CHERYL PABERZS, LMFT
Pronounced “PUB-airz" Pronouns: she/her/hers
I see clients from Colorado and Michigan. I am generally available Monday - Thursday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm MTN (10:00 am - 7:00 pm EST). My private practice is only available for telehealth sessions moving forward.
Michigan clients: I currently accept the following insurance carriers* via Headway: Aetna, Bluecross Blueshield of Michigan, Cigna, Oscar, Oxford Health, and United Healthcare. (*No medicaid/medicare plans.) Use the following link to determine your eligibility and request a consultation Headway
Colorado clients: I am sorry for the inconvenience, but I do not accept insurance for Colorado clients at this time.
I have a Master’s of Science in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon in Eugene and have been practicing therapy with individuals, couples, families, and groups since 2014. I have experience in practice settings including community mental health, schools, emergency crisis response, and private practice.
My clients would describe my style as authentic, compassionate, curious, and directive. For growth to occur, I believe people require a balance of safety and agitation. As I get to know my clients, I learn their individual strengths and growth areas in order to determine the appropriate pace to suit their needs. It is my goal to create a therapeutic environment that allows you to be yourself while learning how to practice new skills, rediscover lost ones, and connect to something deeper within yourself and with others. I am open to feedback and crave your input on what about our work you feel is working and what isn't.
I am newly trained in Relational Eye Movement and Desensitization Therapy (EMDR). EMDR is an evidence-based therapy for the treatment of disturbing life experiences that underlie many problems in daily living. I am trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) at externship level. EFT is an evidence-based model of relationship therapy that focuses on adult attachment and bonding, leading to long-lasting results in couples therapy. EFT can also work wonders with individuals! Depending on your goals for therapy, I also integrate from the models of solution-focused brief therapy, narrative therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and Gottman therapy.
My current passion project involves running social skill-building/therapy groups utilizing the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons* (5th edition)! Visit our groups page to learn more. If groups aren't your thing but you still want to use D&D as therapy, I can run a one-on-one therapeutic campaign for you - or just geek out about your characters and adventures. I believe that these games and other fandoms can be a huge part of someone's identity and you deserve a therapist who understands (not judges) why that is important to you.
In my work with clients, I have most enjoyed working with people looking to enhance their communication skills and sense of connection/intimacy. Many people have witnessed their parents' marriages fail and want so much to avoid those same mistakes - but without good role models, it's common to not know 'how' to make that happen and fear inevitably failing or swinging too far in the opposite direction. I'm a strong believer in being proactive and setting your relationship up for success. I also love helping fellow nerds/geeks learn to find their own emotions, appreciate their partner's emotions, and effectively communicate and connect.
Examples of concerns/goals for which I have helped clients find success include: relationship communication enhancement, sex therapy** (including treatment for enhanced intimacy and some sexual dysfunctions), dating issues, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, life transitions, increasing mindfulness, pre-marital/pre-childbirth, living with chronic conditions, recovery from trauma, and improving self-esteem. I am comfortable working with teens, young adults, and adults.
I grew up in Michigan, went to graduate school and lived in Oregon for a while, started a private practice with close friends in Colorado, and bounced back to Michigan after the birth of our daughter. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my partner of 16 years, our kiddo, and our dogs, hiking, camping, snowshoeing, playing D&D or board games, drawing, painting, attending live music shows, and watching movies or hockey (go Red Wings!).
I believe in providing access to quality mental health care; so, I reserve a portion of my caseload for members of the Open Path Psychotherapy Collective and BetterHelp. If money is a barrier to you receiving the mental health care you need, check out https://openpathcollective.org or https://www.betterhelp.com/che...
[*Dungeons & Dragons and its related content are IP of Wizards of the Coast; we are not endorsed nor sponsored by WotC.]
[** Sex therapy sessions never involve nudity or sexual behavior/contact between clients or client and therapist. I do not operate as a sexual surrogate. It is unethical for therapists to have sexual or social relationships with their clients.]
Cheryl has been interviewed about using D&D as therapy, check it out!:
