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Tammy 'Kaia' Bruski, MS, LPC, CST
Licensed Psychotherapist in Colorado
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
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It's natural to have questions when considering therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you'll find answers to some of the questions I hear most often.
Online therapy for individuals, couples, and polycules throughout Colorado.
At its core, therapy offers two things: a meaningful human connection and a new perspective.I strive to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and free to explore difficult thoughts, emotions, and experiences without fear of judgment. There is something uniquely powerful about being able to share your story with another person who is fully present, genuinely curious, and committed to understanding your experience. Feeling seen, heard, and understood can be healing in and of itself.From that foundation, we can begin to identify patterns, increase self-awareness, and better understand the challenges you're facing. While I bring compassion and validation to our work, I will also gently challenge you when needed, helping you explore new perspectives and consider changes that support the life and relationships you want to create.
Therapy may be right for you if you're experiencing relationship challenges, feeling disconnected from yourself or others, feeling isolated or overwhelmed, struggling with parenting stress, exploring questions about identity, or navigating life changes that feel difficult to manage alone. Sometimes, having someone outside the situation can offer a fresh perspective and help you recognize patterns, strengths, and possibilities that may be difficult to see on your own.You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Many clients begin therapy because they want greater clarity, healthier relationships, or support through life's challenges. If you're unsure whether therapy is right for you, a free consultation can help us determine whether working together feels like a good fit.
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin understanding what has brought you to therapy at this point in your life. We'll explore what's been happening, the challenges you're facing, the relationships and experiences that have shaped you, and what you hope might be different as a result of our work together. I'll ask questions, listen with curiosity, and work with you to develop a clearer understanding of your concerns, your strengths, and the goals that feel most meaningful to you.There's no need to prepare anything in advance or have everything figured out before we meet. Many people come to therapy with a specific concern, while others simply know that something isn't working the way they'd like. Both are completely okay. Wherever you're starting is exactly where we'll begin. My goal is to create a welcoming, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel safe being yourself, exploring what matters most, and making meaningful, lasting changes at a pace that feels right for you.
Every individual, couple, and relationship is unique, so the length of therapy varies depending on your goals and the concerns you're addressing. Many clients attend therapy for 6–12 months, though some may benefit from shorter-term support while others choose to work together for a longer period.I generally recommend weekly or every-other-week sessions during the active phase of therapy. Consistency helps build momentum, strengthen the therapeutic relationship, and support meaningful progress.As goals are met and changes become more established, we may transition to sessions every 4–6 weeks for a maintenance phase of therapy. Some clients also choose to remain in ongoing therapy as a space to process life events and relationships, receive ongoing support for chronic mental health issues, or lean into continued personal growth.Even after therapy has ended, you're always welcome to return. Many clients schedule occasional "tune-up" sessions when new challenges arise or significant life changes occur. In fact, I've had clients return for support several years after 'graduating from therapy.'
I charge $190 for 50-minute individual sessions and $270 for 80-minute sessions for individuals, couples and polycules. Relationship therapy sessions are scheduled for 80 minutes to allow adequate time for each partner to be heard and for meaningful therapeutic work to take place.I do not accept insurance or bill insurance companies directly. However, I can provide a monthly superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Because coverage varies widely, I encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to learn about your specific mental health benefits.Please note that most insurance plans do not cover couples or relationship therapy. Because relationship therapy focuses on the relationship rather than an individual, I cannot provide a diagnosis solely for the purpose of obtaining insurance reimbursement for couples counseling.I am also unable to provide services to clients who are using Medicaid benefits.
Yes. My clients have all found that virtual therapy is just as effective as meeting in person. Meeting from a familiar environment often makes it easier to settle in, feel comfortable, and focus on the conversation. Telehealth also removes common barriers like commuting, scheduling challenges, and the difficulty of finding a therapist with the specialized experience you're looking for.In my experience, the quality of therapy depends far more on the strength of the therapeutic relationship, your willingness to engage in the process, and the consistency of our work together than on whether we meet in person or online. In fact, many clients find that being in their own space helps them feel more relaxed, making it easier to have honest conversations or explore difficult topics.One unexpected benefit in our sessions occasionally include some very special guests. It's not uncommon for a beloved dog or cat to wander into view, curl up beside you, or quietly join us for part of the session. Over the years, their pets have become familiar faces, offering comfort, grounding, and the occasional comic relief exactly when it's needed.
