Meeting you where you are — and walking with you toward what’s next.
I’m Mark Van Steenberg, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Boulder, Colorado. My work is driven by a deep compassion for the people I serve. I understand how hard it can be to ask for help, to face the weight of the past, or to feel lost in the process of change. Every person who walks into my practice deserves to be seen, heard, and met with respect—not judgment. I strive to create a space where healing feels possible, where people can reconnect with their own strength, and where progress is measured not just by symptom relief but by a renewed sense of peace and purpose. I see therapy as a partnership built on trust, honesty, and the belief that everyone has the capacity to heal when given the right support and environment.
For over a decade, I’ve worked across inpatient, outpatient, and performance-based settings, helping people find steadiness and clarity in the midst of transition. My approach integrates evidence-based therapy with mindfulness, movement, and nature-based practices that reconnect us to balance and purpose.
I’ve had the privilege of working with professional athletes from the NFL, NHL, PGA, and Olympic levels, as well as military veterans and first responders. My clinical focus includes brain injury recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, and complex post-traumatic stress. Over the years, I’ve learned that healing can’t happen in isolation—it happens when we address the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.
Before opening my private practice, I co-founded Sage Elite Healing, a specialized clinical program for former NFL players and their families. Today, I operate my practice under Sacred Summit, where I offer traditional therapy, hiking-based sessions, sound healing integration, and immersive retreats. I strive to bridge the gap between modern neuroscience and ancient mindfulness practices—helping people rebuild trust in themselves and rediscover meaning in their lives.
When I’m not in session, you’ll most likely find me on the trails around Boulder or recording ambient soundscapes inspired by the mountains and natural elements that continue to teach me how to slow down, listen, and begin again.
My experience spans every realm of mental health care—from community mental health and school-based programming to leadership roles across multiple levels of care. I’ve served as Clinical Director in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, and substance use disorder facilities, overseeing multidisciplinary teams and developing trauma-informed programs that emphasize both structure and compassion.
These experiences have given me a broad and practical understanding of how people heal in different environments. Whether I’m working with individuals, families, or systems, I bring the same goal to each setting: to create pathways for lasting recovery and personal growth.
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – Colorado
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Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) – Multi-State Compact (in progress)
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Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT)
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Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist (DBT)
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Certified Acceptance and Commitment Therapist (ACT)
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Certified Motivational Interviewing Practitioner (MI)
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Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
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Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Practitioner
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Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP)
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Certified Sound Healer
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Certified Expressive Art Therapist
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Certified Sylvotherapy Practitioner (Forest Therapy)
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Certified Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Specialist
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Certified in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Concussive Recovery
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Certified in Performance Psychology and Sports Neuropsychology
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Certified Clinical Supervisor and Leadership Specialist
Through Sacred Summit, I work to make nature-based healing and wilderness experiences accessible to everyone—regardless of background, income, or circumstance. Too often, access to the outdoors and therapeutic adventure is limited to those with means, and I believe that connection to nature should never be a privilege.
I design and facilitate nature and wilderness-based interventions, guided hikes, and experiential retreats that help people reconnect to themselves through the natural world. Each experience blends evidence-based clinical care with mindfulness, movement, and the healing rhythms of the outdoors.
My goal is access for all—to create opportunities for people to experience the emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits of time in nature. Whether it’s a local hiking therapy session or a multi-day expedition, every experience is grounded in the belief that healing begins with connection: to the body, to the breath, and to the land itself.
My vision is to redefine what healing looks like by bridging the worlds of clinical science, nature, and human connection. I believe the future of mental health care lies in integration—where evidence-based treatment meets mindfulness, movement, and access to the natural world.
I envision a world where everyone has the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive—regardless of background or circumstance. A world where therapy doesn’t just treat symptoms, but teaches sustainable practices that help people build lives of purpose, balance, and authenticity.
Through my work, I aim to expand access to meaningful care—whether that’s through Sacred Summit’s wilderness programs, trauma-informed therapy, or creative and sound-based interventions. My vision is simple: to make healing accessible, embodied, and rooted in the real, lived experience of being human.
Over the course of my career, I’ve had the honor and privilege of supporting more than 250 current and former NFL players and their families through transitions both on and off the field. My work began with a vision to create a program designed specifically for the unique psychological and physiological challenges professional athletes face. That vision led to the development of a player-specific clinical program addressing the intersection of brain injury, trauma, identity loss, and performance pressure.
Through this work, I’ve guided players through the difficult process of retirement, recovery, and reintegration—helping them rebuild structure, purpose, and stability beyond the game. I understand the deep connection between physical injury, emotional well-being, and identity, and I approach each player with respect for the culture and intensity of the sport.
My framework combines evidence-based modalities (CBT, DBT, ACT, and trauma-informed care) with mindfulness, movement, and somatic practices to help players regulate, reframe, and reconnect.
I’ve seen the resilience and courage it takes to face life after football, and I remain committed to helping athletes and their families navigate that journey with dignity, clarity, and care.
