April Lyons MA, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

How I Got Here

I have always enjoyed listening to people share their true thoughts and feelings. When I was a child, my grandmother and I would sit out on the back steps and she would tell me all her fears and worries as the sun went down across the beautiful landscape of New Mexico. I noticed that, just because I was present and curious, my grandmother would find her own answers. Her worries would melt away.

As a result, my interest in this healing phenomenon progressed as more people naturally confided in me. As time went on, I continued to observe the same trend. Because of this powerful act of service, I was sent on my journey to gain more knowledge of the human psyche. No one was surprise when I decided to become a therapist as a professional.

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It's Been A Winding Road

My journey, however, was not straightforward. It never is. It is a long story – but in short – I was not ready to go to college. Instead, I wanted to do something in the helping field. So, I decided to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Finding myself in the middle of someone’s life was captivating. One minute, they were going about their business and the next, I was there with them in a desperate time of need. What an honor to be “invited” in during such a vulnerable time. Because of this, I felt a great sense of responsibility to use my skills of being present and interested hoping to make healing easer down the road.

Something Was Missing

Although I was doing what I loved, I noticed something major was missing. In my EMT training, we were taught to focus only on the body part that was injured rather than on the whole being. We had been trained to neglect the emotions, sensations, or meanings that a traumatic event had on someone’s life, which I realized was similar to what colonial society had been training me since an early age. That my mind and body are not connected. This experience further propelled me on my path and led me to Naropa University, where I obtained my Master’s in Somatic/body Psychotherapy.

Finding My True Self

Twenty five+ years later, after becoming an EMT, I’m still on a mission to reclaim my true self and to help others do the same. The most important thing I’ve learned is that we are born knowing exactly what we need and how to heal. However we can lose this connection because we are bombarded daily with opinions and expectations from others.

This in turn cause our “knowing” to be blurred. As a result we become dis-eased, both physically and emotionally (ok, I'll get off my soapbox now.)

Giving back to the community

I’m passionate about finding ways to decolonize society and support BIPOC. I currently volunteer for Right Relationship Boulder (RRB) advocating for Native populations and land back initiatives. In order to be an anti-racist and not cause more harm as a white body, cis gender, heterosexual woman, I’m in my first year of training at Education for Racial Equity (ERE.) I’m also on the board of the Gunbarrel Community Alliance and have successfully advocated to relocate prairie dog towns that were victims to economic expansion and encoarchment on the western slop.

Let's Hear It For Rocket Man

I have lived in Boulder for the past twenty years and plan to make this my forever home. Mostly, I enjoy exploring the vast open space and am enchanted by the mountain views. My favorite activity is combining nature with friends and family. What an amazing blend! Also, my love for music and movement has introduced me to the large dance community dwelling in the Boulder area. On the home front, my huge tabby cat named Rocket Man brings me nonstop love and warmth.

I am devoted to living life from my true being and am committed to helping others have the life they want, not the life others want for them.

"I have known April for the past 10 years. In that time, I have found her to be kind, insightful and take great interest in the wellbeing of others" ~Sam Raymond
“April’s instincts for how to help people in any given situation are exceptional. She intuitively connects with people at a core level, and she is skilled due to her authenticity and wholeness.” ~Valerie Engel, M. Div., CDP

More About my clinical work

I graduated from Naropa University with a Master’s Degree in Somatic Psychotherapy in 2011. I specializes in PTSD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and child counseling. I contracted for over 6 years with a Boulder outpatient eating disorder center in addition to a psychiatric hospital leading creative art therapy groups. Also, I have special training in:

Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy EDIT™
Synergetic Play Therapy
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
Internal Family Systems/Parts Work (IFS)
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Somatic (body) Interventions

My attachment-based approach is effective for addressing PTSD, relationship and self-harm issues, among others. This approach focuses on learning to improve one’s sense of self, which results in the ability to develop greater self-compassion, self-acceptance, and self-love.

Think we might be a good fit? Contact me for a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help. Offering online and in-person counseling in Boulder, Longmont and Denver.