Narcissistic Personality (NPD) Therapists in Boulder, CO

I specialize in Neurodiversity and Dark-Triad Personality Traits, which means I primarily cater to people: (1) with innately idiosyncratic brains (Autism, ADHD, OCD, Dyslexia, Sensory Processing Issues, etc); (2) who have been subjected to narcissistic abuse; (3) that are self-aware narcissists or psychopaths who want to be better adjusted. These two populations appear to be surprisingly intertwined socially, unwittingly seeking one another, and having the other group in their lives. Unusual and/or extreme brains have such a rhythm to their interpersonal relationships, which is frequently colorful, but not without its burdens.

You've probably discovered that life has presented you with a myriad of curve balls. Perhaps traumas from your past are lurking beneath the surface, waiting to be unveiled. Maybe you even notice your body sending you signals that something "feels off", or feel stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns and crave to break free. Waking up to our realities is a vulnerable and brave act, which can oftentimes feel frightening. I hold space for all of these experiences. Through trauma-informed psychotherapy and somatic (body-based) interventions, we will safely enter into a deep healing process for lasting change together.

Now Accepting NEW Clients. I work with adult children, partners and siblings of individuals with Narcissistic and Borderline Personality Disorder traits. It can be difficult to find a therapist who truly understand the impact and wounds of being raised in a home or being in a relationship with someone who has narcissistic and borderline traits. My work includes creating a healthy psychological separation, changing the negative internal messages, learning how to respond to others, creating healthy boundaries, stopping the legacy of distorted love and becoming your true and authentic self.

Dr. Merriman offers one-on-one psychotherapy with adults who wish to suffer less. As Haruki Murakami wrote, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” She is an integrative therapist, drawing from various traditions to provide patients a unique, tailored therapeutic experience that benefits them most. She takes a humanistic and contemplative approach to therapy. Dr. Merriman is a generalist and treats a variety of conditions, but areas of specialty include trauma and PTSD (including chronic/complex trauma), grief/loss, mindfulness and meditation, and narcissistic /borderline/personality issues.

I see clients virtually, as well as at my two offices in Central Park and Cherry Creek. Within the context of a supportive therapeutic relationship, we will work together to develop insight, understanding, and most importantly, lasting, meaningful change for you or your couple. I offer psychotherapy for a range of issues including emotional difficulties, relationship issues, divorce consultation​, major life events, mental health concerns, or everyday stress. We will work together to meet your goals, obtain relief, and enrich your life. I also offer divorce support classes at my Cherry Creek location.

As a child, adults said to you: “Wow, you’re mature for your age!” Maybe you had to be. Growing up, you walked on eggshells, desperate to keep the peace. You tried to stay as small, quiet, and compliant as possible. You questioned whether you were “good enough”. You found yourself parenting your parent, navigating their difficult emotions, but you weren’t allowed to have any of your own. As an adult, you find yourself continuing to live in these patterns. You say “yes” when you want to say “no”. You put everyone else’s needs ahead of your own. You deny your emotions and you doubt your intuition. You feel lonely, unseen, and unknown.

Do you and your partner suffer from communication problems? Did one of you have an affair and you are wondering if you can rebuild your relationship? Do you long for the days when you felt loved by your partner instead of lonely and in pain? Relationship stress takes a huge toll on your daily life. It can make it impossible to function at work, parent your kids and just get through your day. Studies show that a toxic relationship can even negatively impact your physical health. If any of these difficulties sound familiar, you are not alone. We all need to feel safe with our partner in order to be our best selves in relationship.

We all embody basic health and the capacity to love and be loved. As a result of pain and fear these capacities can become obscured. My professional training, 38 years of professional experience, study, and mindfulness practices have taught me how to provide a safe and caring environment where together we will use your strengths to access your ability to thrive. I will skillfully guide you on a safe and nurturing journey that is well worth taking; one that will increase connection and joy.

Do you feel disconnected from yourself and the world around you? Are your relationships missing something, or are you having trouble identifying and expressing your needs? Many of the issues that cause us difficulty in our lives today come from our attempt to use outdated strategies for getting our needs met. Additionally, neither our pain nor our path to wellbeing are separate from the larger context of the communities and societies we live in. Taking action for our own well-being is the first step to taking action for the well-being of the whole planet.

Affordable psychotherapy services. Low-fee private-pay and Medicaid for individuals, couples, families, teens, and children. Services are provided by licensed clinicians, pre-licensure psychotherapists, and supervised Masters level interns.

As your therapist I will work hard to provide you with the tools to overcome obstacles and reach your personal goals. Unlocking your potential will be our primary aim along with developing an awareness of how we create our own blocks. You will also work towards becoming more yourself as strange as that may sound! This involves getting in touch with your own psyche to discover, or rediscover, what makes you tick. It can be an incredibly rewarding process.

My work rests on a profound respect for the human capacity to change and a deep appreciation of the impact of emotional pain on both mind and body. Indeed, I view many “symptoms” as creative attempts to cope under stress. This perspective emerged from 30+ years in practice, formal training, work at psychiatric hospitals and other facilities, experience as a supervisor and a teacher, and lived experience. Whereas my specific approach is individualized, my overall orientation privileges the relationship between therapist and client as a force for change and a window into other relationships, both historical and contemporary.

I am committed to helping people contact, explore, and work through their emotional pain, relational wounds, and attachment patterns. My ongoing training, personal therapy, and supervision allow me to listen deeply and non-judgmentally as we engage in a therapeutic dialogue.

I assume serious intent to address whatever brought the patient to my office in the first place. It is my hope to form the most positive therapeutic alliance possible. The first step is to acknowledge the courage it took to make the call. I have been practicing as a licensed Clinical Psychologist for thirty years. I have also served as a faculty member at the University of Colorado Boulder for over twenty years. I mostly see chronic depressed and anxious patients I .have worked across the spectrum from imminently suicidial to the broader existential issues concerning a more meaningful life.

There is nothing I enjoy more than helping people improve their lives and relationships; feel less stressed and more content. I take a down-to-earth approach that focuses on your particular needs, desires and goals. Then we come up with a plan for how to enable you to meet your goals. This involves finding out what is blocking you from having the kind of life you want, and taking the steps to overcome those obstacles. Once you understand the source of your difficulties, and have an ally to help you make the necessary changes, anything is possible.

Hi, I am passionate about providing counseling services. Have you lost your balance in relationships, work etc and need to recalibrate? I am here to help you. Together we can find understanding, relief, ways to cope and improve your life. My practice focuses on helping individuals and couples. Using a direct and interactive approach, my goal is to foster increased self-awareness and insight. Suggesting alternative approaches, I help clients develop skills needed to function in their lives more wholly. In the most empathetic way, I am going to challenge your thinking so you start to feel better.