My Approach to Helping
Does your experience often seem "larger than life?" You're not alone. As a psychotherapist and spiritual counselor, I work with the interplay between psychology and spirituality, and I draw on the great wisdom traditions from the world's religions and philosophies, as well as cutting-edge scientific research. As a Registered Psychotherapist, Ordained Interfaith Minister, Ph.D. Student in Integral and Transpersonal Psychology, and an Editor for the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, I provide solid and reliable guidance for people in their journeys to optimal health and well-being.
I work with clients locally in my Longmont office, or internationally through my secure Video Office portal. You can schedule a free consultation over secure video on my website, michaelda.com.
More Info About My Practice
As a psychotherapist, spiritual counselor, interfaith minister, and scholar, I walk a broad range between what might be called "height" and "depth" psychology.
Height psychology is about living your best life, resolving shorter term issues, or getting to the "next level." Anxiety, anger, shorter-term cycles of depression, grief, loss of a loved one, breakups or divorce, improving relationships, developing positive or healthy life habits, spiritual issues, issues around meaning and life purpose, and personal growth can all be good targets for height psychology. Some well-known authors in the field of height psychology include Ken Wilber, Jordan Peterson, Viktor Frankl, Alfred Adler, Roberto Assagioli, Peter Fenner, and Sri Aurobindo.
Depth psychology is about deeper and longer-lasting transformation. This is frequently related to issues around past traumas or early childhood influences, or transforming deeper patterns that cause cycles of anxiety, depression, anger, or addiction (drugs, alcohol, sex, porn). Sexuality can be an important part of depth psychology because the particularities of sexual desires, behaviors, and concerns are often expressions of these deeply ingrained influences. Some well-known authors in the field of depth psychology include Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, James Hillman, and Wilhelm Reich.
As a spiritual counselor and minister, my main focus is people who identify as "spiritual but not religious." I help people to integrate spiritual and psychological concerns in a fully embodied way. I am well-versed in the source texts of many of the world's great religions, but mainly I work in the modern movement of spirituality that is characterized by integration, hybridization, and self-discovery. Many of my clients have highly individualized spiritual identities and combinations of practices that may include nonduality, psychedellics, yoga, meditation, Western shamanism or indigenous practices, Christian mysticism, Kabbalah, or other practices that emphasize self-discovery, integration, and embodiment. Well-known authors that influence my approach to spiritual counseling include Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, Ken Wilber, Miguel Ruiz, Michael Harner, Thomas Merton, Br. David Steindl-Rast, Rev. Matthew Fox, Sri Aurobindo, Yogananda, and Jorge Ferrer.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Addiction (drugs, alcohol, sex, porn)
- Men's issues
- Mindfulness
- Religion and spirituality
- Mental health issues that show up as physical symptoms (somatization)
- Working with Physical symptoms, such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome through psychotherapeutic tools and techniques
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.