Services & Resources
Individual Couples & Group Work
Alcohol
Already recognized as problematic, the consumption of alcohol in the United States increased precipitously during the pandemic. Isolation, loneliness, and fear were magnified in a time of great uncertainty and, at least in Colorado, the decision that delivery of alcohol was an essential service, proved devastating to many. For those struggling prior to the pandemic, social connection and other means to cope, became suddenly unavailable and contributed to exacerbation which proved fatal for many. For some it was the trigger to fall into full blown addiction.
Once addiction has a grip on the brain it can be extraordinarily difficult to escape. Science has a much better understanding for what is happening in the brain and sometimes it can be helpful to know exactly what you are fighting. Increasingly depressed, anxious, and miserable, it seems impossible that it could ever change. But it can.
Group and individual therapy can help you understand, the first steps after detoxification. Therapy can help you build a life that you want to be a part of, and figure out your best ways to protect that.
Do you need inpatient detoxification before engaging therapy? If you have severe alcohol use disorder you do. Read my blog to learn more. There are lots of options to find life.
Depression
Depression can be inherited or developed over time with experiences of trauma, some of which you may not even recognize. This is important because sometimes therapy, sometimes medication, or both, are more effective, depending on where your depression stems from. It is particularly important to recognize and treat postpartum depression, whether or not you choose medication.
Sometimes advice from friends, and things like exercise or meditation can be enough to help. But sometimes it isn't which can feel demoralizing and hopeless. But depth-oriented psychotherapy, identifying those thoughts typically associated with depression and where some of your thinking originates, can be both surprising and very helpful. And sometimes medication, temporary or otherwise, may make a world of difference.
Informational links to trauma informed care and postpartum mood disorders below:
Anxiety
A certain amount of anxiety is completely normal. It serves to both motivate and protect us when functioning properly. But when anxiety is chronic, seems to exceed the circumstances, keeps you awake at night on a regular basis, prevents you from doing things you would otherwise like to do, it interferes with your best life. And there is a different way. Identifying origins, exploring coping skills, and sometimes the addition of medication, can all be helpful. Anxiety can be exacerbated in the post partum period, sometimes presenting with painful intrusive thoughts, and anxiety can be severe. Psychotherapy, sometimes with the addition of non-addictive medication, can be helpful. Let's explore what might work best for you and your circumstances.
Apps for anxiety and insomnia (free & subscription):
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Insight Timer
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CBT-i Coach
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Sanvello
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Headspace
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Calm
Conflict
Conflict in relationship is normal, at home, with friends and family, and at work. Sometimes it can lead to people becoming closer with a better understanding for each other. But this can depend on how, or if, disagreements are resolved. Stress can impact our ability to understand what someone is conveying to us and negatively color what we hear. This can lead to misunderstanding with impacts which are not always intended. Or, sometimes words are said in anger and it is challenging to repair the damage. Improving a capacity to navigate conflict can positively alter our engagement with communities and family.
Link for couples/intimacy/resources/blog/podcast