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Meet Tami Kiekhaefer

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Tami Kiekhaefer.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tami. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
You know when you have a gut feeling about something, and it feels so right and possible? Well, I remember sitting in Geometry class in 10th grade and I realized I wanted to be a psychotherapist and own a private practice. It was just that clear. I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology from Colorado State University, graduated early and moved out to California. Why California? Well, I fell in love while in college to a man who lived in Palm Springs and decided to move.

Six months after I left my Colorado home town, the boyfriend and I broke up, but I decided to stay. I got a job as a counselor at a juvenile hall working with kids ages 8-18 with some of the most traumatic backgrounds I had ever heard of, just surviving their youth, making bad decisions along the way. Some kids would commit crimes so they could get locked up because they felt safer and had food, clothing and shelter. Seeing how our system was failing these kids, I was inspired to continue to work with and understand how the human mind operates and how our situations can influence our behavior.

Wanting to expand my career and develop the canvas which awaited me, I applied to a long-term, adult, in-patient mental hospital that was opening just down the street from the juvenile hall. I was hired as one of two social workers for a unit of 40 residents. Again, this was brand new territory for me and my co-worker and we learned by trial and error how to navigate working as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team. This learning opportunity opened my eyes to my next adventure and I applied to the Social Work Program and CSU San Bernardino and earned my Master’s Degree.

After graduating, I made my way back to Colorado, began working at Fort Logan on the adolescent in-patient unit, a locked mental health facility. From there, I expanded to conducting domestic violence groups for court-ordered men and women, worked as a therapist for an Employee Assistance Program, earned a License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure and opened my private practice, a dream that required about 15 years of dedication, commitment, and hard work! Twenty years after I hung my shingle, I continue to operate a successful business of my own.

I also because a certified yoga instructor a decade ago. I was drawn to the principles and practices which inspire me to be nonjudgmental, truthful to myself, kind to others and be grounded in the life I live. Sharing these tools in talk therapy and/or yoga therapy is what I very much enjoy in my practice.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road? I’d break this down into smooth career-wise and smooth personal wise. I’m not sure anyone really has a smooth road over the course of 30 years as they work toward a goal. I can’t actually say I would have wanted a smooth road because I don’t think that would have allowed me to grow and learn and develop in the areas that I think are necessary to become a strong, independent woman.

As I mentioned before, I moved to CA to be with the man I figured I would be with forever, but being 21 years old, forever had a different meaning. The end of that relationship left me in a town where I didn’t know anyone, I was completely on my own, had to find a place to live, an actual job that would help me get focused on my goals, and that was a pretty rough period of time. I experienced my own anxiety and degree of depression. But it taught me how to feel these emotions and how to cope. In CA, I met another man who I stayed with for five years, but this was a very tumultuous relationship with extreme highs and extreme lows. Again, another set of emotions I’d never experienced in my life.

I was faced with having to become accountable, find my self-worth again and get my life back together. This is when I moved back to CO. I met a wonderful man, who I married and had two amazing kids with. Again, learning about myself, learning about conflict resolution and stress management and parenting and everything that comes with marriage, we decided that we just couldn’t get on the same page with where life had taken us and divorced after twelve years. Here I was with another set of emotions I’d never experienced. Fortunately, we are able to have an amicable relationship and continue to co-parent our boys.

Working as a counselor as well as a yoga instructor, I have learned to listen to my body and mind and heart. I’ve learned to evaluate the past and work toward changing what doesn’t offer peace of mind. Looking in the mirror is tough as it requires an honesty that isn’t always pleasant, but in the long run, I’ve learned it is truly the only way to find your happiness. I am fortunate to have taken the time to improve who I am and even more so to have an amazing support system with family and friends throughout this process. I am now in the healthiest, satisfying, and peaceful relationship with a man who cherishes my kids and me.

About four years ago, on a whim, a doctor suggested taking the BRACA test, a saliva exam that can indicate your risk for ovarian and breast cancer. Since it was covered due to family history, I nonchalantly decided, what the heck, I’ll spit in a tube! Well, to my surprise, the results shocked me with an 87% chance of breast cancer and a 40% chance of ovarian cancer. As a single mom or two boys, I felt it was my responsibility to be proactive and reduce these chances down to less than 1%.

So, I underwent surgeries to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes as well as having a prophylactic double mastectomy. This decision rocked my world. I’m still not sure if the boys knew how traumatic, painful, humbling and terrifying this whole process was, but my goal was to keep their lives as normal as possible and know they would never have to say they lost their mom to breast or ovarian cancer. Again, my more than amazing family, friends and love of my life were there to help in every way. When I was finally cleared to attempt yoga again, I remember tears pouring from my eyes when I accomplished downward facing dog. Yoga and the theories behind it honestly saved my mind and soul.

