Denver Counseling Solutions

09/02/2025

Thoughts Vs. Feelings

08/28/2025

Small steps count. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but every moment you choose rest, honesty, or a boundary — you’re already doing the work.”

08/22/2025

Boundaries, expectations, rules, and standards may sound similar—but they serve very different purposes in relationships. Understanding the difference can help you build healthier connection

08/20/2025

Back-to-school season can bring up a mix of emotions—for both kids and parents.
Whether you’re a parent sending your child off, a teen heading into new challenges, or even a college student starting fresh—know that it’s okay to need extra support during transitions.

08/18/2025

08/05/2025

Ever hear your therapist talk about your window of tolerance? And thought what the heck is that?

The Window of Tolerance is a term used in trauma and mental health work to describe the zone where we feel most able to cope with life. When we’re inside this “window,” our nervous system is balanced—we can think clearly, manage emotions, and respond rather than react.

Why Does This Matter?

If you’ve experienced trauma, your window of tolerance may be narrower, meaning stress feels harder to manage. The good news? You can expand your window through grounding techniques, mindfulness, therapy, and self-compassion.

07/23/2025

Your triggers reflect your pain — but they also highlight what needs care, attention, and compassion. Healing isn’t about never being triggered again. It’s about learning to pause, get curious, and ask:

“What part of me is hurting right now?”

07/16/2025

Do you struggle to articulate the physical sensations you experience when feeling overwhelmed?
The Sensation Wheel offers a solution. Unlike the emotion wheel, which focuses on emotional identification, the sensation wheel helps pinpoint physical sensations: tightness in the chest, buzzing shoulders, or feelings of heaviness, shakiness, tingling, or numbness. When we're dysregulated, our bodies often respond before our minds do. Developing awareness of physical sensations is crucial for building body awareness and regulation, essential skills for trauma recovery, emotional processing, and grounding. What's the significance of this? By acknowledging and addressing physical sensations, you can better understand and care for yourself. Take a moment to pause, scan your body, and utilize the Sensation Wheel to identify your physical sensations without judgment.

06/19/2025

Co-regulation is the nervous system phenomenon that occurs when one person's calm demeanor helps another person feel secure, grounded, and regulated. It's not just for children—it’s for all individuals. In moments of stress, overwhelm, or shutdown, our brains actually borrow regulation from those around us. Examples of co-regulation include: A therapist helping a client feel calm through steady voice and attunement. A parent rocking a distressed child while breathing slowly. A friend offering warm eye contact and saying, “I’m here with you.” Even a validating text or a shared laugh can regulate the nervous system. Why it matters: Trauma, anxiety, and stress often disconnect us from our bodies and emotions. Co-regulation reminds us: You don’t have to do it all alone. Connection is the first step toward healing. Regulating with others teaches our brain what safety feels like. 🌿 🧸 🤝 💬

06/12/2025

June is PTSD Awareness Month — a time to shed light on the real, often invisible impact of trauma.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please know: healing is possible.
Support, therapy, and compassionate connection make a difference.

06/05/2025

Not All Therapy Looks the Same — And That’s a Good Thing”

Think all therapists do the same thing?
Think again. 👀🛋️

Just like every person heals differently, every therapist brings a unique approach to the table.

💬 Some focus on deep emotional processing.
📚 Some are more skills-based and structured.
🌱 Some are insight-oriented, while others are body-focused or parts-based.
🌀 Some dive into trauma right away. Others focus on stabilization first.

👉 EMDR. CBT. DBT. IFS. Somatic work. Attachment repair. Mindfulness. Narrative therapy. The list goes on.

What matters most is fit — do you feel safe, seen, and supported with your therapist? That’s the foundation for any healing.

If you’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t feel right, it doesn’t mean therapy isn’t for you — it might mean the approach wasn’t the right one.

You’re allowed to find someone who speaks your nervous system’s language.

05/22/2025

Do you often feel anxious in anticipation of events? This phenomenon is known as anticipatory anxiety, where your brain preemptively predicts danger. It is essential to recognize that this type of anxiety does not indicate weakness. Instead, it reflects your nervous system's heightened state of alertness, particularly if you have experienced trauma. In such cases, uncertainty may evoke anxiety, despite logical reassurances of safety.