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Phone: 303-586-0216
Email: cassi@re-emergecouseling.com
About Cassandra Goar MA, LPC, NCC
Trauma-Informed Counselor for Colorado and Wyoming
Why I Believe in Therapy
First, I am human and I have experienced my personal share of struggles, grief, and trauma - they says that's why most therapists become therapists - and in my experience it holds true. I have also experienced healing that I never thought would possible with the help of some remarkable therapists, mentors, and spiritual guides. It's an ongoing uncovering and rediscovering of who I am and who I am becoming.
While I have always been a compassionate person, as a therapist, I get to put my compassion to use to help people heal from their own inner wounds. I am deeply passionate about helping others find healing and growth, and to help them learn how to connect more authentically with themselves and with others.
I think any good therapist does their own work. So, believe me when I say I know it takes courage to be open and vulnerable with another person in ways you may not be used to. My primary goal is to help you feel accepted and safe with me while working toward your goals.
I have learned to trust the process of therapy for myself and for my clients because everyone's journey is unique. I am so grateful for each and every person who has trusted me to be a part of their journey - I don't take this work lightly. I know what a privilege it is to walk along side you in your darkest hours. I have seen unbelievable growth and change in people and it leaves me in awe of the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. I am still constantly humbled by how amazing people are, and I have so much gratitude to be able to do this work.
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
- Carl Jung
Personally
Relationships and authenticity are important to me! I strive to be my genuine self with others and to surround myself with people I truly connect with. I love live music, good food, and exploring new places, sitting outside and having great conversations with great people. I also enjoy staying home, playing hide-and-seek, cars, or any imaginary games with my son. My days of curling up on the couch with a good book and some hot coffee or tea, or watching movies (other than children's shows) are mostly gone for now since I have a little one. And I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Besides being a mom to a beautiful, energetic, child, I have also been a partner for over 15 years. I know that relationships are also always growing and changing, and they can be a wild ride. I was born and raised in Colorado and I love the summer time and warm weather, but I also love the change of the seasons when fall rolls around and the air becomes crisp. When I make the time, I enjoy meditation and reading, grounding into the earth, and generally communing with nature. I am starting to openly embrace my woo-ness! And yes, I collect rocks and crystals - I have done so as far back as I can remember. So, it's in my nature to be a bit woo.
I have found more peace and acceptance in my own skin as I continue to learn to unapologetically embrace my authentic Self. Finding my own sense of spirituality has been a long and ongoing journey, but it has been invaluable to my own healing process and my personal growth. I believe strongly in the power of forgiveness. I know that all things are made of the same energy we are. And I continue to trust my journey as it unfolds in this beautiful, sometimes painful, sometimes chaotic, but always magical life.
Education & Background
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Master of Arts in Counseling - Regis University
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Licensed Profession Counselor (LPC) in Colorado and Wyoming
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Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)
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EMDR trained therapist
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Extensive training in IFS, DNMS, EFT/EFIT, and mindfulness-based practices.
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Specialty trainings: EMDR with grief, complex trauma trainings, grief trainings, supervision training
In my counseling career, I've worked at various settings before starting my private practice. During my graduate program, I worked at a hospice center providing grief support to those who recently experienced the death of a loved one. Later, I worked at a substance use facility providing individual and group therapy to adults and adolescents struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. I then went to work for a group practice where I continued to work with adults, couples, adolescents, and families struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, ADHD, grief, general life stressors, and more.
As a therapist, I continue to educate myself both formally and informally through continuing education classes, research, and peer consultation.
Who I Work With
I am passionate about working with adults who are ready for real growth and lasting change for their mind, body, and soul!
I especially enjoy working with adults to heal childhood trauma and to reclaim the version of themselves they have longed for but have forgotten. I also have a deep passion for working with those who've experienced painful loss, usually a death of a close loved one. Bearing witness to grief is also bearing witness to great love.
My specialties include: trauma, grief, self-esteem and body-image struggles, life stress, anxiety, and depression. I want you to know it's never too late to heal and grow. Through deep self-exploration that incorporates evidence-based treatment approaches, such as IFS and EMDR, you can become empowered, confident, joyful, and connected with your authentic Self again.
I am an LBGTQIA ally and HAES (Health at Every Size) aligned. Your relationship with your body and your sexuality are so important to being able to love and accept yourself; to be able show up unapologetically as you are. And that's exactly what I want you to feel comfortable doing here - show up as you are! YOU are welcome here.
Areas of focus:
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Trauma
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Grief
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Self-esteem, Self-empowerment, Self-growth
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Relationship Issues
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Life Transitions (life changes and stress)
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Anxiety
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Depression
"Every woman who heals herself helps heal all women who came before her and all those who come after her."
- Christiane Northrup
My Approach
My approach is holistic because we will look at all aspects of your life, relationships, and experiences. A few modalities I use as a therapist include:
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EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing): It's a mouthful to say, I know! But this modality is especially helpful to process past negative life experiences, traumas, or emotional wounds that still feel painful and come often (unknowingly) lead to other symptoms such as anxiety, depression, difficulties regulating emotions, difficulties managing stress, dissociation, feeling constantly overwhelmed or on edge, feeling a lack of self-worth and low self-esteem, negative body-image, and poor relationships. EMDR helps us heal the root of the issue, not just the symptoms, so real change can take place.
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Parts Work IFS & DNMS (Internal Family Systems & Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy): A quick example of this might be noticing the part of you that is ready and willing to start therapy, yet another part of you may feel hesitant, nervous, or unsure. If you've ever seen the Pixar film "Inside Out" this is another great example of how we all have various parts to ourselves! This modality is wonderful at helping us connect to our authentic selves and learn about why parts of us do things that other parts may not understand or enjoy. Getting to understand our different parts can facilitate deep healing on a profound level. Click here for a brief video explanation about IFS.
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Mindfulness-based therapy: In our hectic, stressful, daily lives, mindfulness can teach us to slow down and focus inward so that we can identify what is serving us and what is not serving us. Mindfulness is a continuous practice. It's not only through meditation that we can learn to practice mindfulness (though I am a huge proponent of meditation) but we can do almost anything mindfully - painting, playing with children, spending time with others, or anything that we bring our focused attention to in the present moment.
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EFT/EFIT (Emotionally Focused Therapy/Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy): The focus is not only on unraveling the layers of your emotional experiences but also on understanding your attachment style, shedding light on how you connect with others emotionally. Whether you have a secure, anxious, or avoidant attachment style, EFIT is tailored to address and transform these patterns, promoting more secure and fulfilling relationships. I believe in a collaborative approach, where we delve into the roots of your emotions and work towards a deeper self-awareness. Through this process, we can unravel the layers of your emotional experiences, allowing you to gain valuable insights. EFIT is a powerful tool for addressing issues related to emotional regulation, communication, and personal growth.
Additionally, I work with a variety of spiritual beliefs and will incorporate this in our work, if it is a value of yours, because I believe we heal best when we tend to mind, body, and soul.
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