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Therapists answer…

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

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Bridget C. Everett

MA,LPC,EMDR Trained; Clinical Therapist
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I have a deep passion for helping people navigate life’s challenges and supporting them in finding healing, growth, and resilience. What motivates me to continue is witnessing the strength and transformation clients achieve through therapy—seeing someone gain insight, develop coping skills, and reclaim a sense of control and well-being is incredibly rewarding. I am inspired by the opportunity to provide a safe, compassionate space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.
Bridget is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), EMDR-trained, and a Certified Grief Therapist (CGT). She brings extensive experience in mental health care, having worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as residential programs and intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization (PHP) programs for adolescents and young adults. She approaches therapy as a collaborative, supportive journey rooted in trust, respect, and authentic connection. She believes that meaningful and lasting change begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood—not only by others, but by oneself. Dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and nonjudgmental therapeutic space, Bridget invites clients to explore their inner world with curiosity, courage, and compassion. With her warm and grounded presence, she helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, foster emotional healing, and support sustained psychological growth. Bridget works with clients across the lifespan, including children as young as three, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, offering individualized, developmentally appropriate care. She is committed to ongoing professional growth and is currently pursuing Certifications in Neuropsychotherapy, Neural Desensitization and Integration, and ADHD Assessment & Treatment. She integrates a broad range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each client’s unique needs, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Mindfulness-Based Interventions Psychodynamic Therapy Bridget is particularly attuned to how shame, guilt, and inner conflict contribute to emotional distress and disconnection from self and others. She helps clients strengthen emotional regulation, cultivate self-compassion, and develop insight into their internal experiences. Her approach combines relational and neuropsychological perspectives, recognizing the brain’s remarkable capacity for growth, adaptation, and healing. Areas of Clinical Expertise: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Anxiety and Panic Disorders Depressive and Mood Disorders Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Grief, Loss, and Life Transitions Outside of work, Bridget nurtures her own growth and balance through time with family and friends, connecting with nature, journaling, reading, traveling, drawing, biking, practicing yoga and mindfulness, kayaking, playing soccer and lacrosse, running, and enjoying games—especially chess! Bridget resonates deeply with the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald: “For what it’s worth … it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be … there’s no time limit — start whenever you want … you can change or stay the same — there are no rules to this thing … we can make the best or the worst of it … I hope you make the best of it … I hope you see things that startle you … I hope you feel things you’ve never felt before … I hope you meet people with a different point of view … I hope you live a life you’re proud of … and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start over again.” 970-400-7319 [email protected] Psychiatric Services of the Rockies Fort Collins, CO 
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Joseph Lobue

Licened Professional Counselor
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I have always been driven to understand the "why" behind human behavior and the patterns that shape our lives. Having worked at every level of mental health intervention—from intense, life-and-death situations in hospital and community settings to long-term maintenance counseling—I have seen firsthand the incredible resilience of the human spirit. What motivates me to continue is the privilege of helping clients gain deep insight into their own life patterns. There is nothing more rewarding than the moment a client identifies the best way to move from "stuck" to a life that is truly functional and satisfying. My motivation is fueled by the balance of my approach: I enjoy the intellectual work of psychodynamic counseling to uncover the root of a challenge, paired with the immediate, life-changing impact of teaching DBT skills. Seeing a client build the confidence to handle life's ups and downs on their own terms is what keeps me energized in this work every day.
I have worked at every level of intervention in mental health. From ongoing, maintenance counseling to helping people struggling with life and death in the community and in the hospital settings. I use person-centered counseling, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic counseling modalities. Sometimes, I use them individually but mostly I use a balance of all three modalities. I enjoy helping clients gain insight into their life, their life patterns and to identify the best ways for the client to create a more functional and satisfying life.
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Francisca Ortiz

Licensed Therapist
Online TherapyAccepting New Clients
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because of my own experiences navigating mental health challenges, including an eating disorder and depression. Those experiences showed me how powerful compassionate, informed support can be in helping someone feel understood, regain control, and create meaningful change in their life.
Life’s challenges—anxiety, depression, stress, and difficult relationships—can leave you feeling stuck. While these struggles can feel overwhelming, meaningful change is possible. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Nourish Within, working with teens, college students, young professionals, and adults. I specialize in eating disorders, body image concerns, trauma, and mood and anxiety challenges. My passion for this work comes from both professional training and lived experience, including my own journey with an eating disorder and depression, which allows me to approach therapy with compassion and understanding. My approach is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based, integrating CBT, ACT, DBT, ERP, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). ART uses guided eye movements to support trauma relief, helping the brain process distressing experiences—many clients noticing improvement in as few as one session. I also provide psychoeducation and support for families. I have experience across residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care, giving me insight into how mental health affects both daily functioning and overall quality of life. If you’re feeling stuck or ready for change, I’m here to help. Together, we can work toward clarity, confidence, and a life aligned with your values.
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Johnita McGee Smith

CEO
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
Why I Became a Therapist I became a therapist because I’ve always believed in the power of listening and the dignity of every person’s story. My early work with people experiencing homelessness, incarceration, and trauma showed me how deeply unmet mental health needs can impact individuals and families — and how transformative compassionate, accessible care can be. Those experiences ignited my calling to walk alongside others as they heal, grow, and reclaim their lives. What Motivates Me to Continue What keeps me going is witnessing change — even small breakthroughs — in the lives of my clients. It’s seeing a teenager find their voice again, a parent rediscover hope, or a family rebuild connection. My Christian faith also motivates me; I see my work as a ministry of service, offering evidence-based care infused with grace, empathy, and respect. Every session reminds me why I chose this path: because healing is possible, because people are resilient, and because everyone deserves a safe space where they are seen, heard, and supported.
Johnita McGee-Smith, MSW, LISW (Ohio), LCSW (Virginia), is a licensed clinical social worker, Christian counselor, and founder of Grace to Grace Behavioral Health. She provides trauma-informed, faith-integrated, and evidence-based care across Ohio and Virginia, helping individuals, couples, and families find healing and resilience.
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Jasmin McCullum

Counseling Clinical Intern
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I’ve always been drawn to helping people feel heard, understood, and supported during difficult moments in their lives. I’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone has a safe space to openly process their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. That ability to help others heal, grow, and recognize their own strengths is what inspired me to pursue counseling. Witnessing the progress clients make in gaining confidence, learning healthier coping skills, and improving their relationships keeps me motivated.
Hello, my name is Jasmin, I am a graduate student from Houston Christian University pursuing my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am passionate about creating a supportive, encouraging, and nonjudgmental environment for clients. I strive to help individuals who are looking to conquer and manage anxiety, depression, and sports performance anxiety, and I strive to help clients build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and navigate life’s challenges with resilience. My counseling approach is grounded in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe in helping clients recognize their strengths, identify practical solutions, and challenge negative thought patterns that may be impacting their emotional well-being or performance. My goal is to collaborate with clients in a way that empowers them to make meaningful progress toward their personal, academic, athletic, and emotional goals. As a former athlete and coach, I understand the pressures that can come with performance expectations, stress, and balancing responsibilities. I am committed to helping clients feel heard, supported, and motivated throughout their counseling journey.