Comeback Story Counseling
Mike Ensley, LPC, Counselor | Loveland, CO

Do you have the tools you need to repair relationships? Your outlook? Your habits?

Is there such a thing as too much love?

What's Burnout? The World Health Organization is reworking their definition of the 'Burnout syndrome' in hopes of sparking some much-needed conversation about what goes on in certain occupational sectors. But this is also a good reminder for each of us to reflect on just what exactly we're shooting for, and what our own expectations do to us. As a counselor, I think of Burnout as a place we come to when the demands of meeting a certain standard or expectation have left no roo

As I journey with clients through their stories, the process of reframing narratives and sifting for those nuggets of our true selves is powerful work, but I never assume that it's all the work that could be done. We are multifaceted creatures who exist in worlds of thought and language, but also flesh and bone. It only makes sense that our experiences, neuroses, even our stories themselves have these same facets to them. I love museums because they tell history not only in w

I might have gone into biological chemistry if I enjoyed math a little more. Lessons on the microscopic world have always fascinated me. It's enthralling to study the universe of tiny machines at work in every part of our being, each one equipped for infinitely tiny jobs that make life on the grand scale possible. One of the features of cellular life that's truly amazing is the function of the membranes that surround the cells and also the components inside. So small and simp

‘Mark’ was a member of a group I led a while back. His wife said she’d lost him to his Xbox, and he couldn’t really disagree. It was typical for him to be up well past midnight—with work the next morning—eyes fixed on the TV screen, often cursing at it. When he wasn’t on the machine, most of the time he was mentally still plugged in. ‘Lisa’ was a hardcore bodybuilder. Nothing wrong with that, but she was pouring more time, energy and money into it than friends of hers who wer

In the age of Social Media, some important words have become diluted. We click on pages or swipe our way into apps, and there see impressively long lists of "friends" and "connections" showing us what a robust community we supposedly have. And yet loneliness persists. How many of the hundreds (thousands?) of relationships represented on that "friends" list would you honestly categorize as a true friendship? Are we truly connecting with each other? Social media offers a conven

When I was ready to finish my graduate degree and begin to branch out into professional practice, I knew Northern Colorado was where I wanted to be. What I didn't plan on was a part-time gig that would turn into a life-changing experience. I took a position as a substitute for the St. Vrain Valley School District, but since I didn't have a teaching degree, I was limited to working with Kindergarten and Special Ed classrooms. My very first job was to stand in for a week in the

All of us are interested in being happier, healthier, and more successful in our endeavors. Whether you're big into making annual resolutions or not, the coming of the New Year has a way of focusing our attention on our goals and desires--and what we wish was different. Of course, New Year's Resolutions are a bit notorious for grand beginnings and short lifespans. But that's no reason to be discouraged! Whether you're looking to get fit, kick a habit, or heal a relationship i

Have you ever heard someone say this? Perhaps you've felt that way yourself after just a few sessions with that therapist you never went back to. Sometimes the counselor you chose just isn't a good match--but sometimes that feeling that things are getting worse is about something deeper. And it's not a bad thing. How can that be good? Well, people usually come to counseling because of some sort of crisis. Maybe there's a problem with a relationship, or a tough life transition