Dr. Jaime Ascencio
Ph.D., LP, HTR
Specialties: nature connection, neurocomplexity, high achieving, highly masked Autism, giftedness, college or graduate student, childhood cancer
I know keywords aren’t the most personable way to start my profile, but I hope they helped you find your way here so you can learn more about me and decide if you’d like to schedule a session.
I most often work with people who are:
- Looking to build their connection with nature or to process ecogrief or ecoanxiety
- Gifted (creative, complex, high achievers, fast talkers & faster thinkers)
- Neurocomplex (i.e., a combination of giftedness, Autism, and/or ADHD)
- Autistic (especially highly masked, newly diagnosed, and/or female-identifying or AFAB)
- College and graduate students (transitioning into or out of college, needing study strategies, or wanting support navigating the college/graduate environment)
- Therapists-in-training, unlicensed therapists
- Caregivers of a young child with cancer
However you identify, my job as a therapist is to help you try new perspectives, find your strengths, build skills, connect with your inherent worth, and hold you accountable to your goals.
To do this, I primarily use techniques based in humanistic therapy, nature-based therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), compassion-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and positive psychotherapy. In non-technical terms, this means that I value our relationship and already see you as a capable, worthy human being. I’ll show up authentically and transparently with you and hope you will feel comfortable being your true self during our time together. I’ll help you change thought patterns and ways of coping that no longer work for you. Together, we’ll dismantle the harmful messages you’ve received from others about your differences and we’ll rebuild with messages of empowerment, acceptance, and celebration. I’ll also support you in finding ways to be fully present in the moment and move toward your values. And if you’d like, I’ll help you find ways to get your hands dirty (literally) in nature.
Beyond individual therapy, I’ve also taught college courses, run horticultural therapy groups, conducted Autism and ADHD evaluations, presented research, and worked a number of other “gigs.” I enjoy integrating these to support you in therapy. Even more so, I look forward to meeting you, as my most important lessons invariably come from hearing my clients’ lived experiences.
Outside of paid work, I enjoy spending time with my family (a young son, husband, birds, and aquariums), being outside, eating my daily bowl of ice cream, reading books, and playing soccer. I have a dry sense of humor and I’m passionate about a number of topics.
education
Ph.D. – Colorado State University
M.S. – Colorado State University
B.S. – University of Wisconsin, River Falls
clinical experience
CARE Counseling (Present)
Fraser Autism Center for Excellence
Counseling and Psychological Services at Washington State University
Counseling Services at Colorado State University
Aging Clinic of the Rockies
Psychological Services Center
Loveland Youth Gardeners
IN-PERSON + TELEHEALTH THERAPY
CARE’s Providers are In-Network with a variety of providers including:
Additionally, Out of Network & Out of Pocket options are available.
