Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassie Thomas.
Hi Cassie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Fort Collins, CO, I founded Flourish Counseling & Wellness in 2022 as a private practice providing evidence-based mental health treatment to trauma survivors and gender expansive clients. My vision grew and Flourish expanded into a group practice in 2023. I was drawn toward becoming a therapist because of some natural traits that fuel empathy and understanding; I was often the friend people went to as I grew up. When the time came for me to build a career, it felt clear that choosing a path aligned with this natural gift would suit me incredibly well. I am grateful for the team we now have and the breadth of impact we are able to have on our community through inclusive, evidence-based, trauma-informed mental health care.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. Business ownership comes with a baseline of unpredictability, and even prior to opening my own business I was deeply impacted by brokenness within the systems that are meant to support the mental health needs of our communities. When corporate entities come in with a business-driven bottom line, I witnessed firsthand patient needs going unmet within settings where they sought care. This is the problem I wanted to answer with Flourish. I do not believe that quality of mental health treatment should be fundamentally driven by a financial bottom line, but rather the client’s need. This does take some balancing, because at the end of the day we do live within a system driven by money. I refuse to let that be the thing that keeps anyone from quality mental health care.
We’ve been impressed with Flourish Counseling & Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Flourish Counseling & Wellness, inclusivity isn’t just a value—it’s the foundation of how we care. We’ve created a welcoming, affirming space where every individual is seen and supported, with a special commitment to our LGBTQIA+ community. We honor the unique experiences each person brings and provide therapy that validates each person’s identity while helping them navigate life’s challenges—whether that means exploring identity, finding belonging, or working through personal struggles.
At Flourish Counseling & Wellness, our team of experienced providers is dedicated to offering compassionate, personalized care for clients ages 8 and up. We provide mental health treatment through individual, couples, or group therapy. We tailor every session to the client’s unique needs—helping them move through life’s challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and resilience.
The name Flourish Counseling & Wellness has been chosen to encapsulate the core philosophy and approach of our counseling practice. Flourish signifies the aim of not merely coping, but thriving and growing as individuals. The term conveys the idea of nurturing personal growth, emotional healing, and positive change. By incorporating the term ‘wellness’, we hope to emphasize a holistic approach that encompasses the entirety of a person’s well-being. The combined name reflects a commitment to helping clients navigate life’s challenges, develop resilience, and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives.
Cassie launched Flourish Counseling & Wellness in the fall of 2022 initially as an independent private practice. In the fall of 2023, she expanded by bringing on her first team member and Flourish became a small group practice.
Our team can offer support for a variety of presenting concerns including, but not limited to: complex trauma, acute trauma, developmental trauma, religious trauma, perinatal mental health, grief, life transitions, relationships and interpersonal distress, burnout, identity concerns, gender-affirming care, men’s issues, and more.
I am most proud of the authentic and inclusive atmosphere of our practice; each of our providers is a human first and foremost, and will meet you where you are to help you walk through whatever life has brought your way. You do not have to go it alone!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
It is no secret that the field of mental health has been in a boom in recent years; along with this boom come a whole host of uncertainties related to how things may develop as technology has a larger and larger place within insurance-based treatment in the U.S. My hope is that Flourish can continue to be a beacon of humanity in the midst of this onslaught of VC and AI insertions in the mental health sphere. Coupled with many therapists exiting insurance-based models due to the numerous issues that occur within the American medical system, I think there are some big shifts happening within our industry and influencing how care is offered.
However, the positive side of this boom has been that people are speaking more openly and honestly about mental health than at any other time in history. We have a greater understanding of this element of being human and how it impacts our entire life. The process of destigmatizing mental health treatment has produced incredible results and making it easier and easier for people to get the care they need. The work is not done – there is still a great need for accessible care, particularly for underserved populations.
One emerging area of research and treatment I am particularly excited about is psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. Currently, ketamine is the most common option for this for individuals located within the United States. Some states, including Colorado, have also decriminalized psyilocybin which paves the way for therapeutic work with this and other entheogen. I am very interested to see how this influences the field of psychotherapy in the coming 5-10 years!
Pricing:
- Individual Therapy – 75-150 per session dependent on provider
- Couples Therapy – 75-150 per session dependent on provider
- Group Therapy – 3o-50 per session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flourishnoco.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishnoco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087570064687
