Cultivating Your Strengths & Values

Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Serving clients in Northern Colorado

Acceptance Commitment Therapist (ACT)

Do you find yourself struggling with intense emotions, feeling empty, disconnected, or struggling to process what's happening around you? Life can be messy, and it’s common to feel isolated during challenging times. Brightness of Hope Counseling offers Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) that guides you toward a brighter future.


Our ACT focused therapy is designed to help you move from feeling stuck and overwhelmed, to embracing life, the people and the things that matter most. Through our time together you can begin to experience a brightness of hope and healing that will empower you to live the life you desire. If you're ready to take the first step, please don't hesitate to contact Brightness of Hope Counseling.

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MEET THE COUNSELOR

Susan C. Merrill, LCSW


My husband Ron and I have a blended family consisting of 8 adult children, their spouses and several grandchildren.  We love spending time with our family, and we also enjoy traveling.  We are both certified in open water scuba diving and spend most of our vacations on the beach or in the ocean.

Professional Qualifications

Education

  • Masters of Science in Social Work (MSSW) - University of Louisville
  • Specialization in Psychosocial Oncology
  • Bachelors of Science in Social Work (BSW) -Weber State University
  • Minor in Health Promotion with an emphasis on
  • Mindfulness and Stress Reduction

Professional License

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Specialization in Psychosocial Oncology

Professional Affiliations

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
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Offering the Support You Need

At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we believe that every individual has the potential for growth, healing, and empowerment. Our goal is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space where our clients can feel heard, supported, and validated as they work through life’s challenges. We understand that seeking help can be difficult, but we want to reassure you that we are here to support you every step of the way. Reach out today and get started on the path to healing.


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Helping You Find Hope and Healing:

Grief Counseling & Therapy


At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we take a holistic approach to therapy. Our therapist works with you to identify your strengths, values, and goals. From there a tailored treatment plan is created to meet your individual needs. We understand that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution and that each person's journey toward healing and growth is individual.

If you're struggling with emotional challenges and would like to learn more about how we can support you, we encourage you to reach out to us. We offer a free phone consultation so you can determine if Brightness of Hope Counseling is the right fit for you. So don't wait, get in touch today.

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More About Our Services

Our Therapeutic Aim is building skills to:

  • Be Present - Being intentional in your here and now experience.
  • Open Up - Noticing thoughts and feeling while making room for them.
  • Do what matters - Setting goals, committed action, guided by your values.

Our Holistic Approach Includes:

  • Psychological - A values focused perspective to life’s challenges.
  • Social - Nourishing relationships set within healthy boundaries.
  • Physical - Committed life-enhancing action, guided by one's values to optimize wellbeing.
  • Spiritual - Compassion and gratitude for self, others and the world around you.
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Grief and Loss

Life transitions mean change. With change, intense feelings of fear and uncertainty often arise as one of life's chapters closes and another one opens to a new beginning.


Grief and loss come in many shapes and sizes. The process of working through these emotions is an individual one, yet the necessity of walking through the grief, and not simply around it, is universal to healing. At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we understand that navigating through grief and loss can be difficult. With our compassionate assistance, we can help you move forward toward healing.

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Learn to Embrace Your Strengths and Values to Navigate Anxiety, Depression, and Stress


It's important to remember that Anxiety, Depression and Stress are challenges you may face, but they don't define who you are as a person.

At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we believe that externalizing these challenges while focusing on your inherent strengths and skills, will help you move past these hurdles and start embracing the life you truly desire.

Our goal is to help you gain a new perspective of your challenges, so you can build on your strengths and feel empowered to take control of your life. Please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to support you.

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From Trauma to Triumph

Experiencing trauma can leave you feeling like your life is out of control. However, at Brightness of Hope Counseling, we believe that utilizing your values and strengths, to guide your goals, will help you heal and realize post traumatic growth, advancing toward the future that you choose.


Our approach is focused on helping you recognize your values and strengths, providing you the resources to overcome the adverse effects of trauma and actually grow from past painful experiences to realize the future you choose. If you're ready to take the first step toward healing and growth, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

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Finding Hope and Healing

Grief Counseling and Therapy


Honoring the Journey toward Healing

Losing a loved one due to death or divorce can be one of the most challenging experiences in life, and it can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and alone. At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we understand the pain and grief that can come with loss, and we are here to provide compassionate support and guidance.


Our grief counseling services aim to help individuals process their emotions, learn coping strategies, and find hope and healing amid their grief. Our licensed therapist uses evidence-based approaches to address the unique needs of each client, allowing them to feel heard and understood. If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one, we are here to help you find your way forward.

Healing and Moving Forward:

Loss Counseling and Therapy


Loss can come in many forms and can be a difficult and painful experience to navigate through. At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we offer loss counseling to provide a safe and compassionate space for you to process and work through your feelings of grief, sadness, and emptiness.


Our licensed therapist understands that loss can be a heartbreaking experience that can impact every aspect of your life. We will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and supports healing while helping you develop the skills and tools you need to move forward. We are committed to helping you find hope and healing as you journey through the complexities of loss.

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Reclaiming your life: Trauma

Counseling and Therapy


Overcoming and Building Resilience

Trauma can have a profound impact on an individual's life, leaving them feeling helpless and overwhelmed. At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we offer trauma counseling to provide a safe and supportive environment for you to process your emotions and experiences. Our licensed therapist is trained in evidence-based therapies to help you build resilience and overcome the effects of trauma.


We understand that every individual's journey toward healing is unique, and we will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and concerns. Our goal is to help you develop the tools and skills you need to move forward, build resiliency and reclaim your life. We believe that everyone has the potential for growth and healing, and we are committed to supporting you everystep of the way.

