Today we’d like to introduce you to Gavyn Pellicori.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Gavyn, a licensed clinical social worker and certified animal-assisted therapist. Growing up, I was a huge animal lover and found great comfort and safety when alongside my animals. I owned all sorts of animals; from snakes to mice to horses and everything in between. After working for a few years in group, treatment-centers, and community mental health settings, I realized I wanted to create a space that felt more personal, calm, and connected with who I am as a person and therapist. That vision became Therapy With A Dog.
Therapy With A Dog is a private practice which combines evidence-based therapy with the grounding presence of my therapy dog, Graham, a Bernese Mountain Dog. He helps clients feel safe and at ease, which allows the work to go deeper. My goal was to build a practice that’s both professional and deeply human. I want my therapy space to be a place where people can come as they are, regulate with a dog by their side, and work toward healing in a way that feels compassionate and real.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve always worked hard to get where I am. I’m a first gen college graduate. In undergrad, I worked three jobs while studying psychology, just trying to make it all work. After graduating, I actually took a few years off and started a wedding photography business. That experience taught me a lot about people, storytelling, and running something on my own. I was able to save enough money get through grad school without needing to work full-time which let me fully focus on my studies and my (unpaid) clinical internships.
Starting Therapy With A Dog came from all of that. I endured years of building resilience, creativity, and a willingness to start from scratch to get to where I am today. Running a private practice has had its challenges too. Learning how to balance the business side with the therapy persona, managing the uncertainty, and wearing every hat. It’s a space that feels deeply authentic to who I am and the kind of healing I want to offer.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My practice, Therapy With A Dog, is a private therapy space in Denver where evidence-based treatment meets the calming presence of a certified therapy dog. I specialize in working with individuals and families navigating eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and trauma. My approach integrates modalities like CBT, ACT, DBT, ERP, and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy. What really defines my work is the presence and warmth of my Bernese Mountain Dog, Graham.
Graham, often found sleeping on the job, plays a big role. His presence helps clients feel grounded, reduces anxiety, and often opens the door to deeper emotional work. There’s something powerful about having a nonjudgmental, affectionate animal nearby while exploring painful or vulnerable topics. It changes the energy in the room completely. I can’t imagine doing this work without him.
What sets Therapy With A Dog apart is that it doesn’t feel clinical or cold. The space is intentionally cozy and welcoming, designed to make all people feel safe the moment they walk in. I also offer specialized family intensives, caregiver sessions, and group therapy for body image and self-esteem.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Therapy With A Dog feels like me; warm, evidence-based, a little playful, and deeply compassionate. It reflects everything I believe therapy should be: human, hopeful, and healing.
How do you think about luck?
I was lucky to find mentors who believed in me early on, to work with incredible supervisors who modeled the kind of therapist I wanted to become, and to meet clients who have taught me so much about resilience. I was also lucky to find Graham. Graham was supposed to be our family dog, but he ended up becoming my co-therapist and the heart of my practice.
Of course there has been bad luck too. Good luck typically doesn’t come without some bad. In the grand scheme of things, I think the opportunities that didn’t work out and the timing that didn’t align were meant to bring me to where I am today. I can say that I am grateful for all of it; the good and the not so good.
Pricing:
- Individual Therapy – $165
- Family/ Parent Support – $200
- Group Therapy – $60/session
- In-network with Aetna Insurance
- Soon to be in-network with Optum
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therapywithadog.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/therapy.withadog
