Bergen Pierson, LCSW

Anxiety, exhaustion, and feeling stuck aren't signs that something is wrong with you — they are physical responses to overwhelming stress. The coping strategies that once kept you safe can eventually leave your body worn down, your relationships strained, and your sense of self hard to find. Maybe you feel it as a constant hum of tension you can't turn off, or a fatigue that sleep doesn't touch. Maybe it shows up in relationships, replaying the same painful dynamics no matter how hard you try to change them. Whatever it looks like for you, these patterns make sense — and they can shift. Our sessions are a space where your whole story is welcome. Rather than trying to silence the anxiety or push away the inner critic, we'll meet these parts of you with curiosity. By listening to what they fear and what they need, we can begin to heal what they've been protecting all along. We'll 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. Your intuition and lived experience will always be our most important guides. My Philosophy: People in Context Healing doesn't happen in a vacuum. My approach is direct, compassionate, and trauma-informed — grounded in the belief that your symptoms are your body's wise attempt to keep you safe. Before pathologizing the person, I look at the environment: your family history, your cultural background, and the very real impact of systemic pressures like racism and ableism. I also welcome clients who are drawn to integrative or symbolic frameworks — including those who work with tarot as a tool for self-reflection and meaning-making. Specialized Support for Chronic Illness As a Lyme-literate therapist, I have a deep understanding of how chronic illness impacts 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