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Finding the Light Within:

Depression Counseling & Therapy

Regaining Control and Finding Hope

Depression can make you feel like you're stuck in a dark place, but you don't have to stay there alone. At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we offer depression counseling to help you regain control, to find hope and purpose in your life again. Our licensed therapist is experienced in evidence-based approaches to help you address depression and develop effective coping strategies.


We understand that depression can impact every aspect of your life, from your relationships, to your work and personal goals. We strive to help you identify and overcome the obstacles that are keeping you from living the life you desire. With our support, you can learn skills to manage your symptoms, and find hope for a brighter future.

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Embracing Calm & Peace

Anxiety Counseling & Therapy


Managing Emotions and Finding Peace

Anxiety can be overwhelming and make it difficult to enjoy life or achieve your goals. At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we offer anxiety therapy counseling to help you find calm and confidence in the face of anxiety. Our licensed therapist is experienced in evidence-based approaches to help you move away from the limitations of anxiety toward a value rich life.


We understand that anxiety can impact every aspect of your life, from your relationships to your work and personal goals. Our goal is to help you develop effective coping strategies so you can move towards what matters most. With our support, you can learn to engage and live a fulfilling life.

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Discovering Healthy Ways to Cope:

Stress Counseling & Therapy

Positive Approaches to Family Caregiver Support and Other Life's Demands


Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can hurt your mental health and well-being. At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we offer stress counseling to help you cope with life's demands and build resilience. Our licensed therapist is trained in evidence-based therapies to help you identify the sources of your stress and develop effective coping strategies.


We work with you to create a personalized plan that fits your needs and lifestyle, so you can manage your stress and gain more balance in your life. Our goal is to provide a safe and non-judgmental environment where you can discuss your concerns and work towards your goals. With our support, you can learn to manage your stress, build resilience, and find a sense of balance and calm in your daily life.

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Pricing and Policy


Insurance

Provider for most insurance companies through our partnership with SonderMind and am happy to bill your insurance for you.


Approved Kaiser Provider.


Approved Medicaid Provider for certain plans. Call for more details.


Canceling appointments

The time scheduled for your appointment is assigned to you and you alone.  If you have to cancel an appointment please give a 48-hour notice.


Confidentiality

Confidentiality is an absolute on my part and is honored as such.

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Blogs

26 Feb, 2024
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidenced-based therapy that has been scientifically studied for over 30 years through hundreds of randomized controlled studies. ACT has been found to be very effective in treating anxiety, depression, grief, stress and trauma along with many other conditions. The focus of ACT is to develop the ability for intentional, values-guided action. The more we cultivate this ability, the potential for living a fulfilling and meaningful life increases. ACT is about taking action: to solve problems, and do things that make life better and more fulfilling. ACT is acceptance focused, not just on the presenting problem, but a whole life approach focus. ACT is about being present, and more flexible with thoughts. ACT teaches skills to handle difficult thoughts and feelings more effectively, so they have less impact and influence over you. ACT focuses on your values: what matters to you , what you want to stand for, how you want to treat yourself and others, what gives you a sense of meaning and purpose. ACT is teamwork, you and I working together to cultivate skills and values-guided action toward a fulfilling, meaningful life.
Brightness of Hope Counseling
24 Apr, 2023
Strategies for Effective Stress Management
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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We've answered some of our most common inquiries below.

  • What Communities Does Brightness of Hope Serve?

    We are conveniently located in Windsor, CO and serve all of Northern Colorado including Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Johnstown, Firestone, Longmont and surrounding towns.

  • Why Choose Brightness of Hope Counseling?

    Brightness of Hope Counseling is a professional Grief and Loss counseling service dedicated to helping individuals overcome various mental health challenges. Our experienced therapist provides a safe and supportive environment where clients can share their thoughts and feelings without judgment. 


    We offer a range of therapeutic services under the umbrella of Grief and Loss. Anxiety, Depression, Death, Divorce, Family Caregiver Support, Illness, Stress Management and Trauma therapy.   Our therapist works closely with clients to identify their strengths and resources, then creates a personalized plan for their unique needs. 


    At Brightness of Hope Counseling, we are committed to companioning with our clients as they work through their individual grief process. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our qualified and skilled grief therapist.

  • How can I schedule an appointment with Brightness of Hope Counseling?

    Scheduling an appointment with Brightness of Hope Counseling is easy. You can either call us

    directly at 970-232-1999 or fill out the contact form on our website to request an appointment.

    Our team will work with you to find a time that works best.

  • What types of therapy does Brightness of Hope Counseling offer?

    Brightness of Hope Counseling offers a range of evidence based therapeutic services to address a variety of mental health concerns. They include Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Strengths-Based and Solution Focused Therapy. We tailor our approach to each individual's unique needs and work collaboratively with our clients to help them achieve their goals.

  • Do you offer online treatment?

    At Brightness of Hope Counseling our philosophy is that in-person sessions are the most effective. We are located in Windsor and convenient to many surrounding towns in Northern CO. However, we are able to offer online sessions as needed. Call today to book your next appointment.

  • How can I contact you?

    I understand the need for accessibility when dealing with grief and loss. You can email me

    at susan@brightnessofhopecounseling.com or call me at 970-232-1999. You can also simply

    contact me through my website's contact form. I look forward to speaking with you soon!

Contact Us

Unit D, 631 Birch St, Windsor, CO 80550

Or send us a message and we’ll be in touch. 

Brightness of Hope Counseling

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