Anna Mayer, MA, LPC, R-DMT
More About Anna
Training & Experience
I hold a Master's degree in Somatic Counseling Psychology, with a concentration in Dance/Movement Therapy, from Naropa University in Boulder CO. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado, and a Registered Dance Movement Therapist with the American Dance Therapy Association.
I believe in a holistic approach to counseling and have sought out additional training to address multiple aspects of healing (in addition to my first love, the body!) – this includes training in Somatic-Concentric Sex Therapy, Somatic Trauma Healing, DBT Facilitator Skills, Somatic Abolitionism, Nature-based Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
My clinical internship during graduate school was with West Pines Behavioral Health, in an outpatient mental health setting. I led Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups for adults with moderate to severe mental health challenges, where I learned how incredibly helpful DBT skills can be for everyone looking to live a life worth living.
After graduation, I went on to serve at West Pines Behavioral Health, as a case manager in Lutheran Medical Center's outpatient facility. My prior experience in this field includes work as a Recovery Coach for young adults in early recovery from drug addiction, as well as psychoeducational work with at-risk teens, empowering them to make informed choices about the impact of drugs and alcohol.
Now, I am a private practice therapist at Embodied Relationships Counseling Center, in Lafayette Colorado. I am dedicated to supporting couples and individuals to deepen their intimacy and personal empowerment through embodiment. I see clients whose main concerns are around sexuality and relationships, as well as those who are looking for support with anxiety, depression, and stress management.
My approach to sex and relationship therapy is open-minded, sex-positive, and nonjudgmental. I am passionate about supporting people to find healing in all forms of relationships, including polyamorous and LGBTQIA relationships. Learn more about my embodied couples and sexuality therapy offerings here.
When I work with people in support of anxiety, stress, depression, and personal growth, I use mindfulness, body-based explorations, and practical coping skills to support each person's inborn wisdom and tendency towards healing and wholeness. Learn more about my approaches in therapy here.
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Place a hand on my heart, and a hand on my belly – I (try to) let my mind quiet, and sense what arises when I tune into my body's wisdom in this way
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Turn on some of my favorite music, and move my body in whatever way feels true to me in the moment (whether it's silly or serious, bold or quiet, fluid or awkward)
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Take a moment, before eating, to listen for what kind of food my body is asking for (it might not be what I think I want!)
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Go to the studio and dance, listening to my body's impulses each step of the way.
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When a strong emotion/sensation shows up, turn my attention toward it (even when I so want to avoid the feeling), and care for it with the same kindness I would offer a dear friend (especially when it feels hard to extend that kind of compassion to myself!)
My 5 Favorite Ways to Listen to My Body's Wisdom
(in no particular order)
On a personal level...
In addition to practicing as a therapist, I have been dancing seriously for over 20 years. For the last decade, I have performed as a professional contemporary modern dancer in the Front Range community. Through my own movement practice, outside of performance, I move ever-closer to the deep wisdom of my own body.
Eating good food is one of my biggest hobbies, and I have a soft spot for YA fantasy fiction and generally anything nerdy. I also love spending time outside, connecting with nature. I live with my wife and our sweet (& weird) cats in the farmland outside of Boulder.