Connect
To Top

Meet Katie Peek of Peek Counseling in Glendale

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Peek.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Katie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hello, My name is Katie! it is strange to talk/write about myself as my passion and career is the exact opposite. I am the one asking questions and listening with an open and curious heart. I have a private practice in mental health counseling. I am a licensed professional counselor.

How it all started-My Story! I was born in Colombia in South America. My parents adopted me along with my younger brother and sister at a young age. The three of us are from the same orphanage. My family has always lived in Colorado. I believe we grew up in a loving and caring household having support for one another. With that said, like some teenagers, I too, had times that were more difficult than others. There were moments I would yell at my parents, slam doors, talkback, tell them “I hated them and wished they never adopted me,” yes, those words hurt them. My younger brother and sister also went through difficult times. My brother attended an out of state boarding school. I remember going to visit him and watching the positive changes that were happening. Counseling has always been a part of my families lives (both individually and together) since we were all young. With the personal experience of seeing the positive changes and the way it helped to strengthen my family, (it still does today), I knew I wanted to help others experience a positive change in their live.

Career Story- I went to the University of Northern Colorado for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I have two master’s degrees in school counseling and clinical counseling. I have worked in different school settings for at-risk youth starting off as an intern, consultant, and now supervisor. I worked as an in-home family therapist working with mostly court-ordered teens for a non-profit in Denver for almost four years. I then decided to take the leap and open my own practice! I started planning to open my practice in 2013 and had my first client in 2014! My doors are open today and I continue to find myself as a therapist and develop my specialty in doing what I love!

I currently live with my husband in south Denver. We love to travel, we did go to Colombia in 2017 to visit the orphanage, We went to Greece this past summer with a few friends, We have a dog named Luke, and enjoy watching movies. I see my brother and his family a few times a year, he lives in a different state, I see my parents and my sister’s family about once a week and today we can all still laugh about our childhood, laughter can be healing!

I would not be where I am today without the help of my family and friends. They have helped me to become the person who I am today! Yes- mom and dad, I am sorry for my teenage attitude and behavior (even today it sometimes still makes an appearance).

Has it been a smooth road?
My road to opening my private practice has it’s obstacles and struggles both physically, financially, and emotionally. With the obstacles also came strength, success, and joy. One of the first challenges I faced was all in my head (typical therapist)! Not believing that I was good enough, smart enough, old enough, etc., to open a private practice. My idea of private practice was a season therapist who had decades of experience, lots of money, and a white male. I was the exact opposite and was not sure what I was up against. After breaking through the stereotypes, building up my own self-esteem, self-worth, making a budget plan, attending business meetings, and with the help and support of my family, friends, and the small community of other therapists going into private practice I made the jump.

Other obstacles I faced was how to market myself, branding, websites, doing my own books (even with quick-books it was a huge struggle for me), how to pay for office space my overhead, and all the details of what to do when starting a small business with the state. I did not learn any of this in school. I attended business classes on my own, I tried to find free ones, I joined free networking groups, I designed my first website (that was not great), I tried to do my own books (I defiantly owed a LOT in taxes that year), I got a side job (I still have it and I love it, I work at Orange Theory Fitness), and with the support from others in the same position we helped one another!

Today, I am still at times in the “red” with how much I actually take home after my business expenses month to month, however, I am turning a profit overall! I enjoy my office space that I can afford! I have hired people to help me with my website, marketing, to handle my books and a CPA. I am still learning everyday as other challenges and obstacles come up. I still have to work on my everyday positive affirmations!

We’d love to hear more about your work.
My private practice is called Peek Counseling- Because you deserve a place to be you! (yep my tag line)!

I work with adolescences/families, young adults, and other mental health professionals in the community. I seek to help empower others to create a life that they like living again! For people to be happy and healthy is something I want to help with. I also see myself as a seed planter, and in time, even if I can’t see it, or I am not around to see it, the seed with grow! I love to laugh and use humor in therapy, I believe that humor can help heal in so many ways.

I see clients who might struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship struggles (boss, teen, mother, partner, etc), bullying, self-harming, school struggles, and overall just not feeling happy. I have worked with teens and families the majority of my career and I am currently a supervisor for interns also working with teens and young adults.

What I am most proud of my business is that I am now receiving clients from word of mouth. I think that is the best compliment!

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I do believe that Denver and the surrounding areas are a good place for a business like mine. I do know that were I am located on Colorado Blvd, it is known and I have heard it been called, “therapist row.” I know a lot of successful therapists in Denver! I believe we can all support one another and help to build up our community! It is extremely important to find a therapist that is a good match. When I see new clients I express to them, that they should interview me, and if I am not the right fit, I can help them find someone!

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Rocky Mountain Photography- Jeff Perry

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.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in