September 17, 2025 • 9 mins
What does truly effective mental health support look like in today's world? Ben Smith, co-owner of Evolve Counseling Services in Fort Collins, brings refreshing clarity to this question in our latest conversation.
Mental health therapy isn't just for those in crisis—it's increasingly becoming a tool for personal growth and development. Ben shares how he and his wife Lindsay built a practice centered on being genuinely useful to clients struggling with anxiety and depression. Their approach is particularly valuable for college students navigating the numerous challenges and "firsts" that come with this transformative life stage.
The conversation challenges common misconceptions about therapy. Rather than endless sessions of "just talking about my week," Ben emphasizes goal-oriented treatment that produces measurable results. "A good therapist should try to put themselves out of a job," he explains, highlighting their philosophy that effective therapy means clients gradually need less support as they develop stronger coping skills and resolve their challenges.
What truly sets Evolve Counseling apart is their specialized focus and commitment to results. While many practitioners claim expertise across numerous domains, Ben and Lindsay concentrate on what they do best—helping individuals break repetitive negative patterns, resolve recurring conflicts, and learn to advocate for their needs. For anyone curious about how modern therapy actually works, this conversation offers valuable insights from a practitioner who balances professional expertise with authentic human connection.
Ready to explore whether this approach might work for you? Evolve Counseling offers free consultations with no pressure to continue if it's not the right fit. Visit EvolveCounselingNoCo.com to learn more and take that first step toward meaningful change.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Nick George.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Are you in need of counselingservices locally?
Well, one awesome option mightbe closer than you think.
Today I have the great pleasureof introducing your good
neighbor, ben Smith, with EvolveCounseling Services.
Ben, how are you doing today?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Hi Nick, I'm doing well.
Thank you for having me on.
Thanks for the kind intro.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
We're excited to learn all about you and your
practice.
Tell us about your counselingservices.
Company at Evolve CounselingServices.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Yeah, absolutely.
I co-own and operate EvolveCounseling Services with my wife
Lindsay.
She actually founded it, so Ialways want to give credit for
that.
And what we specialize in is wehelp people with depression and
anxiety primarily, and we tendto do that through a cognitive
behavioral basis.
We also help a lot of collegestudents.
(01:02):
Just being here in Fort Collins, you know, with CSU nearby, it
kind of lends itself to that.
But you know, we've kind offound a secondary niche, just
really helping college studentsgo through all the many, many
firsts and challenges that theyhave.
We provide individual therapyto people age 16 and up.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
And how did you get into this business originally?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Man, that's a good question, like the private
practice or mental health ingeneral.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
The deeper question.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
In general.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
And maybe we have a moment for both.
I think I mean I'll speak formyself, you know, lindsay,
obviously being an absentiatoday, but I think the thing
that attracted me to just mentalhealth and counseling is like I
have a genuine, just curiosityfor deep matters.
I really want to talk to peopleabout not small talk but big
talk, the things that matter,and I appreciate your question
(01:55):
going for it there, Like, yeah,let's talk about the deep thing
and it's a really cool job likethat, the fact that the people
trust me with that and likelet's talk about what's really
going on.
Let's talk about what's reallyreally at stake here and what's
at the heart of the matter.
It was really cool and my daysfly, my sessions go by because
I'm having fun talking aboutwhat counts.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
What are some myths or misconceptions in your niche
in this industry?
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Man and with mental health.
There could be many, and I'mglad the world is just warming
up more and more to mentalhealth.
I think some of those myths arestarting to kind of sort
themselves out.
But one of the things I wouldjust encourage, you know, given
the opportunity to answer thisquestion, is like mental health
isn't always someone coming inbecause they're hurting very
(02:45):
badly emotionally, they're insome sort of personal crisis or
it's something really clinicalin nature.
People more and more arefiguring out like mental health
is like let's get after thisthing that I kind of want to
work at, it's my area for growth.
It's kind of a blind spot.
It's something I don't want tobother me anymore.
And sometimes that's thingslike how do I get stuck in the
(03:08):
same pattern again and again andI don't know why I'm repeating
it?
How do I get what I want out oflife?
How do I avoid having the sameargument with my spouse time and
again?
How do I speak up for what Iwant and what I need?
These are the things that it'slike.
I don't even know what thoseare clinically, but people want
to work on them all the time andtherapy is actually, you know,
one way that you can really goabout learning those things
(03:29):
effectively.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
You may have already said this, and forgive me if you
did, but marketing is the heartof every business, so I like to
ask the question who are yourtarget clients and how are you
attracting them now?
