About Jim

Jim Thomas’ clients describe him as genuine, warm, open to giving and receiving feedback, and compassionate.  He adds a touch of humor and an interactive approach.  He enjoys working with couples, families, individuals, and organizations from a strength-based, holistic approach.

Jim obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from the Ohio State

University.  He studied alternative approaches to psychotherapy for two years

at Boulder College, and earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology

from the University of Colorado at Denver.  He is a Licensed Marriage and

Family Therapist, EFT Therapist, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor.

In 1990, Jim joined the Colorado Institute for Marriage and the Family for

Post-Graduate Training in couples and family therapy.  His mentors there,

Jan Raynak, MD, and Suzanne Pope, Ph.D., taught him the importance of

creating meaningful experiences for clients in the therapy session, going beyond appearances to the heart of a relationship, and gaining critical feedback about one’s own work.  Jim stayed on as a faculty member from 1993 to 1996.   His focus on connection in families and couples led Jim to the work of Sue Johnson, author of Hold Me Tight.  Jim also had the good fortune of being able to receive  individual supervision from Sue Johnson and Gail Palmer in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and he continues to be actively invovled in the EFT Community as an ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainer. 

 

Jim grew up professionally at the Denver Children’s Home working with high-risk youth and their families.  “Clients worried about how they were going to pay the rent…lots of single-parents and intense stress.”  Working with people in difficult circumstances, Jim saw that they could change and grow.  The required support, gentle challenges, and professionals fully engaged in their treatment.  “I worked with diverse clients, many of whom experienced significant trauma and abuse in their lives.  My clients required from me a certain tenacity or commitment to the cause of their lives.” 

From 1998 to 2002, Jim served as President-Elect, President, and Past-President of the Colorado Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT).  His peers elected Jim Chair of the Council of Division Presidents for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). He served on the national board of directors for AAMFT.  He presented workshops or facilitated strategic planning for the Alaska, Michigan, South Dakota, and Washington Associations for Marriage and Family Therapy.  He also teaches EFT at Denver Family Institute.

Jim left agency work to start the Institute for Change, P.C., and Engaging Trainings.  His consulting work includes Shining Mountain High School in Boulder.  He has consulted with Aurora Mental Health Center, Mental Health Corporation of Denver, Shiloh House, Community Reach Center, Dignity Program for GIrls, Shepherd Valley School, and Emerson Street School. 

In 2002, Jim joined the faculty at Denver Family Institute (DFI) an accredited couples and family therapy training program.  He subsequently became the Executive Director.  Director Steve Litt, LCSW, said, “We had a strong program. I wanted to turn direction over in a thoughtful way.  I was looking for a passionate marriage and family therapist with leadership skills.  He saw new possibilities for DFI.  I am thrilled with where he has taken the program.”  In five years, DFI tripled in size Jim sees these diverse professional activities as linked, “All of my work focuses on helping people to be more fully aware and engaged in their lives.  I accentuate their wholeness and strengths while dealing with real issues.  When people connect more deeply with themselves, they can step beyond self-imposed limitations.  That allows deeper connection with others and a richer life.  Watching people grow, I feel blessed to do this work.”  Jim is now a Director Emeritus of the Denver Children's Home.

After stepping down as Director of DFI, Jim became the Director of the Colorado Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy.  He is active as an EFT Therapist, Trainer and Supervisor.  He also enjoys providing life coaching and positive psychology therapy support to individuals in his private practice. 

“Work is love made real…” - Kahlil Gibran

en·gage   (in-’gāj):

committed to or

supportive of a cause

The Institute for Change, P.C.     Jim Thomas, L.M.F.T., Approved Supervisor303.933.9104