Founding Therapist
We aim to provide quality programming by using evidence based tools, keeping our groups small and personable, and creating a soothing and positive environment. Ultimately we want women not to feel judged as they may already be feeling shame around their addiction, or their DUI, or any other struggles. Hence, every women we see is treated with respect and care. We work both with women who are court ordered (DUI, parenting classes, psychotherapy and anger management) and women who do not have legal consequences yet they are motivated to learn new skills and overcome obstacles that may be creating an addiction or mental health struggles.
We are a court approved licensure program for DUI/Level 2 classes in Colorado. See us on the list @ linkingcare.org.
We began out of a passion for gender specific treatment and the realization that women need a unique place to heal and thrive. The founder, Belina Fruitman, holds licensure as a Social Worker (LCSW) and Level 3 Addictions Counselor (CAClll), moreover, she has managed other programs for women in Denver and taught as an adjunct professor at MSCD for 11 years.
Belina Fruitman, the primary therapist, received her Masters in Social Work from The University of Denver in 1995, became a Certified Addictions Counselor lll in 1996 and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 1997. From 2000-2010 she taught college and graduate courses at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSCD) in the Social Work department. Classes she taught were: Women in Social Work, Introduction to Social Work, Case Management, Record Keeping Current Social Work Issues and Generalist Practice l., Direct Interventions & Adult Mental Health.
Our philosophy as Licensed Clinical Social Workers comes from the premise of meeting women where they are in their life. Through an empowering approach, the client determines her goals and learns how to discover which root issues are the obstacles to lasting change.As providers and counselors our perspective tends to be existential. Therefore women need to find a sense of meaning and purpose in their life in order to feel fulfilled and valued.
Another approach that is integrated into therapy is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a system of therapy originally developed by Marsha M. Linehan. DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotion regulation and reality-testing with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness largely derived from Buddhist meditative practice. DBT may be the first therapy that has been experimentally demonstrated to be generally effective in treating certain clinical diagnosis. Research indicates that DBT is also effective in treating patients who present varied symptoms and behaviors associated with mood disorders, self-injury, and is effective with sexual abuse survivors and chemical dependency. Therefore, DBT can be used with women who have experienced trauma such as sexual abuse.
For those of you with a Master's Degree in Social Work or a Master's of Arts in Psychology, you need professional supervision (and passage of the state board exam and other state requirements) in order to gain licensure in Colorado. Belina Fruitman, LCSW, CAS, provides professional supervision privately and/or in a group setting. As a former professor of social work and clinician since 1997, she specializes in mental health, addictions, women's issues, trauma, family/couples therapy and group therapy. Please contact her to talk further about your professional needs and advancement in your career, 303-523-0621.
Professional supervision is a key component to honing your skills, preventing burn out and staying on the edge of your knowledge base.
This link will get you to state licensure requirements for LCSW: MORE INFO
This link will get you to state licensure for LPC: MORE INFO