Sandra E. Fortson, LCSW (she/her)

My clinical practice is guided by the belief that each and every one of us – regardless of past our experience or current struggles – possess a remarkable capacity for healing and overall spiritual well-being. I have been shown time and again throughout my professional experience that it often simply takes the support of an understanding, non-judgmental hand to obtain clarity and overcome the obstacles which inhibit us from connecting with this inherent power for resiliency and growth. I have been inspired by my passion for upholding the values, rights, and fundamental strengths of all people in helping them realize their full potential for as long as I can remember. As such, I had no doubt that I was meant to enter the social work profession and have since had the great fortune of fully immersing myself within my educational and professional career without looking back. After earning my Bachelor of Social Work degree with a minor in Sociology at the University of South Alabama, my desire to further my education and love for the outdoors led me to pursue a Master’s degree in generalist social work at Colorado State University. I immediately fell in love with Fort Collins and have remained here since earning my Master of Social Work degree in 2016. Having a background in generalist social work means that I have been trained in applying preventative and intervention methods to a wide array of social problems with the goal of promoting the overall well-being of all humans. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with populations ranging from the homeless, at-risk youth, deaf and hard-of-hearing, to victims of abuse. In addition, my experience providing therapy and conducting mental health evaluations for adolescents and adults has fostered my ability to assess, diagnose, and inform treatment planning. Integrating a systems perspective into my work has furthered my ability to best meet the needs of individuals and nurture their development of the tools necessary to overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles in life. I approach each of my clients with a holistic perspective, working to treat the whole individual and discover the root of any struggles you may be experiencing to empower you to reach your fullest potential in all areas of life. I have experience in working with clients dealing with issues including mental illness, trauma, and an array of life transitions. In my work, I utilize treatment modalities such as Brainspotting, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care. As I continue to grow in my clinical experience, however, I have repeatedly witnessed the barriers our conscious mind can place on us, binding us to rigid patterns of thinking and behavior that have been deeply ingrained throughout our lives. I have consequently developed a passion for the power of alternative treatment modalities such as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy which allow us tap into our subconscious mind and break down these obstacles which may hold us back from mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. Given my generalist approach to recovery, I take great care to cater my clinical approach to meet the specific and varying needs of each individual. Whatever it is you may be facing in life, I look forward to joining you on your journey towards realizing your inner capacity to move towards wholeness and wellbeing.