Eagle Team
Administrative Team
Michelle Muething, LPC
Executive Director
Michelle was one of the first five staff members who helped create the Hope Center in 2010. She received her graduate degree in Clinical Psychology with a subspecialty in neuropsychology from Western Carolina University in 1999. She has worked as a crisis clinician in various inner city and rural emergency departments, has conducted psychological evaluations for prison inmates, functioned as Juvenile Coordinator and then Executive Director of the Rape Crisis Center in Beaufort, South Carolina and was part of the administration team, when she served as the Corporate Compliance Officer at Fairbanks Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Michelle also has a passion for teaching and has taught at Indiana University for nine years in the Department of Psychology, as well as locally at Colorado Mountain College. She is trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), bio-feedback and in the administration of neuropsychological testing and interpretation.
Michelle is currently the executive director at the Hope Center where she and her team dedicate themselves to connecting the community and reducing the stigma of mental illness and suicide. Michelle moved to Aspen with her husband and twin boys in the winter of 2009 and now calls the Roaring Fork Valley her home.
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Michelle Muething, LPC
Executive Director
Executive Director
Michelle Muething, LPC
Executive Director
Michelle was one of the first five staff members who helped create the Hope Center in 2010. She received her graduate degree in Clinical Psychology with a subspecialty in neuropsychology from Western Carolina University in 1999. She has worked as a crisis clinician in various inner city and rural emergency departments, has conducted psychological evaluations for prison inmates, functioned as Juvenile Coordinator and then Executive Director of the Rape Crisis Center in Beaufort, South Carolina and was part of the administration team, when she served as the Corporate Compliance Officer at Fairbanks Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Michelle also has a passion for teaching and has taught at Indiana University for nine years in the Department of Psychology, as well as locally at Colorado Mountain College. She is trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), bio-feedback and in the administration of neuropsychological testing and interpretation.
Michelle is currently the executive director at the Hope Center where she and her team dedicate themselves to connecting the community and reducing the stigma of mental illness and suicide. Michelle moved to Aspen with her husband and twin boys in the winter of 2009 and now calls the Roaring Fork Valley her home.
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Ola Verploegh
Chief Financial Officer
Ola Verploegh joined the Hope Center in September 2019 as CFO and is excited to help bring long-term financial sustainability and planning to the organization. Ola received a Finance and Accounting degree from Western Washington University in 2002 where he helped develop several mental health programs for the Lifestyle Advisor program, including Western Men Against Violence, Men’s Suicide Prevention program, and the Cycle Therapy bike club. After relocating to the Roaring Fork Vally in 2006 Ola spent 15 years as Financial Planning Analyst for the Aspen Skiing Company and is currently enrolled the MBA program at CSU.
“The Roaring Fork Valley is home and I find peace and connection in the mountains and on the rivers. I have seen first hand the need for improved mental health services, education, and support in our valley and it is an honor to have the opportunity to work for an organization that is making a positive difference in our community every day.”
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Ola Verploegh
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Ola Verploegh
Chief Financial Officer
Ola Verploegh joined the Hope Center in September 2019 as CFO and is excited to help bring long-term financial sustainability and planning to the organization. Ola received a Finance and Accounting degree from Western Washington University in 2002 where he helped develop several mental health programs for the Lifestyle Advisor program, including Western Men Against Violence, Men’s Suicide Prevention program, and the Cycle Therapy bike club. After relocating to the Roaring Fork Vally in 2006 Ola spent 15 years as Financial Planning Analyst for the Aspen Skiing Company and is currently enrolled the MBA program at CSU.
“The Roaring Fork Valley is home and I find peace and connection in the mountains and on the rivers. I have seen first hand the need for improved mental health services, education, and support in our valley and it is an honor to have the opportunity to work for an organization that is making a positive difference in our community every day.”
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Ashley DeCarlo
Finance Manager
As a Florida native who moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2007, I couldn’t pick a more amazing place to call home. Over the last twelve years, I have held a variety of finance-related positions, during which time, I completed my Bachelor’s degree, with a minor emphasis in Accounting and Statistics. Prior to joining the Hope Center in May of 2019 as their Financial Manager, I worked with several small businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. My focus was to assist them in working towards their financial goals, specifically addressing back office procedures, financial analysis, and reporting. Outside of number crunching and analytics, my passion is the outdoors: running half-marathons, skiing, and hiking with my two children.
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Ashley DeCarlo
Finance Manager
Finance Manager
Ashley DeCarlo
Finance Manager
As a Florida native who moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2007, I couldn’t pick a more amazing place to call home. Over the last twelve years, I have held a variety of finance-related positions, during which time, I completed my Bachelor’s degree, with a minor emphasis in Accounting and Statistics. Prior to joining the Hope Center in May of 2019 as their Financial Manager, I worked with several small businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. My focus was to assist them in working towards their financial goals, specifically addressing back office procedures, financial analysis, and reporting. Outside of number crunching and analytics, my passion is the outdoors: running half-marathons, skiing, and hiking with my two children.
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Stevie Jarrell
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Stevie Jarrell
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrator
Stevie Jarrell
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Carrie Benway
Program Director
Carrie Benway, a resident of Eagle County for over 25 years, is the Eagle Hope Center’s Program Director. Carrie was elected to Eagle County’s Board of Education in 2007 and served two, four-year terms. In 2015, as President of Eagle County’s Board of Education, Carrie recognized the need for additional mental health support for our community’s students and connected with the Aspen Hope Center to learn more about their school-based program. During the Aspen Hope Center’s expansion to Eagle County, Carrie was asked to join their board to support their mission of extending a beacon of hope to those in emotional crisis and to offer a continuum of comprehensive care.
