Photo of Alisa Bartel Phd

Bridging the Gap Between
Extreme Stress and
Emotional Resilience

You remember a time when vigilance, grumpiness, and troubled relationships weren’t the norm… but those days feel like a distant memory. Maybe, though hard times were fraught with fear and fatalities, you also miss the simplicity and camaraderie of them. Maybe you feel trapped in a cage of your own body and mind.

Maybe you’ve seen the worst of humanity. How can you possibly connect with those who haven’t?

You’ve come to the right place.

Alisa Bartel, PhD | PTSD & Stress Specialist

My Approach

I specialize in helping individuals that are new(ish) to therapy or needing a different experience: ones that have it within them to regain control over their emotions and build better connections with loved ones, but just need the support to get there.

I help my clients find balance, presence, and contentedness by equipping them with the tools they need to regulate their nervous system and build better relationships with themselves and others.

Many of today’s solutions for PTSD and extreme stress are limited by insurance, too focused on talk and “venting,” or disconnected from the realities of living with it, leading so many to feel like therapy just made things worse or was kind of pointless because it didn’t actually change anything.

I am a trauma psychologist married to a combat veteran with PTSD. I will meet you with the grit and experience of a doctoral-level psychologist as well as the compassion and commitment of spouse who gets it.

Education is necessary, but experience is invaluable.

  • Build Rapport

    First, we get to know each other. We use traditional talk therapy to build trust, explore your past, and understand in more detail what led you here and where you want to go.

  • Implement Skills

    Then, we identify specific skills tailored to the treatment priorities we’ve identified: maybe it’s regulating your nervous system, sleep hygiene, communication, distress tolerance.

  • End Result

    Through our work together, you’ll come to terms with your story, regain trust in yourself, establish more connection in relationships, and reduce overwhelm.

I am dedicated to helping you overcome your hardest days.

My specialized training in PTSD means I have the expertise you need to help guide you through your darkest days toward a brighter future. But, you want to know you’re working with someone who “gets” what it means to be struggle with anger and anxiety, the loss of a good friend, and relationships with your loved ones, right?


I get it because while I have devoted my career to treating PTSD in the military, I also come home to a spouse with PTSD from the military. I have studied it, but I also live it. I know that you wonder if the anger is just who you are now, tremendous guilt, fear of what you’ve done and what you miss doing. I also know what it’s like to feel like the punching bag. So when we work together, you’ll not only receive expert trauma care, but you’ll also get someone who truly understands how to support you through it.

Credentials

    • One of a handful in the country:
      Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PhD) - Trauma emphasis, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

    • Masters in Clinical Psychology (MA) - Trauma emphasis, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

    • Masters in Public Administration (MPA), University of Dayton

    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (BA), University of Dayton

    • Licensed in the state of Colorado, PSY.0005890

    • Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), granted by the PSYPACT Commission (Exp. date: 08/23/2025, #:15640). PSYPACT is an interstate compact offering qualified psychologists the opportunity to practice telepsychology in multiple states. Please click here to see if your state is part of the jurisdiction: https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap

  • Clinical training sites include the Veterans Health Trauma Clinic, VA Medical Center, Iron Horse Family Medicine Clinic on Fort Carson, and Diversus Health.

    I completed my postdoc in a group private practice and started my own business in 2024.

  • Research experience includes roles as a recruiter, associate, and investigator on group as well as independent projects. I worked on PTSD studies at the Cincinnati and San Francisco VA Medical Centers. Over the years, I have published four peer-reviewed publications, presented eight peer-reviewed talks and 13 peer-reviewed posters specific to PTSD.

  • I sought volunteer experiences with the veteran population, including Team Red, White, & Blue as well as Team Rubicon. In both groups, I held various leadership positions from local to state to national, and was active in connecting veterans to mental health services. I also served separately as a disaster responder and deployed across the United States and Puerto Rico to provide relief services.