Brandi Bowman

I’m a Colorado-based Mental Health and Substance Use Therapist who works with adults navigating life’s challenges. I earned a Master of Education in Professional Counseling from The University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I draw from evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Together, we’ll explore the patterns that are keeping you stuck and find healthier, more empowering ways forward. I specialize in working with trauma, adult ADHD, substance use disorders, and stress management. But I also have deep experience supporting folks through depression, relationship conflicts, low self-esteem, life transitions, and anger. I’m an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist, and I bring both clinical and personal experience to supporting parents, blended families, and co-parenting dynamics. I also offer Virtual Reality (VR) therapy for clients who have a Meta Quest headset.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in respect. I believe that therapy should feel like a partnership, and that healing begins in the safety of a trusting relationship.

Starting counseling can bring up many emotions, including nervousness, uncertainty, hope, relief, or even skepticism. All of these feelings are normal. The first session is designed to help you feel comfortable, supported, and informed about the counseling process.

During the first session, we will focus on building rapport and creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you can begin sharing your concerns at your own pace. You are not expected to share everything immediately or have all the answers.

I will gather additional information about your current concerns, emotional health, stressors, relationships, medical or mental health history, coping skills, and personal strengths. This process helps develop a clearer understanding of your needs and guides treatment planning.

Together, we will also begin identifying treatment goals based on what you would like to improve, change, or better understand. Goals may focus on areas such as anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD symptoms, stress management, relationships, emotional regulation, or overall functioning.

The first session is primarily about getting to know you, understanding your needs, and beginning a collaborative therapeutic relationship focused on growth, healing, and support.

What You Do Not Need to Worry About

Many people worry before their first appointment that they:

• Will say the “wrong thing”
• Will cry too much
• Won’t know where to start
• Will be judged
• Need to have a clear explanation for why they are struggling

None of those are requirements for counseling. My role is to help guide the process, ask supportive questions, and assist you in making sense of your experiences over time. You do not need to prepare a perfect timeline or explain your entire life story in one session.