FAQ

Where is your office located?

If we meet in person, my office address is:

5335 W. 48th Ave., Suite 500
Denver, CO 80212

The location is north of I-70 and west of Sheridan in the Berkeley neighborhood of Denver. You’ll enter the building on the east side and reach Suite 500, where I will meet you in the waiting area.

Is there parking at your office?
There is generally ample parking at the office. There are lots on both the East and West sides of the building, as well as street parking.
Is your office disability-accessible?
Yes. While my office is on the fifth floor, there is an elevator to assist with accessibility.
What are your office hours?
I work Monday – Thursday by appointment. I work remotely, doing virtual sessions on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and I see clients in person at my office on Wednesdays.
How long is a typical session?
My sessions for individuals are generally 50 minutes long, and my sessions for couples are 80 minutes long.
How do I make an appointment?

Emailing me at maggie@elliottcounselingservicescolorado.com is the easiest way to get started on your work with me. From there, I can answer further questions or set up a complimentary phone consultation, or we can schedule your initial session. I check my email frequently, so I’ll reply quickly.

Do you offer free consultations?

I do! I am happy to offer a free consultation to chat more and ensure we’re a good fit. Consultations are by telephone and usually last about 20 minutes.

Do you have a cancellation policy?
I do have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you don’t attend your scheduled session or cancel within 24 hours, I will charge the full session fee.
Are you LGBTQAI+ informed?
Yes! I have specialized training in working with folks who identify within the LGBTQAI+ community, and many of my clients identify under this umbrella.
Do you work with people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and religions?
Yes! DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is very important to me, and I enjoy working with folks who identify differently from me. How boring would this world be if we were all the same?! I commit to acknowledging our differences and incorporating differing identities at whatever level you feel comfortable with.
What can I expect in the first session?
Research shows that the essential factor in successful therapy is the relationship developed between the client(s) and the therapist. So, the basis of our first session focuses on getting to know one another and beginning to build that relationship. Don’t worry; I can also give tools and help in the first session. I believe our relationship is essential, and I want to give that relationship-building the attention it deserves.
How long will I be in therapy?

The answer to this depends on you! The more work you put into yourself and your relationship outside the therapy session, the more effectively you’ll move through the process.

Many clients have stayed with me for years, sometimes just putting more time between sessions. I genuinely believe therapy should be like getting an oil change – a regular check-up for maintenance will keep you running more effectively for longer.

Do couples fight in front of you?

Absolutely, and sometimes, I’ll even tell you to do it! While fighting during a therapy session isn’t usually the goal, it can be a helpful assessment tool for me to see how you communicate when in conflict. If you’re coming in for relationship therapy, conflict is generally inevitable in the therapy room.

I work hard to help your mind shift into seeing conflict as an opportunity for connection, and I’ll help you get more comfortable with conflict so you can manage it more effectively.

Do you take sides?

No. One of my strengths is building a relationship with each client in the room, and I will not take sides or hold one of you in higher regard than another. I will still call each of you out when you need to be focused on seeing the other’s perspective. I’ll do this in a gentle yet direct way.

Our relationship will be one where we can challenge and still respect one another.

Do you assign homework?

Sure do! The methods of therapy that I utilize tend to be tool-heavy, which is excellent for you because it means you have helpful things to practice between sessions. This practice will help you achieve your therapeutic goals faster.

While tools and homework can feel daunting, the design of the assignments is to help you become a part of how you communicate and interact with one another, so the more you use them, the less they feel like “work.” The harder you work between sessions, the more effectively you will move through the process.

What are your strengths as a therapist?

One of my greatest strengths is developing and maintaining positive therapeutic relationships with my clients. I place a lot of attention here because it makes the most significant difference in successful therapy.

I’m also great at helping my clients learn the skills to build and maintain long-lasting relationships. These skills are unique to every client, but my goal is always the same – work my way out of a job! I don’t want to do it for you; I want to help you learn how to do it yourself.

I’ll also note that I’m good at bringing fun and play into my work and helping you incorporate it into your life and relationship. We don’t focus on play enough as adults, so I love helping bring that focus to my clients.

Is your furniture comfortable?
Yes! I have a pretty comfy couch in my office (no, you don’t have to lie on it), and I’ll invite you to make yourself comfortable during sessions. If your feet don’t smell too bad, you can remove your shoes.
Would your partner recommend you as a couples therapist?
Well, he has excellent taste, so of course he would! In all seriousness, I believe he would. Ian is incredibly supportive and encouraging of me and thinks I’m great at what I do.
Am I allowed to ask personal questions?
Yes, you are. I am generally pretty open with my clients, and if you want to know about me, I’ll tell you. I do, however, believe in boundaries, and if you ask a question I’m not comfortable answering, I’ll gently let you know and tell you why.
What apps make your life better?
I’m not sure many have improved my life, but my Fitbit, Calm, Gottman Card Decks, and Duolingo apps might qualify since they challenge me and help me learn. Otherwise, I’m a sucker for any travel-related app, and I admit to being a closet TikToker.
Cats or Dogs?
As I belong to a group titled “I’ll probably die petting something I shouldn’t,” I think it’s safe to say I don’t discriminate regarding our furry four-legged friends. I have two dogs and a cat, and I love them all.
Do you play therapy games?
I do! And I force my partner, family, and friends to play them, too! My favorites are the Gottman Card Decks and Esther Perel’s Where Shall We Begin game.
What's the most ridiculous thing on your bucket list?
Probably seeing all 18 penguin species in the wild is one of the most ridiculous. I have 3 down and 15 to go!
What's your next big travel goal?
I want to dive the Great Barrier Reef in Australia with my partner and do a solo trip to trek the El Camino de Santiago in Spain.