MEET DR. OLSON-MADDEN

Colorado Psychologist License #3399
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) Mobility #12794

I believe in the power of inspired and committed action and I thrive in helping my clients to experience purposeful and successful outcomes as a result of our work together. The clients who benefit the most from working with me are those who are open to the possibility of change and who are ready to commit to their well-being. They desire meaningful personal and professional lives and want to invest in their potential. I am a specialist in burnout, perfectionism and chronic stress, as well as in clinical issues like anxiety, depression and executive dysfunction like ADHD. I can speak from personal experience of the impact of stepping back from thoughts, identifying what matters, and living a life with intention and presence. I am not only an ACT therapist, I use ACT in my own life, everyday!

THERAPY PRACTICE: My areas of expertise include burnout and overwhelm, working with individuals who are in the midst of life transitions, who are dealing with histories of trauma, or who are challenged by anxiety and persistent stress.

I provide evidence-based and integrative interventions to facilitate behavior change and to promote psychological health.

I offer guidance on goal attainment and committed action to individuals seeking a life of authenticity, empowerment, and purpose. 

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It is a profound gift to be able to work alongside my clients, helping them to build understanding, create inspiration, reduce their suffering, and connect to their highest self worth! 

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CONSULTATION: My consultation services include the provision of clinical supervision and mentorship to select Psychologists-in-training and to those at the post-doctoral level. I also provide consultation services to mental health centers, clinical practices and other clinicians regarding program implementation and evaluation, outcomes measurement, and program curriculum development.

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MY TRAINING: I have been a licensed Psychologist in Denver, CO for over 15 years, and have worked in the field of Psychology and mental health for over 22 years. I obtained a B.A. in Psychology from Cornell College and continued graduate education and training at the University of Denver where I achieved my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 2007. I completed a formal pre-doctoral Residency at the Eastern Colorado Health Care System Veterans Affairs Medical Center (ECHCS VAMC), followed by a formal 2-year post-doctoral Fellowship at the Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research and Education Center (RM-MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention at the Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC. From 2009 to 2021, I was a Clinical and Research Psychologist and Principal Investigator at the RM-MIRECC and also served as the Training Director for the RM-MIRECC Advanced Psychology Fellowship Training Program. I have achieved Associate Professor rank at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Departments of Psychiatry and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. I have published and presented extensively on my research which includes intervention development and implementation. 

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My research and clinical work in the VA centered on the intersection of mental and physical health conditions (trauma, traumatic brain injury [TBI], substance misuse) and risk for suicide. My research portfolio included the development of a treatment approach for Veterans with co-occurring TBI and substance use disorders; studies examining co-morbid PTSD and TBI & substance misuse and TBI; and improving treatment outcomes for Veterans with suicidality and co-occurring psychiatric and physical health issues. Some of my publications and work can be found on Research Gate. 

Before founding my clinical private practice, I spent about 8 years in my research career dedicated to my role as a co-Principal Investigator of multi-site randomized controlled study funded by the Department of Defense (DOD). This study examined cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (CBT-SP) in Veterans with substance use disorders. This study was recently published and can be reviewed here (DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.10.056).

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From this work and in collaboration with colleagues from the Ann Arbor VA and University of Michigan, the CBT-SP intervention we developed was piloted in the VA Suicide Prevention Program. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, impact and reach of delivering CBT-SP using VA’s expanding telehealth technology. I am proud to note that the success of the pilot led to the national expansion of this intervention as part of a massive suicide prevention clinical effort with the VA system. The program continues to be highly utilized for Veterans with a history of suicidal self-directed violence and serves as a training model for clinicians seeking skills in CBT for suicide prevention.

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I founded my private practice in 2019, eager to offer my clinical expertise and knowledge to professionals outside of the VA (especially women!), and in early 2022, I chose to completely devote my time and ser​vice to my practice. 

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My life-long desire to help others in their healing journey also extends to a holistic approach to well-being. Through formal training in a rigorous and comprehensive year-long program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I received certification as an Integrative Nutrition Holistic Health Coach, as well as specialized training in hormonal health. Based in New York City, IIN offers the world’s leading Health Coaching Training Program and teaches over 100 dietary theories, and practical lifestyle management techniques. This program is approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). I routinely attend continuing education courses in functional nutrition and nutritional psychiatry because I believe nutrition has a significant impact on mood and brain health. It is a passion of mine to incorporate an integrative and functional approach to mental health, taking into account the whole person.

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My interventional approach is informed by extensive training in the following modalities:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD

Compassion Focused Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Emotion Focused Therapy

Gottman Method Approach to Couples Therapy

Internal Family Systems

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Motivational Interviewing

Positive Psychology

Problem-Solving Therapy

Process-based Therapy

Written Exposure Therapy

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Co-Founder ImpACT Psychology Colorado, a collective of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy providers in Denver and Boulder, CO.

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Affiliate Healthcare Wellbeing Collective, providing mental health care and resources for healthcare professionals.

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If you're ready to schedule a session with me or have any additional questions about my practice, I look forward to speaking with you!