Meet Julie Reichenberger of Denver Metro Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Reichenberger.

Julie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My first job out of college was working in Denver for the State Health Department’s Office of Suicide Prevention, overseeing the grantee process. Though I loved the people I worked with and was dedicated to suicide prevention, I didn’t feel the public health route was the right one for me. I wanted to be on the ground working with people, as opposed to working in an office funding programs to do the work. A friend suggested I go to graduate school and try out counseling. I decided to apply to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Three months later, I was accepted and moved to Chicago. This was not my plan for life.

In fact, I had no plan for life other than having a job and enjoying life outside of that. I did not intend to become a therapist, however, I found I was able to impact suicide prevention in a more intimate way. One that made sense to me. Since receiving my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, I have been fortunate to work with leaders in the field of suicide, addictions, ADHD, EMDR, adolescent psychology, wilderness and therapeutic placement and treatment programs. I have worked in group practice settings, in inpatient treatment facilities, crisis and had my own private practice since 2014.

Working as a therapist can be tough at times, and I wanted to create an environment that I could get support and that others in the field could also feel supported in their work. In 2019 I turned my private practice into a group practice and had hired two clinicians I am quite honored to work with. Not only do I work with teens, young adults and adults I also work with therapists providing therapy, consultation and supervision. As I said, this was not in my plans, however, I am happy with where my path has lead me.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Life has not been a smooth road. I used to refer to myself as the black sheep in my family, or the lost one. I struggled with depression, anxiety, ADHD and had unhealthy relationships throughout my younger years. I didn’t know who or what I wanted to be. Most of the decisions I made, up until the one I made to move back to Denver in 2012, were based on what others thought might be in my (or their) best interest. I was fortunate along the way to have built relationships with people who supported me unconditionally. I learned to ask for help and support when I needed it. I learned many lessons the hardest way possible (as my mom has said) and that’s what I needed to experience in order to arrive where I am today.

I will always seek to learn more from my experiences and am grateful for this mindset. It served me well when I decided to return to Denver from Chicago. I took my time in starting over in a new city. I knew I wanted to own my own practice and in order to be successful and have the practice I envisioned, I had to take time to engage with my helper community and learn what was needed where. I worked long hours at multiple jobs for several years to make it happen. Balancing business growth with the emotional pain my clients endured and shared with me was hard. Building my practice would take the back seat to taking care of their needs and my own, forcing me to be patient when my mind was racing forward with all the wonderful ideas I had for my business.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Denver Metro Counseling story. Tell us more about your practice.
Denver Metro Counseling (DMC) is a small group private practice in Denver serving adolescents, young adults, adults and families. As a group, we provide trauma therapy using EMDR, counseling and coaching for ADHD, recovery and substance abuse therapy, parent support, family therapy and help with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Within our community, I am known for the training, consultation and supervision I provide clinicians in suicide risk and support.

I am proud of the direction we are headed as a group practice. I value clinicians having the support they need through supervision, consultation, collaboration, learning and emotional wellness and I have worked hard to ensure this environment. This focus on the clinician’s well-being sets us apart from others. If our clinicians are encouraged to and take care of themselves and they are feeling supported in their growth and learning as a therapist, they will provide better care to our clients.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am not sure I would call it luck, however, the universe has definitely been guiding me (sometimes gently, sometimes not so gently) to where I am today. My privilege, relationships, flexibility, acceptance, compassion, stubbornness, resilience, and humor, have been big players as well.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1780 S Bellaire Street, Denver, CO 80222
• Website: www.denvermetrocounseling.com
• Phone: 303-809-3341
• Email: julie@denvermetrocounseling.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenverMetroCounseling/

Image Credit:
Christian Metzler

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.