Anca Niculae, MA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

I was born and raised in Europe, and moved to the US at the age of thirteen. I have lived in various states, and decided to make Colorado my home in 1999. I enjoy anything outdoors: hiking, biking, camping, snowboarding, spending time with my dogs, as well as learning about and being immersed in different cultures and new environments.

I believe our relationships are keys to our happiness, and my hope is that I could help shed some light on areas which have become strained in your life. Regardless of what types of relationships are difficult for you right now, we can search and develop new ways of looking at differences, and better understand our interactions and ways of being.

We can all use a little help at one point or another, whether we’re trying to work through difficult issues, trying to gain some insight into our relationships, or figuring out new ways to come together as a family. The beautiful thing is, we hold our own answers and with a little bit of exploration we are all able to make it through to the other side.

If you’re a parent, learning about the Nurtured Heart Approach can do wonders in helping you create an environment in which your child will grow to be confident, successful, and happy with themselves and others. Adventure Base Counseling can provide a positive, interactive way to learn new skills and overcome barriers by utilizing activities such as hiking, climbing and cross country skiing. Couples can learn new skills of communication and negotiation in order to adjust to all of life’s transitions and additions. The years of adolescence are often underestimated in their difficulty, and youth can find significant relief in learning about various issues such as brain development, peer pressure, sexuality, and mood swings and learn new ways to be safe and successful.

I received my Master’s in Community Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Northern Colorado in 2005 and since then, I have worked in the local community with clients of all ages, with various issues, including adolescence, adoption, divorce, phobias, substance abuse, chronic mental illness, and body image. My main focus has been on family therapy, as I believe it is most beneficial to have as many family members working together to understand an issue and create change where it’s needed. I am trained in EMDR, a mode of therapy proven to be beneficial in dealing with trauma and anxiety. I am also certified in The Nurtured Heart Approach, an optimistic way of living life, thus positively influencing ourselves, our children, family members, and others in our lives. I am knowledgeable in the areas of nutrition and exercise, and can help individuals and families lead healthier lives by implementing new ways of attending to their bodies’ natural needs. I have extensive experience facilitating psycho-educational and support groups for children, adolescents, and parents, and am a firm believer that sharing and receiving support and ideas from others can be one of the most healing acts we can do for ourselves. The use of experiential activities through Adventure Based Counseling is a fun, highly engaging way to make sense of your life experiences in a healthy way.

Sometimes the greatest move we can make is one in which we can find ways to grow and develop in order to be successful and happy with ourselves, our families, our careers, and our lifestyles overall. This is the best part of your life, the point at which you can reach out and change that which is holding you back from being the best you can be. This is the time in your life when you can give yourself and those around you the chance to grow, improve, and find new ways to be joyful!