Natalie Whiteford, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
“You already have everything it takes to be exactly the parent your child needs. You don’t need to change or lose yourself. You need to trust in and listen to yourself”.
Welcome to my practice
My Philosophy
We are all human. Nobody is perfect. We have messy emotions and complicated relationships. We often use strategies to cope with or escape our pain that no longer serve us well. And yet, at the core, we are ALL worthy of love and belonging just as we are. The more we are able to give ourselves grace and self-acceptance in our humanity, the easier it is to take a clear-eyed look at ourselves and our world.
The more honest we can be with ourselves, the more able we are to accept and own our reality, recognize our patterns, and manage difficult situations and feelings. Recognizing and accepting all the parts of ourselves, warts and all, actually opens us up to feel the confidence, love and joy we crave. Our relentless quest for self-improvement and excellence leaves us depleted and lost. Self-acceptance and connection fill us up, light us up, and show us that we are enough just as we are.
On Parenting
My husband and I are raising 2 twice-exceptional boys and 2 crazy dogs. It is always an adventure! Parenting has been a wild ride I never saw coming. It has been frustrating, terrifying, heart breaking, joyous and by far the most fulfilling journey of my life. There have been times when I felt like I was acing parenthood, and others when I felt like I was a failure I hoped my children could survive. I would never pretend to know…
how someone else should parent their children. I firmly believe that we are all doing our absolute best every day. I have discovered, for me, though, that to sift through the noise and find the right next step for my family, I have to find ways to get still and steady. I have to stay in the moment, in my body and emotions. I have to practice self-acceptance and self-compassion. Only when I do this can I tap into and trust the inner wisdom and strength we all have. We already have all we need to be good parents for our children. We just need to build trust in ourselves so we can listen and follow through. I work on this skill set every day and I look forward to sharing it with you.
About Therapy
First and foremost, I hold a warm and accepting space for every client. Therapy can be a lot of hard work and emotions (It can also be exciting and joyous and transformative!). Instead of a “safe” space, I foster a brave space where you are supported and able to show up to the work with your whole self – the parts you already love and especially the parts you aren’t so proud of. Insight is important.
Understanding the relationships and experiences that shaped us can be incredibly helpful in building awareness and self-compassion. That said, our goal is not to rehash your past but to transform your relationship with yourself in the present. Once you recognize the unique patterns you developed to master your early world, we take a good look at how they serve you in the present. You will build deep self-compassion for yourself and your journey so far. Then, you can challenge yourself to try new ways of being. You can explore what fills you up and lights you up and move toward those things. You can learn the daily practices that sustain and recharge you, so you can feel steady as you move through your life as a person and a parent. You can bring your whole self to your relationships and watch your connections deepen. There will always be challenges in life, but you should leave therapy with a deeper sense that you’ve got this, whatever “this” may be.
Professional Credentials
Career Experience
For the past 16 years, I have worked with individuals, couples, and groups in such settings as:
- Raimy Clinic
- Sutherland Center for the Evaluation and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
- Kempe Foundation for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect
- Wardenburg Health Center
- Summit Behavioral Sleep Medicine
- Private Practice since 2006
Notable Specializations
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Training in embodiment, mindfulness and community (Humanity First)
education background
- B.A. in Psychology from Williams College 2002
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder 2006
Welcome to Therapy
Whiteford Parent Support
Serving Boulder County & Beyond
What I Offer...
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Parenting is hard work! It is easy to lose sight of your own needs and self-worth. I created my blog to help parents everywhere maintain perspective and assist them in their parenting journey. It will containing relevant information on Parenting, Therapy, Self-Care, Self-Compassion our Educational System, Special Events and more. Sign up now. You can cancel anytime.