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Relationship Therapy for Individuals in Denver, CO

Navigating Relationship Issues with ACT, CBT, and Mindfulness

Relationships are central to our lives—and when they’re out of sync, they can affect everything from our mental health to our ability to function day-to-day. Whether you’re struggling in a current relationship, recovering from a breakup or divorce, or feeling stuck in repetitive patterns that impact intimacy, connection, or trust, individual therapy can help you find clarity, healing, and direction.

 

As a licensed psychologist based in Denver, CO, I specialize in helping adults explore and navigate the challenges that arise in their relationships. While I do not currently provide couples therapy, I offer individual therapy for people who want to better understand their relational patterns, improve communication, set boundaries, or heal from relationship-related distress.

What Are Relationship Issues?

Relationship issues can take many forms and show up across different areas of your life. You might be:

  • Feeling disconnected or unfulfilled in a current relationship

  • Struggling with conflict or poor communication

  • Recovering from betrayal, infidelity, or loss of trust

  • Dealing with the emotional impact of separation or divorce

  • Repeating painful patterns in dating or relationships

  • Experiencing anxiety around attachment or abandonment

  • Wanting to explore readiness for commitment or redefine what you want in a partner

 

You don’t need to be in a relationship to work on relationship concerns. Many clients seek therapy during times of personal reflection—when they want to break unhelpful patterns, understand how past experiences affect their present, and cultivate healthier connections.

Therapy for Relationship Challenges at Every Life Stage

 

Relationship concerns can emerge during any phase of adulthood. I provide support for clients in:

Early Adulthood:

  • Navigating dating, commitment, and long-term compatibility

  • Managing anxiety around "adulting" and relational expectations

  • Learning boundaries and communication skills

  • Balancing independence with intimacy

 

Midlife:

  • Reevaluating marriage or long-term partnerships

  • Managing burnout and emotional distance in long-term relationships

  • Facing separation, divorce, or co-parenting challenges

  • Exploring identity shifts and personal growth

 

Later Adulthood:

  • Navigating “empty nest” identity and roles

  • Adjusting to evolving relationships with adult children or partners

  • Grieving loss or changes in relational structures

 

How ACT, CBT, and Mindfulness Help with Relationship Issues

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps you build psychological flexibility—the ability to experience difficult emotions and thoughts without letting them derail your actions. In the context of relationship struggles, ACT teaches you to:

  • Accept difficult feelings like grief, jealousy, shame, or fear without pushing them away

  • Notice your thoughts about self-worth, rejection, or intimacy—and relate to them more openly

  • Clarify your core values in relationships (e.g., honesty, empathy, autonomy)

  • Take committed action in service of those values, even when it’s hard

 

ACT helps you stop avoiding uncomfortable experiences and instead move toward the relationships—and the life—you truly want to build.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps you:

  • Identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns (e.g., “I always ruin relationships,” “I’m not lovable,” “They should just know what I need”)

  • Understand how beliefs and behaviors influence your relationship dynamics

  • Build healthier communication strategies

  • Set realistic expectations for yourself and others

  • Manage anxiety, conflict avoidance, or people-pleasing behaviors

 

CBT helps you become more aware of how your internal dialogue and learned behaviors shape your relationships—and empowers you to make meaningful changes.

Mindfulness-Based Strategies

Mindfulness increases your awareness of what’s happening in the moment—within your body, your emotions, and your interactions. It allows you to:

  • Respond rather than react during conflict

  • Regulate strong emotions like anger or fear

  • Stay grounded in difficult conversations

  • Develop more compassion toward yourself and others

 

Many clients dealing with relationship challenges benefit from mindfulness practices that help them slow down, reduce reactivity, and feel more in control of their responses.

What to Expect in Therapy

Therapy for relationship issues is highly personalized. You don’t need to have everything figured out—we’ll start wherever you are. Our work together may include:

  • Exploring relationship history and attachment patterns

  • Clarifying what you want (and don’t want) in relationships

  • Building skills for effective communication and emotional regulation

  • Setting healthy boundaries without guilt

  • Processing grief, betrayal, or disappointment

  • Cultivating self-trust and relational confidence

 

This is a space where you can be honest, curious, and vulnerable without judgment. Together, we’ll work toward creating the kinds of relationships that align with your values and support your well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Q: Do you provide couples therapy?
No, I am not accepting couples for couples therapy at this time. I currently work with individuals only. However, many clients find that individual therapy provides powerful insight and tools that improve their relationships—even if their partner is not in therapy.

 

Q: Can therapy help if I’m unsure about staying in or leaving a relationship?
Absolutely. Therapy offers a safe, structured environment to explore your thoughts, emotions, and values—helping you make decisions with greater clarity and confidence.

Q: Do I need to be in a relationship to benefit from relationship therapy?
Not at all. Many clients come to therapy between relationships or while exploring their relationship patterns and personal growth. You’re welcome here, wherever you are.

Q: What if my relationship issues are related to past trauma?
We’ll approach your experience with sensitivity and care. I am trained in trauma-informed therapy, and we’ll move at a pace that feels safe and respectful to your needs.

Q: Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes. I offer secure virtual therapy for adults located in Denver, Boulder, and throughout Colorado. I also provide services to individuals in 41 states as I am licensed PSYPACT provider.

 

Connect with Me

Relationships shape how we feel about ourselves and the world. You don’t have to keep repeating painful patterns. Let’s explore a new way forward—together. Contact me for a free 15-minute consultation to explore your options.

Jennifer Olson-Madden, Ph.D.

Psychologist and Consultant

720-588-3823

TELEPSYCHOLOGY SERVICES ONLY

2000 S. Colorado Blvd,

Suite 2000-1024

Denver, CO 80222 

For questions related to services and rates, please see the Psychological Services page.​

 

Jennifer Olson-Madden, PhD, LLC offers services for all ethnic and minority groups and LGBTQIA+ adults in Denver, CO and 41 other states nationwide.

 

©2019-2025 by Jennifer Olson-Madden, PhD, LLC. Proudly created with Wix.com

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