Therapy Services for Individuals
LGBTQ-affirmative therapy for anxiety and relationship issues in the heart of Denver
Brett Marroquin, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Arches Psychology Denver offers in-person therapy for individuals, couples, and other relationship types in our offices located in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver, Colorado.
All services are evidence-based and scientifically-supported, and are always affirmative and supportive of the wide diversity of gay and LGBTQ identities, experiences, and relationships.
Treatment Specializations
Anxiety and other painful feelings can take a lot of different forms, but when they are overwhelming, out of proportion, or getting in the way of your life, it may be time to seek help.
The good news is that there are effective, scientifically-tested treatments.
In my work with individuals, I specialize in anxiety, mood, and relationship problems, including:
Social anxiety and social anxiety disorder
Generalized anxiety, like uncontrollable worry and fear of uncertainty
Panic attacks and panic disorder
Intrusive or obsessive thoughts, and/or compulsions to do some thought or action (OCD)
Excessive fears (like flying, public speaking, or visiting the doctor)
Difficulties in dating, sex, or relationships
Gay or LGBTQ-specific issues like:
coming out (or not)
exploring sexuality and identity
fears of judgment and rejection
feeling disconnected from gay or LGBTQ communities
coping with homophobia, transphobia, or the current social/cultural environment
overcoming trauma or stigma from experiences in childhood, family relationships, or religious background
How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Helps
In my work with individuals, I focus on a group of therapies under the umbrella of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
CBT is a well-researched, empirically-supported form of therapy that focuses mostly on the “here and now,” and it’s especially effective for anxiety and emotional difficulties compared to other treatment approaches.
In CBT we explore how over time we can develop self-defeating relationships between how we think, feel, and act that cause pain and difficulty, and then work to build new patterns for relief and change.
Treatment is active, focused, and collaborative, and often includes:
Learning about how fear, anxiety, and other emotions work
Differentiating between “helpful” and “unhelpful” anxiety and emotion
Stepping back to observe your typical ways of interpreting sensations and situations, and then exploring new ones
Practicing concrete coping skills to use in situations you’ve been avoiding
Connecting with the personal values that will help you move forward even in the face of distress
Balancing acceptance and change of emotional experience
I fold in a couple of other therapy approaches that fall under the CBT umbrella:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a therapy that focuses on mindfulness, acceptance of emotional experience, defining your personal values, and commitment to action toward your values.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a therapy that focuses on improving emotion regulation, interpersonal skills, and the ability to tolerate strong emotions to make sure your actions don’t get you into more trouble than you’re already in.
Therapy Grounded in Connection
Good therapy is both evidence-based and totally personalized for you.
The heart of therapy is always about you as a unique and complex individual, and a caring relationship between you and your therapist (in fact, the science even backs that up!). You are not a set of symptoms. You are a complex person with a past, present, and future, taking brave steps toward getting back on solid ground. My job is to help you take those steps, with tools that work.
Getting Started
First we’ll have a brief, free phone consultation to see if I’m a likely fit for you and your needs.
We will then meet for one or two initial assessment sessions. We’ll do a thorough assessment during which I will get a better sense of you and what you’d like to work on, you’ll get a better sense of me, and we’ll develop goals and a plan for treatment. After this, therapy sessions are usually once per week for 45-50 minutes.
We’ll then use practical, concrete approaches — tailored specifically to your needs and treatment goals — to explore how different ways of thinking, feeling, and interacting can free you from what’s been holding you back, so you can live the life you want.
