The "D" in DBT
Dialectics are about balance and holding two seemingly opposing ideas or truths as simultaneously valid. Specifically, we can work through extreme emotions and viewpoints by opening up to others’ perspectives and incorporating the concept of dialectics into our daily lives. Thus, we learn to accept something as it is while also working to change it. Finding this balance between acceptance and change facilitates personal growth without feeding the shame that so many of us carry from past mistakes.
Our Team
Dr. Andrew Arriaga
Dr. Andrew Arriaga (he/him) is a postdoctoral fellow and psychologist candidate who earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in counseling psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. Following the completion of his pre-doctoral internship at Kaiser Permanente, he began his postdoctoral fellowship at Denver DBT. Dr. Arriaga has years of clinical experience working with a wide range of individuals across the lifespan struggling with anxiety, depression, relational concerns, family stress, executive functioning, and trauma. His clinical style is centered on building collaborative, warm, and authentic working relationships with clients that support their healing processes. Dr. Arriaga approaches treatment through an eclectic lens rooted firmly in cognitive-behavioral, humanistic-existential, and relational approaches while attending to patterns related to thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Clients can expect him to facilitate their search for greater meaning in life and align with their desires to have healthier and more fulfilling relationships. Dr. Arriaga currently offers individual therapy for adults and adolescents and also co-facilitates DBT groups.
As a queer man, Dr. Arriaga is particularly passionate about working with multiculturally diverse LGBTQ+ populations. He offers affirmative therapy to people of all ages and backgrounds navigating issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and the psychosocial and systemic challenges often associated with complex identity development processes. Dr. Arriaga is passionately engaged in his work not only as a clinician, but also as an advocate for the well-being of those who have often felt silenced, unseen, or invalidated by society. Ultimately, Dr. Arriaga believes that an openness to greater self-exploration, a willingness to take on new perspectives, and a practice of giving one’s self grace in the face of life’s hardships are key elements to sustainable whole-person health. Despite the challenges often inherent to these processes, Dr. Arriaga’s personable air and sense of humor in therapy make for a safe and authentic setting where growth and healing are more than possible.
Dr. Brian Beaumund
Dr. Brian Beaumund is a licensed clinical psychologist who offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy. With particular expertise in trauma, he also helps clients with a range of other presenting issues, including: depression, anxiety, personality disorders and relational conflicts. He is the Adolescent Program Director for Denver DBT & Psychotherapy supporting both adolescents and their families in individual, group and family settings. Dr. Beaumund uses an easy-going blend of humor and direct, honest communication to connect well with clients in this age group.
Dr. Beaumund’s approach to therapy is integrative, in that he supports his clients with a range of DBT and CBT techniques while understanding change through a relational, psychodynamic perspective. He helps his clients develop insight into the cyclical patterns that are leaving them feeling stuck. This insight unfolds within the context of a compassionate, yet engaged and lively, therapeutic dynamic. Thus, therapy serves as both a place to develop a deeper understanding of oneself, as well as a place to discover new and creative ways of being.
Dr. Beaumund is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology. He teaches a professional seminar where he provides ongoing supervision of the doctoral students’ clinical work. Dr. Beaumund has also taught a range of courses in the counseling psychology program at DU and has served as the outreach supervisor for the Trauma and Disaster Recovery Clinic.
Dr. Kritika Dwivedi
Dr. Kritika Dwivedi earned her doctoral degree at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. Following her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado, Boulder’s Counseling and Psychological Services, Dr. Dwivedi joined Denver DBT & Psychotherapy as an adult DBT group co-facilitator as well as an individual and couples therapist. Dr. Dwivedi has also led weekly DBT groups for at-risk young women in a residential setting.
In 2015, Dr. Dwivedi received a scholarship from Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of the American Psychological Association (APA). Since that time she has served as member on several different committees within the division and was recently appointed as the co-chair for the Multicultural Concerns Committee. Dr. Dwivedi has presented on psychology supervision at the APA national conference, the demands of doctoral training programs and supervision at the Division 39 yearly spring meetings, and dynamics of multicultural psychology training at the National Multicultural Conference and Summit.
Dr. Dwivedi values the opportunity to provide therapy to diverse populations. Her practice maintains a commitment to multicultural humility and social justice consciousness, both within herself and towards others. Dr. Dwivedi practices from a relational perspective meaning that she highlights the importance of client and therapist working as a team to understand the client and their world.
Dr. Adrienne Franks
Dr. Adrienne Franks is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialties in adult, adolescent, and couples counseling. She has helped people with an array of presenting concerns, including: depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, grief and loss, interpersonal difficulties, and self-esteem. She also has extensive experience working with individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and associated traits. Dr. Franks currently provides individual psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) sessions, couples counseling, and leads a weekly DBT group for women. She believes every person is unique, so she individualizes and tailors her approach to therapy utilizing insight-driven and skills-based techniques.
Additionally, Dr. Franks offers psychodiagnostic, personality, IQ, ADHD, and learning disability assessments for children and adults utilizing empirically validated testing instruments. In addition to her work with Denver DBT, she also works with veterans at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center providing psychological testing and outpatient mental health treatment. Her past work experiences also include working at a community mental health center as the Adult Psychological Assessment Specialist and Department Coordinator, and as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology where she co-facilitated an advanced seminar in psychological assessment for doctoral-level students.
