Louise Zimmerman

I am proud of my journey to becoming a counselor. My education and training are both sources of pride for me as I am in the first generation of women in my family to attend college. I started with an associates degree at my local community college in northern Virginia. Next up was my undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. I was very fortunate to study abroad in Tibet while I was there. I was even more fortunate to come back home and then

continue learning about Buddhist psychology at Naropa University in Boulder, CO. While I was studying there I became the first Naropa intern at the University of Colorado Hospital inpatient unit for substance abuse treatment. After graduation I worked for several years in community health in various settings including detoxification programs and outpatient clinics. Then I sent a couple of years at private rehabs before I got a spot working for a Medicaid management service. And finally...I opened my private practice. I love working for myself. And I plan to treat as many clients as I am able to with the resources at my disposable for as long as I am able. I might not ever retire- that's how much I love my career. Given all of that- I truly practice with an East meets West approach to health. Yes, western medicine has value and so does the ancient wisdom of Asia. I use evidence based therapies like motivational interviewing and DBT as well as an extensive array of mindfulness interventions.

I have a holistic approach to therapy. Everything is on the table- how do you sleep, what's your diet like, do you exercise, what do you do for fun, what are your symptoms, who is in your support system, and so on and so forth. All of your life matters in therapy. We will talk about everything in order to help you move towards your goals. Sometimes giving an inch in one area moves mountains in another. Ultimately we are interested in behavioral change. What can you do differently on any given day, in any given moment, to come closer to better mental health?

First session with me? You will very quickly know if you can trust me and work with me-or not. I'm not everybody's cup of tea but I'm the answer to somebody's prayers.