Jose Gonzalez

Jose is a Clinical Social Worker who has experience working with people across the lifespan. Though he has worked with an array of clients across a variety of settings, he is most passionate about working with those that have experienced trauma, equipping them with the tools needed to manage the everyday stressors of life. Jose believes in utilizing a wholistic and integrative approach, and throughout his career has been able to intertwine his love for the outdoors with his passion for healing; utilizing hiking, biking, camping, and meditation as therapeutic tools to facilitate the healing process. Jose is native to Cuba and emigrated to the United States when he was 9 years old. Until recently, he made Colorado his home, where he has enjoyed exploring the great outdoors. Though born with the unique challenge of not having a radius bone in either of his arms, he has not let that hold him back, and is excited for the many adventures that come with calling Alaska home. Education and Experience: Jose earned his Bachelor's degree in Foreign Language from Colorado State University-Pueblo, with an emphasis in Spanish, in 2014. He then went on to earn a Master’s of Science in Social Work from Newman University, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration. He has been credentialed at a Licensed Counselor by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. In accordance with CO state law, Jose is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Jose began working in the mental health field in 2011 as a direct care service provider in a residential treatment facility. His passion for this field led him to continue his journey, initially as a case manager, and in time, as a clinician. Since securing his Master’s Degree in 2017, Jose has worked in a variety of treatment settings, serving both youth and adults, including those struggling with substance dependency as well as those in and out of the criminal justice system. Jose is passionate about offering trauma informed care and assisting clients with developing the tools to manage stressors and thrive in their everyday life. He is an EMDR trained therapist and is excited to be bringing his skillset to the BLC team. Counseling Perspective: As a provider Jose takes a Humanistic approach to mental health treatment by emphasizing the importance of being your true self in order to live your most fulfilling life. Jose maintains that clients possess within themselves all the necessary tools to heal, they just need a safe and nurturing environment to access those tools. Jose believes that safety is largely developed within one’s natural support system, and will work with you to build, strengthen and nurture those healthy supports. At the heart of Jose’s therapeutic framework is the understanding that our harm most often happens in the context of relationships, and that it is there, that we are also healed. Building those healthy relationships, both in and outside of therapy, will be the foundation of your work with Jose. You can expect a strengths-based approach where your gains and successes are emphasized and built upon. Jose offers unconditional positive regard and will work with you collaboratively to reframe your perspective and build new nueropathways that lead to more adaptive and healthy functioning. Once the framework of safety, connection and new patterns for being in the world are established, deeper work is often pursued to challenge and rewrite faulty core beliefs and automatic negative thoughts that influence behavior. Psychoeducation, tools for changing behavior, and homework to practice your skills outside of the therapy hour will all be integrated into your work with Jose.