Meet The Team
Men's Therapists in Denver
Our team of men's mental health therapists hold a Master's Degree in Psychology, Counseling or another relevant field and hold active licensure for therapy in the state of Colorado.
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Additionally, our men's mental health therapists are trained in issues that disproportionally affect men including ADHD, Addiction, Anger, Suicidal Idealtion and more.
Michela Parisi M.A. LPCC BCN
OWNER, THERAPIST & BOARD CERTIFIED NEUROFEEDBACK CLINICIAN
Michela's passion for mental health tracks back to her teenage years and led her to found Connected Brain Counseling, a group practice specializing in women and trauma, in 2021. During this time, she saw an influx of male clients who were ready to address their mental health concerns, yet the fear around what this meant for their self identity was often shaken.
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Michela noticed how deeply the expectations around what it meant to be a man effected the outcome of her work with couples. She understood that her male clients didn't lack the desire to be better partners...it's just that society placed unrealistic and often confusing expectations on their shoulders on what it means to be a man. These roadblocks showed up in the therapy room and her male clients' relationships and self esteem were negatively impacted
Michela found herself drawn toward helping men feel confident in identifying and expressing their emotions in a way that felt natural to them, and therefore feel more connected to those they love as well.
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With this, Michela dove head first into understanding more of the male perspective in modern society. She created the Men's Mental Wellness Center to offer a hub of providers who both honor healthy masculinity and create space for improved communication, emotional expression and security for men. ​​
Michela holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Counseling, is a Board Certified Neurofeedback Clinician and the Program Director of qEEG Brain Mapping at the practice. She thrives on data driven evidence in the therapy room and prides herself on ethical practice. In her spare time, you can find her spending time with her growing family and soaking up some sunshine wherever she can find it.
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James Thielens MA, LPCC, LAC
THERAPIST & BRAIN MAPPING CORPORATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Through both lived experience and formal education, James has developed expertise in meeting clients exactly where they are, regardless of where that may be. James received his Masters in Clinical Behavioral Health from Metropolitan State University and has a unique employment history which enables him to connect with those from all walks of life. James has dedicated himself to deep understanding of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Solutions-Focused Therapy and integration into his clinical perspective. Each client is met with an individualized approach that empowers the client to feel capable of making the necessary changes to rewrite their story.
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James's experience in practicing DBT informs tangible skill building opportunities for clients to use in real time. Narrative Therapy empowers individuals to process through their past in order to best create the next chapter of their life. Solutions-Focused Therapy utilizes a forward-looking, collaborative approach to develop time-bound outcomes which lead to positive and impactful results. James is able to employ each of these modalities on their own or in collaboration with each other to develop a tailored approach which is custom-fit for the client.
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Clients will collaborate with James not just to establish treatment goals but also to understand how these goals will be achieved. Whether it is skill building, utilizing a safe space to unpack and reflect, or serving as a confidante with which to develop accountability, James feels comfortable fostering a relationship which ultimately benefits the client. Clients will lead the way in promoting sustainable life adjustments with James at their side to empower self-belief, self-confidence, and self-actualization.
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James is adventurous and enjoys hiking, mountain biking, camping, and backpacking. Additionally, he loves live music and volunteers with the National Sports Center for the Disabled. James is a new father of his son and long-time dad of two dogs Mabel and Gilly. James looks forward to connecting and learning how he can be of service!
Sydney Focht MA, LPCC
THERAPIST & LEAD NEUROFEEDBACK CLINICIAN
Oddly enough, I discovered my interest and passion for treating men's issues through all of my work with women. As a woman treating other women, I couldn't help but feel drawn to better understanding what assumptions were being made about the men in our lives.
Since then, my work with men's issues has been rooted in genuine curiosity and openness, a healthy amount of challenging unfair expectations and beliefs when needed, and hearty doses of self-compassion that might feel hard to come by naturally for men in today's society.
I have experience in treating the grief (and maybe relief?) that comes with divorce or the loss of a loved one, nagging insecurities that naturally follow us through different life stages, and working with those who are experiencing varying levels of stress and anxiety but aren't exactly sure how therapy could help bring some relief. Let me also say, by no means do I expect you to be able to present a polished, clear cut "issue" to be addressed. I am here to help you better understand what might not be working for you, even if it currently feels hard to put into words.
If you're wondering what you might be able to get out of therapy, I encourage you to give it a shot - I'll be here to support you along the way.
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Pauly Munn PhD Candidate, LPCC, EMDR Trained
INDIVIDUAL & COUPLES THERAPIST
Pauly is a trauma-informed clinician and a specialist in working with men's issues, including relationship conflict, discrimination, insecurities, addiction, and more.
Pauly caters each of his sessions to the unique experience of his clients, and offers a safe space for individuals to self-reflect, express vulnerability, and share their unique experience.
Pauly believes that healing begins with finding true purpose and meaning in one's life, and achieves this through facilitation of an integrative blend of evidence-based modalities including Humanistic Psychology, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and more.
Pauly is an empathetic counselor who believes in the power of compassion, yet utilizes a direct approach in therapy. Pauly utilizes a collaborative lens with the goal of guiding his clients towards meaningful self-insight, and building critical resources for facilitating change and/or navigating intense emotions.
Pauly is a licensed therapist who received his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regis University and is a doctoral student for a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University.
Outside of therapy, Pauly is a Colorado native who enjoys staying active through basketball, tennis, hiking, dancing, weight training, and more. Pauly also spends his spare time engaging in Psychology research surrounding trauma, social justice, and neuropsychology.