Meet Dr. Blake
(she/her)
Coming from a family history of mental health and addiction issues, I felt the drive early on to become a therapist. Witnessing the suffering and resiliency of those around me emboldened me to pursue a career that focused on healing and growth. I’ve always been drawn to deep connections with others and knew that I wanted my path in life to have meaning.
While attending the University of Dayton, I became enthralled in my sociology and psychology classes about how society and individual people interact and influence each other. This is also where my dedication to issues around social justice began, a guiding arrow I have used throughout all of my education and training. While in college, I decided that becoming a therapist would allow me the opportunity to support both individual people and the greater society and systems surrounding them. I later completed my Master’s at Boston College and my Doctorate at the Adler School of Professional Psychology, programs that embedded diversity and social justice work into the curriculum and training. Throughout my training and work experience, I have provided therapeutic services in community mental health centers, university counseling centers, hospitals, schools and now, private practice. I also teach at University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology and have supervised several doctoral students in clinical training.
I firmly believe that I am a person first, therapist second. Demonstrating this, through being vulnerable and authentic myself, allows you to better witness my humanity and fosters a stronger, safer and more powerful therapeutic connection. I would describe my therapeutic style as relational, cultural, collaborative, and creative. Much of my approach focuses on past relationships in your life, the current ones you have, the future ones you want, and the relationship you and I are entering into together. Understanding early family relationships, moments from childhood, influential memories and other crucial life experiences helps us create a map of your life so we can better understand your struggles at this moment in time. We then use this as a roadmap to therapeutic change, alongside some good humor and genuineness. I also recognize that each of us has different life experiences and identities that impact the ways in which we see and experience the world. By understanding what these are for you, and sharing some of mine, therapy is deepened and generates healing that allows us to grow through and toward connection. Through collaboration and vulnerability, we can foster your ability to thrive.
I am eager to walk beside you on your journey toward healing.
Areas I Can Support You In
Sex and Sexuality Pregnancy and Postpartum Concerns Navigating Non-monogamy/Polyamory Kink/BDSM Relationship Issues Fertility Concerns Pregnancy Loss Women’s Health Divorce Dating Premarital Therapy
Licenses and Certifications
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
PSYPACT Psychologist
Level One Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training from Postpartum Support International and 2020 Moms
Prepare/Enrich Certified - Premarital Therapy
Education
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) - Adler School of Professional Psychology
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling (MA) - Boston College
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Psychology (BA) -University of Dayton