We recently connected with Erin Hadlow and have shared our conversation below.

Erin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I would say that personally, I would never consider myself risk averse. Professionally, that is a very different story. There is safety in working for an established organization. The idea of being the sole income provider for my household and the risk of my own business was absolutely terrifying. I came from a family who valued education above most everything and worked very hard. My parents were both military when they met at an officers club in Japan. While they moved out of the military lifestyle shortly after I was born, that work ethic and vision of being of service to the community was a stable. My father was so passionate about flying. I wanted so much to be a pilot, but after struggling with a childhood seizure disorder that started when I was 13, I knew my dream of being a pilot was out. Finding my work “calling” did not hit for me until I was almost 40. Working in the human services field, especially with crime victims (survivors), is when I first began to feel that passion. I feel that part of this was due to my own work and transformation in therapy. I wanted, so much, to help others grow and break the stigma that still surrounds mental health. Therapy was transformational for me in every area of my life and I wanted to share this gift with others. Choosing to go back to school as a divorced parent with two children, a full time job, at 40 to make this dream happen was scary. I look back on almost 10 years ago and how grateful I am that I took the risk on myself. I knew that my dream of working as Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice was a very long term goal. That goal I realized meant giving up a social life or really any free time as it turned into working all day, driving to Denver on nights and weekends for class. Every spare moment was writing papers, reading and studying and go to trainings. I remember doing grocery orders for my family on line during meetings. I was hopeful to pass down to my children, this same vision of finding their passion, purpose and service in their work. As a divorced mom, I honestly felt it was a privilege to get to go back to school and I was very fortunate to have a great co parent and grandparents who could help out with the kiddos and allow me to pursue this dream. I know for many, especially single moms, this dream just can’t be an option without the assistance of child care.

Erin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I opened my private practice, Intentional Attachments Therapy in 2022. After graduating, I spent three years in agency work learning and growing. I was fortunate to have some absolutely incredible supervisors and co-worker who have helped to shape me as a therapist. I work as a Marriage and Family Therapist and many people often ask what does that mean? It means that I am trained to do therapy with people through a systemic lens. Yes, it trains you to work with couples and families, but also how to work with individuals while keeping that perspective. We are the therapists who always want to know about your family of origin. I like to say its the type of therapy that doesn’t just look to cut off the head of the dandelion, we want to pull up the root of the of the issue. My therapy is very client centered, compassion and strengths based. I know what its like to be on the other side of the couch so the modalities I use will be different for every client. When I originally started out, my focus was on trauma, specifically working with children who had experienced sexual abuse. I moved on to couples work, which I love, because it’s about understanding our attachment styles and how those patterns play out in a relationship. I added on working with anxiety and life transitions but I have always stayed very trauma focused in my work. In 2023 I added in ketamine assisted psychotherapy after completing an almost year long training with psychedelic somatic institute. I was blown away with this somatic, attachment based training that helped people to process trauma stuck in their bodies.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I believe that the key to success is truly in choosing people who are growth minded and inspiring. I went on an incredible yoga retreat in Panama three years. Part of the reason this was so life changing was the group of women I met and the friendship and bond that was made. These women were all incredible and bold in different ways and challenged me. Several of them were business owners which made me start to think “maybe I can do this.” I believe that your support system is everything. I am lucky to have found it both in this group of women and other incredible co workers who have become friends and mentors. The other key is having friends and mentors of all ages. One of my closest friends is over 20 years younger than me. I have learned so much from her.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I truly believe it is being invested in your community. I am fortunate to have worked in Larimer and Weld county for a long time and it has helped to build those referrals. I think the key is to get involved and let people get to know you. There are so many incredible causes, fundraisers and committees in our town. Fort Collins is a very involved community with so many ways to give back. I suggest one of the best ways to join a board on a local non profit or get involved in any of the government organizations. I’m on the Larimer County Behavioral Health Technical Advisory Committee and it helps me continue to be apprised of all our new resources and help to have a voice on behavioral health in the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://erin-hadlow.clientsecure.me/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-hadlow-ma-lmft-383349a9
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-m-hadlow-fort-collins-co/977446https://www.psychedelicsomatic.org/therapist-directory

  https://www.alignable.com/fort-collins-co/intentional-attachments-therapy-pllc