People House

04/10/2026

04/10/2026

Thanks to all who participated, we truly have a wonderful community!

04/09/2026

Say hello to this week's highlighted Core Practitioner, Connie Lucy, LPC!

I believe counseling provides a safe space to work through challenges, facilitate healing and promote growth. There are times when we experience trauma, life transitions, loss, and have difficulty coping. I will support you in living a more harmonious, self-aware and satisfying life. Healing begins with awareness of your thoughts, feelings and emotions and healing is possible in the context of safe and supportive relationships. It is my intention to create an environment that is empathetic and compassionate as you work through challenges now, but also to teach you ways to work with difficult thoughts and feelings in your future. I am experienced working with childhood developmental trauma such as neglect or dysfunctional families. I would like to help you explore and identify your strengths, your challenges, build confidence, and embrace yourself fully. I specialize in attuning to your inner guide as we explore the losses, the traumas, and the wounds that are ready to heal. My approach is supportive, compassionate and wholistic. You bring all of you; joys and sorrows, strengths and challenges, just as you are. I bring all of me, deep listening, grounded intuition, counseling theory and tools. I respect the bravery it takes to seek counseling and the willingness for self growth. I would be honored to participate in your process.

📞 720-372-6059✉ conniealuce@gmail.com

04/08/2026

S*x Therapy: What it is, What it isn’t, and What to know before starting || By TJ Dubovich, MA, MFTC

What S*x Therapy Is
S*x therapy is a specialized form of talk therapy that focuses on s*xual health, intimacy, and relationship dynamics. It’s grounded in psychology, communication, and evidence-based techniques—not performance or physical demonstrations (American Association of S*xuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists – AASECT),

A s*x therapist helps individuals and couples explore concerns such as:

Low or mismatched desire
Difficulty with arousal or or**sm
Pain during s*x
Performance anxiety
Emotional or psychological barriers to intimacy
Relationship or communication challenges related to s*x (International Society for S*xual Medicine)
Sessions typically involve conversation, reflection, and sometimes structured exercises to try outside of therapy. The goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can better understand your body, your mind, and your relationships.

What S*x Therapy Isn’t
Let’s clear up some common misconceptions:

It’s not physical or hands-on.
S*x therapy does not involve any s*xual activity during sessions (American Psychological Association; Mayo Clinic).
It’s not only for couples in crisis.
Individuals, single folks, and people in healthy relationships can all benefit.
It’s not about “fixing” you.
There’s no single definition of “normal” when it comes to s*xuality. Therapy focuses on understanding, not judging.
It’s not just about s*x.
Often, deeper emotional, relational, or psychological factors are at play.
People come to s*x therapy for many different reasons—and not all of them are obvious. Some are struggling with something specific, like anxiety or pain. Others feel disconnected from their partner or their own sense of desire. Some are simply curious and want to deepen intimacy or explore their s*xuality in a healthy way. Research suggests that s*xual desire and arousal are influenced by complex emotional and contextual factors, not just physical ones (Nagoski, 2015; Basson, 2001). A common thread? Something feels off, confusing, or unsatisfying—and they want clarity and change.

What to Expect in Your First Sessions
Starting s*x therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you’re not used to talking openly about intimacy.

In the beginning, you can expect:

Questions about your history, relationships, and concerns
A chance to define your goals
Open, respectful conversations at your pace
Zero pressure to share more than you’re comfortable with
Your therapist may also introduce small exercises or communication tools to help you and/or your partner build awareness and connection over time. Healthy communication is strongly linked to relationship and s*xual satisfaction, making it a core focus in therapy (Gottman, 1999).

What to Know Before You Start
You Don’t Need to Have a “Big Problem”
You don’t have to wait until something feels broken. Many people start therapy to improve, not repair.
It Might Feel Awkward at First
Talking about s*x openly can feel unfamiliar—but that discomfort usually fades quickly in a supportive environment.
Progress Takes Time
Like any therapy, meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. Patience and consistency matter.
Communication Is Key
Whether you’re going alone or with a partner, being honest (even when it’s hard) is essential.
The Right Therapist Matters
Feeling safe and understood is crucial. It’s okay to ask questions, explore options, or switch therapists if needed. Certified professionals follow strict ethical guidelines to ensure client safety and professionalism (AASECT).

S*x therapy isn’t just about improving what happens in the bedroom. It’s about understanding yourself more deeply—your needs, your boundaries, your patterns, and your capacity for connection. At its core, it’s not really about s*x. It’s about intimacy, communication, and feeling more at home in your own body and relationships.

References:

American Association of S*xuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. (n.d.). About s*x therapy. https://www.aasect.org

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Understanding psychotherapy and ethics. https://www.apa.org

Basson, R. (2001). The female s*xual response: A different model. Journal of S*x & Marital Therapy, 27(1), 51–65.

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). S*x therapy overview. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/s*x-therapy

Gottman, J. M. (1999). The seven principles for making marriage work. Crown Publishing.

