Find Your Counselor

Hi! My name is Clarissa, and I specialize in working with people who feel emotionally burnt out and are struggling to stay afloat. Life can get really overwhelming, and sometimes we need someone who will listen, ask thoughtful questions, and help us untangle everything that's been on our minds. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, past trauma, or simply feeling stuck, we'll work together to understand what you're going through and figure out what to do next.

I think that therapy works best when it's a partnership. Instead of me telling you what your life should look like, we will explore what feels right for you and go at your pace. I work with adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds and offer therapy in both English and Spanish. Whether this is your first experience with therapy or you've been in counseling before, you're welcome here. I hope to hear and see you for who you are. 

Si prefiere hablar en español, será un gusto acompañarle en este proceso.

As a graduate of Colorado State University-Pueblo in May 2025, I received my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in August 2025. I am also a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and a Social Work Candidate (SWC). With over 7 years of experience in human services, I have had the privilege of working with diverse populations, supporting families involved with the Department of Human Services as a life skills worker. Additionally, I spent a year providing clinical services as a therapist during my final year of school. Working in this field has allowed me to truly appreciate the significance of mental health stability, particularly during difficult life transitions. I understand that life’s obstacles can feel overwhelming at times, making the path forward seem daunting. It’s completely normal to feel as though you’re carrying a heavy burden, and I want you to know that you don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.

Healthy communication and exploring the next steps in your life can be empowering and essential for healing, whether you are dealing with depression, unhealthy coping mechanisms, stress, trauma, maladaptive behaviors, or concerns about self-esteem. My aim is to collaborate with you, providing support and understanding as we work together. I am dedicated to helping you raise awareness around your feelings and experiences, equipping you with therapeutic tools to foster growth in the areas that matter most to you. I am passionate about using evidence-based practices, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and solution-focused brief therapy, to help you overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. I look forward to building a strong, trusting relationship with you. Together, we can embark on this journey toward healing and positive change, ensuring that you feel supported every step of the way.

Many of us spend so much time taking care of everyone else that we forget what it feels like to take care of ourselves. We push through stress, trauma, loss, relationship challenges, work demands, and daily responsibilities because that's what we've always done. Over time, that constant pressure can leave us feeling exhausted, disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck.

As a Psychologist Candidate with a PhD in Clinical Psychology, I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, adjustment to changes, ADHD, autism spectrum level one concerns, relationship difficulties, and challenges related to stress, identity, and personal growth. I have a particular passion for working with first responders, veterans, healthcare professionals, and other helping professionals who often carry significant responsibilities while putting their own needs last.

Our work isn't about fixing what's "wrong" with you. It's about understanding your story, recognizing what has helped you survive, and developing tools that help you move forward with greater confidence, clarity, and resilience. My approach is collaborative, evidence-based, and tailored to your unique needs, goals, and strengths so that therapy feels meaningful, practical, and supportive of the life you want to create.

You don't have to have everything figured out before you come to therapy.  Maybe you're overwhelmed, stuck in patterns you can't seem to break, struggling to understand your emotions, or simply tired of feeling like you're carrying everything on your own.

Therapy should be more than having someone listen while you talk.  You deserve to understand why you feel the way you do, learn practical skills to respond differently, and leave therapy with tools you can actually use in real life. 

My approach is warm, genuine, and collaborative - but also active. I believe therapy should be more than simply listening and validating. I'll listen without judgment, while also helping you identify patterns, consider new perspectives, and gently challenge the thoughts or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck.

You can expect psychoeducation, practical strategies, skill-building, and honest conversations tailored to what you're experiencing.  We can focus on what's important to you, whether it's anxiety, depression, trauma, partner/family issues, stress, life changes, self-esteem, boundaries, or life direction.

Most importantly, therapy isn't about changing who you are.  It's about helping you understand yourself more deeply, building on your strengths, and developing the skills to navigate life with greater confidence and control.

You don't have to figure it all out alone.  Whether you're navigating a difficult season, working through longstanding patterns, or simply want to grow into a healthier version of yourself, there is a path forward, and we can work toward it together.

You deserve a space where you can be honest, feel understood, and still be encouraged to grow.

When you go through difficult seasons, it is easy to feel alone and isolated. When bad things happen, they can shadow our present and feel like they're happening right now.  If you've experienced trauma, it's not just an event; it's what happens inside you in the response to that event, and it stays in your body.   You may be noticing that you feel stuck, as if you are looping in the same thoughts and feelings whenever that trauma or bad event is triggered.   Maybe it seems like things will never get better and that it's all hopeless. However, there is hope, healing, and wholeness.

I value the therapist-client relationship because it is essential for fostering healthy change. I strive to help you feel safe, secure, and empowered in our sessions. I am particularly passionate about working with individuals who have a trauma background and are feeling stuck in their anxiety and depression. Together, we can help you regain control over your life.  As your therapist, I fill the role of "empathic witness" by meeting you where you are and walking alongside you in your journey to wholeness.  Based on my understanding of the mind-body connection, my professional philosophy involves working with you to explore how your body and brain can work together to improve your overall emotional and mental well-being. Together, we can change how that trauma or bad event is stored in your body through body-brain based interventions such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and other strategies to help connect you to your body and to the present.  We can also tackle unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to help manage overwhelming emotions. 

Life may feel out of control, and you may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can take control of your life and circumstances by reaching out today to find tools to manage what is in your sphre of control.

Hi, I’m Miranda Puente, LSW, a licensed social worker based in Pueblo, Colorado. I offer both in-person and telehealth therapy services. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, and I’ve worked extensively with individuals experiencing acute and complex mental health challenges, including schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, major depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood-related concerns.

I use a client-centered and collaborative approach to therapy, drawing from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I also incorporate trauma-informed, strengths-based, and solution-focused techniques, always tailoring my approach to fit each person’s unique needs and life experiences.

I truly love helping people on their journey toward healing and growth. My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel heard, understood, and respected. I believe therapy works best when it feels genuine and human, and I’m committed to walking alongside you as you build coping skills, reconnect with your strengths, and move toward meaningful change at your own pace.