Cierra McNamara

Concerns I Treat:

Grief and loss
Chronic illness
Medical issues
Trauma
Anxiety
Depression
End of life support
Cancer support
Relationships
LGBTQIA+

intern therapist
She/her

who I work with:

I help adults who have been struggling with chronic illness, medical diagnosis, or traumatic experiences to explore their grief among distressing thoughts and overwhelming emotions, so they can regain a sense of inner strength and stability.

If you or a loved one are living with a serious illness, or have experienced personal trauma or loss, your life feels like it’s been turned inside out. What used to seem enjoyable or important now seem trivial or hopeless. Maybe you’re caught in the web of uncertainty and dread or are having trouble just getting through the day. Trying to balance optimism and meaning with uncertainty and fear, while still managing your everyday obligations can seem impossible. The emotional stress of an unexpected loss or diagnosis has you feeling alone and unsupported, despite looking for answers.

If you’ve been paralyzed by questions such as: Why me? What now? How do I go on? What does the future look like? Then have hope. There is a way forward. What happened to you recently or in the past does not have to define who you are today. If you crave a sense of inner balance, sanity, and comfort, I can help.

Get Started with a Free 20-minute Phone Consultation

how therapy with me can help you:

Together we will explore the questions that keep you up at night. The fears you don’t want to acknowledge, the conversations you dread, the dreams you have, and the life you want to live right now. I can support you through hard, life-changing decisions. Even though your energy may be limited, in therapy with me we will identify your deepest needs and core values so your next steps are aligned with what you find most meaningful.

In our therapy sessions together, we’ll remove obstacles that are keeping you frozen by creating coping skills for emotional resilience and empowering you to have control over your needs again. You will discover there is a path through your present and future helping you realize you’re not alone.

Cierra McNamara intern therapist for Catalyss Counseling

about me:

For over 20 years I’ve enjoyed a variety of careers, with a common thread of working with people through illness, end of life, and grief. In my work as an oncology massage therapist, I learned how difficult it is for people to express their deepest fears, and the physical and emotional freedom that occurs when allowed to do so. Through my experiences as a death doula and hospice volunteer, I learned the importance of providing stable companionship for people consumed by uncertainty and despair. I also have experience in meditation, and throughout this I witnessed the power of stillness and silence in unraveling self-defeating storylines.

At the same time, my work as a book coach I recognized our human need for storytelling and personal meaning-making. In my role as a palliative care community educator, I realized that quality-of-life discussions are necessary at every stage of life, not just at the end of life. Even facilitating grief support groups helped me become aware of the enduring damage that happens when we aren’t allowed to explore or express our losses in life. Now as a social work student, I understand that every conversation with a client is an opportunity to restore connections and foster compassion that we all desire and deserve.

I’m currently in school at Metro State University, completing my Master’s of Social Work degree. I utilize grief and loss therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and narrative therapy in my work. I am passionate about advocating for LGBTQ+ social issues, particularly assisting transgender folx navigating the healthcare system. Outside of work I refuel my tank with day trips to Estes Park, paddleboarding with my husband, studying Italian, and watching far too many kitten videos.

Get Started with a Free 20-minute Phone Consultation

schedule with Cierra:

If you’re feeling lost in the aftermath of a medical diagnosis, trauma, or deep personal loss, therapy can help you find your footing again.You don’t have to navigate this alone. Follow these simple steps to get started: