Meet Sashi Gerzon-Rose, MA, LPC | Psychotherapist, Coach, Yoga + Meditation Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sashi Gerzon-Rose, MA, LPC and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sashi, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think everything that truly matters comes with risk. To love someone or something- be it a person, animal, idea, or the natural world- means risking the devastation and heartbreak of loss. To pursue something that actually matters, like being vulnerable in relationship or pursuing a meaningful career means taking a risk. To be nakedly honest can be risky. It means expressing what is, rather than attempting to present the safe or approved of sentiment. In my life, I chose what, in hindsight, could probably be considered “riskier” areas of study throughout both college as well as my Graduate studies; Experimental Theatre and then Transpersonal Psychology. I followed my passion and interest rather than rational, safe, practical choices many people were urging me to consider. And though I’m not acting currently, I absolutely feel my training in theatre with me as I work with clients; my ability to spontaneously follow what’s arising in the moment, my comfort with the expression of big emotions, and a subtle bent towards the mythopoetic in the exploration of person’s narrative, is all a huge gift to my work currently. And, there have also been life lessons around learning to spot the difference between wise risks and risks that were just too, well, risky. I think ultimately it comes down to the question, “even if the worst case happened, would it be worth it?” We know our beloved pets die much sooner than we do typically, but the love and companionship and joy is worth it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a psychotherapist and coach, and I specialize in working with relationships, psychedelic therapy and integration, and spirituality. I don’t love the word spirituality, but I use it because many people can understand it as a connection to something bigger; some interconnection between all beings and things. I am passionate about helping my clients understand how to better work with their minds so that they might suffer less and be more impactful in their lives, which usually involves a blend of insight, compassion, and somatic (body) practices. I was always interested in the mystical, in consciousness, and relationships, so I just kind of followed my passions, which ultimately led me Naropa, a Buddhist-inspired University here in Boulder, CO. In a sense it was easy, in that I was wholeheartedly fascinated by what I was studying, and driven to apply it through my practice. I think what sets me apart from most psychotherapists (even the Buddhist ones) is the way that also training as a coach has influenced my style- sometimes therapy can be a bit passive, very intellectual, and focused on the past. As a clinician, I am interested in how the past has shaped a person, but that’s not where we will stay. I often will bring people back into the moment and into direct experience in their bodies, because the present moment is the only place where change can actually occur. I also often send people home with practices, based on what we explored and what felt most valuable in session.

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?
The mountains, always the mountains! With a side of Hot Springs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wish I could name everyone in my life- the family, friends, and mentors who’ve supported me in big and small ways, and all have played some part in my journey. Definitely my parents and ancestors, for working their butts off so I could have a better life. My husband for his unrelenting support. My Zen teacher and sangha for the decade plus of helping me relax into relationships, learn how to sit with myself so I could actually sit with others, and learn how to relax into not knowing.

Website: www.wholeheartway.com