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yeah, that's a good question.
You know, some of our marketingis by just who our practice
specializes in, right?
So that is helping people withanxiety and depression.
Sometimes, you know, you canlook up a therapist on like
psychology today, like that's agreat resource for finding
someone.
But a lot of therapists arelike I specialize in like 12
things and that's definitionallyincorrect, right, you can't be
(04:06):
that broad.
So you know, a little bit islike we're here to treat certain
symptoms and certain mentalhealth phenomena.
You know we're specializingthat way.
But otherwise, I think you knowour clients are anyone that's
kind of just motivated, ready togo, ready to make that change.
Therapy needs to be approachedvery, you know, in a very
voluntary manner.
So anyone that's ready to dothis, we're here for them.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Have you ever done or thought about doing your own
podcast?
Speaker 3 (04:35):
I have.
Interestingly, my wife and Ihave been on another podcast and
it's a curious question why doyou ask?
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Because it seems like you take to it and you're not
afraid of overeducating yourcustomers before they pay you.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Yeah, yeah, no, for sure, I mean thanks, thanks for
the feedback.
That's really what we try to do.
You know that was some of ourmodel of getting into.
Just private practice ingeneral is like how can we do
the fundamentals really well?
Is like how can we do thefundamentals really well Even if
someone calls us to inquire fortherapy and we're not quite the
right fit for them?
(05:12):
We want to be a helpful part oftheir journey and do some of
that over education.
Who can we connect you to?
Opening up the directory oftherapists, even just in Fort
Collins, is overwhelming, right.
So if I know a person or twothat kind of specializes in what
they need, then let's help withthat and let's be a part of
their journey.
So thanks, nick.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Outside of work.
What do you do for fun?
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah, that's a good question.
You know, how does thetherapist take care of
themselves, in other words?
And you know I think spending alot of time with friends and
family is huge.
My wife and I love just kind ofgrabbing a patio beer in the
fall here.
That's a very special kind ofmoment to just be present with
people you like.
(05:56):
Personally, I'm pretty big intojust health and fitness.
I have a gym in my basement andI think I use physical exercise
to kind of constitute meinternally and just be ready to.
You know, that helped me ensureI'm in good order for my
clients and to show up for theday.
This is kind of fun.
I really challenged myself thisyear.
(06:17):
I've only been at it for maybeeight or nine months, but I
started learning jujitsu thisyear just as something like
totally out of the box, likelike I've been involved in
athletics most of my life butlike never anything like this.
And you know, just living someof those, those principles that
I try to talk about in therapyis like what challenges me.
What are my edges for growth?
You know how do I do somethingI'm uncomfortable with and learn
(06:39):
to become comfortable with it?
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, that's how you keep growing, ben, tell our
listeners one thing they shouldabsolutely take away from this
interview with you regardingEvolve Counseling Services.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Yeah, what we try to convey, you know, through our
website and our media and thingslike that, like we are a little
different and not in somerevolutionary way, like this
would be unrecognizable astherapy.
But what Lindsay and I takereally serious, and I think one
of our core mission values, isthe word useful.
People come to us like becausethey're struggling with
(07:12):
something, they have a veryspecific problem and I think
it's our job to be, you know,useful to the end of that
problem.
A lot of the feedback that weget from people that have been
to therapy before is somethinglike I liked who I talked to.
They were perfectly nice, butwe kind of just talked about my
week.
And don't get me wrong, Idefinitely talk with people
about their weeks, like thatthat's part of life.
But you know, we try to be verygoal oriented and say, like if
(07:37):
you really think about it, liketherapy is a gradual process,
but a good therapist should tryto put themselves out of a job,
right, you should need this lessand less time if it's actually
working.
And like, don't get me wrong, Iknow people do maintenance
therapy and things like that.
I'm a fan of all these things,but your symptoms should get
better.
If you're actually targetingand working at the problem, you
know it might be a sign thatthat you know your therapist you
(07:59):
know isn't quite the rightmatch for you if you don't feel
like you're moving forward, ifyou're stuck in the same things
for years.
So sometimes it's just somehelpful feedback for someone
that's new to mental health.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yes, that's refreshing to hear in the
paradigm of medicine, for sure,these days.
How can our listeners learnmore about Evolve Counseling
services online and theold-fashioned way with a phone
number?
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Yes, absolutely Best way to reach us is Evolve
Counseling NoCo.