I work with individuals navigating life's many challenges, whether you're feeling overwhelmed, struggling in your relationships, questioning your sense of self, or moving through a significant life transition. Together, we'll explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, build on your strengths, and develop practical tools to help you create a life that feels more connected, fulfilling, and aligned with your values.I also provide affirming, specialized care for concerns related to sexuality, intimacy, gender identity, LGBTQIA+ experiences, kink, and ethically non-monogamous (ENM) and polyamorous relationships. My goal is to create a space where you feel understood without having to explain or 'defend' who you are, so we can focus on the work that's most meaningful to you.
Yes. I provide affirming therapy for LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and polycules within the Denver queer community. Many people come to therapy after experiences of feeling misunderstood, judged, or needing to explain who they are before they can focus on what brought them in. Therapy shouldn't feel that way.You don't need to educate me about your identity, relationships, or experiences before we begin meaningful work together. Instead, we can begin with what matters most to you and the reasons you came to therapy.
Many clients begin therapy knowing they want support, but aren't sure whether individual or relationship therapy is the best fit. During your consultation, we'll discuss your concerns, goals, and current circumstances to determine the most appropriate approach.In general, relationship therapy is often most helpful when concerns involve communication, intimacy, trust, or relationship dynamics. Individual therapy may be a better fit when you're seeking support with personal growth, identity exploration, anxiety, stress, or other individual challenges.You don't need to have it all figured out before reaching out. We'll work together to determine the approach that makes the most sense for your situation. If it becomes clear that both individual and relationship therapy would be beneficial, I can connect you with a trusted colleague so you receive the support you need in both areas.
Yes. In fact, relationship therapy and sex therapy are often deeply connected. Our closest relationships are shaped by far more than what happens in the bedroom. Communication, trust, emotional safety, vulnerability, and intimacy all influence one another, so when one part of a relationship feels strained, it's common for other areas to be affected as well.Whether you're feeling disconnected from your partner, struggling to communicate, navigating differences in desire, rebuilding trust, or wanting a more satisfying emotional or sexual connection, we'll look at the whole picture rather than treating each concern in isolation. Together, we'll explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, strengthen the connection between you, and identify practical ways to create the relationship you want.
For the most part, yes. Because relationship therapy focuses on the relationship itself rather than any one individual, I ask that all partners attend the majority of sessions. The work we do together—the conversations, patterns, and interactions that unfold in real time—is often where the most meaningful insights and growth occur.I typically begin with a session together so I can get to know your relationship and understand what brings you to therapy. From there, I'll meet individually with each partner for one session to learn more about your personal history, relationship experiences, and perspective. These individual meetings help me understand each person's unique story and how it intersects with the relationship as a whole. We then return to meeting together as a couple or polycule for the remainder of our work.Occasionally, I may recommend an additional individual check-in if we find ourselves feeling stuck or if it would help move the work forward. Those sessions are intended to support our work together—not to replace it. The relationship remains our primary focus, and that's where we'll spend most of our time.
Yes. Many of my clients are in ethical non-monogamous, polyamorous, or other alternative relationships. Others come to therapy while questioning the relationship expectations they've always assumed were right for them. Whether you're exploring ethical non-monogamy, power exchange, or simply considering what kind of relationship best reflects your values, therapy offers space to approach those questions with curiosity rather than judgment.Healthy relationships can take many forms. What matters most is that they're built on mutual respect, honest communication, consent, and shared understanding—not what is just prescribed in a "relationship escalator."
Yes. I work with single parents, couples, and polycules navigating the many challenges that come with raising children. Whether you're trying to get on the same page with a partner, adjusting to a blended family, co-parenting after separation, or balancing the competing demands of work, relationships, and family life, parenting can be both deeply meaningful and incredibly hard.There isn't a perfect way to parent, and there certainly isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to family. Together, we'll explore what's working, where you're feeling stuck, and how you want your family to function. My goal is to help you communicate more effectively, navigate challenges with greater confidence, and build a family life that reflects your values and supports the well-being of everyone involved.
Looking for information about rates, cancellations, insurance, or practice policies? You'll find those details on the Policies page.
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