Athena Baca-Chieza, PsyD
Dr. Athena Baca-Chieza, PsyD, is a licensed clinical health psychologist with extensive experience in hematology, oncology, pain, and supporting patients and families through the experience of living with life-changing illness. Her career spans across clinical, academic, and industrial/organizational psychology, as well as leadership and organizational development. With more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors of U.S. health care, she brings a deep understanding of complex systems and how to help people to navigate them successfully.
Dr. Baca-Chieza's expertise in human behavior emphasizes resilience and one’s capacity for growth and change. She applies evidence-based, methods that support people as they navigate complexity, strengthen coping mechanisms, and ultimately gain insight and awareness to the thinking patterns and behaviors that may cause barriers to contentment.
Athena partners closely with clients in a collaborative, solution-focused manner, creating a safe yet appropriately challenging environment in which to explore trauma, disruptive patterns, blind spots, and missteps. Through thoughtful reflection and supportive feedback, she helps transform these moments into meaningful growth moments that support future development. Warm, engaging, and encouraging in her style, Athena also holds clients accountable in ways have practical impact and that promote real behavioral change.
A committed advocate for the profession of psychology and for equity within systems, Athena has served in numerous leadership roles at the state and national levels. She is a past President ofthe Colorado Psychological Association and has also served as Diversity Representative, Presidential Advisor, and APA Federal Advocacy Coordinator for the State of Colorado. Through these roles, she has contributed to policy advocacy, professional leadership, and the advancement of culturally responsive practice. Bicultural and bilingual in Spanish, Athena intentionally incorporates cultural responsiveness into her work with individuals, organizations, and teams, recognizing the ways in which identity, culture, and context shape worldview and behavior. Originally from El Paso, Texas, she currently resides in Denver, Colorado with her partner and two daughters.