Hello, my name is Ayla (eye-lah). I’m an intern therapist working towards my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adams State University. My professional background includes a decade as a full time ceramic artist, maintaining a studio practice as well as teaching community pottery classes where I have supported adolescents and adults of all ages in embodied skill building and the vulnerability of creative expression. These experiences continue to shape my work and deepen my understanding of the therapeutic process.

Like the practice of creating a pottery vessel, I see therapy as a collaborative process in which we build a secure container that is the exact right shape to hold and support your particular softness. My primary goal as a counselor is to create a therapeutic space warmed by empathy, curiosity, and unconditional acceptance, because all healing starts with safety.

Together, we will explore any challenges you are currently facing and get curious about what deeper elements may be impacting your present experience. I work from a trauma-informed and compassion-focused lens, and I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches, including emotion-focused therapy (EFT), somatic therapy, internal family systems therapy (IFS), and relational-cultural therapy (RCT). This means that we may look at how your past experiences and relationships shape your current patterns, notice how your body is carrying and responding to your emotions, identify conflicting internal desires or beliefs that hold you back, or explore the impacts of race, class, gender, and other systemic forces of privilege and oppression. Whatever we discover, our aim will be to develop self-understanding, self-compassion, and courage, which create space for meaningful change to take place.

I enjoy working with adults of all ages who are trying to unravel the knots of depression, anxiety, shame, or chronic stress in their lives, as well as folks who want to explore relationship challenges with family, friends, or romantic partners. I also work with people reckoning with the impact of unmet childhood needs and other complex trauma experiences on their adult lives, and with people facing life transitions and exploring changing identities. I am especially passionate about working with experiences of parentification, codependency, shame, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and workaholism.

Therapy can be uncomfortable, surprising, playful, challenging, gentle, and deeply rewarding. I believe that as a therapist my role is to help you find and follow your own inner knowing, build self-trust and resilience, and deepen your capacity to create meaning, purpose, joy and connection in life. We all carry an innate wisdom and capacity for healing: in our work together, we will create the conditions in which your inner guide can take the wheel and build momentum towards your therapeutic goals.

$40 Private Pay (HSA Ok)

**I am unable to accept any type of Medicare plan at this time.**

Monday: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Questions for Ayla?

Send them an email at ayla.mullen@accent-counseling.com