PRIVATE PSYCHOTHERAPY

Girls & Teens with Gender Expansive Identities

ATTENTION!

I’m back at work so I am currently accepting new clients virtually in Colorado and Texas!
I work in person in Fort Collins, CO.

I am so happy you are seeking support for your teen. I understand the worry you may feel because your teen is struggling. I’ve been there with my kids!

The teenage years can bring a mix of stress and joy, and most teens face challenges like peer pressure, the pressure to fit in, loneliness, shame, rejection, societal judgment, and more. These issues lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, self-judgment, depression, lack of confidence, suicidal ideation, and even harmful coping mechanisms like self-harm or disordered eating.

I also understand what this can do to your mental health and the health of your family and their siblings. The struggle is real and you may feel hopeless and overwhelmed at times but there is help available to all of you. You don’t have to go through this alone.

I believe in seeking support when issues arise or as soon as your teen is brave enough to share them with you. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes, especially for trauma. It’s crucial to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for healing. Even if you have a strong relationship with your teen, sometimes outside support is necessary. Remember, seeking outside support doesn’t make you a failure as a parent—it means your teen needs more help than you’re able to offer right now. The sooner healing begins, the less likely your teen will continue to carry the weight of their issues into adulthood. 

Please consider private psychotherapy with me to support your teen. I create a safe environment for healing, where your teen’s voice is heard and valued. I also encourage open communication between you and your teen, within safe boundaries and with permission from your teen.

Private psychotherapy offers focused, one-on-one attention for deeply rooted or specific issues that may not be addressed in a group setting. I work with cisgender and transgender girls, gender-expansive teenagers aged 13 and up, as well as young women, moms, parents with gender-expansive identities, and parents of teens with eating disorders or disordered eating. Visit dawnkgibson.com for more information.

Areas of Experience:

  • Complex Trauma
  • PTSD 
  • Anxiety and Nervous System Dysregulation/Regulation
  • Disordered Eating
  • Body Image
  • Body Dysmorphia
  • Body Shame and Liberation
  • Gender Identity and Dysphoria
  • Transgender support (identity, transitioning, and more)
  • LGBTQIA+ Support + Exploration
  • Forced Relocation Due to Anti-Trans Laws
  • Understanding + Embracing Neurodivergence
  • Impact of Anti-Trans Legislation on Mental Health
  • Pressures Related to Being a Competitive Athlete
  • Low Self-Esteem
  • Stress and Overwhelm
  • Family Issues
  • School Issues
  • Friendship Issues
  • Depression
  • Self-harm
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Sexual Harassment/Assault
  • Perfectionism
  • Preparing to Transition Out of High School
  • Adjusting to Life After High School, Freshman Year of College, and More…

Therapeutic Approaches

Although my work is individualized for each client, I am “trauma-informed” AND trauma-trained and I have extensive professional experience in treating trauma.

In my therapy practice, I’m not a “purist” in terms of the modalities I use.
I combine approaches when working with clients and it may look different for each client.

I utilize the following modalities and approaches (as well as others):  

Learn More
  • Relational Therapy Relationships and our interactions with others shape us so these are important to explore. The therapeutic relationship is the most important part of the therapeutic process. I work collaboratively with clients. Relationships with my clients matter to me and help create a felt sense of safety.
  • Somatic/Body-Centered Therapy explores how the body holds and expresses painful past experiences and uses the mind-body approach to healing. Somatic therapy is very effective in treating trauma since trauma is remembered more in body sensations and feelings, however, not all clients feel safe in their bodies when they start therapy. It may take time to engage. You will never be pressured to engage in this modality if it doesn’t resonate.
  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a type of body-centered talk therapy that emphasizes building resources to help regulate affect. It incorporates body sensations and talk therapy.
  • Attachment-Based Therapy explores and aims to resolve past traumas and attachment wounds that stem from childhood.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy addresses the client’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Somatic therapy combined with CBT is very effective. CBT alone only addresses surface issues and behavioral changes.
  • Motivational Interviewing helps clients find motivation to make behavioral changes through a client-centered approach.
  • Psychodynamic Approach explains personality in terms of how childhood experiences are crucial in shaping adult personality and helps clients find patterns in emotions, thoughts and behavior to gain insight into their current self.
  • Narrative Therapy centers clients as the experts in their lives and engages storytelling and awareness through client stories.
  • Mindfulness learning to live in the present, being more intentional and aware of emotions and in your life.
  • Meditation means maintaining a moment-to-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle and nurturing lens.
  • Movement may include yoga postures, mindful walks, dance, shaking, and more.
  • Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping)–uses pressure points on the body and calms the nervous system.
  • Energy Psychology focuses on the relationship between bioenergy systems, neuro and electro-physiological processes, and mental functions involving thoughts, emotions, sensations, and behavior. I am also trained in energy work.
  • Psychoeducation may encompass various topics, including Polyvagal Theory, to help clients and families understand client issues, nervous system regulation, and how to support them.

I address the pain and struggles my clients are experiencing as I focus on strengths to help them see their value and what’s possible on the other side of pain.

I approach my work from an anti-oppressive, equitable, social justice, anti-racism, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ affirming, feminist, anti-diet, body, and fat liberation perspective. Discrimination is not tolerated, and I am committed to ongoing personal and professional growth.

Rate

 

I do not accept insurance, but you may be able to use out-of-network benefits. You must confirm this with your insurance company. I will provide a superbill to you upon request.

45-minute private session rate: $165

I commit to keeping a percentage of sliding-scale openings for clients who are part of oppressed and marginalized communities and/or who struggle with their basic needs (paying bills).
If needed, please reach out to see if I have space for sliding-scale clients.