It's in northerncoloradocom.
You'll find our phone numbers.
There's contact forms on thereand this is one of the great
parts about us being small andlocal and in a mom and pop shop
like like, we will call you back, we will get back to you, we
(08:41):
will answer your questions andwe offer free consultations if
you just want to visit on thephone for a little bit or come
in for 30 minutes and see ifthis is a good fit.
There's no pressure, there's nohard feelings if it doesn't fit
, but we're here to see if thisis right for you.
So don't be shy if you'recurious.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Well, Ben, I really appreciate you being on our show
.
We wish you and your businessthe very best moving forward.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Thanks, nick, appreciate it so much.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go tognpfortcollinscom.
That's gnpfortcollinscom, orcall 970-438-0825.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Nick George.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Are you in need of counselingservices locally?
Well, one awesome option mightbe closer than you think.
Today I have the great pleasureof introducing your good
neighbor, ben Smith, with EvolveCounseling Services.
Ben, how are you doing today?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Hi Nick, I'm doing well.
Thank you for having me on.
Thanks for the kind intro.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
We're excited to learn all about you and your
practice.
Tell us about your counselingservices.
Company at Evolve CounselingServices.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Yeah, absolutely.
I co-own and operate EvolveCounseling Services with my wife
Lindsay.
She actually founded it, so Ialways want to give credit for
that.
And what we specialize in is wehelp people with depression and
anxiety primarily, and we tendto do that through a cognitive
behavioral basis.
We also help a lot of collegestudents.
(01:02):
Just being here in Fort Collins, you know, with CSU nearby, it
kind of lends itself to that.
But you know, we've kind offound a secondary niche, just
really helping college studentsgo through all the many, many
firsts and challenges that theyhave.
We provide individual therapyto people age 16 and up.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
And how did you get into this business originally?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Man, that's a good question, like the private
practice or mental health ingeneral.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
The deeper question.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
In general.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
And maybe we have a moment for both.
I think I mean I'll speak formyself, you know, lindsay,
obviously being an absentiatoday, but I think the thing
that attracted me to just mentalhealth and counseling is like I
have a genuine, just curiosityfor deep matters.
I really want to talk to peopleabout not small talk but big
talk, the things that matter,and I appreciate your question
(01:55):
going for it there, Like, yeah,let's talk about the deep thing
and it's a really cool job likethat, the fact that the people
trust me with that and likelet's talk about what's really
going on.
Let's talk about what's reallyreally at stake here and what's
at the heart of the matter.
It was really cool and my daysfly, my sessions go by because
I'm having fun talking aboutwhat counts.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
What are some myths or misconceptions in your niche
in this industry?
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Man and with mental health.
There could be many, and I'mglad the world is just warming
up more and more to mentalhealth.
I think some of those myths arestarting to kind of sort
themselves out.
But one of the things I wouldjust encourage, you know, given
the opportunity to answer thisquestion, is like mental health
isn't always someone coming inbecause they're hurting very
(02:45):
badly emotionally, they're insome sort of personal crisis or
it's something really clinicalin nature.
People more and more arefiguring out like mental health
is like let's get after thisthing that I kind of want to
work at, it's my area for growth.
It's kind of a blind spot.
It's something I don't want tobother me anymore.
And sometimes that's thingslike how do I get stuck in the
(03:08):
same pattern again and again andI don't know why I'm repeating
it?
How do I get what I want out oflife?
How do I avoid having the sameargument with my spouse time and
again?
How do I speak up for what Iwant and what I need?
These are the things that it'slike.
I don't even know what thoseare clinically, but people want
to work on them all the time andtherapy is actually, you know,
one way that you can really goabout learning those things
(03:29):
effectively.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
You may have already said this, and forgive me if you
did, but marketing is the heartof every business, so I like to
ask the question who are yourtarget clients and how are you
attracting them now?
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yeah, that's a good question.
You know, some of our marketingis by just who our practice
specializes in, right?
So that is helping people withanxiety and depression.
Sometimes, you know, you canlook up a therapist on like
psychology today, like that's agreat resource for finding
someone.
But a lot of therapists arelike I specialize in like 12
things and that's definitionallyincorrect, right, you can't be
(04:06):
that broad.
So you know, a little bit islike we're here to treat certain
symptoms and certain mentalhealth phenomena.
You know we're specializingthat way.
But otherwise, I think you knowour clients are anyone that's
kind of just motivated, ready togo, ready to make that change.
Therapy needs to be approachedvery, you know, in a very
voluntary manner.
