Li Brookens

Li Brookens, LCSW, CGP, WPATH GEI SOC7 Certified Member

Pronouns: They/Them

Founder, Clinical Director, Boulder

Intersecting identities that inform my practice: I identify as a trans, nonbinary, white-assumed Latinx, able-bodied person

Background & Approach: I founded the Umbrella Collective out of a personal and professional drive to visibly see more affirming AND knowledgeable therapists in the psychotherapy world. As someone who has both privileged and oppressed identities, navigating systems of oppression without a systems-oriented, liberation therapist or organization behind you can feel daunting, it did for me. 

I utilize multiple therapeutic approaches in my work with each of my clients and supervisees/consultees. As a supervisor/consultant and talk therapist, I am particularly concerned with working to understand what clients might experience as repetitive negative patterns and looking for ways to interrupt those patterns together. I stay highly client-centered and always want to know what is most helpful and effective, as well as what is not helpful or ineffective with each unique person I engage with in the work. Whether in an individual or group session, I am watching for somatic (body) signals that a person may be having an emotional experience and I help clients put words to that experience. 

Clients might describe my style as warm, engaging, analytical, and fun…yes, I said fun. I enjoy play in psychotherapy as a way of resilience building. If I can help my clients enjoy the pain points in their life more, then I trust the client is progressing. 

Theoretical & Clinical Orientation: My foundational clinical training is based on anti-oppressive psychodynamic psychotherapies from Smith College School for Social Work, and ongoing consultation with mentors embodying modern group psychodynamic therapy. Since graduating in 2011, I have pursued specialty areas of practice that include certifications in Group Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy. Through hypnotherapy, I center the body in my work with people as intellectual understanding only gets us so far. The most transformational work that I have done both with my clients and personally has come from somatic (body) experiencing in individual sessions and experiential progressive processing in work within groups.

Licensure, Certifications, & Fellowships: 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Colorado - (LCSW) CSW.09923331 

Certified Group Psychotherapist - (CGP, 55338) 

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist - (Certified by The Wellness Institute, WA)

WPATH GEI SOC8 Certified Member - (Attended 50hrs of gender specific training and passed certification exam per the World Professional Association for Transgender Health)

Education & Training: 

M.S.W. in Clinical Social Work, Smith College School for Social Work (2011)

B.S. in Psychology, University of Washington

Clinical Specializations: Gender, LGBTQIA+ Identities, Group Psychotherapy

Professional Service & Membership:

American Group Psychotherapy Association 

​Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force Member (2019-present)

Special Interest Group GLBTQ Co-Chair (2019-2021)

National Association of Social Workers 

Colorado Society of Clinical Social Workers

​Co-Chair Education Committee (2015-2018)

​Community Service Award (2017)

World Professional Association for Transgender Health 

Outside of Work: I am a lifelong athlete, and I love being in the great outdoors – walking, hiking, paddle-boarding, skiing, etc. I have a wife, two kids, and a dog who lovingly occupy all my spare time!