Payment is accepted in the form of cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards, or HSA cards (via a HIPAA-compliant app called Ivy Pay).

Contact Dawn K. Gibson, LCSW for a free 20-minute phone consultation to determine fit. If we choose to move forward, the next step is to schedule our initial appt. 

If we choose to not work together, then I will do my best to find referrals for you upon request.
What’s most important is that you access the help needed, no matter who you choose as your therapist!

Location

In-person sessions: South Howes Street in Fort Collins, CO.
Virtual sessions: Clients anywhere in TX or CO. I use Sessions Health EHR. You do not need an app, just the appointment link. 

Online sessions are just as effective as in-person psychotherapy sessions as long as your teen has a safe and private place to meet.   

Psychotherapy and Psychoeducation for parents of teens with eating disorders or disordered eating is also available (scroll to the bottom of this page for more info). 

Contact me, Dawn K. Gibson, LCSW, for a free 20-minute phone consultation to determine fit for your teen. 

If we choose to move forward then we will schedule our initial appointment.
If we choose not to move forward, then I will do my best to find other referrals for you upon request.
What’s most important is that you access the help you need, no matter who you choose as your therapist!

info@dawnkgibsondotcom or call (Nine7Zero) Five4One-Eleven9Zero

Therapy and Psychoeducation for Parents of Teens with Eating Disorders or Disordered Eating

Does your teen have an eating disorder or disordered eating but you’re feeling overwhelmed and you don’t know how to support them or where to begin?

This can be a terrifying time that will bring up a lot of difficult emotions for one or both parents. Some parents speed into action or become reactive or overactive, while others may withdraw, shut down, or avoid the situation altogether. Some parents take full responsibility for their teen’s issues and blame themselves, while other parents deflect responsibility and blame others. It is completely “normal” to react this way, in fact, any way you react is OK. This is HARD.

Your teen’s issues are NOT ALL of your fault! We don’t live in a bubble and neither does your teen. We have all been impacted by social media, diet culture, fatphobia, temperament, genetics, and more. It’s not just you and your issues that have contributed to their eating disorders, it’s all of the above and more.

Even so, we must take some responsibility for our own issues, how we have impacted our teens, and how to support them as they begin to heal. It’s difficult, but your teen deserves this.

If this sounds like you or your situation, then I can help!

I work with one, both, or all parents/caregivers (whoever are willing to come to sessions) of teens with eating disorders or disordered eating. I work in person in Fort Collins, CO, or virtually with parents in Texas or Colorado, where I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Continue reading to learn more about. how I can support you.

Learn More

Common issues with which I help parents/caregivers:  

  • Anxiety
  • Guilt
  • Shame
  • Anger
  • Hopelessness
  • Helplessness
  • Stress and Overwhelm
  • Blame/Self-Blame
  • Resurfacing Trauma
  • Your Own Disordered Eating
  • Communication issues with your children
  • Treatment Resources

The various ways in which I work with one, both, or all parents or caregivers of teens with eating disorders is through:

1. Psychoeducation-I help educate you about your teen’s issues, what their needs may be, and how to support and communicate with them. I can also offer resources to help you learn more.

2. Psychotherapy-As stated before, a whole host of feelings are sure to arise while supporting your teen. It’s incredibly important that you look within to address your own trauma, personal issues, ways in which you may be negatively impacting your teen, and ways to shift into a place of connection and support.

It’s also important to process your guilt, shame, anger, and other difficult emotions in private and with a professional who can help you work through them, without judgment.

3. Support-I help you find your treatment team for your teen if you do not already have one, and brainstorm ways to access treatment if affordability is an issue..

These are not marriage counseling sessions. I am NOT a marriage counselor.
The focus of these sessions is on supporting and educating you so you can help your teen.

One of the best gifts you can give your teen is for YOU to be willing to take a look within and reach out for support. Being a conscious and healthy parent will positively impact your teen and their issues. We we can take a look in the mirror and look at our part in the situation, the whole family dynamic can begin to shift and heal.

I would love to talk with you to see if or how I can support you during this challenging time.

I approach my work from an anti-oppressive, equitable, social justice, anti-racism, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ affirming, feminist, anti-diet, body, and fat liberation perspective. Discrimination is not tolerated, and I am committed to ongoing personal and professional growth.

Contact Dawn

Contact me, Dawn K. Gibson, LCSW, for a free 20-minute phone consultation to determine fit. 
If we choose to move forward then we will schedule our initial appointment.
If we choose not to move forward, then I will do my best to find other referrals for you upon request.
What’s most important is that you access the help you need, no matter who you choose as your therapist!

info@dawnkgibsondotcom or call (Nine7Zero) Five4One-Eleven9Zero

Investment

In-person psychotherapy for moms and parents with gender expansive identities, psychoeducation, and support is available in person in Fort Collins, CO.

Virtual psychotherapy sessions are available for clients who live in CO or TX.

Consultations or support sessions for parents are available worldwide.

I do not take insurance for psychotherapy services, but you may be able to use out-of-network benefits. You will have to check with your insurance company. If so, I can provide a superbill. You are responsible for checking with your insurance company to see what is covered.  Payment is accepted in the form of cash, credit cards, checks, debit cards, or HSA cards.

45-minute parent session rate: $165
60-minute parent session rate: $200

I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation with you to determine if we’re a good fit for one another.

Click here to learn more: dawnkgibson.com or email info@dawnkgibson.com for your free 20-minute phone consultation.

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