So, to answer your question, if it’s been a smooth road, I’d say achieving my goal to own a successful psychotherapy practice has been relatively smooth, from a business perspective. However, I believe the road of learning about myself, emotions, anxiety, depression, love, happiness, conflict, relationships, other people, and everything that involves living, as not been a smooth sail. The greatest part though is that I have ZERO regrets about any of it and I believe it has lead me to where I am! Experiences shape each of us and when we pay attention, we get stronger, wiser and more confident. I love my job and actually look forward to my day, as person after person sits on my couch and learn to navigate through their own journey.

We’d love to hear more about your practice.
I am a psychotherapist and my practice is called Tamara Kiekhaefer, LCSW, PC. I utilize social media under Healthy Healing. I work with adolescents and adults providing individual, group and couples therapy. Areas of expertise include Anxiety, Depression, Domestic Violence, Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress, Women’s Health, Marital, Relationship and Family issues. I became a certified yoga instructor and also offer yoga therapy to my clients. I am most proud of the work I do with people and watching their transformation as they work through problematic situations. When a person has an “AH-HA” moment in therapy, something clicks in their minds, or they break through their struggle and find peace, possibility, motivation to change, or however this looks, there is a deep satisfaction inside me and I feel proud to have been a part of this piece in time with my client.

Something that sets me apart from other therapists is that I provide yoga therapy to clients who are interested. After the initial assessment, we talk about the goals of therapy, and how yoga can enhance results of decreasing anxiety, stress and depression and how it can increase relaxation and slowing down the “monkey mind”. I ask my clients to bring in a yoga mat and I will walk them through a series of yoga postures, make sure their alignment is correct, and draw them pictures of what we accomplished in the session. I also offer meditation practices. I am currently rolling out a course that I have developed called “Preparing for the Jungle”. It is aimed toward single adults who are seeking relationships.

This course is different from any other because we work with past issues- family dynamics, communication and conflict resolutions styles- we grew up with and understand what was modeled to us. Then we identify aspects of our past romantic relationships and identify what modeled behaviors we repeated in these relationships. Evaluating what worked and what didn’t, allows us to learn, grow and change. The course will teach how to evaluate a partner, develop a more empowered self and determine what a healthy, stable relationship looks like.

The goal is the become your best self BEFORE you get out there and date! The class comes with a workbook so people can continue to drawback on what they learned. I am so excited to present this tool-packed, interactive and hands-on course. It will either be offered in a group setting and/or as a webinar. 

Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so – who are they and what role did they plan / how did they help.
Oh, I feel like I am the luckiest person in the world to have a long list of people who deserve credit in my journey to be a successful business owner of a practice I love so much! First would be my parents and step-parents who are consistently available and encouraging! My dad still cuts out dozens of newspaper articles and paperclips them together for me as encouragement to write, learn and be informed. My mom is my cheerleader whose excitement overflows whether it’s because I got a new printer or my articles are published in Elephant Journal Magazine!

My kids give me even more reason to be the best person I can be, and my boyfriend offers a strong shoulder to lean on when I just need to know everything is going to be ok. My brother and his wife are an inspiration to have a solid business mind; never stop reaching for a new goal and achieving what you set your mind to do. My colleagues of 15 years in private practice together, are always there to talk, share ideas, share headaches, but mostly share a friendship that I am so grateful for. My friends help, through word-of-mouth, the best marketing of my business there is, to refer new clients to me, which is one of the best compliments!

When I say I have ZERO regrets, I can honestly say that! For the relationships that didn’t last, for the boss who made me feel like I was a waste of his time, to the supervisor who played video games during my presentation at interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, I can honestly be thankful. This gave me a fork in the road and because of all the people I mentioned before, I knew I had a choice to either accept what was unacceptable or take charge in my life and work really hard to make the changes I knew I deserved. So, for those, I offer just as much credit to you too!

I am also grateful for Voyage Denver Magazine for allowing me to introduce myself to those who I haven’t met. I would love the opportunity to be a part of your life-Voyage, as we are always changing and growing and we just never know what direction is in store for us. What we do know is that we have more control over our lives than we believe. Sometimes we just need a gentle nudge or someone to walk with us as we take this trip!

Pricing:

  • I accept some insurances and Employee Assistance Programs. Otherwise my rate is $145 per hour session.

Contact Info:

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