Pathfinders Counseling PLLC

Kirsten Goffena and Melissa Graziano

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What Your Overreactions Are Trying to Teach You

September 5, 2017 by Kirsten Goffena 2 Comments

Have you ever become disproportionately upset, scared, or angry about something relatively small and wondered why? Most likely you were triggered. What exactly is a trigger?  A trigger is a reaction in the present to something traumatic from your past.  The problem is, you might not even know what you’re reacting to, and that makes
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: anger, overreaction, trauma, triggers

How to keep your sanity in the midst of political mayhem

October 31, 2016 by Kirsten Goffena 4 Comments

  Aside from “office politics,” the topic of politics rarely shows up in the therapy room. We talk about sex, gender identity, and rape.  We discuss money, scarcity, and fear.  We even tackle religion, faith and spirituality.  But politics?  Not so much. Until this year. This year, especially over the past few months and weeks,
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: children, counseling, election, HSP, peace, politics, therapy

They’re Back in School: You Don’t Always Have Time To Say “Yes”

September 15, 2016 by Kirsten Goffena Leave a Comment

  You’re a “yes” person. You love to help and support the people around you. They rely on you. They need you. And it feels like saying “yes” makes you the kind, thoughtful person you are. You say “yes” to your family, to your friends, and you pretty much always say “yes” to the PTA.
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: commitment, intention, mindfulness, mom, mother, no, PTA, self-care, volunteering, well-being, yes

Snow Happens!

February 3, 2016 by Kirsten Goffena 1 Comment

When something unexpected happens do you let it re-play over and over in your brain keeping you stuck?  or are you able to switch your focus to gratitude and move on?  Click to watch a short video blog (vlog) about the importance of training your brain to re-focus and how this skill will impact your
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Filed Under: Articles

Codependency (part 1 – self-care)

October 19, 2015 by Kirsten Goffena 8 Comments

What is codependency?  and how can practicing self-care help? Codependency stems from a place of kindness, helpfulness, and compassion.  Codependency is born from a wish or a need to help others.  Codependency is often a learned behavior that is passed down from generation to generation, especially in families where a parent is mentally ill and/or
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: boundaries, caretaking, codependency, codependent, counseling, emotions, healing, self-care, well-being

6 Tools to Help Change Habits

July 15, 2015 by Kirsten Goffena Leave a Comment

16 months ago I was diagnosed with diabetes.  I was shocked.  My eating and exercise habits were healthy, I didn’t fit the typical diabetic profile, how could this be?  Once I had accepted the diagnosis, I became adamant that I would not poison my body with drugs that would further diminish my health.  I decided
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Filed Under: Articles

Privilege

March 8, 2015 by Kirsten Goffena 4 Comments

I was staying at a mountain lodge last weekend while part-taking in one of the most privileged sports there is, skiing. The lodge provides family-style dining and a conversation at the breakfast table reminded me that we live in a country with deep divisions between the “haves” and the “have-nots” which, I believe, are largely
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Filed Under: Articles

7 Practices for Intentional Living

January 3, 2015 by Kirsten Goffena Leave a Comment

Last week I wrote about setting an intention for the New Year.  Today I would like to share some ways to incorporate intentionality into your everyday life.  Why?  Because living intentionally helps manages the inevitable stress we all face on a daily basis.  An emerging body of research is confirming that these practices are beneficial
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: gratitude, intentional, journaling, kindness, meditation, mindfulness, nature, physical health, Stress, volunteering, well-being

New Year’s Intention

December 28, 2014 by Kirsten Goffena 4 Comments

Have you ever wondered why New Years resolutions don’t work?  Think about it.  Resolutions are generally focused on fixing something that we perceive as “wrong” or “bad” about ourselves.  Resolutions focus on negatives, on criticism, on judgement, usually topped with a glob of guilt!  When we fail to live up to our lofty resolutions, we
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: counseling, intention, new year

Grief and Loss is Not Limited to Death

June 26, 2014 by Kirsten Goffena 2 Comments

Grief and loss is usually associated with death, although it can be experienced around any loss as I am harshly reminded after a vicious, 3 hour long hailstorm obliterated our gardens, flooded our basement, and pummeled our cars. Today I am grieving the loss of the beauty that usually surrounds me in Colorado’s short summer
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: counseling, grief and loss, mourners bill of rights, stages of grief

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Melissa Graziano Melissa Graziano Melissa Graziano, MA, NCC, LPCC works with individuals, couples, children, and families, and has expertise in supporting the LGBTQ community. Melissa exudes compassion, is a trained play therapist, and weaves art and nature into her sessions.
Michael Sousa Michael Sousa Michael Sousa is joining the Pathfinders family as an intern for the 2020/2021 school year. Michael specializes in working with youth and young adults and has experience in holistic practices and video game addiction
Kirsten Goffena Kirsten Goffena Kirsten Goffena, LPC, RPT-S, Certified EMDR Therapist is the founder of Pathfinders Counseling. She works with children, individuals, parents, and families specializing in play therapy. You’ll often meet Luna, her therapy dog, when you come in for a session.