Dr. Franks views life as an ever-changing journey. She believes that every person has the ability to create a life of sustained happiness and fulfillment, but previous experiences can interfere with this process. She views therapy as a place to clear these roadblocks to contentment and forge new paths towards discovering one’s true self.
Dr. Lindsey Gagnon
Dr. Lindsey Gagnon is a licensed clinical psychologist and leader of the early adolescent group at Denver DBT & Psychotherapy. Additionally, she provides adult individual psychotherapy and is particularly skilled at working with clients to practically examine their current concerns and make concrete changes that increase quality of life. Her clinical specialties include: anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-worth, difficult life circumstances and problematic behaviors such as eating dysfunction, substance misuse, and compulsions.
Dr. Gagnon has varied work experience and extensive knowledge of contextual behavioral sciences. She is adept at applying functional analysis to help clients identify and understand the purpose of their unwanted behaviors, thus increasing the likelihood of lasting behavioral change. Dr. Gagnon has worked in research at CU Boulder, as a therapist at the Veterans Affairs hospital, and as a resident at Kaiser Permanente. She has also worked in community mental health, college counseling settings, and as a clinical supervisor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology.
Dr. Gagnon has a deeply human approach to therapy, knowing how difficult life circumstances and challenging personal histories can create internal struggles for anyone. Her interpersonal style is light but nonetheless challenging such that client concerns are considered with depth and reverence but also with the help of a little humor. For her, therapy is founded in a sincere relationship that she hopes creates an environment where, said informally, the “tough stuff” can be handled, attended to, and made to feel easier.
Dr. Callie Kernick
Dr. Callie Kernick is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned her masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. She specializes in working with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, eating disorders, personality disorders, and low self-esteem. She currently provides individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy to adolescents and adults. In addition, Dr. Kernick provides psychological assessments to address diagnostic questions related to mood and personality functioning.
Dr. Kernick has gained clinical experience across a wide variety of settings, including private practice, college counseling, and inpatient hospital settings. Prior to joining Denver DBT and Psychotherapy, she completed an APA-accredited internship at the California Department of State Hospitals- Napa working with clients with severe and persistent mental illness, which is another area of clinical interest for her.
Dr. Kernick’s approach to therapy is rooted in relational psychodynamic/depth-oriented theories. She believes it is centrally important to provide a therapeutic relationship in which clients can show up with their authentic selves and feel understood. Her style is collaborative, warm, curious, and empathic. Dr. Kernick aims to help you get to the root of your current struggles through exploration of your patterns in relationships, emotions, thoughts, and formative developmental experiences. This process will enable you to modify patterns that are no longer working for you, increase your connection to your genuine values and identities, and find meaningful new ways of relating to yourself and others.
Dr. Nikki Kraslin
Dr. Nikki Kraslin is a licensed clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst and the founder of Denver DBT & Psychotherapy. She has helped people with diverse complaints including: depression, anxiety, personality disorders, trauma, personal growth issues and relationship problems. She currently offers individual psychotherapy sessions, psychoanalysis, couples therapy, EMDR, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) groups and mindfulness groups. She also provides clinical supervision and consultation to graduate students, psychology candidates for licensure and psychologists/therapists in the community.
Dr. Kraslin has a unique approach that blends relational psychodynamic psychotherapy, insight oriented technique, DBT and mindfulness. She spent 7 years as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology where she supervised doctoral candidates and co-facilitated advanced seminars in both psychodynamic psychotherapy and multiculturalism. Dr. Kraslin has also served as faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the department of psychiatry where she taught psychiatrists, psychologists, and master’s level clinicians enrolled at the Denver Institute of Psychoanalysis.
Dr. Kraslin uses the metaphor of tinted glasses to explain the psychotherapy process. All people see the world through lenses shaped by their unique backgrounds and experiences. Therapy helps us recognize the hue of our own distinct lens, creating the possibility for growth, change, and a more authentic and fulfilling life experience.
Dr. Brooke Lanigan
Dr. Brooke Lanigan is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned her masters and doctoral degree from William James College in Boston, Massachusetts. During her five years of training and previous work experience, she gained exposure to a variety of outpatient, school, and inpatient settings. Most recently, she completed her predoctoral internship at WellPower (previously Mental Health Center of Denver). Dr. Lanigan has extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults and is passionate about supporting these individuals as they navigate challenging transitions, explore their various identities, and feel more connected to their authentic selves. Her areas of specialty include anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-worth, life transitions, interpersonal challenges, and identity exploration.
Dr. Lanigan’s approach is a blend of psychodynamic and humanistic theories while also pulling from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Her integrative, client-centered lens creates a collaborative and non-judgmental space in which individuals can be curious about their thoughts and emotions and build insight into patterns that no longer serve them. Dr. Lanigan believes in tailoring therapy to the individual and their strengths, using humor, creativity, and authenticity to do so. Valuing the importance of an equal relationship between the client and therapist, Dr. Lanigan balances her personal warmth, curiosity and engagement with challenging her clients to better understand the root of their issues and build meaning in their lives.