International Society for S*xual Medicine. (n.d.). S*xual health topics. https://www.issm.info

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). S*xual health and therapy. https://www.mayoclinic.org

Nagoski, E. (2015). Come as you are: The surprising new science that will transform your s*x
life. Simon & Schuster.

National Health Service. (n.d.). S*xual health and wellbeing. https://www.nhs.uk

About the Author: TJ Dubovich is a q***r relationship therapist in the Denver metro who specializes in working with s*xual issues, couples & poly dynamics and individuals of the LGBTQ community. He is passionate about meeting clients as their full selves and utilizing collaboration to seek positive outcomes. For more information on him & his practice, visit: www.healgrowcolorado.com

04/04/2026

ACP SUPERVISOR SPOTLIGHT featuring: Kristen Griego, LPC!

I earned a Bachelor’s degree from Metro State University of Denver with a primary focus in Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regis University. I’ve received post-grad certifications in Mindfulness and am a Certified Trauma Specialist, utilizing an integrative approach with Brainspotting. I’m also an Approved Clinical Supervisor.

As a Colorado native, spending time outdoors is a must. During the summer, you can find me camping, boating, hiking, and adventuring with my family.

Being creative through culinary endeavors is a passion of mine. Discovering new cuisine and traveling is a way I enjoy creating tradition within my family.

It’s important to create habits that keep me physically and mentally active. Physical activities are the best way to clear my head and gain some extra endorphins.

For me, continuously learning is imperative, so I can increase awareness and remain at my best for you.

kristen@empathicsoultherapy.com
(720) 235-8582

04/03/2026

Issues in the tissues!

04/02/2026

Say hello to this week's highlighted Core Practitioner, Carema Cook-Masaud, MA, LPC, EFT Couple Counselor!

I skillfully counsel couples helping you repair your relationship and build the intimate connection you long for. I also caringly counsel adults to ease the effects of depression, anxiety, grief and trauma so that you may create the life you desire. Affordable fee range offered.

Using Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, I skillfully provide affordable counseling for couples seeking to repair their relationship and build the intimate connection they long for. Flexible fee range offered. 720.480.6633 centerforcompassion.com

I have an office in northwest Denver at the Conflict Center. My fees are on a sliding scale.

Please ask me about my workshops:
Compassionate Couples using ideas from the book “Hold Me Tight” and “Love Sense” by Sue Johnson. The weekend workshops are offered at the People House Denver in August, November and March.

Parenting Teens: Compassionate Connections using ideas from “Brainstorm” by Daniel Siegel and “Non-Violent Communication” by Marshall Rosenberg. The weekend workshops are offered at The Conflict Center Denver in January, May and September. AEDP Adult Therapist

Phone:720-480-6633

04/01/2026

"Diversity: the art of thinking independently together." - Malcolm Forbes

03/31/2026

Nervous System Care: A Simple Way to Come Back to Yourself || By Bre Smith, LPCC

The moments we need support the most are often the moments we forget what actually helps.

A big part of both my personal self-care and my clinical work with clients in my private practice, Wild Alchemy Counseling, is nervous system care. This is what I want to explore today. We all need this kind of self-care now more than ever.

Before I start, I want to clarify something that I see confusion around often. A regulated nervous system does not mean one is always calm and collected. I define a regulated nervous system as one that responds to reality. A regulated nervous system is flexible enough to move in and out of the stress response state and the rest and digest state.

I want to talk about how to check in with our nervous system state. When I teach clients and students how to check in with their nervous system, I always start with the breath and the heartbeat. Just note the data.

I like to start with my breath. First, I note how the breath is showing up. Is the breath shallow and tight in the upper chest? Is the breath hard to feel at all? Does the breath feel normal and steady?

Next, I check-in with my heartbeat. Does my heartbeat feel like it’s going to pump right out of my chest? Does my heartbeat feel fast? Does my heartbeat feel regular and steady? Can I even feel my heartbeat?

Again, this is all information to collect and note. There is no right or wrong way for your nervous system to show up. This is a way to tap into the intelligence of our body and nervous system.

No matter how your nervous system is showing up, you can do this simple exercise to ground yourself. I like to put one hand on my chest and one hand on my belly. This way I can feel my body moving with my breath. This also helps hold my attention. Next, I like to take a really big inhale through my nose (mouth is fine too). I try to fill my lungs with air as much as I can. Maybe even trying another sip of air. Then I hold for a moment or two. Finally, I exhale and try to push the air out of my lungs and mouth. Sometimes making an audible sighing noise or pushing air out of my mouth—long and slow. I like to do this three times in a row or as many times as feels helpful in that moment.

Funny enough, often when I need this the most I forget about it! I have found that the more I practice this with the everyday or smaller stresses of life the more I am able to access this when I am highly activated.

May your body lead you home to yourself.

About the Author: Bre Smith (she/they) is a mental health counselor, educator, artist, and writer with a background in psychology and community-based care. Their work centers on trauma-informed, somatic, and ecofeminist approaches to healing, with a focus on nervous system regulation, identity, and relational well-being. Through their writing, Breezy aims to demystify mental health and support more humane, accessible approaches to healing—both inside and outside the therapy room.