Catherine’s Story

I am passionate about helping people heal their relationships with food, exercise, and their bodies which is why I became a counselor and founded Embrace Strength Counseling in 2011. I’ve always been curious about people’s stories and how we make meaning out of our experiences. As a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, I specialize in treating the full spectrum of eating disorders from a non diet and weight inclusive lens. I also specialize in working with anxiety, fertility and postpartum concerns, trauma, and perfectionism/self-worth. I’m a Colorado native who loves getting outside, reading, cooking, and spending time with my family. I have two incredible daughters and a goldendoodle named Willow, who’s also a certified therapy dog.

Growing up, I loved school and sports. I was perfectionistic and high achieving in both arenas and felt like no matter how hard I tried, it was never good enough. Eventually, I felt like I wasn’t good enough which contributed to my own struggle with an eating disorder, depression, and anxiety for many years. I am also a trauma survivor. My recovery journey began when I decided I couldn’t live the way I was living anymore because I was going to lose everything important to me. I sought out treatment and over time discovered an inner strength I didn’t realize I possessed. As a recovered professional, I strive to support others in finding their own recovery so they can get back to living their lives and doing what they enjoy.  

I earned my master’s degree in counseling from the University of Colorado Denver. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist. My approach to counseling is strengths-based and integrative. I utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. I served on the Board of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp), volunteered as President of the iaedp Denver Metro Chapter for four years, and taught master’s level counseling courses at the University of Colorado Denver. I’ve completed over 45 hours of advanced training in clinical supervision and provide clinical supervision and professional consultation services, in addition to counseling services.

Willow’s Story

Willow is a 6-year-old standard goldendoodle who’s been a part of Catherine’s family since she was a pup and earned her therapy dog certification in 2022. Willow loves coming to the office and providing comfort and love to anyone who wants her to!  She loves hugs and can be very grounding and soothing for clients in session. She can also lay quietly on her bed if you do not want to interact with her. It’s totally up to you! When she’s not at the office, she loves being outside, sleeping on her parent’s bed, playing with her sisters (Catherine’s 2 daughters), and going for walks and runs. She knows the following commands so feel free to use them with her (e.g. “Willow, sit”):

• “Come”
• “Sit”
• “Down”
• “Shake”
• “Make A Friend”
• “Off”
• “No Lick”
• “Place”

Reagan’s Story

Hi, my name is Reagan; my goal is to give you the space to heal and grow. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Denver in 2021. I started at Embrace Strength Counseling in 2020, joining as an intern during my final year of my Master’s program. Upon graduating from DU, I have continued my work full-time with ESC as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Colorado. I have specific interests in working with disordered eating patterns and other issues that often accompany anxiety, depression, self-worth, guilt, and the pressure of everyday life. In addition, I strive to examine with clients how our society, culture, and expectations impact mental health. I have extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults. Through this work, I saw how issues with a negative self-image and comparisons to others start early in life and can impact mental health long after.

I believe that treatment is a team effort and successful through trust and collaboration; for this reason, I gain additional insight through weekly supervision. Furthermore, I utilize Acceptance and Commitment techniques that emphasize the importance of values-guided living. Matching with ESC, I also believe in using the Health at Every Size philosophy to treat disordered eating. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Colorado, visiting with friends and family, painting, and baking. Most of all, I have a passion for learning and expanding my worldview. 

Kaitlyn’s Story

I am passionate about helping people create a life in which they feel heard, validated, and safe. I have always been curious about anxiety and depression, but it was not until graduate school that I discovered my love for working with victims of trauma, chronic illness, and eating disorders. Since joining Embrace Strength Counseling in 2020, I have also begun to specialize in the treatment of self-harm, generational trauma, tension myositis syndrome (TMS), and infertility/postpartum concerns.

As a kid, I was always playing a sport or involved with the performing arts despite facing numerous health problems. Everything became an ongoing attempt at perfection: graduating high school with a 4.0 GPA, joining a sorority in college, being the only female equipment manager in the SEC-East for a Division I Football team, going straight from undergraduate to grad school, and achieving licensure as soon as I could. When I stopped trying to hide behind my achievements, I started to create a life that gives me the flexibility to be imperfect. Achievements are wonderful and have brought me far, but they primarily served to hide the shame and trauma I was experiencing as a result of some of these accomplishments. My goal is to help my clients leave behind a life led by shame to build a life full of resilience, hope, and safety.

I graduated with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New Mexico State University and am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. I work from a relational and strengths-based perspective, with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MB-CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) integrated into my practice. When working with eating disorders/disordered eating, I use a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach as we work together to find new coping skills.

In my off hours, I am the proud dogmom to Maverick and Riley. You will find me cooking, baking, or crafting if I’m not out walking the pups. Thanks to my partner’s job in the Army, we get to explore new places in between whatever military life stressors pop up.

Eada’s Story

Hi, I’m Eada! My approach to therapy is honest, warm, and collaborative. I offer treatment for anxiety, depression, and trauma, but I specialize in working with body image and disordered eating. As a child of immigrants, I feel passionately about the intersections between eating disorders and marginalized identities. One of my greatest goals is to change the course of the eating disorder field and make treatment accessible to all. For this reason, I embrace Health at Every Size and anti-diet ideologies both personally and professionally.

I recently graduated with my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver after working in the mental health field for almost five years. I have experience working in a range of mental health settings including hospitals, schools, private practice, and all levels of eating disorder care. In working together, my goal is to provide you with a space where you can heal and feel connected. My work is rooted in humanistic psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Outside of counseling, I love to bake, write, watch reality TV, and spend as much time outside as possible.

Lisa’s Story

Do you feel like you’re “just stuck” in a pattern of unsatisfying relationships with your body, your food or your relationships? I’m glad you’re here. Sometimes it’s downright hard being a human, and seeking support is a courageous action to take. As a therapist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist-Supervisor, it is my honor to provide support, space and witnessing to your process of self-empowerment. I provide individual therapy to those struggling with eating disorders or eating disorder behaviors, personality disorders, identity struggles and mid/post-divorce support. I believe we all have an inner badass, and sometimes we just need support in accessing this. In my free time, you’ll find me on my motorcycle enjoying all of Colorado’s roads, cooking, and playing with my dog Potatoes.

I’ve been a psychotherapist since 2004 and specifically working with eating disorders since 2010. I have worked at all levels of eating disorder care and understand the complexity of treating this painful disorder. Using an integrative approach of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, I work with my clients to disengage from the traps of their disorders and build a satisfying life in accordance to their particular values. I also offer clinical, licensure and CEDS supervision to professionals. Being a guide on your path to mind/body wellness is my passion and I would be honored to join you in this process.