
Dr. Tess Kilwein, ABPP, CMPC
I am a board-certified, licensed clinical psychologist with diverse experiences in medical settings. I believe our stories are our greatest power and our best pathway to healing.
My Story
I grew up roaming the hallways and passing the time in the doctor’s lounge of a rural hospital
where my father served as a podiatrist and podiatric surgeon for nearly a 100-mile radius. From a
young age, I was fascinated by the work of healthcare providers and the resilience of their patients. This experience ultimately led me to a career as a psychologist working in
healthcare settings, where I am passionate about supporting healthcare providers and their
patients in navigating the effects of medical diagnoses and trauma.

My Background
I obtained my PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wyoming after spending a year-long internship at Denver Health Medical Center, Colorodo’s primary “safety net” institution. I completed rotations in emergency medicine, psychiatry consultation-liaison, addiction consultation-liaison, and infectious disease integrated behavioral care. During this time, I worked closely with healthcare works to improve physical and mental health outcomes for patients who were often experiencing acute and/or severe medical presentations.
For the past five years of my career, I have continued to work at the intersection of physical and mental health, specializing primarily in trauma, addiction, LGBTQ+ populations, and sports medicine. I have experience providing psychotherapy and crisis response to healthcare providers and patients with a range of medical diagnoses and trauma.
My Approach
​I specialize in healing healers. I recognize that the path to becoming a healthcare professional is daunting, especially if you are holding onto painful memories or have experienced marginalization. I am also deeply attuned to issues faced by patients and providers in healthcare systems. Most importantly, I recognize that not all mental health concerns are individually determined, and encourage clients to explore the impact of their social, intergenerational, and environmental histories to promote healing and growth.
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The foundation of my psychotherapeutic approach is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, recognizing that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are intricately related. However, I also regularly incorporate tenants of Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy in my work with clients. Specific treatment modalities I can offer for trauma include
Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Narrative Exposure Therapy.
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I am licensed to practice psychology in the states of California, Colorado, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming, as well as authorized to practice via telemedicine in PSYPACT states. I am also a trained Sport Psychologist capable of providing expert guidance in injury recovery and performance, as well as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant®, which can be appealing to healthcare workers looking to optimize their performance after adverse experiences.
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State of California, Licensed Psychologist (33713) (Verify)
State of Colorado, Licensed Psychologist (PSY-0005345) (Verify)
State of North Dakoda, Licensed Psychologist (610) (Verify)
State of Tennessee, Licensed Psychologist (3974) (Verify)
State of Wyoming, Licensed Psychologist (710) (Verify)
PSYPACT ® credential for Telehealth (14432) (Verify)
Board Certified in Clinical Psychology (10045) (Verify)
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Ginkgo Leaf Health Services
The ginkgo tree is known as a living fossil, and the leaves of this plant have medicinal properties for both heart and brain.
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The GLHS logo shows a ginkgo leaf in yellow, which echoes the shape of a brain and brain stem.
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The white space forms the pages of a book, emphasizing commitment to ongoing learning and evidence-based practice.
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Like the ginkgo tree, humans are survivors. We develop wisdom through working with emotions and intellect, heart and brain. By pairing new knowledge with embodied wisdom, we can find a path from surviving, through coping, to thriving.