Alexis Ryan, MA, LPCC

Holistic Psychotherapist in Fort Collins, CO

My Story

Hi, I’m Alexis, a therapist serving the Fort Collins community and online across Colorado. I feel humbled that you have stumbled upon me. I am so glad you are here!

Whether you're seeking clarity, a deeper understanding of yourself, or simply a space to lay it all down for a while, I want to welcome you. My work is rooted in curiosity, self-compassion, and the belief that healing happens when we learn to trust ourselves again. I draw from a variety of embodied internal family systems (IFS), values work, mindfulness, polyvagal theory, and somatic practices—but most importantly, our work together is collaborative, shaped by your needs, values, and lived experiences.

Therapy with me is a place to bring your full self—your wisdom, your struggles, your questions, and even your humor.

How I Got Here

Before becoming a therapist, I spent years immersed in different paths—always seeking, always learning. I've navigated the tension between ambition and exhaustion, the pull of perfectionism, the weight of expectations. I understand what it means to feel stuck in your head, striving for more but never feeling like it's enough. My own journey has been about learning to slow down, to listen inward, to trust the wisdom of both mind and body.

Now, I have the honor of walking alongside others as they untangle the patterns that no longer serve them and step into a more authentic, expansive way of being. It’s not about fixing what’s "wrong" with you—it’s about coming home to yourself. If that resonates, I’d love to be part of your journey.

Working with me is an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your inner wisdom—without losing the drive that lights your path.

Here’s what you can expect when we work together:

  • A Space to Breathe – Here, you don’t have to perform, push through, or prove yourself. You can bring the messy, the uncertain, the exhausted parts of you—and we’ll meet them with curiosity, not judgment.

  • Depth & Discovery – This isn’t just about coping; it’s about healing. We’ll get to the root of what’s keeping you stuck, untangling old patterns and rewriting the stories that no longer serve you.

  • Tools That Fit Your Busy Life – No generic self-help hacks here. Together, we’ll find what actually works for you—what feels right in your bones, what aligns with who you truly are.

  • A Journey, Not a Checklist – Growth isn’t linear, and neither is healing. Some days will feel lighter, others will be heavy. But through it all, you’ll have a steady place to land, to process, to make sense of it all.

How I Approach Therapy

In our work together, I use a blend of approaches that are grounded in science and crafted to meet you where you are. I believe the best therapy feels like a combination of practical tools, personal exploration, and a safe space to reconnect with your mind and body. Here’s a bit about the methods I draw from to guide sessions.

  • I often use an approach called "parts work," inspired by Internal Family Systems (IFS). You’ve probably noticed how sometimes a part of you feels confident and capable, while another part might feel scared or stuck. This method helps us make sense of these inner "voices" or feelings, giving them space to be heard and understood without judgment. It’s a powerful way to untangle emotional knots and start seeing yourself with compassion. I love this approach because it fosters clarity and self-awareness, helping you feel more at ease with all the parts of who you are.

  • Another approach I often use is rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This method focuses on helping you make choices that reflect what truly matters to you, even when life feels overwhelming. We won’t try to erase tough emotions but instead learn how to move forward alongside them. I appreciate ACT because it’s practical and deeply empowering—it helps you connect with your values and create a life that feels meaningful, even in the face of challenges.

  • Sometimes, emotions show up in our bodies—tight shoulders, a racing heart, or that heavy feeling in your chest. Somatic therapy and sensorimotor techniques help us pay attention to these signals and work with them. Your body is like a wise guide, and when we tune in, we can release tension and build a sense of safety from the inside out. I find this work particularly effective because it reconnects you with your physical self and offers tools to calm your nervous system when life feels overwhelming.

  • Your nervous system plays a big role in how you experience stress, safety, and connection. Drawing on polyvagal theory, we’ll explore what helps you feel safe and calm in your daily life. This approach helps us notice and shift patterns like feeling stuck in overdrive or shutting down when things get too much. I find this work to be both gentle and transformative—it provides tools to understand and care for your mind and body as a whole.

 Education & Training

Affiliations:

American Counseling Association (ACA)

National Career Development Association (NCDA)

Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Supervision/Consultatioon

Elizabeth Warson, Ph.D., ATR-BC, LPC, NCC, EMDR II, EXAT (LPC# 2199)

Brook Bretthauer, MS, LMFT, PACT I, EMDR II (LMFT #832)

This journey is yours. I’m just the witness—grateful to walk alongside you as you find your way back home to yourself.

If my approach resonates with you, I warmly invite you to visit the link below to schedule a time for us to connect. I offer a free 30-minute consultation/discovery call to help us determine if we'll be a good fit. If not, I might be able to point you in a direction that is. I look forward to meeting you!