Grace, Master’s Level Intern
Grace is completing her final year at the University of Colorado, Denver while obtaining her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. She recently completed her practicum at the university’s counseling center where she worked with both community members and CU Denver students. She graduated from the University of Texas in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications.Grace’s passion for mental health was sparked in her early years as she watched loved ones go through their own mental health trials and underwent her own counseling as well. Grace has worked in the mental health field for the last three years, working with health plans and large employers to make pediatric and adolescent mental health more accessible and affordable, as well as helping caregivers feel less burdened by their loved ones’ mental health struggles.
Grace believes that play therapy allows children to externalize their experiences through their language of play, in a way that grants them safety to process life’s challenges. In sessions with Grace children will first experience a sense of safety. Throughout the therapeutic process clients will often learn things like, self-regulation, problem-solving, and coping skills. As they navigate play scenarios that mirror real-life challenges they are able to process these challenges and bring healing. Over time, the child is able to generalize these skills, building resilience and confidence. Grace loves how play therapy empowers children to develop emotional strength and self-confidence in a safe supportive environment.
Through Grace’s person-centered approach with both children, teens, and adults, she emphasizes using empathic understanding and unconditional support. Her approach to counseling is establishing relational conditions that guide her clients to improve their self-awareness in order to reach their goals. Grace understands that every person’s lived experience is different and they are the expert on their lives and feels honored to be a part of their healing. In regards to children, Grace aims to support families by collaborating with the her client’s caregivers to empower healthy relationships and support systems for their child.
