"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being." - Carl Jung

Shalee Horstman is the founder of Denver Counseling Group. She is a psychotherapist that incorporates many modalities such as movement, play therapy, meditation, talk therapy, and dream work. Shalee believes in establishing a safe and welcoming environment for optimum healing. Her approach is psychoanalytic with an emphasis on developing a positive relationship between therapist and client. Her personal style is influenced by Jungian and affective neuroscience techniques that focus on the entire body and mind. Shalee models hard work and consistency for lasting change in an individual's life.

Philosophy

Shalee focuses on using an integrative medical approach to healing by using many modalities as the vehicles for personal development. Through taking a creative body/mind approach, an individual is encouraged to engage with the therapeutic process to integrate and further their social, cognitive, emotional and physical aspects of themselves.

Specialization

Shalee specializes in working with teens and adults who are suffering from stress, anxiety, PTSD, childhood developmental trauma, ADHD management, anger challenges, attachment concerns, low self esteem, emotional reactivity, and women's issues. She also specializes in psychosomatic symptoms such as IBS and other digestive issues, migraines, chronic pain, persistent muscle tension and other physical complaints that do not have a known medical cause.

Education

Shalee completed her Bachelor's degree in Dance Education from Florida International University and her Master's degree in Movement Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths College, University of London. Shalee completed her second Master's degree in Somatic Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She also holds her PhD in Somatic Psychology with emphasis in integrative medicine from the same university in Santa Barbara, California.

Shalee is a professional member of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee (MDIC), and Colorado Association of Psychotherapists (CAP). Shalee is also a certified child and family investigator (CFI), a certified yoga instructor (CYT), certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy, and a CASA advocate.

Shalee has worked with people from all over the world studying and analyzing movement and nonverbal communication. During her graduate degrees, she worked at world renowned mental health institutions located around the globe. She currently works within the community through the family court systems, local homeless shelters, and in private practice. Shalee continues to advocate the importance the body has on an individual's psychological functioning and strives to improve the lives of others through holistic and creative methods.

Liz is a child and adolescent psychotherapist who strives to provide creative and exploratory therapeutic practices to help children and adolescents blossom. Liz empathetically holds space for children to feel their emotions and make sense of their world. She seeks to enhance their brain/body connections to aid in healthy development of emotional regulation skills. Liz takes a playful approach that is child-directed, integrating interventions and skills from Child Centered Play Therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, mindfulness, and CBT.

Philosophy

Liz believes in the importance of empowering her clients to find their true selves as they embark in a journey of self-exploration and self-discovery. She believes her role is to act as facilitator of their journey, supporting them through the process of finding solutions for their problems and building on skills and insights while also demonstrating empathy and respect for their dilemmas and personal growth. Liz strives to be welcomed into a child’s innermost world, attuning with her clients through shared moments of awareness, and connection. Through the play, Liz supports her clients in changing their perceptions of the challenging events and thoughts in their life, as well as getting in touch with their authentic self. She believes play therapy helps unlock the child’s ability to find their way home, to a place of healing and peace within themselves.

Specialization

Liz works with children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds who need support in areas of grief, school adjustment, executive functioning, anxiety, ADHD, depression, behavior management, friendships, and family transitions. She is passionate about supporting military families, as a spouse of a retired Army Veteran.

She walks alongside her clients, helping them get through tough situations and circumstances together. Liz uses play-based interventions with intention to help her clients move toward healing.

Education

Liz completed her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Master’s degree in English Education from Northern Arizona University. Liz received her Master’s degree in Human Development and Counseling from Vanderbilt University. She also has a Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy from University of Central Missouri's Play Therapy Training Institute.

Liz is currently a Professional School Counselor, working in an elementary to school to support students, families, and educators. Liz has worked with clients of all ages in clinical and school settings doing both individual and group work. Liz has most recently provided mental health care to Colorado youth through the I-Matter program. Liz has worked in public elementary and middle schools in Arizona, Tennessee, and Kentucky, and currently works with Douglas County School District.