Rivkah Standig, MSW, LSW

(she/they)

I'm Rivkah, a therapist and life coach with a goal to guide you towards healing, growth, and self-discovery. With a Master's in Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver and certification as a life coach through the Courageous Living Coach Certification, I've developed a strengths-based approach that emphasizes self-expression and mindfulness to empower you on your journey. I operate from a Health At Every Size, neurodiversity-affirming, harm reduction, and intersectional feminist lens.

Having lived in 9 different US states and Tel Aviv, Israel, I bring a rich and diverse perspective to my practice. As a queer non-binary Jewish person of color navigating life with other marginalized identities, I'm committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for individuals from all walks of life. My passion lies in working with those who have experienced trauma, individuals navigating issues related to sexual, gender, spiritual, and racial identity, neurodivergent individuals, and anyone seeking to cultivate healthier relationships.

In my practice, I primarily utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. ACT encourages embracing difficult thoughts and feelings rather than struggling against them, promoting psychological flexibility and resilience. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, person-centered approach that elicits and strengthens motivation for change, while Cognitive Processing Therapy provides a structured approach to address the impact of trauma on your well-being. I also bring specialized training in Kabbalah, the intersection of neurodiversity and gender identity, the unique experiences of Autistics with psychedelics, psychedelic peer support, and neurodiversity-informed mindfulness techniques to our sessions. This blend of therapeutic approaches and specialized training aims to help you live a meaningful life in alignment with your values and aspirations.

Furthermore, I bring a trauma-informed approach to our work together. This means I recognize the widespread impact of trauma on individuals and the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for your healing journey. I'm here to support you with empathy, understanding, and strategies that consider the effects of trauma on your well-being.

My approach to therapy is deeply influenced by my background as a visual and musical artist. I believe that creativity can unlock profound insights and healing. In our sessions, I encourage the exploration of creative space to tap into your inner wisdom. I believe that every person possesses the capacity to heal themselves, and my role is to guide and support you as you awaken that innate knowledge within.

At the heart of my practice is the belief that each person is unique and deserving of integrative, holistic care. I strive to create a collaborative and compassionate therapeutic environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. Whether you're seeking to address trauma, find clarity in your identity, navigate relationships, or simply embark on a journey of self-improvement, I'm here to walk alongside you.

Thank you for considering me as your partner on your path to healing and growth. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and help you create positive change in your life.

Training

  • I am supervised by Perri Corvino, LCSW, MA, LAC. You can find me on DORA under my legal name, Rebecca Standig. My license number is LSW.0009924901.

  • I completed my MSW in May 2023. Social work is a profession that promotes social change, development, cohesion and the empowerment of people and communities. Social workers share a commitment to promoting social welfare, ​helping people of all backgrounds overcome their unique challenges, advocating for social and economic justice for all members of the community, and embodying a professional code of ethics.

    As part of my degree, I completed a capstone project that involved creating and leading an experiential workshop for other therapists to learn about and navigate working with clients with marginalized identities.

  • The Courageous Living Coach Certification program is an accredited life coach and leadership training program. It is rooted in a holistic philosophy grounded in supporting clients where they’re at. I graduated from the program and became a certified life coach in November 2019.

Neurodivergent Care

  • Completed January-February 2023. A course designed for professionals who work in psychedelic care for autistic individuals. The course provided a foundational understanding of autism, psychedelics, and the intersection of the two. The course lectures & associated reference materials consisted of a combination of essential terms, statistics, & definitions, plus a deep dive into a wide assortment of relevant clinical investigations completed during both the pre-prohibition & modern “psychedelic renaissance” eras of research.

  • Completed in April 2024. This course was an intermediate-level course designed to follow the Introduction to Psychedelic Autism course from Autistic Psychedelic Community and develop an in-depth “understanding of the unique challenges faced by autistic and neurodivergent individuals and how to better serve them.” It was led by Justine Lee, MSc. Topics covered included client intake & pre-session preparation; socioemotional reward & reciprocity; harnessing neuroplasticity; and integration & aftercare.

