Resiliency Therapists

Danielle Vance

Founder / Therapist: 

I grew up in Colorado in the 70’s with a single “hippie” mother and 2 other siblings struggling with poverty and trauma. As a child I was the person others seemed to come to for listening and insight - my mother called me her ‘wise child’. I spent my 20’s learning the philosophy and foundations of psychology. I had always had a deep spiritual awareness and longing in my seeking of “the study of the soul” = psychology. Following a spiritual teacher named Mata Amritanandamayi from age 19-32 and wanting to be a monk and serve the world, I had asked her to live in the ashram and do her work with her. Amma wisely told me that I would be hiding and I needed to be in the world helping in my own way. I eventually became a mother (best ever!) and started a private practice.

Although my tough childhood naturally paved the way for becoming a trauma specialist in my therapy practice, my other passion is relationship dynamics and health in all types of relationship spanning across romantic partnership, family, friends, nature, the earth, and God. Connection is the basis of all our basic needs and untangling the unhealthy dynamics we are taught into a more free, authentic and intimate connection.

 

Danielle’s Professional Journey and Trainings include:

  • BA in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy at CU Denver 98’
  • MA in Transpersonal Psychology at Naropa University 02’
  • Private Practice 2005 - Present
  • Served on The Colorado Licensed Professional Counselors Association as a Chair for the Ethics and Jurisprudence Committee 2005-2007
  • Co-Founded Highlands Wellness Center 2009 - 2021 Denver and Boulder Center for Crime Victims 08’ to Present Testimony and advocacy work with survivors of violence.
  • Training in Core Energetics 06’
    • Emotional Freedom Technique, certified 09’
    • Gestalt
    • CAC III 05’ Addictions certified
    • Somatic Experiencing certified 14’
  • Meditation for Yoga Teachers
    • Core Power Yoga 2010 - 2013
  • Trauma Informed Prenatal Yoga Teacher Trainer
    • Belly Bliss 2010 - 2015
  • Organizational Psychology and Restructuring Team work -
    • SungateKids Jan 22’
  • Parallel Process Recovery and Teaching
    • SungateKids July 22’

Quote

Be Resilient:

"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination." - Carl Rogers

Elani Nicole

I began my own journey into therapy when my anxiety and eating disorder were beginning to disrupt my life. I was 17 and went to a therapist my parents recommended. It was not a fit! I didn't realize that there are many different types of therapy and therapists and instead determined that therapy must just not be for me. I continued to struggle with panic attacks and my disordered eating patterns until I found the realm of self-development in my early 20’s.

It was through a self-development program that I had my first shift. I realized that I had a lot of self-defeating beliefs that I was reenforcing daily and that if I changed my beliefs I could start to change my actions. Sounds a bit simplistic and it was, but it helped get me started and kept the panic at bay for a while. I got trained as a coach in Landmark’s methodology but I felt that their mindset focus was incomplete and I wanted a more comprehensive approach. I began studying with a yoga mentor in New York City and was fascinated by the way our psychology mirrored our physiology and vice versa. We were learning about using the alchemy of our physical being to transform the psyche. I would later bring this training into my thesis work for graduate school. It was around this time that I also began working with a spiritual mentor and iridologist and began experimenting with meditation. I began to experience synchronicity and alignment, I didn't quite understand the experience at the time but it was likely what Western psychology has labeled “flow state.”

I then started my own life coaching practice, I created an approach that included mindset work, physical symptomology and guided meditation to help clients tune into their own truth and intuition. This took off and I have had the privilege and honor of working with hundreds of client on all facets of this approach for the past 10 years.

About 4 years into working as a coach, a close family member experienced a mental health crisis that rocked my world. I witnessed the power of the psyche up close and while I had a strong intuitive knowing of how to support this person, when the dust had settled I realized I had a great deal to learn about human psychology. I sought out my own therapist and have been working with him weekly for the past 5 years. It was working with him that I realized I hadn’t found a therapist prior that really worked for me!

It was my therapist that encouraged me to go back to school for my masters. I completed my masters in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2021 and added individual, marriage and family therapy to my practice. This program has an emphasis in depth psychology which informs both my counseling and coaching practice. I currently work via phone, tele-health or in-person.

I currently live in City Park neighborhood in Denver, Colorado with my husband and two daughters. I continue teaching dance and see both therapy and coaching clients. In my freetime I love to buy used furniture off of Nextdoor and Facebook, and am continually redecorating my home. I also enjoy working out, watching ridiculous amounts of Bravo and the occasional session with one of my psychics. If any of this resonates, I look forward to connecting with you!

Elani Nicole - Therapist
Elani Nicole - Therapist