Massage: Expanding on Emotional Therapy Releasing emotional pains the body holds

A holistic mind-body-spirit view

In a couples counseling session we often hear people relate their reaction to uncovering a memory with the words, “I can feel it right here,” as they point to a specific spot in their body. To help address the physical stresses and previous physical memories held by your body, Littleton Couples Counseling combines massage with traditional couples counseling.

Some issues that inspire a person to seek psychotherapy encompass a combination of mind, body, and spirit. Many sexual struggles or body image problems individuals and couples encounter consist of more than solely emotional components and often stem from physical memories held by the body. In a similar vein, massage can trigger painful memories that have been stored in the body and cause emotions to surface on the table.

Synergizing talk and touch

In regards to couples counseling and sex therapy, Colorado is a no-touch state. That means a psychotherapist cannot touch their patients. This regulation may cause a schism in a holistic treatment of the client’s inner mind-body-spirit relationship, especially when emotions or memories involve the body. Touch can be an essential part of the healing process.

Massage therapists offer so much in terms of decreasing physical stress, increasing serotonin and dopamine, modeling and teaching consent and safe touch, and improving feelings around body acceptance.

Academic studies have shown that psychotherapy and massage therapy are effective treatments for depression and anxiety. Littleton Couples Counseling brings talk therapy and massage therapy together. Client consent enables our providers to share insight and communicate treatment strategies, allowing the therapists to assist in the client’s treatment that achieve more than either modality can achieve on its own.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” —Albert Einstein

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Communities we serve

We use massage to expand emotional and talk therapy by treating the whole person. Littleton Couples Counseling serves the communities of Lakewood, Englewood, Denver, DTC, Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Evergreen, Morrison, Greenwood Village, Cherry Creek, and surrounding areas. We hold the hand of hope until it can walk by itself.

Marriage & Couples Counseling, Sex Therapy Our Clinicians Make The Difference

Why Choose an Integrated Therapist?

As integrated therapists, we are present in the session and curious to what you’re experiencing. We focus on marriage counseling, couples counseling, sex therapy and foster a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and supportive environment where you can safely explore communication styles, develop connections, and learn to express your needs. We help you develop the tools to grow closer to your partner. Littleton Couples Counseling understands the nuances required for successful sex therapy, marriage counseling, and couples counseling.

Chris Wilhoite is a sex therapist and couples therapist.

Chris Wilhoite MS, LMFT-S, CST, C-PST

Founder, Certified Psychosexual Therapist

Chris Wilhoite, founder of Littleton Couples Counseling, believes in couples. When she lost her husband to cancer in 2006, she promised herself she would do everything in her power to allow couples the opportunity to stay together and build a stronger relationships. Couples are made of individuals, and individuals have different needs. Chris is an extensively trained couples counselor, Certified Psychosexual Therapist with the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor in training. She presented her thesis, The role of body image and sexual shame in women’s sexual dysfunction, at the 2024 IAPST International Conference on Sex Therapy.

Tommy Underhill TTCD, ASDI, ASDCS

Sex, Adult ADHD & Adult Autism

As a person with AuDHD, Tommy gets it. He specializes in working with adults and executives with ADHD and autism. His training in neurophysiological approaches for social, relational, and sexual issues provides the framework for coaching people across the country. Tommy oversees the long-term and strategic management for Littleton Couple’s Counseling. His entrepreneurship and small business management and operations spans more than 30 years. He is a Founding member of the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Psychosexual Therapy. Tommy presented his research on What every mental health professional needs to know about sex and autism at the 2024 IAPST International Conference on Sex Therapy.

Caitlin Bovard LPC, CST

Certified Sex Therapist, Couple’s Therapist, Relationships, LGBTQ+

As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Caitlin works with individuals and relationships in all relationship structures including open relationships, ethical non-monogamous, poly, swinging, monogamous, casual and/or long-term relationships.

Ava Cohen Ph.D., LCSW, CST

Relationships & Sex, LGBTQIA+

As a Certified Sex Therapist, Ava is a compassionate therapist who is licensed in Colorado and Wyoming. She uses several different therapeutic modalities including: Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Family Systems and a client-centered, strengths-based approach. Ava is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and she holds a doctorate in sexology.

Shannon Kennealey LCSW, MFT

Adults, Teens, Families

Shannon works with teens, individuals, and families to unlock their inner capacities for strength, self determination, health and happiness, performance, well-being, and meaningful relationships. She takes an integrated approach that pulls from a variety of theoretical frameworks including, attachment theory, narrative therapy, self psychology, emotionally focused theory, and spiritual psychology.

Jennifer Livingston MSN, NP, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric nurse practitioner

Jennifer is an integral element of the Littleton Couples Counseling team and brings a deep understanding of the psychopharmacological aspects of maternal mental health and women’s issues, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, anger, grief, and loss.

Chelsea Speegle DPT

Pelvic floor physical therapy

Chelsea Speegle is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) who specializes in pelvic health with a particular interest in helping pregnant and postpartum moms as well as men’s health. She works primarily at Activcore in Littleton, Colorado which is located inside the Women’s Health Care Associates OBGYN clinic.

Zachary Ripp MD OB/Gyn

Gynecologist in residence

Dr. Ripp offers a patient-centric and educational approach to care. He creates an open, comfortable space where his patients feel free to discuss their feelings and health issues and feel supported. He advocates for people with vulvas and facilitates care based on their choices and needs. Dr. Ripp wants to help minimize his patients’ apprehension about visiting the OB/GYN and provide a safe, supportive environment.

Korra

Compassionate Therapy Dog

People will tell a dog things they would never feel comfortable telling another human.Korra brings a lifetime of experience helping people who live with anxiety and depression feel more comfortable in their body. She specializes in working with people who need a calming influence in their lives.

Mālie

Therapy Dog in Training

Mālie (may-lee-uh) in Hawaiian is to be calm or experience serenity and often helps us in the counseling room, just not quite in the way we expected. She is a bundle of loving energy and excels in helping ADHD/ADD people reach threshold and experience more peace and focus.

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