Juniper trees come in all shapes and sizes and can be found all over the world - the one pictured here can actually be found in the front yard of the first home I owned in Texas! What I love about this tree is all that it symbolizes - strength, healing, resilience, diversity, the need for deep roots - the things that I believe so many of us are working out in our own lives.

Usually, when an individual decides they’re ready for therapy, or even when a parent, family member or friend suggests it - it’s because that person is at a crossing. Some issue, event, relationship - whatever it may be, is asking for you to decide - which path will you take?

In both my personal life and my professional work, I’ve found that the path less traveled is typically the path worth choosing. But it’s scary - it requires hard work, vulnerability, and intention.

What I want to encourage you with is this - you’re not alone, you are worth doing the work, you have (and will find) support in places you can’t imagine yet - you got this! My hope is to provide you with a starting point, to help you grow deep roots, and to walk with you on your path as you discover what your adventure holds.

From the ground up!

-Kayli Cross//Owner of Juniper Crossing

Kayli Cross, MS, LMFT-S//she/her

Hey ya’ll — Originally from Oklahoma, with a short stint in Alaska and most of my years spent in Texas, I’m now on my most recent adventure in Colorado Springs! I hope to call Colorado home indefinitely as my path continues to unfold.

I opened my practice in February 2016, shortly after I moved back to west Texas from a 5 year stint in Houston spent close to family and growing professionally. I came to Lubbock originally in 2005 to attend Texas Tech University where I graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Community, Family & Addiction Sciences, and then in 2010 with a Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy. Lubbock has been home to me for many years and has provided me with so many meaningful relationships and opportunities. The community I’ve found there has grounded me and supported me in building a successful practice that I’ve been able to move with me to the mountains! I’m excited that I can continue offering services to Texas clients via telehealth along with offering services to Colorado clients, both in-person and via telehealth.

In my 14 years of practice as a clinician, I’ve found that my experience and my passion is in working with emerging adults, families, couples and individual adult clients. I believe that the body and the brain are inherently trying to work together in the most efficient way possible to protect us and help us to manage our emotions and experiences. However, sometimes these pathways — while seemingly efficient — do not meet the underlying needs of the person. Whether that be nervous system regulation, identity development, healing from trauma, mood stabilization, development of decision making processes, managing relationships, etc. — I believe it is imperative that people are given the connection and resources that will best serve them. As a collaborative therapist, it is my goal to align with my clients in supporting them as they find the best ways to meet their own needs. I enjoy utilizing talk therapy, nature-based interventions, yoga, and other client-centered somatic interventions as a way to facilitate the therapeutic process.

Along with therapy, I provide supervision to aspiring clinicians both in Colorado and Texas. My areas of expertise are in systems theory, family dynamics, adolescent/young adult development, attachment theory, the use of yoga and nature-based interventions, trauma-informed care, and the business of private practice. It is truly an honor to come alongside other therapists in their journey.

In whatever form it may take, my role in the therapy room is to affirm, to guide, to support, and to hold space. Every day, I’m inspired and challenged by those who choose to invite me in to their journey.

Can’t wait to connect with you!

Levi//certified therapy dog

Levi is an 9 year old Lab/Red Lacy mix. He and Kayli, his handler, are a certified therapy team through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Levi is full of joy and playful energy — committed to making every day his very best. He is loving and will do almost anything for a tasty treat. Dogs typically operate off of cause an effect - meaning they mirror the energy we give off. And their senses are much more highly tuned than ours - so we can only imagine how much they pick up on at any given moment. Levi is great at offering companionship, comfort, and even healthy distraction - give him a ball, and you may earn a permanent partner to play fetch. He is also incredibly adventurous and task oriented, so he is currently the lead navigator of TrailBound Learning — our outdoor experiential program!

*Clients are always welcome to opt-out of Levi being in session.*

IN LOVING MEMORY OF SMOKIE//certified therapy dog

Smokie the Great Dane came in to our lives the summer of 2016 and took up all the space that he possibly could until February 27, 2021. He was almost 9 yrs old when we said goodbye to him. Smokie fought his cancer courageously and loved others so well until it was his time to go. Don’t let his serious face fool you - he was camera shy and the biggest goof you would have ever met! Smokie rarely met any living creature that he didn’t just absolutely love, and he was the best at showing it. This lazy boy also loved to be pet, loved attention, loved naps, and most of all - loved annoying Levi - typical brothers! Sounds like the perfect fit for a therapy dog and perfect for it he was. His tail wags and friendly hello’s will be so dearly missed, and even though he’ll no longer be keeping his seat warm on Kayli’s couch, he’ll always have a seat in our hearts. We love you, Smokie. Thank you for your kindness and your friendship offered to so many.