Dr. Megan LaVoy
Dr. Megan LaVoy is a licensed clinical psychologist. She earned her masters and doctoral degree from the University of Denver. She currently offers individual, couples, family and group therapy, working with children, adolescents and adults. Her areas of specialty include trauma, self-compassion work, gender and sexual identity exploration, as well as sport/performance psychology. Dr. LaVoy’s primary treatment approach includes a combination of insight oriented and relational theories; she also has experience in Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) and DBT.
Dr. LaVoy completed her APA accredited internship training at Regis University’s Office of Counseling and Personal Development. She went on to complete her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Lavoy has served as an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. She also provides sport psychology services for some of the university’s athletic teams. Dr. Lavoy has worked in college counseling centers, community mental health, family trauma clinics, as well as gender identity centers.
Dr. LaVoy believes that, while we are all doing the best we can to live the most meaningful lives possible, prior experiences and hurt can create obstacles in that process. She uses a collaborative approach to help you find compassion and understanding for yourself and your life experience. This process will enable you to clear the obstacles that are keeping you stuck, paving the way for you to find new ways of relating to yourself and others.
Dr. Risa Muchnick
Dr. Risa Muchnick is a licensed clinical psychologist. She offers a variety of services, including individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy, as well as clinical supervision, professional consultation, and organizational consultation. She has been leading Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups for Denver DBT & Psychotherapy since 2014 and served as the Adolescent Program Director from 2014-2016. Dr. Muchnick’s specialty areas include: anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-esteem. Dr. Muchnick enjoys and has extensive experience treating both adults and adolescents. Her primary treatment approach is a blend of contemporary psychodynamic and relational theories, and she has expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), emotion-focused couples therapy (EFT), mindfulness-based approaches, and, of course, DBT.
Dr. Muchnick has served as an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) at the University of Denver and at the Morgridge College of Education (MCE) at the University of Denver. Dr. Muchnick also served as an assistant to the Latinx Psychology Specialty at GSPP during its development in 2015. She is fluent in and provides treatment in Spanish. Dr. Muchnick has worked in outpatient medical settings, college counseling centers, forensic treatment facilities, and sexual assault survivor programs. She welcomes working with individuals of all backgrounds.
Your work with Dr. Muchnick will feel like active collaboration and curiosity about how the patterns that hold you back have come to be and, more importantly, an endeavor to untangle and rework them. This will not feel like a merely intellectual or abstract process, but rather a dynamic and lively experience that—when done well—feels like you are entering the heart of the problem and working actively to change it.
Dr. Lindsey Waxman
Dr. Lindsey Waxman is a postdoctoral fellow who earned her masters and doctorate degrees from The Chicago School in Chicago, Illinois. She specializes in working with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, depression, trauma, interpersonal concerns, life transitions, and academic distress. Dr. Waxman also enjoys helping clients, including those with personality disorders, increase emotion regulation and distress tolerance capabilities.
Dr. Waxman has experience providing individual and group psychotherapy in community mental health and university counseling settings. Most recently, she completed a full-time APA-accredited predoctoral internship at the University of Denver Health & Counseling Center. She currently provides individual and group therapy to adults and adolescents.
Dr. Waxman has an active, engaged style, and her personal warmth fosters an environment that promotes curiosity and emotional exploration. She firmly believes in the healing power of human connection and supports clients in increasing emotional honesty and authenticity in their relationships both within and outside of the therapeutic space. Dr. Waxman employs an integrative approach to therapy, including techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). As such, she aims to help clients explore the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are associated with distress and keep clients “stuck.” Dr. Waxman also provides Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an evidence-based treatment for trauma and other concerns.
Dr. Zachary Weiss
Dr. Zachary Weiss is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who earned his master’s degree in general psychology from Adelphi University in 2015. He furthered his education by earning his master’s and doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. During those five years in training, he worked in a mix of inpatient and outpatient settings. His clinical experiences afforded him the opportunity to practice from a psychodynamic lens while incorporating behavioral, cognitive behavioral and DBT interventions so that therapy is uniquely tailored to each individual client. Dr. Weiss has worked with a wide range of clients with a variety of intersecting identities and mental health difficulties. Self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, interpersonal issues and personality disorders are some of his specialty areas. He currently offers individual therapy for adults and adolescents and facilities DBT groups.
Dr. Weiss’s clinical approach is built on the importance of a collaborative treatment process. Clients can expect to work alongside Dr. Weiss in a process of self-understanding and self-compassion as they learn new ways of relating to themselves. Strongly rooted in intersubjective systems theory, this whole-person approach individualizes work with clients on their path to self-discovery.
Experiences shape how we come to understand ourselves in the world, but they are not the final say on who we are as individuals. Dr. Weiss believes that empathy and therapeutic collaboration can be transformative experiences resulting in clients’ increased capacity to rewrite their personal narratives. Dr. Weiss’s curiosity, intelligence, engagement and ability to connect well with others facilitates this process where insight and healing occur.
