Meet Dr. Nicole Gurash | Owner & Psychotherapist

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

Hi Dr. Nicole, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have been in private practice since 2013. Last year, in 2021, I changed the name of my business to Spectrum Connections Therapy, PLLC. to reflect the relational and behavioral work I do supporting individuals, couples, and families living with Autism Spectrum, OCD Spectrum, Trauma, ADHD, and Anxiety. For me, the idea of starting my business almost a decade ago was sparked as a newly certified BCBA living in Eagle County where there weren’t any services for individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum. However, as my private practice grew, I saw a need to provide more comprehensive care that focused on the mental health needs of my clients while also providing neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed care. In 2016, I relocated to Denver after living in Eagle County for almost 20 years. During this time, I completed my Doctorate in Psychology and a Post-Doc in Marriage and Family Therapy with Denver Family Institute. The past 5 years have been spent reshifting my training focus while rebuilding my private practice with more of a comprehensive approach to neurodiversity mental health needs.

What should our readers know about your business?
Spectrum Connections Therapy (SCT) was created to provide neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed mental health care for our clients living with Autism Spectrum, OCD Spectrum, Trauma, ADHD, & Anxiety. I offer specialized therapy services as I have a unique combination of training. As a result, I have been referred to as “a unicorn” by respected colleagues when it comes to my comprehensive and highly individualized therapy approach. I have a background in behavioral training as a BCBA, a doctorate in clinical psychology where my dissertation research focused on autism spectrum and anxiety, as well as I completed an intensive 18-month experiential post-doc training/supervision experience in marriage and family therapy which culminated in earning my Colorado license as an LMFT. This means that while working with our neurodiverse individuals, couples and families, I am looking at supporting both behavioral and relational wellness. I often see clients with Autism Spectrum, ADHD, OCD, Trauma, Anxiety & Depression. SCT is affirming in our approach and promotes acceptance in our practice. We pull from a variety of evidence-based treatments to tailor therapy to include any of the following combinations: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), and Gottman Method for Couples Therapy. In addition, I recently completed EMDR and trauma-focused CBT training (TF-CBT) and am now offering trauma-focused therapy and EMDR as appropriate for my clients. Along the way, in my private practice and training, I learned how important it is to look at treatment from a trauma-informed lens, and am excited to continue to grow in this important work.

We offer a variety of specialized services and work with adolescents, teens, couples, and adults in our clinical space in Lone Tree, CO. We offer home-based therapy services for our younger clients and families.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love Colorado and have lived in the state for about 25 years. 20 of those years were in the mountains in Eagle County. I would absolutely say, if you have children, visit the Butterfly Pavillion. I also loved taking my kids when they were younger to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to see the giraffes in Colorado Springs. If time allows, head up to the mountains and explore. The Hanging Lake Hike in Glenwood Canyon and the Glenwood Canyon Hotsprings are fun daytime activities! If you are a foodie, the variety of eclectic restaurants in Denver is amazing and worth checking out!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many wonderful people have supported me along the way in my private practice journey. My children, inspire me every day. When I was exhausted and trying to complete my doctorate, they encouraged me along the way and for that, I am so grateful. I am also thankful for Denver Family Institute and the amazing post-doc training I was able to receive in marriage and family therapy. I have also been blessed beyond measure with an amazing family, supportive friends, and like-minded colleagues who continue to provide encouragement, mentorship, and guidance when needed.

Website: https://spectrumconnecttherapy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spectrum.connections.therapy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-gurash-psy-d-lmft-bcba-41173859

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drnicolegurash

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drgurash