About Me

I genuinely believe that therapy is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your relationships. I take a holistic and eclectic approach to therapy. I want to know your sources of pain - but I also want to know what you value, what has shaped you, where you draw inspiration, your beliefs, and how you feel in your own body.

Therapy is hard work, and I’ll challenge you, but I also believe it can be fun. I enjoy bringing laughter and creativity into the process. I meet my clients with compassion, curiosity, and an open-mind. I primarily draw on Person Centered Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed Parts-Work, and Deep Brain Reorienting.

When I’m not working, I’m typically found playing some sort of sport, reading nonfiction, playing drums, riding bikes, camping, listening to a playlist on repeat, in the depths of a home improvement project with my wife that we’re both unqualified for, and most importantly - cuddling a cat.

Gioia Garden, LPC, CST

Our Work

It’s important to remember that insight into your pain is helpful, but it’s not always enough. We’ll be working to achieve sustainable behavior change, curiosity, and somatic awareness that can have a profound impact on how you feel and the ways you show up in the world. For every person, our work will look different.

My hope is that you will be honest, motivated, and courageous in our work together. In me, you’ll get a warm, down-to-earth therapist.

I look forward to connecting.

Therapeutic Specialties

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Life-transitions

  • Trauma

  • Grief & loss

  • LGBTQ+

  • Relationships

  • Identity questioning

  • Sex therapy (challenges with intimacy, questioning your sexuality, compulsive sexual behavior, kink & BDSM, mismatched desire in relationships, increasing pleasure, sexual shame, sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain, vaginismus, dyspareunia).

    • *Note: When clients are experiencing pain during sex, I often find treatment benefits greatly with the combination of sex therapy and pelvic floor physical therapy - for people of all genders. If you’re not already working with a pelvic floor PT, I’m happy to provide referrals.

Backpacking in Alaska

Education & Credentials

Colorado College, BA, Sociology, magna cum laude - 2011

University of Denver, MA, Counseling Psychology; Concentration in Clinical Mental Health - 2018

Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment (ISEE), Holistic Sex Therapy Program

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Colorado

AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST)