Hello!

My name is Shana Dobson (she/they), MA LPC. I'm a licensed professional counselor who provides mental health counseling for clients in Colorado.

I’m so proud of you for taking this step in your journey to seeking mental peace. I look forward to helping you heal and process whatever is holding you back from living a life you love. I consider it to be an honor to have the opportunity to partner with you in the therapy journey that will help you build a life filled with love, warmth, and peace. Whoever you are, inside and out, I am here for you!

Book an Appointment with Me!

Phone

Call or Text: (720) 583-4355

Email

sdobson@hertimetherapy.com

Telehealth Link

Simple Practice - Link sent via email for before appointment

Rates

Out-of Pocket: $125-$175

Insurance Accepted:

Medicaid, Aetna

My Approach to Therapy:

My approach to therapy centers around you feeling understood, accepted, and supported. As a person and as a professional athlete, I have struggled with the challenges of mental health and use my personal and professional experience to empathize and validate your struggles. I am here to hold your hand virtually and be an ear when you need to feel heard, a guide when you need support and a community when you need relief and understanding. Together, we can process and build tools for you to feel peace.

To better support my clients on their healing journey, I've completed continuing education courses and specialty training in Family Studies and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I work with populations that have been involved in the justice system, underserved communities, LGBTQIA+, children and families, and all needing support.

My Ideal Client:

My passion is working with athletes, individuals in high-stress professions, marginalized communities, and children and families to process personal and systemic pressures. I particularly enjoy supporting individuals facing systemic issues such as racism and gender-based oppression who struggle with anxiety, trauma, and ruminating thoughts. Through mindfulness practices, I help clients find joy in the present and develop resilience against external pressures.

Due to my experience as a former professional athlete, I understand the unique challenges that athletes face, both on and off the field. Engaging in athletics can be physically, emotionally, and mentally rewarding but also taxing, often leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. I connect with clients on a deeper level, offering support in overcoming performance anxiety, maintaining healthy habits, and teaching techniques to foster positive thinking patterns. I help athletes enhance their performance, reduce anxiety, and achieve a balanced and fulfilling athletic career at all levels.

If you're struggling, I would love the opportunity to support you in establishing peace, balance, safety, and success in your life.

The Concerns I Specialize in Treating:

Counseling for Anxiety

Those of us struggling with generalized anxiety tend to exhibit excessive and uncontrollable worry about daily life, especially the future. If you're experiencing generalized anxiety, you might worry excessively about minor matters, such as being late for an appointment or not enjoying a movie you've decided to see. You may focus your worries on specific aspects of your life, such as health, relationships, work, school, or performance. Additionally, you might struggle with perfectionism and find it difficult to accept the inevitable uncertainties in life. I can help you identify your anxious thoughts, help you understand your response to them, and teach you ways to manage anxiety, such as mindfulness, meditation, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and grounding practices designed to deactivate the sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight) and activate the part of the nervous system that promotes relaxation and calm.

Counseling for Depression

Living with depression can profoundly impact your daily life, affecting your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. It's more than just feeling sad—it can lead to feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. These symptoms can make it challenging to function at work, in relationships, and in everyday tasks. Are you experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness? Do you find it difficult to find pleasure in activities that used to bring you joy? Depression can feel isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. Together, we will work on rebuilding hope, restoring balance, and improving your overall quality of life.

Counseling for Chronic Stress & Burnout

Stress can become chronic due to work pressures, relationship challenges, financial concerns, athletic demands, or life transitions, and its symptoms can manifest in various ways—physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you’re finding it difficult to cope with the demands of daily life or find that stress is affecting your ability to enjoy activities, relationships, or even impacting your physical health, it may be time to seek support. Addressing stress can prevent it from escalating and causing further strain.

Counseling for Life Transitions

If you're dealing with a major life transition, like moving from high school to college, changing jobs, or moving to a different location, you might feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or anxious about the future. These changes can disrupt your sense of stability, making it difficult to adapt and move forward. I can help you navigate these transitions by providing support and guidance tailored to your unique situation. Together, we will explore strategies to build resilience, find clarity, and enhance your emotional well-being.

Counseling for ADHD & Neurodivergence

There are many unique challenges that come with living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), including difficulties with focus, organization, and impulsivity. You might find it hard to stay organized, complete tasks on time, or maintain attention on tasks or conversations. You may also struggle with restlessness and impulsive behaviors that can disrupt your daily routine and relationships. Additionally, managing multiple responsibilities and maintaining consistent performance in work or school can be particularly arduous. Together, we can work on cultivating an understanding of your symptoms and developing practical strategies to manage them.

Counseling for Athletes

Counseling for athletes offers specialized support to help navigate the unique challenges faced both on and off the field. Engaging in athletics can be physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing, often leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. With the expertise of a counselor who has experience as a former professional athlete, clients receive guidance tailored to the demands of athletic life. This service addresses performance anxiety, promotes healthy habits around rest and nutrition, and utilizes sports psychology techniques to foster positive thinking patterns that can help bring out your best in competition. Counseling for athletes enhances performance, reduces anxiety, and helps individuals achieve a balanced and fulfilling athletic career.

My Story:

My desire to help individuals have their best experience in this life led me to become a counselor. I feel that our mind and heart are just as important and are directly connected with all other physical parts of our body and that they require love, support, and care as well.

I am a former professional mixed martial artist who loves incorporating the mental and spiritual aspects of the sport into my therapeutic process. When I'm not in a therapy session, I love reading, listening to music, practicing mindfulness, spending quality time with my family/community/dog, and engaging in all things exercise. I am from Maryland, so I know all about snow (and the seasonal depression that comes from cold weather) and can help support Colorado natives and transplants year-round! What makes me ME is that I am here to support and care about you. I am here to give you a fulfilling and safe therapeutic experience that is creative, real, and individualized for you.

Education & Professional Training

2018 - 2021

Master of Arts, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of West Alabama, 4.0 GPA

2015

Physical Education Educator Certification

2013

Texas Teachers Elementary Education Teaching Certification

2007 - 2012

Bachelor of Arts, Family Studies, Human Services to Youth and Children
Towson University

2007 - 2010

Special Education Competitive Dual Major Program, Elementary
Towson University

My Blog Posts:

Coming Soon!