Lisa Young, LCSW, CAC II, CRNC II
While I’ve been in the field of mental health recovery for 21 years, I began this journey of specializing in trauma resolution 14 years ago. I learned that talk therapy could only get people so far, despite their courage and desire to go further with their healing.
I trained in Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing trauma work with additional training in eating disorders, sexual trauma, and attachment. I then trained in Richard Schwartz's Internal Family Systems model.
In 2016, I began my studies in Mental Health Nutrition. My clients and I can explore the biochemical underpinnings of symptoms they are experiencing using this approach. With Mental Health Nutrition, we can assess and treat many symptoms of post-traumatic injury or imbalance through diet, supplements or amino acid therapy.
I love how these three models, combined, work with the wisdom of the body and mind to focus on helping our resilience emerge. We will look not just at the symptoms, but at your overall health.
In my practice, I am passionate about bringing forth the most integrative care possible for you. This means that in addition to the body-mind-spirit work that we will do, I collaborate with other practitioners from acupuncture, neurofeedback, functional medicine, and trauma-informed body work to help build your healing network.
Phone
(720) 891-9353
Location
3343 W. 38th Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80211
Tu-Fr 9am - 5pm
Philosophy
Each of us works from an intelligent natural design for health, survival and healing. I help people who have experienced trauma understand and work with their symptoms, rather than against them. The symptoms that bring you into therapy are part of the wisdom that moves within you to allow your healing. This is your system's way of calling out to you to move toward greater health. This is how we move from simply coping with our lives to fully living them.
Because our recovery is unique to us as individuals, it requires an integrative approach. This means working physiologically, emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually with the experiences you've had.
As a body-centered therapist, I work with the nervous system to help you achieve a sense of equilibrium and to restore your relationship with your internal warning system and health. This is the most direct and clear pathway to understanding both the imprint your experiences have left on you and how to regulate and heal yourself from within.
From there we get to work with the mental and emotional forces underneath those physiological cues. These adaptive forces of the mind simultaneously keep us from being in touch with the painful or traumatic events and keep us from our vitality and core sense of Self.
So we will look at some of the following questions: How is your relationship with sleep? Do you feel you have unpredictable mood swings? How is your nutrition? Do you struggle to set boundaries in relationships or stand up for yourself? Do you live with chronic pain with little explanation? How much energy do you feel you have for your life? Do others describe you in ways that don't feel true to You?
I know that we can heal from trauma. I’ve experienced it and have seen it with my clients. I believe it occurs when we can change our relationship with the traumatic experience and that is my focus for our work.
I work from a place of curiosity and great respect for the resilience and courage that brings you in . You can expect to be treated with respect, integrity, and compassion.
Reach out.
I’m here for you right now.
You don't have to lead alone.
Why This Exists
Fire chiefs carry a level of responsibility that's structurally different from every other role in the department. You can't bring your stress, your doubts, or your personal life to the people below you the way you could earlier in your career — that's simply part of what the role requires.
That isolation doesn't look the same for everyone — some chiefs feel it more than others, and that shifts at different points in a career. Chief to Chief isn't built on the assumption that every chief is struggling. It's built on the idea that having a confidential space to talk with other chiefs — before you need it, not just after — is one of the most effective ways to keep leading well, for as long as you're in the role.
This isn't about fixing something broken, and joining isn't a sign that something's wrong. It's about giving chiefs, at every stage of their career, a place to stay sharp, supported, and connected to people who understand the job from the inside — so the support is already there if and when you need it.
What Chief to Chief Is
A confidential, peer-to-peer program built specifically for fire chiefs.
It's not therapy. It's chiefs talking to chiefs — facilitated by a licensed clinician who knows how to hold a confidential room — about whatever's real: the pressures of command, and everything else a chief is carrying outside it too, as a spouse, a parent, a caregiver, or just themselves.
How it works:
A committed, closed group of 6–10 fire chiefs — the same faces each month, so real trust can build
One 90-minute meeting a month, held over Zoom so chiefs across Colorado can take part
Facilitated with clinical oversight by a licensed clinician
Optional wraparound access to individual therapy or coaching, for chiefs who want it
The entire program is fully funded — at no cost to participants, including any individual therapy or coaching used
What Chiefs Gain
Chiefs who've been part of the program describe:
A room where they get to show up as their whole self — not "the Chief," just themselves
Real continuity — people who track how they're actually doing, month over month
Other chiefs pushing them to keep taking care of themselves, and to try things they wouldn't have on their own
A full span of career stages in the room — chiefs new to the seat, chiefs deep into their careers, and chiefs nearing retirement — every stage bringing something worth learning from
Where It Came From
In 2023, the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police built a facilitated peer-support program for police chiefs dealing with pressure, burnout, and the isolation of command. Ret. Chief Mark [last name] sat in on a session and saw immediately how much fire chiefs needed the same thing.
He brought the idea to the Colorado Firefighter Heart, Cancer & Behavioral Health Trust, which agreed to sponsor a first cohort of about 15 fire chiefs. Three years later, the program is still running strong, with more chiefs joining every year.
Who It's For
Any Colorado fire chief — whether the isolation of the role feels light right now or heavy, whether you're new to the seat or years into it. No prior experience with therapy or peer support groups is expected or required.
Ready to Join?
Contact Lisa
You are welcome to contact Lisa via the contact form below or by phone at (720) 891-9353
Office
Lisa Young LCSW, CAC II, CRNC II
3433 W. 38th Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80211