmatic resolution of one’s problem(s). This method takes the approach that you know what you need to do to improve your own life and, with the appropriate coaching and questioning, are capable of quickly finding the best solution(s). Another therapeutic modality I incorporate into CBT is motivational interviewing, which encourages clients to talk about their needs and stages of change, and talk about aspects of their personal history previously not considered relevant. I provide couples counseling using CBT and the framework of the Gottman Method. My role as a therapist is to evoke a conversation about change, commitment, and to elicit information from you. I listen and reflect your thoughts and personal history so that you can hear/see your own reasoning, motivation, and experiences expressed from someone other than yourself. Last, I incorporate psychoeducation and mindfulness within the other modalities I practice. Psychoeducation combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and education. The goal is to provide clients with facts about various facets of mental illness/wellness and its treatment, not pop culture distortions. This facilitates working with your therapist for a better overall outcome. I have an extensive library of resources designed to help you process and practice the issues we discuss in therapy in between sessions. Please know that I will correct misperceptions and misunderstandings about psychology, mental health, and human behavior. I don't do this to belittle my clients. I do this to educate. Pop culture and Dr. Google are anathema to me. The benefits of a trained, experienced therapist are objectivity, neutrality, expertise in models of human behavior, expertise in the neurobiology of trauma and attachment, and expertise in therapeutic modalities. In addition to my Colorado Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential, I am a Board Certified Nounselor, aka National Certified Counselor, "NCC", which means I completed a graduate program with the highest level of accreditation, passed the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) examination ("NCE"), and adhere to the rigorous ethics and principles of the NBCC as well as the American Counseling Association, established specifically for Licensed Professional Counselors across the United States. I completed training November 2022 to provide clinical supervision to new therapists pursuing licensure (LPCs only in Colorado). I completed 10 hours of training in the Neurobiology of Trauma through the National Institute of the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM) February 2023. This training will enhance my ability to provide therapy for people who are survivors of past and/or current trauma. I also completed seven hours of training January 2023 to provide culturally competent behavioral health services to Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Currently (2024), I've enrolled in and completed or am completing several hours of Continuing Education (CE)training: I provide weekly therapy and believe that clients need to continue their treatment in between sessions. With my extensive library of resources that include fact sheets; journals; workbooks; symptom trackers; guided mindful meditations; and worksheets, you can continue to work on therapy in between sessions. If, at any point in therapy, I determine that I lack the expertise to provide sufficient therapeutic assistance to you I will assist you in finding a therapist on Betterhelp who can better meet your needs. It is also not uncommon for clients & therapists to fail to make a therapeutic connection. It’s important for both of us to be forthcoming about this if it occurs. You also have the right to a second opinion and to discontinue services with me at any time. Please remember that therapy isn't a "get out of jail free" card. It can be hard work and often requires you to tap into emotions, memories, and behaviors that are difficult for you to process. I will be your advocate but will also be direct and forthright, which may include giving you feedback that may be difficult for you to hear and accept. I am an "informal" but direct therapist. Honesty is essential in a psychotherapeutic relationship. If our interactions aren't sincere and forthcoming you will not experience much benefit from therapy. I will ALWAYS encourage you to ask questions and express disagreement. I actually have a crystal ball, but it doesn't allow me to sneak a peak into your future or past. I'm also not a mind reader. I don't analyze my clients, although I often analyze situations--with them (you). Every human being is different. You must be willing to look inward and learn about yourself. Strength comes from within, as do the solutions to your problems. My job is to metaphorically walk by your side as you sort things out. In certain situations I will strongly recommend medication for you in addition to therapy (if you are not already taking medication). Some mental health problems are serious and require medication to reasonably manage the illness. I am a fierce mental health advocate. We all experience times in our lives that test our strength. There’s no weakness in acknowledging this and being proactive about seeking help. It takes a lot of strength to admit you’re struggling. Remember, your mental health is as important as your physical health. It's important for everyone to know that not all undesirable behavior is due to mental illness; in fact, most of it is not. Not believing, knowing, or understanding this fact perpetuates the stigma of mental illness. This dangerous misunderstanding or ignorance implies that all people who have a mental illness are poorly behaved and therefore inherently flawed, but nothing could be further from the truth. Having said that, mental illness does not excuse harmful behavior but it can explain the reason. I also know that the vast majority of people who have a chronic mental illness can and do have successful, fulfilling lives. As we increase awareness we improve treatment, erase the stigma, and create a world where mental health and wellness are embraced as a healthcare priority. I look forward to working with you. Thank you for taking the time to read this rather long introduction!

My name is Ashley A. Pechek. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado who has over 14 years of experience in a variety of counseling settings. I earned my Masters (MA) in Community Counseling in 2008 and my doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2018. I provide part-time counseling services to individuals, children, and families. In addition, I'm also a faculty member at an online counseling program. The counseling services that I offer include individual, children, and family counseling. I approach counseling from an integrative, Gestalt, client-centered manner to ensure quality care and personalization during the counseling process. I will also accommodate your specific needs, “meeting you where you are at” while encouraging you to be “the best you”. I use a variety of therapeutic techniques to include cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and trauma-informed care. It is important to me that my clients feel heard, validated, empowered. A strong therapeutic alliance will allow you to understand what you are experiencing, whether it is your first-time seeking counseling, or you have had previous experience in counseling. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

I am licensed in Colorado with 27 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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.

I am licensed in Colorado with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbt-related issues, family conflicts, & coping with grief and loss. 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in South Carolina with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. 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 licensed in Colorado, Nevada, and Maine with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! My counseling style is warm, interactive and nonjudgmental. I believe in treating you with respect, compassion, sensitivity and empathy. And while I am an expert on mental health and change, I believe that you are the expert on you! That is why I provide an environment for you to feel safe to explore your fears, concerns, struggles and deepest desires for creating the life that you want. I use a strength-based approach that combines mindfulness with cognitive-behavioral, trauma-sensitive, humanistic, solution-focused, and narrative modalities. I do not use 'cookie-cutter' approaches. Rather, I value my clients as individuals and meet them where they are in life, without judgment, working with them in their journey towards who they would like to be and free from the things that are weighing them down Most that seek therapy do not do so without cause. My goal is to quickly identify negative cycles and assist in addressing them so that they are no longer present. Therapy is not easy, it is hard work, but I believe that you are worth it!

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!

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. I am dually licensed in Colorado and utilize evidence-based interventions from a foundation of compassion and patience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma, and other mental health issues. I also work with couples to repair intimacy, improve communication, and strengthen their overall relationship with each other.

I am licensed in Colorado with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.