Vera Levin, M.A.

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Vera received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology in 2018. She continues to work towards her doctorate as well. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Colorado College in 2015. 

From Vera: I was drawn to practice psychology for many reasons, but several stand out as very important: My experience as an identical twin has led me to be curious about others and has helped me understand the importance of deep connection. I think it’s powerful to feel like one can be an agent of change in one’s own life. I believe it’s essential to understand the “whys” of our actions before we can effectively make change, and I love to help guide clients to this type of understanding and powerful thinking. 

Why do I want to work for the Ardent Grove Foundation? I am saddened that there are many people in the world without access to mental health care. I feel blessed to be working for a clinic that is more accessible to the community because I do not want the cost of treatment to be a barrier to individuals getting the help they need. 

I love working with clients that desire or need a direct and collaborative approach, and that is how I present and help in the therapy room. In addition, I enjoy clients who appreciate the healing power of laughter  (when appropriate). Connecting with humor can both lighten and deepen connections between myself and my clients. 

I am passionate about working with individuals with relationship difficulties; be it with all family members present for therapy, just the couple, a child and parent, or individuals wanting to improve relations with others. I also appreciate working with trauma and eating disorders. Before graduate school, I worked in an intensive outpatient program specializing in perinatal mental health. I have also completed an intensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) course as well as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) training.

Rich is currently working towards his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. He received his Master’s in Clinical Psychology in 2019 from DU and also previously obtained a Master’s of Fine Arts degree from Brown University in 2011. 

From Rich: I come to psychology as someone who wants to have a positive impact on people’s lives, helping them heal and thrive. Psychology is an exciting field with an exciting future because it’s a field where science and humanity meet. Through many of my life experiences, I learned that it’s the person— their abilities, conflicts, joys, and traumas— that lead me to want to connect with clients on a one-on-one level to help them to improve their situations. 

The Ardent Grove Foundation and Clinic is an exciting place to work— an exciting team to work with. It’s a modern clinic that provides a unique experience for clinical trainees: to work in a thriving professional setting and learn from an accomplished group of psychologists with a diverse range of expertise. 

My ideal client is anyone who is looking for an opportunity to identify what she/he wants out of life, collaborate on what’s getting in his/her way, and set a course for life that is more productive, fulfilling living.  Psychotherapeutic support works best when it serves people not in lightening the load but in strengthening backs. 

I have experience with general psychotherapy, treating more difficult severe and persistent symptoms, providing various psychological assessments, and systems/family therapy. I also have experience working in neuro/rehab psychology with traumatic brain injury.

Alex obtained his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2017 and is currently a predoctoral graduate student at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. He also received two Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. 

From Alex: Working with the Ardent Grove Foundation (AGF) allows me the flexibility to provide valuable, empirically supported treatment options for all types of individuals, including teenagers and adults. There are often cost barriers with finding highly trained and competent therapists, and AGF allows the opportunity to bridge quality care with the people who need it the most. 

My ideal clients are those who truly want to get better, but maybe do not possess the right tools to do so. My approach to therapy involves helping a person discover what is truly important to them, and creatively crafting paths to take get there; whether it is reducing pain and suffering, finally receiving a diagnosis and tools to overcome problems, or improving stressors and reaching goals. I find that patience, non-judgment, and honesty tend to help my clients get better, and I do my best to be true to these qualities in each relationship. 

I have specialized training in trauma therapies (including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing [EMDR]), anxiety disorders, SPMI (Severe and Persistent Mental Illness), and mood disorders. I provide individual therapy for adults and adolescents, as well as couples therapy

Steph is originally from Philadelphia and went to school in Washington, D.C. where she earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Communication and Public Health. She obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Denver and is currently a predoctoral student in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology. 

From Steph: I am drawn to psychotherapy because the connecting with people is dynamic, creative, and impactful. I enjoy watching my client’s growth process, and seeing her/his understanding and acceptance of themselves unfold. I want to help reduce conflict and difficulties in peoples’ lives. I am always impressed by each client’s bravery and resilience and it feels like an honor to help others through her/his journey. 

I am excited to work for the Ardent Grove Foundation and Clinic because it is committed to providing accessible, high-quality mental health care, which is vital to the overall wellness of our Denver community. I am drawn to being part of that mission and to contribute to health and care in my community. 

When asked what my ideal client would be to help, I can simply say, my ideal client is the person who comes in with a willingness to work! 

I am in the process of getting certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), which has strengthened my ability to work with children and their caregivers to empower families. It has also built my knowledge around systems and attachment theories. I have varied experience with adults, adolescents, teens, and families in all types of clinics. I feel that I’m able to flex my clinical skills to accommodate every client as an individual. I have also completed an intensive Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) training.