Deborah May Berghuis
Vetted

Deborah May Berghuis

She/Her/Hers

Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC Master of Arts, MA PhD Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
Colorado Accepting Online
Updated December 29, 2023

Specialties & Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Trauma
  • Loss, grief, and bereavement
  • LGBTQIA, gender, and sexuality topics
  • Spirituality & religion
  • Clinician Self-Care

Professional statement

Dr. Deborah Berghuis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Boulder, Colorado, working with individuals, couples, and adults of all ages. Many of Deb’s clients come in to address anxiety, depression, life transitions, and spiritual/existential concerns. Deb is particularly passionate about serving members of the LGBTQ+ community, clinicians, and healthcare professionals. She also has advanced training in compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.

Deb is trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and PREPARE/ENRICH premarital counseling. Her client-centered approach is informed by attachment theory, Jungian psychology, and family systems wisdom.

Deb attends to people where they are, quickly setting them at ease and gradually helping them feel safe enough to risk self-exploration. She believes each person has unique strengths and unique hurts that, when fully explored, will bring to light new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting in the world. Deb sees herself as coming alongside clients to help them travel underneath surface issues and get at the deeper root causes.

When trauma and/or anxiety are significant concerns, Deb offers practices that enhance the body’s own natural relaxation response such as breathing meditation exercises, grounding tools, and behavioral relaxation therapy. These approaches support clients to feel more relaxed, centered, and focused in the present moment.

Deb's style is warm, thoughtful, and non-judgmental. When clients first start therapy, Deb seeks to establish a strong relationship and comfortable environment where they feel safe, seen, heard, validated, and understood.

Deb received her MA in Clinical Counseling, and PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Eastern University. She worked at Lenape Valley Foundation as a crisis worker in Acute Psychiatric Services and as an outpatient therapist in community mental health. Outside of private practice, Deb enjoys hiking in the Flatiron Mountains near Boulder, and exploring the higher peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park.


Message to clients

I am a trauma-informed, gender-affirming therapist who enjoys working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and situations including childhood sexual abuse, LGBTQ+ concerns, divorce, remarriage, and other delicate places where life and spiritual/religious beliefs often collide.

Developing a therapeutic relationship with an empathic listener can provide supportive nourishment in challenging times. I offer a wide range of teletherapy counseling services designed to provide care for a broad spectrum of mental, emotional, and spiritual concerns. Through work with individuals, couples, and groups, the services I offer promote healing, wholeness and lasting change.

My Invitation: When life becomes burdensome or you’re losing hope, I can provide a safe place to explore change that can be the way to a fuller and happier life.


Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse

Loss, grief, and bereavement - Emotionally preparing for the anticipated passing of a loved one; managing feelings and reactions to a death or loss of significance; support during the process of healing and acceptance

LGBTQIA, gender, and sexuality topics - Exploring topics of sexuality, gender, and identity; coping with discrimination and oppression; navigating relationship, family, and cultural challenges

Spirituality & religion - Exploring beliefs and practices related to meaning, existence, and spiritual health and healing; enjoying a deeper felt connection with the spiritual dimension of one's life

Clinician Self-Care - Clinicians are at great risk for burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. We are containers for our clients’ pain which inevitably imprints on us in profound ways. Consultation with an experienced therapist can buffer against debilitating threats to well-being.




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Oscar Health
  • Oxford Health Plans
  • United Healthcare

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $150 (45min)
  • Initial session: $165 (45min)
  • Couples sessions: $175 (45min)
  • Family sessions: $175 (45min)
  • Clinician Self-Care Consultation: $150 (45min)

Additional session information

Payment options
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
  • Venmo
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Every other week

Location(s)

Online Sessions (Colorado)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 8:00am - 6pm
  • Tue 8:30am - 6pm
  • Wed 8:30am - 6pm
  • Thu 8:30am - 6pm
  • Fri 9am - 5pm
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 15 years

Dr. Deb Berghuis, PhD, LPC, LPCC Private Practice, Oklahoma, Ohio, Colorado, Owner, Professional Counselor, 2017 - Present
Eastern University, St. Davids, PA, Program Director, Adjunct Faculty, Administrative Coordinator Doctoral Programs in Marriage & Family Therapy , 2009 - 2016
Counseling Center at Heritage, Montgomeryville, PA, Counselor, 2012 - 2016
Lenape Valley Foundation, Doylestown, PA, Crisis Worker, Acute Psychiatric Services, Outpatient Therapist, 2008 - 2010

Eastern University, PhD Marriage & Family Therapy, 2016
Eastern University, Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling, 2009


Licensure

Colorado: LPC.0016707

Ohio: E.1800686


Languages

English