I help nurture collaborative paths to healing and growth.
HI, I’M DONNA
My name is Donna Contreraz-Wetherbee. I am an Indigenous woman, my pronouns are she, her, hers. I have a small private practice: Sweetgrass Counseling Services, LLC.
I am licensed in Colorado and I have a PhD in the Advanced Study of Human Behavior and have been in the mental health field for over 25 years. I believe my role as a therapist, along with the client, is to work together to form a partnership, and together decide how to proceed. Therapy does not happen overnight, and you will reap the benefits from what you sow in the therapeutic process. The therapeutic process is about exploring, examining and being curious about your life and working to make some changes. An essential concept in therapy is to feel safe and at ease; to feel safe enough to begin the process of self exploration and comfortable enough to be vulnerable. Each of us is the architect of our own future.
I have been in the mental health field most of my adult life. After graduating from high school I attended Metropolitan State University where I began delving into the field of psychology. I went to Lesley University for my master’s degree in Counseling psychology. With my master’s degree I began specializing in play therapy and worked with children who had experienced trauma. In 2010, I completed the Benedictine spiritual formation program to become a spiritual director. I believe our spirituality is an integral component of our lives. My goal was to integrate spirituality into my psychological background and training. So I decided to go back to school and begin working on my doctoral degree.
I am currently working with adults of all ages. I continue to focus my work on individuals who have been impacted by trauma. I like to use polyvagal informed theory (PVT) in my practice. For me this theory substantiates the notion that God designed us with an incredible surveillance system known as our autonomic nervous system, however, it does not come with an owners manual and may take some time to decipher. I believe PVT is an important aspect of the therapeutic process and helpful to not only understand the complex biological response, but also to help us to have compassion for ourselves. Incorporating a spiritual lens into the therapeutic process not only validates my own faith but also my understanding of the universe.
When I am not working or attending webinars and conferences I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I live with my husband in Lakewood, CO, and we've been married for 36 years. One of my favorite things to do is to spend time with and occasionally travel with our adult daughter and son-in-law! I enjoy traveling, reading, quilting & sewing, watching movies, going to the theater, eating good food, keeping myself healthy, trying to stay fit and just hanging out and chatting with people I love. I also really enjoy learning more about different theories in psychology, and my most recent interest has been exploring the field of neuroscience!
My role as a therapist:
Collaborative Therapeutic Partnership
I believe in forming a collaborative partnership with my clients, working together to decide the path of their therapeutic journey.
Recognizing that therapy is not a quick fix, I emphasize the importance of a joint effort, where both therapist and client contribute to the process.
Exploration and Curiosity
The therapeutic process I offer is centered around exploring and examining various aspects of life, fostering a sense of curiosity about one's experiences.
I encourage clients to actively engage in self-exploration and make meaningful changes, understanding that the journey unfolds gradually over time.
Creating a Safe and Comfortable Environment
Essential to my approach is the establishment of a safe and comfortable space for clients, allowing them to embark on the journey of self-exploration with a sense of security.
I emphasize the importance of feeling at ease and vulnerable in therapy, as these elements pave the way for personal growth and positive changes.
