Being in therapy doesn’t mean there’s something “wrong with you.” Forget all the Hollywood depictions too…they’re mostly laughably wrong. Good therapy looks and feels like a conversation with a purpose. It simply means you are focused on self-understanding and personal growth. Individual therapy is a process where a counselor helps you look at how you perceive the world around you, and works collaboratively with you to strategize on how to make best make forward progress in your life.

We will discuss at a high level what is prompting you to consider therapy. This is also a good opportunity for you to ask any additional questions that you may have. At the end of the consultation, we will talk about next steps if you’re ready to get started. If you want some time to think about it or visit with other potential therapists, that is fine too.

In our first session, you’ll discover a warm and supportive environment that is entirely focused on helping you feel better and on achieving your goals. I have a friendly, non-judgmental, and conversational approach. If difficult emotions arise, we’ll work through them together, figure out what they are trying to tell you, and discuss ways we can reduce their intensity. Dr. David Martin, an author and Professor of Psychology, explains therapy this way: “Your job is to explore whatever is on your mind.  It doesn’t have to all fit together before you say it - just explore.  And my job is to help you do that exploring.  We will discover things about you and your life that you didn’t know before; as we talk, your feelings will change; and you will figure out new solutions.”

My Denver office is located at 1127 Auraria Parkway in Suite 201B. The office is just east of I-25 at the corner of Speer Boulevard and Auraria Parkway. Free parking is available. If you prefer a virtual session online to save yourself the drive, I’m happy to provide that as well.

Counseling conversations are confidential. Any stored information is HIPAA-compliant and legally protected. That said, there are important exceptions to this confidentiality that are required by law: Suspected child or elder abuse, or when a client intends to harm himself or herself, or another person. In these instances, a therapist is required to take action to ensure safety. Further, a court subpoena may also require that information be disclosed. These legal and ethical exceptions aside, please know that confidentiality is key to the counseling process. Your privacy is a paramount concern, always.

There is no one-size-fits-all time frame when working on personal growth. Depending on the issues that you are wanting to work on and the personal changes you desire, therapy can last from a few sessions to much longer. Some find therapy to be extremely beneficial and choose to make it a long-term process. It’s likely that what you're facing didn’t develop overnight and neither will the solution. Together, we’ll work out a plan that makes sense for you as we move forward.

Once a week sessions are the standard for individual counseling, especially if we’re just getting started. As treatment progresses, we may decide together to reduce the frequency of your sessions. You are also welcome to seek more frequent sessions if you feel you are in crisis or want greater insight.

I am not a psychiatrist and therefore do not prescribe medication. However, sometimes medication can be valuable in combination with psychotherapy. If that’s the case for you, I’ll be happy to assist you in determining how to best proceed in getting established with a prescriber.

Please provide at least 24 hours advance notice if you need to cancel your appointment. Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice requires payment in full. If your day isn’t going as planned and you are unable to attend your session in person, you can always do it via phone or video.

I do not accept insurance plans, Medicare, or Medicaid. Therapy sessions may be covered by a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you have one through your place of employment.

Depending on your current health insurance provider or employee benefit plan, it is possible for services to be covered in full or in part. I can provide you with a “superbill” document which you may then use to file a claim to get reimbursed directly by your insurance provider. Please contact your provider to verify how your plan compensates you for psychotherapy services.

I’d recommend asking these questions to your insurance provider to help determine your benefits:

What kind of mental health benefits does my health insurance provide?

Do I have a co-payment or co-insurance for psychotherapy services? How much per session?

How much is my deductible and have I met it yet? Also, does my plan limit how many sessions per calendar year I can have?

Do I need a written referral from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?

Mental health benefits within health insurance plans can be complex and you should take the time to understand what, if any, benefits you have. Also, be aware that use of these benefits may require that a mental health diagnosis be made.

There are many reasons why people choose to work on themselves through therapy. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Getting unstuck from depression or anxiety, working through the emotions of a traumatic experience, challenging negative patterns, or learning new coping techniques are all things with which my clients want help.

Reaching out and calling a therapist isn’t easy. I’ve been there and believe me, I know that “unsure” feeling all too well. So maybe this will help to get you started: Therapy always begins with a story.  You’ll tell me your story about why you decided to schedule time with me. From there, we simply explore what your experience in the world has been so far. My job is to listen, ask questions, and look for patterns, blind spots, and discrepancies that can help you move forward. In a very short time, you’ll likely find that counseling is just like having a conversation. Many of my clients end up looking forward to the time spent in therapy because they are with someone who is working hard to understand and help them move forward.

If you have questions not covered here, please call Mike Garrison at 720-574-1800 or fill out the “Contact” form on this website.