about our counseling program
what is trauma?
Trauma is commonly defined as a harmful or life threatening event that significantly impairs an individual’s emotional, social, and physical well being.
Complex trauma describes both the exposure to multiple traumatic events—often of a relational nature—and the wide-ranging, long-term effects of this exposure.
Fight, flight, or freeze is the physiological (body/brain) reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival.
The brain develops from the lowest survival regions of the brain up to the highest thinking parts of the brain. Trauma response (fight/flight/freeze) is interpreted, stored, and remembered in the lower survival parts of the brain and in the body itself.
So… what does all that mean?
Trauma and the response to that trauma occurs on a mind-body level. That is why we can’t think or talk our way out of trauma or trauma triggers. Trauma therapy, then, requires a mind-body approach that seeks to integrate the whole self- body, brain, relationships, experiences, etc.
Meet Our Counseling TeamAt The Jacob Center, we recognize that trauma impacts all areas of an individual’s life –
Our services include individual therapy and group therapy for concerns related to: trauma, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, substance use, self- esteem, and more.
program Overview
our philosophy
At The Jacob Center, we recognize that trauma impacts all areas of an individual’s life – physical and mental health, behavior, relationships, our community, and more. We also recognize the vast impact trauma has across all areas of our world – colonization, social determinants of health, systemic oppression, public health, and so on. Therefore, we see our work as trauma therapists as needing to embrace these complexities. We see it as collaborative, advocacy-focused, fluid, and above all, client-driven and responsive to trauma and neuroscience informed perspectives and needs.
Our work is fueled by connection and knowing that trauma healing/integration does not happen in a silo. It happens relationally, between nervous systems, from the inside out. Creating an environment of felt safety is crucial to the therapeutic process; it paves the way for a deeper therapeutic alliance and enables clients to engage more fully in the process. Each person already possesses their own innate strengths, wisdom, and resilience – so when clients feel safe enough to show us these resources, they will inevitably guide the work.
Email Counseling@jacobcenter.org to find out more now >
our services
who we serve
The Counseling Program at The Jacob Center serves youth/young adults (11+), and caregivers (of all ages) with trauma related concerns who face barriers to care (financial or otherwise). Our approach is rooted in a whole-person, trauma responsive, and anti-oppressive lens. We support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients. We honor and respect individual’s identities, trauma histories, and unique needs.
types of therapy services (In-person and telehealth options available)
Individual and Group Therapy:
Our services include individual therapy and group therapy (coming soon!) for concerns related to: trauma, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, substance use, self-esteem, and more. Our work uses various evidence-based research and modalities including but not limited to:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Somatic (body) based interventions
Polyvagal Theory
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness
Solution-Focused Therapy
Psychoeducation
And more…
Group Offerings:
- DBT Skills Group (coming soon)
- EMDR Preparation and Resourcing group (coming soon)
Care Coordination:
Our team includes some fabulous social work interns who are here to assist our clients and their families with care coordination. Get help with things like referrals, resources, and more. Se habla Español.
Community Education and Outreach:
In addition to our clinical practice, we also work to bring community education and outreach to our community. One way we do this is teaching and modeling the use of Trust Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) in our community.
scheduling and payment options (dedication to health equity)
scheduling and payment
We are dedicated to advancing health equity in our community, and see our role as increasing access to these trauma therapy services for those with barriers to care (financial or otherwise). We offer evening and weekend appointments to accommodate different scheduling needs.
We accept Medicaid and will also offer sliding scale options for those who are uninsured/underinsured and demonstrate financial need or other barriers to care. Please inquire about sliding scale options. We are working to secure grants to be able to offer additional sliding scale/scholarship spots. As a non-profit organization, we also fundraise to support youth programming.
Did you know? Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) members have comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services through their regional organization. There are no co-pays for Health First Colorado behavioral health services. Click here to learn more.
Those interested in counseling program services can email our Counseling Team at Counseling@jacobcenter.org
Jencee began at the Jacob Center in July 2024, is a therapist with dual Master Degrees in Public Health (MPH) and Social Work (MSW) from Colorado State University and is a Social Work Candidate. She aspires to support and build environments that are inclusive and affirming of individuals and communities that experience injustice. This includes gaining a deeper understanding of risk and resilience in marginalized communities by practicing culturally responsive participatory research. In her free time, Jencee enjoys making gains in the gym, exploring new music with friends, and obtaining obscure knowledge in order to be prepared for any impromptu trivia.
What is working with Jencee like?
Jencee initially went to school for Chemistry but worked at a residential treatment facility in undergrad and enjoyed working with this population so much she changed careers! She approaches therapy with person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-responsive techniques that include polyvagal theory, body-based approaches, mind-body connection, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and solution-focused therapy. She believes in the healing power of humor and always promotes clients meeting their sensory needs.
- I approach therapy through the lens of:
- You are the expert of your own life
- If you feel unsafe or unsupported, I haven’t done my job.
- Trauma is stored in the body so addressing physical symptoms of mental health is important for healing.
- I’m a lifelong learner who is always open to new ideas and feedback. If something doesn’t work for you, let’s work together to figure out what does.
Alyssa joined The Jacob Center team in 2017. She received her Masters of Social Work from Colorado State University in 2020 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Alyssa has completed various trainings and continuing education including: polyvagal theory, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training, Advanced EMDR trainings and consultation (ego states, cPTSD, somatic therapy, Polyvagal Informed EMDR), mindfulness/mind-body techniques, solution focused therapy, and population specific trainings such as trauma summits, LGBTQ+ populations, suicide prevention, addiction/harm reduction, decolonizing trauma work, and multicultural therapy.
What is working with Alyssa like?
Alyssa comes from a social work background in various settings such as residential, nonprofits, schools, and healthcare. Alyssa uses polyvagal theory and trauma responsive strategies, somatic (body-based) approaches, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), attachment theory, ego states (parts work), mind-body connection, animal assisted therapy, nature as a therapeutic tool, as well as traditional talk therapies like Cognitive/Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, solution focused, and strengths based.
- I approach therapy from the lens of:
- our nervous systems (our greatest strengths are stored here, this is also where things get stuck when something has overwhelmed us), and..
- larger systems (societal, familial, cultural, institutional, colonialism) and their impacts
- I believe you are the expert on your life and what works for you. I want to learn all about your strengths, knowledge, and inherent wisdom (these are the best tools we will have in the therapy space). I encourage bringing creative resources into the work!
- It is my job to actively work to create felt safety and to earn your trust–we go at your pace.
- I am committed to doing my own work (critically examining and unpacking my own privilege/power/experiences) as well as engaging in lifelong learning, humility, and advocacy.