  • This course provides practical tools of how to incorporate neurodiversity-informed techniques into mindfulness practice offerings. This course is led by Sue Hutton, LCSW, who works with the research team at the CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre.

    I am currently in the process of completing this training.

  • Completed January 2024. This workshop was led by Reese Hebrank, LCSW, and provided an overview of the current research into the intersection of and a deeper understanding of the needs and experiences of neurodiverse and gender-diverse folks. Topics covered included the range of experiences that encompass neurodiversity; the differences between sex assigned at birth, gender identity, and gender expression; ways in which Autism and ADHD may impact individuals’ experience of and expression of gender; techniques for supporting clients at the intersection of neurodivergence and gender exploration.

Psychedelic Care

  • This training is currently in progress, from January-December 2024.

    The Vital Psychedelic Facilitation 12 month training program consists of five modules of 6-10 weeks each, including live lectures, weekly tutor-led study groups, and specialized electives. In addition, students are required to complete an experiential retreat where they both facilitate psychedelic experiences for and have psychedelic experiences facilitated by other students in the training cohort, as well as complete another experiential elective of their choosing. Finally, students are required to complete a final integrative project. Upon completion of the program, students have earned a Certificate in Psychedelic-Informed Practice, Harm Reduction, and Integration.

  • Completed January-February 2023. A course designed for professionals who work in psychedelic care for autistic individuals. The course provided a foundational understanding of autism, psychedelics, and the intersection of the two. The course lectures & associated reference materials consisted of a combination of essential terms, statistics, & definitions, plus a deep dive into a wide assortment of relevant clinical investigations completed during both the pre-prohibition & modern “psychedelic renaissance” eras of research.

  • Completed in April 2024. This course was an intermediate-level course designed to follow the Introduction to Psychedelic Autism course from Autistic Psychedelic Community and develop an in-depth “understanding of the unique challenges faced by autistic and neurodivergent individuals and how to better serve them.” It was led by Justine Lee, MSc. Topics covered included client intake & pre-session preparation; socioemotional reward & reciprocity; harnessing neuroplasticity; and integration & aftercare.

  • Completed June 2023. The Zendo Project takes a public health and harm reduction oriented stance on psychedelic support. The workshop explored a variety of methods to help transform difficult experiences while in a non-ordinary state of consciousness. Learned practical strategies to help someone through a difficult psychedelic experience. Gained an understanding of how to hold space for someone during a challenging psychedelic experience. The workshop explored the topics of: Psychedelic Harm Reduction & Peer Support foundations, Effects of psychedelics, Understanding challenging psychedelic experiences, How set and setting contribute to the psychedelic experience, The Zendo Project principles of psychedelic peer support, Sitter self-care, Psychedelic integration, and Ethics of Psychedelic Peer Support.

Transgender Care

  • Completed January 2024. This workshop was led by Reese Hebrank, LCSW, and provided an overview of the current research into the intersection of and a deeper understanding of the needs and experiences of neurodiverse and gender-diverse folks. Topics covered included the range of experiences that encompass neurodiversity; the differences between sex assigned at birth, gender identity, and gender expression; ways in which Autism and ADHD may impact individuals’ experience of and expression of gender; techniques for supporting clients at the intersection of neurodivergence and gender exploration.

  • Completed in April 2024. This course was led by Sand Chang, Ph.D., and provided an overview of how to provide culturally sensitive, affirming care to trans and nonbinary folks who are experiencing food and body image issues. The course covered multiple approaches to eating disorders assessment and treatment, including levels of care, intuitive eating, Health At Every Size (HAES), and Body Trust® frameworks.

Therapeutic Modalities

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive behavioral therapeutic modality that is aimed at treating trauma. It has been clinically proven to be effective at treating symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. CPT helps clients learn how to challenge and modify beliefs related to the trauma they’ve experienced.

    I am currently in the process of completing this training.

