Ian Birlem, Boulder Psychotherapist, MA, LPCC
As a therapist, I bring my years of personal work and training in psychology to help guide my clients in their own transformation. My primary guides are my connection with nature, meditation, and my amazing partner and wise children. In my practice I bring a gentle honesty, compassion, and openness which is grounded by my training in trauma treatment and psychotherapeutic technique.
I utilize an eclectic approach that integrates EMDR trauma therapy, shamanic techniques, Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic psychotherapy, parts work, PACT psychobiological theory, and mindfulness to guide my clients into a deeper awareness of self, greater personal freedom, and transformative healing.
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Contemplative Psychology and my Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Naropa University and I’ve been studying and working in the field of meditation and psychology since 2008. In addition, I am trained in PACT Couples Counseling, certified in EMDR with the Maiberger Institute, Internal Family Systems, and completed Arielle Schwarz’s training in Complex PTSD: A Comprehensive Approach to Accurately Assess and Effectively Treat Clients with Chronic, Repeated and/or Developmental Trauma.
My primary meditation teacher is Tara Brach and I’ve been fortunate to have learned from many other great teachers like Bhante Gunaratana, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, and Rick Hanson.
My path to becoming a therapist began several decades ago through a spiritual crises at age eighteen as I questioned the fundamental meaning of self, time, consensus reality, and where I fit into the universe. This spiritual emergency, that brought more questions than answers, was incredibly challenging, and yet firmly placed me on the path of healing, growth, and mystical study which I pursue to this day.
While my education has been invaluable, it’s my own continual learning through individual therapy, the path of relationship, and being a father that most impacts my work as a healer and therapist. Everyday I learn more about the beauty of relationship and am stunned by how much I still have to grow. Humble pie, the best teacher of all.
My areas of focus are working with couples, nice guy recovery and integration of sacred masculinity, developmental trauma, attachment trauma, anxiety, and depression. My practice is based in North Boulder, CO where me and my partner Michele Hart, also a PACT couple and EMDR trained therapist, have our offices.
In my free time I love to spend time in nature near my home in the mountains of Boulder and practice martial arts including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai Kickboxing.