What is Financial Therapy?
Understanding our relationship with money — with compassion, curiosity and care
For many of us, money brings up strong emotions.
Anxiety. Shame. Fear. Conflict. Avoidance.
And yet, we’re often told that money should be simple, logical, or purely practical.
Financial therapy begins with a different understanding: money is never just about money.
Our financial behaviours are shaped by our experiences, relationships, beliefs and nervous systems. That’s why knowing what to do with money doesn’t always translate into being able to do it.
Why money is never just about money
Money touches some of our most vulnerable human needs — safety, stability, worth, belonging and control.
Over time, we develop patterns around money that help us cope, protect ourselves or feel secure.
These patterns might look like:
- Avoiding numbers altogether
- Feeling anxious even when things seem “fine”
- Over-controlling spending or saving
- Making impulsive decisions under stress
- Struggling to talk about money with a partner
None of these patterns mean something is “wrong” with you.
They often made sense at some point in your life.
What Financial Therapy actually is
Financial therapy is a supportive, reflective process that explores how you think, feel and behave around money — and why.
Rather than focusing only on budgets or strategies, financial therapy creates space to understand:
- Your money story
- The beliefs you carry about money
- The emotions that show up around financial decisions
- The patterns that keep repeating, even when you want things to change
From that understanding, change becomes more possible — and more sustainable.
How Financial Therapy is different
Financial therapy is not the same as:
Financial advice, which focuses on products or strategies
Budgeting tools, which address behaviour without context
Traditional therapy, which may not directly engage with money
Instead, financial therapy sits at the intersection of emotional insight and practical awareness — allowing money to be talked about safely, openly and without judgement.
What people often bring into financial therapy
People come to financial therapy for many reasons, including:
Feeling overwhelmed or stuck around money
Avoiding financial decisions despite knowing what needs attention
Conflict with a partner about spending, saving or priorities
Navigating life transitions such as divorce, job loss or inheritance
Wanting to understand long-standing money patterns
Often, clients tell me: “I know what I should do — I just can’t seem to do it.”
Financial therapy helps make sense of that gap.
How Financial Therapy works
My approach is gentle, trauma-informed and relational. As a Licensed Financial Therapist and a Money Coach, trained by Karen McCall in her Certified Financial Recovery Counselor™ approach, I blend teaching new money skills with the therapeutic approach of support, compassion, and zero judgement.
We begin by slowing things down.
By getting curious rather than critical.
By understanding patterns before trying to change them.
There is no pressure to “fix” anything quickly.
Instead, we work at a pace that feels emotionally safe — building awareness, capacity and choice over time.
This allows for new skills to find their fit in our life, your learning style and more.
Who Financial Therapy can support
Financial therapy can support:
- Individuals
- Couples
- Families
- People navigating change, uncertainty or transition
Wherever you are in your relationship with money, you don’t need to have it “figured out” to begin.
Working with me
I believe that meaningful change happens when people feel seen, understood and supported — not judged or rushed.
My work is grounded in compassion, emotional safety and respect for your lived experience. Together, we explore your relationship with money in a way that honors both your history and your hopes.
If you’re curious about whether financial therapy could support you, you’re welcome to explore working with me by booking a free discovery call here.
Based in Denver, Colorado, I offer virtual services remotely, working with clients across the United States and globally.
