Ilana Cohen

Counseling Intern

Ilana (she/her) is a master’s-level clinician pursuing her M.A. in Social Work at the University of Denver. She is committed to supporting individuals, families, and communities in their healing journeys, guided by a strengths-based perspective and particular interest in parts work and person-centered approaches.

Before working at Be and Belong, Ilana had an eclectic professional background which includes experience as a case manager, yoga teacher, nanny, and reading tutor, as well as time living and working in intentional spiritual communities such as Garchen Buddhist Institute. These experiences deepened her ability to attune to others, hold space across differences, and support growth with warmth and care. Her clinical style emphasizes presence, empathy, and curiosity, drawing from mindfulness, relational perspectives, and embodied practices that foster radical acceptance and support healing.

Outside of her work, Ilana enjoys dancing, cooking, meditating, spending time in nature, being playful with friends, cozy movie nights, and sharing tea and cuddles with her partner. She values community, creativity, and savoring moments of joy and connection in everyday life.            

 

Cultural Resume

• I am Jewish, with Ashkenazi ancestors from Eastern Europe and a paternal grandmother from Israel. I have lived experience navigating antisemitism. I am exploring and tending to these ancestral narratives as part of my own healing journey.

• My spiritual path has also included training in Buddhist and Yogic traditions.

• I am a queer woman and have experienced gender-based discrimination and abuse, including the impacts of sexism and homophobia in religious spaces. These experiences have also been shaped by my intersecting privileges.

•My privileges include being white, a U.S. citizen, English-speaking, thin-bodied, cisgender, highly educated, and having grown up in an upper-class household.

• I am actively engaged in the lifelong work of unlearning racism, including the ways white supremacy culture shows up in my thinking, behaviors, and the systems I am part of

.• I have lived experience navigating health challenges, as well as addiction in loved ones.

Meet the Team at Be and Belong Counseling

Abby Esquivel ›

MSW, LCSW, RPT-S, ACS,
EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Founder and Clinical Director

Cyndi Hawkes ›
MSW
Inez Garcia ›
MSW, Bilingual Spanish
Jacqui Case ›
MA, MFT-C,
EMDR Trained
Tim Reid ›

MA, LPC,EMDR Trained

Maggie McEachern ›
MSW, LCSW,
Practice Manager
Nicole Whynott ›
MSW, LCSW, SOMB Juvenile Treatment Provider
Hennessy Mendoza ›

Counseling Intern

Kelly Cotton ›

Counseling Intern

Benjamin Curry ›

Counseling Intern