Accessible Mental Health Services for Rock Climbers

Climbing and mental health have always been interwoven for me. I’ve been climbing for the past 15 years, and spent the majority of my twenties traveling and climbing in my ford econoline working as a certified Rock Guide. I’ve tackled insecurities, self-doubt, anxiety that leaves my chest aching and debilitating fear on and off the wall. Climbing has given me some of the highest highs but I also recognize it’s challenged my mental health in ways I never thought. 

It wasn’t until I experienced the loss of two dear friends through climbing accidents that things really fell apart. The grief felt unsurmountable and the idea of roping up again sent my body through a cascade of fear and anxiety. This broke my heart, because at my core, I really do love rock climbing.

I received a grant from the Climbing Grief Fund to receive therapy. With the help of my therapist I started taking active steps to renegotiate my relationship with climbing. It meant the world to have a therapist who understood what climbing meant to me, and the nuances of the community and sport. 

That’s when I decided to go back to school to become a therapist. I’m passionate about helping my community sift through all the beautiful hardships of this sport and lifestyle. I’m now in the last stages of receiving my masters in clinical mental health and I am seeking clients who are interested in working together to process the many ways climbing can show up in our lives impacting our relationship with ourselves and others.

I am based in Estes Park but I offer telehealth sessions as well as in person. I take most insurances (including Medicaid!) and also off a sliding scale as low as $45 a session. I use a trauma-informed approach that integrates mindfulness and somatic work to walk alongside you as you process some of the ways climbing may be showing up in your life. 

If you’re interested, here are a few ways to contact me: 

visit my website: crystalcreekcounseling.com/…;

visit my psychtoday profile: psychologytoday.com/us/ther…

Email me at meg@crystalcreekcounseling.com

Give me a call at 719.686.6703 x6 for a free 15 minute consultation

Thank you so much for reading :)

I love this. Keep up the good work!