  • Completed March 2024. This course was led by Kathy Baur, Ph.D., and focused on how to apply concepts from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for the treatment of chronic pain and illness. Topics covered included an overview of ACT principles and how they apply to chronic pain, how to apply motivational interviewing to ACT interventions, skills to use to help clients improve their overall functioning, and looking at pain from a contextual and intersectional perspective.

  • Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (CAMS) is a suicide-specific therapeutic framework that aims to assess and treat a client’s risk of suicide. CAMS uses the client’s input about what works and what doesn’t work for them when it comes to managing suicidality. With CAMS, the client is the co-author of their treatment plan. I completed the first level of CAMS training in January 2024.

Trauma

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive behavioral therapeutic modality that is aimed at treating trauma. It has been clinically proven to be effective at treating symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. CPT helps clients learn how to challenge and modify beliefs related to the trauma they’ve experienced.

    I am currently in the process of completing this training.

  • This training is currently in progress, from January-December 2024.

    The Vital Psychedelic Facilitation 12 month training program consists of five modules of 6-10 weeks each, including live lectures, weekly tutor-led study groups, and specialized electives. In addition, students are required to complete an experiential retreat where they both facilitate psychedelic experiences for and have psychedelic experiences facilitated by other students in the training cohort, as well as complete another experiential elective of their choosing. Finally, students are required to complete a final integrative project. Upon completion of the program, students have earned a Certificate in Psychedelic-Informed Practice, Harm Reduction, and Integration.

  • Completed November 2022-May 2023. A course designed for professional therapists to learn how to heal intergenerational trauma through experiential activities. Involved teachings from the fields of Jungian depth psychology, intergenerational trauma healing, and embodied ritual work. Built a foundation for understanding personal, familial, cultural, and archetypal healing, in order to augment the healing modalities already practiced.

Spirituality

  • Completed November 2022-May 2023. A course designed for professional therapists to learn how to heal intergenerational trauma through experiential activities. Involved teachings from the fields of Jungian depth psychology, intergenerational trauma healing, and embodied ritual work. Built a foundation for understanding personal, familial, cultural, and archetypal healing, in order to augment the healing modalities already practiced.

  • Completed January-February 2024. Dr. Yosef Rosen is a historian of Kabbalah and Jewish magic. Each session in the class explored “one path of the kabbalist, highlighting its historical evolution and resources for contemporary Jewish life: concealing & revealing mystery; ascending & descending through the higher/inner worlds; creating through language, light, and relationship; using the sefirot as a guide for spiritual life; arousing love; healing bodies and theologies; and protecting oneself and others from the dangers of this vulnerable life.”

    While Kabbalah is not a therapeutic modality, for clients who are interested in exploring their spiritual heritage and/or Jewish mysticism, kabbalistic concepts can be brought into therapy.

  • Geo Poor is a Ph.D. student in Kabbalah and has been teaching Kabbalah for 8 years. Major topics covered include the infinite divine, the ten sefirot of creation, God and humans, Kabbalah and Jewish ritual, rupture and repair, and magic and demons.

    I am currently in the process of completing this training.

    While Kabbalah is not a therapeutic modality, for clients who are interested in exploring their spiritual heritage and/or Jewish mysticism, kabbalistic concepts can be brought into therapy.

  • This training is currently in progress, from January-December 2024.

    The Vital Psychedelic Facilitation 12 month training program consists of five modules of 6-10 weeks each, including live lectures, weekly tutor-led study groups, and specialized electives. In addition, students are required to complete an experiential retreat where they both facilitate psychedelic experiences for and have psychedelic experiences facilitated by other students in the training cohort, as well as complete another experiential elective of their choosing. Finally, students are required to complete a final integrative project. Upon completion of the program, students have earned a Certificate in Psychedelic-Informed Practice, Harm Reduction, and Integration.

Chat with me

Interested in trying therapy but want to make sure I’m the perfect fit for you? Hop on a free 15 minute consultation call with me to get started today!