Meet Dr. Lara Pence | Licensed Clinical Psychologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Lara Pence and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Lara, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
For me, risk is opportunity bathed in uncertainty. Very early in my career, I chose to leave a secure position in my field and take a risk on myself by opening up my own private practice. There was tons of uncertainty and success was never a guarantee. And yet I decided that I would reframe the risk as opportunity. This allowed me to be less nervous, pivot away from a focus on outcome, and instead, direct my attention to possibility. Taking such a big risk in the beginning of my career with that mindset in tact has paved the way for me to take smaller risks along the way. The risk becomes more palatable when you see it as opportunity. You can acknowledge uncertainty exists AND also embrace all the ways that you could grow, change, and evolve.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a clinical psychologist that works primarily with professional and elite athletes, as well as coaches, I could not be more proud of the trajectory of my career. I am the sole owner of a private practice in Northern Colorado and have known since 8th grade that I wanted to be a psychologist. Was it hard? Not exactly. But was it easy? Not that either. It’s all a process but you have to have the confidence to step into your own strengths and rely on those for success. Many would say that I’m a bit of an unconventional clinician. I’m incredibly active with my clients – much less of a sit back and ask how you’re feeling therapist and much more of a ‘let’s get in there and get sh*t done!’ therapist. It’s important to me that my clients feel safe, seen, and secure AND also challenged and pushed to do things differently. In the beginning of my career I performed therapy, I said what I thought I should say and acted the way I thought a therapist should act. But after a few years of this performative style I realized that I wasn’t doing anywhere near my best work because it wasn’t MY work. So I pivoted to being myself started showing up as ME, not the contrived therapist I thought people wanted.

My work with coaches is also unique in that the program I’ve developed – The Coaches Collective – helps to bridge the gap between sport coaching and life coaching. Coaches play a critical role in the athletes they work with and the best coaches in the world know that the whole human needs support, not just the athlete. Finding where there is a gap in any industry is such an incredible way to add value. If you give people what they never even knew they needed, you know you’ve hit the mark!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Morning Coffee – Frank & Roze for sure. Their croissants kill it!
Late morning run – head to the Flat Irons in Boulder. You can’t beat ’em!
Lunch – a solid Acai bowl from Rush Bowls is where it’s at.
Afternoon climb – I’d roll over to Movement Rino and hit some boulders.
Dinner – I’m a big fan of Matsuhisa. Just let your server bring your surprises. It’s the best way to do it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dr. Dana Labat, a fellow clinician in New Orleans, was instrumental in shaping confidence around my work. She and I worked together during my post-doctoral fellowship year at a Children’s Hospital. I not only felt supported by her but empowered to lean into what I was good at.

Website: https://drlarapence.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlarapence/

Image Credits
Colton Duncan