Bergen Pierson, LCSW

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you're repeating the same draining patterns isn’t a sign that you’re defective. Often, it’s a sign that you’ve developed creative and intelligent ways to survive in a challenging world. These old survival strategies may have once protected you, but now they might be leaving you feeling exhausted, anxious, or disconnected from yourself and others. Perhaps you feel it in your body—a constant hum of high alert or a deep, persistent fatigue. Maybe it shows up in your relationships, replaying old stories that no longer serve you. You don't have to navigate this alone. Think of our sessions as a warm, collaborative space where your whole story is welcome. Instead of trying to banish the anxiety or silence the inner critic, we will meet these parts of you with curiosity. By listening to them, we learn what they fear and what they need, and we can begin to heal the wounds they protect. Our work is grounded in the present moment, exploring the connection between your thoughts, your emotions, and the wisdom your body holds. We will work together to: * Find a sense of safety and calm in your own body. * Understand and shift the patterns that keep you feeling stuck. * Set boundaries that honor your needs and energy. * Gently process past experiences so they no longer control your present. My hope for you is to feel more at home in your own skin—to live an authentic life with healthy, nourishing connections to others. Your intuition and lived experience will always be our most important guides. My Philosophy: People in Context I believe that healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. My approach is direct, compassionate, and trauma-informed, grounded in the belief that your responses are the body's wise attempt to keep you safe. I believe in looking at the whole picture and pathologizing the environment before the person. This whole picture includes your family history, your cultural background, and the very real impact of systemic pressures like racism and ableism. Specialized Support for Chronic Illness As a Lyme-literate therapist, I have a deep understanding of how chronic illnesses impact every facet of life. This is a space where you don’t have to explain or justify your experience. Together, we can process the emotional weight of your diagnosis, develop ways to cope with relentless symptoms, and work to reclaim a sense of hope and selfhood. If requested, I am happy to consult with your medical providers to ensure a holistic circle of care. My Professional Background I hold a Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College, Columbia University, and chose to pursue my Master of Social Work at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work specifically for its Institute for Human-Animal Connection. Through the Institute, I earned a specialized certificate in Human-Animal-Environment Interactions in Social Work. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) holding active licenses to practice in the states of Colorado and Virginia. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please send me an appointment request. Selected Trainings • Certificate in Human-Animal-Environment Interactions in Social Work, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work University of Denver, 2021 • Seeds: Growth Conversations in Anti-Racism and Liberation, Building Bridges, 2020-2021 • Polyvagal Informed Therapy Master Class, Deb Dana, LCSW • Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems, Frank Anderson, MD • Healing the Trauma that Surrounds Medical Syndromes, Lisa Rankin, MD, and Dick Schwartz, PhD • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Jamie Marich, Ph.D., LPCC-S, EMDRIA approved