So anyone that's ready to dothis, we're here for them.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Have you ever done or thought about doing your own
podcast?
Speaker 3 (04:35):
I have.
Interestingly, my wife and Ihave been on another podcast and
it's a curious question why doyou ask?
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Because it seems like you take to it and you're not
afraid of overeducating yourcustomers before they pay you.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Yeah, yeah, no, for sure, I mean thanks, thanks for
the feedback.
That's really what we try to do.
You know that was some of ourmodel of getting into.
Just private practice ingeneral is like how can we do
the fundamentals really well?
Is like how can we do thefundamentals really well Even if
someone calls us to inquire fortherapy and we're not quite the
right fit for them?
(05:12):
We want to be a helpful part oftheir journey and do some of
that over education.
Who can we connect you to?
Opening up the directory oftherapists, even just in Fort
Collins, is overwhelming, right.
So if I know a person or twothat kind of specializes in what
they need, then let's help withthat and let's be a part of
their journey.
So thanks, nick.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Outside of work.
What do you do for fun?
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah, that's a good question.
You know, how does thetherapist take care of
themselves, in other words?
And you know I think spending alot of time with friends and
family is huge.
My wife and I love just kind ofgrabbing a patio beer in the
fall here.
That's a very special kind ofmoment to just be present with
people you like.
(05:56):
Personally, I'm pretty big intojust health and fitness.
I have a gym in my basement andI think I use physical exercise
to kind of constitute meinternally and just be ready to.
You know, that helped me ensureI'm in good order for my
clients and to show up for theday.
This is kind of fun.
I really challenged myself thisyear.
(06:17):
I've only been at it for maybeeight or nine months, but I
started learning jujitsu thisyear just as something like
totally out of the box, likelike I've been involved in
athletics most of my life butlike never anything like this.
And you know, just living someof those, those principles that
I try to talk about in therapyis like what challenges me.
What are my edges for growth?
You know how do I do somethingI'm uncomfortable with and learn
(06:39):
to become comfortable with it?
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, that's how you keep growing, ben, tell our
listeners one thing they shouldabsolutely take away from this
interview with you regardingEvolve Counseling Services.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Yeah, what we try to convey, you know, through our
website and our media and thingslike that, like we are a little
different and not in somerevolutionary way, like this
would be unrecognizable astherapy.
But what Lindsay and I takereally serious, and I think one
of our core mission values, isthe word useful.
People come to us like becausethey're struggling with
(07:12):
something, they have a veryspecific problem and I think
it's our job to be, you know,useful to the end of that
problem.
A lot of the feedback that weget from people that have been
to therapy before is somethinglike I liked who I talked to.
They were perfectly nice, butwe kind of just talked about my
week.
And don't get me wrong, Idefinitely talk with people
about their weeks, like thatthat's part of life.
But you know, we try to be verygoal oriented and say, like if
(07:37):
you really think about it, liketherapy is a gradual process,
but a good therapist should tryto put themselves out of a job,
right, you should need this lessand less time if it's actually
working.
And like, don't get me wrong, Iknow people do maintenance
therapy and things like that.
I'm a fan of all these things,but your symptoms should get
better.
If you're actually targetingand working at the problem, you
know it might be a sign thatthat you know your therapist you
(07:59):
know isn't quite the rightmatch for you if you don't feel
like you're moving forward, ifyou're stuck in the same things
for years.
So sometimes it's just somehelpful feedback for someone
that's new to mental health.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yes, that's refreshing to hear in the
paradigm of medicine, for sure,these days.
How can our listeners learnmore about Evolve Counseling
services online and theold-fashioned way with a phone
number?
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Yes, absolutely Best way to reach us is Evolve
Counseling NoCo.
It's in northerncoloradocom.
You'll find our phone numbers.
There's contact forms on thereand this is one of the great
parts about us being small andlocal and in a mom and pop shop
like like, we will call you back, we will get back to you, we
(08:41):
will answer your questions andwe offer free consultations if
you just want to visit on thephone for a little bit or come
in for 30 minutes and see ifthis is a good fit.
There's no pressure, there's nohard feelings if it doesn't fit
, but we're here to see if thisis right for you.
So don't be shy if you'recurious.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Well, Ben, I really appreciate you being on our show
.
We wish you and your businessthe very best moving forward.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Thanks, nick, appreciate it so much.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go tognpfortcollinscom.
That's gnpfortcollinscom, orcall 970-438-0825.
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