Carolyn Black, PsyD
Dr. Carolyn Black (she/they) is a Licensed Psychologist (LP) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado. She is an integrative psychotherapist, diagnostic evaluator, and intersectional advocate. Carolyn attained her PsyD from the University of Denver (DU), Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP), in Denver, CO, and her doctoral capstone paper was written about meme culture.
Can you describe your approach to therapy and the specific modalities you use?
I strive to help people live authentically by helping with building and making meaning of experiences across all facets of life. I invite vulnerability, curiosity, and creativity into the therapy space for us to explore what matters and why.
What can clients expect during their first session with you?
We always review any questions you may have about paperwork/policy/procedures and we can chat more deeply about the therapy or assessment/evaluation process itself. I like to pull the veil back on how sessions are documented and your rights as a client…
How do you collaborate with clients to set goals and measure progress in therapy?
I love and appreciate feedback at any point during our work together and am so grateful when clients are open about their experiences in session. I also love and appreciate how absolutely difficult that can be, as I am quick to acknowledge the inherent power dynamics of being a client in this field.
How do you maintain your own emotional well-being and continue growing as a therapist?
I picked this field for many reasons, one of which being how incredibly challenging it is and how much it keeps me on my toes…
Is there a book or author that has had a profound influence on your approach to life or therapy?
Back when I was a teenager, my favorite high school teacher introduced Kurt Vonnegut to me through Slaughterhouse-Five and as cliche it may be to say, it changed my life…
What's one thing that others often find surprising about you?
My unapologetic love and appreciation for cursing, expletives, and the power of swear words (to be clear, this does NOT include slurs!). I love exploring the cultural contexts of profanity…