With years of successful experience in nonprofit leadership and development, Carrie will utilize best practices for nonprofit management and collaborate with key community partners to support the Eagle Hope Center’s 24/7 Mobile Crisis Co-Response team and the school-based therapists. Carrie’s service on Eagle County’s Board of Education and her professional leadership roles as YouthPower365’s Director of Development and The Family Learning Center’s Director of Development and Operations have given her an in-depth understanding of the complex challenges in Eagle County and the resources needed to best serve our community members. Carrie is highly engaged in our community’s collaborative effort to ensure behavioral health services are accessible to everyone in the Eagle River Valley.
Carrie currently serves on the Board of Early Childhood Partners and Colorado Mountain College’s Advisory Council, Edwards Campus. Carrie graduated from Furman University with a BA in English. She feels fortunate to have been able to raise her daughters (both graduates of Eagle County Schools!) in our beautiful valley. Carrie enjoys spending time with family & friends and is known to be a bit competitive on her USTA tennis team.
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Carrie Benway
Program Director
Program Director
Carrie Benway
Program Director
Carrie Benway, a resident of Eagle County for over 25 years, is the Eagle Hope Center’s Program Director. Carrie was elected to Eagle County’s Board of Education in 2007 and served two, four-year terms. In 2015, as President of Eagle County’s Board of Education, Carrie recognized the need for additional mental health support for our community’s students and connected with the Aspen Hope Center to learn more about their school-based program. During the Aspen Hope Center’s expansion to Eagle County, Carrie was asked to join their board to support their mission of extending a beacon of hope to those in emotional crisis and to offer a continuum of comprehensive care.
With years of successful experience in nonprofit leadership and development, Carrie will utilize best practices for nonprofit management and collaborate with key community partners to support the Eagle Hope Center’s 24/7 Mobile Crisis Co-Response team and the school-based therapists. Carrie’s service on Eagle County’s Board of Education and her professional leadership roles as YouthPower365’s Director of Development and The Family Learning Center’s Director of Development and Operations have given her an in-depth understanding of the complex challenges in Eagle County and the resources needed to best serve our community members. Carrie is highly engaged in our community’s collaborative effort to ensure behavioral health services are accessible to everyone in the Eagle River Valley.
Carrie currently serves on the Board of Early Childhood Partners and Colorado Mountain College’s Advisory Council, Edwards Campus. Carrie graduated from Furman University with a BA in English. She feels fortunate to have been able to raise her daughters (both graduates of Eagle County Schools!) in our beautiful valley. Carrie enjoys spending time with family & friends and is known to be a bit competitive on her USTA tennis team.
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Mobile Crisis Co-Response Team
Lance Nabers
Crisis Supervisor
Lance Nabers has been a Child, Adult, Family and Couples psychotherapist for close to 15 years. He has worked as a therapist or director in Alaska, New Mexico, Virginia, Connecticut, Texas and Colorado. Lance provides supervision, crisis services and clinical treatment for all ages, cultures and Issues, including phase of life to more complex life problems experienced as a result of mental illness. He specializes in Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Bi-Polar Disorder, Personality Disorders, Childhood Disorders and many other chronic mental health conditions.
Lance is extensively trained and certified in Art and Sand-Tray Therapies, Play Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR (Eye-Movement-Desensitization-Reprocessing). He has an extensive background working with the LGBTQ community and treatment resistant adolescents as well. Over the last 20 years Lance has worked in Foster Care and Adoption, Wilderness therapy and was at one time the Chief Behavioral Health Officer for a large Community Health Organization.
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Lance Nabers
Crisis Supervisor
Crisis Supervisor
Lance Nabers
Crisis Supervisor
Lance Nabers has been a Child, Adult, Family and Couples psychotherapist for close to 15 years. He has worked as a therapist or director in Alaska, New Mexico, Virginia, Connecticut, Texas and Colorado. Lance provides supervision, crisis services and clinical treatment for all ages, cultures and Issues, including phase of life to more complex life problems experienced as a result of mental illness. He specializes in Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Bi-Polar Disorder, Personality Disorders, Childhood Disorders and many other chronic mental health conditions.
Lance is extensively trained and certified in Art and Sand-Tray Therapies, Play Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR (Eye-Movement-Desensitization-Reprocessing). He has an extensive background working with the LGBTQ community and treatment resistant adolescents as well. Over the last 20 years Lance has worked in Foster Care and Adoption, Wilderness therapy and was at one time the Chief Behavioral Health Officer for a large Community Health Organization.
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Charlie Davis, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Charlie Davis is the Crisis Clinician of the Eagle Hope Center’s Mobile Crisis Co-Response team. Charlie completed his Master’s Degree in Psychology at the University of Missouri in 1989. He is a 30-year social services veteran and has spent three decades learning to minimize invasive outcomes in mental health interventions. While learning that the keys to success in this goal are clinically excellent care and the very best customer service, Charlie learned that those same values work with doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and all other community partners. He has trained many dozens of interns and newly-hired crisis workers in compassionate, excellent clinical care and community partnership, advancing to management of two teams and up to sixty staff. Charlie has a reputation for excellence in community collaboration, clinical care and supervision, customer service, speaking engagements, and innovative program design.
Recently, Charlie has presented to international forums on police-mental health collaboration, and co-responder programs in particular. To learn more about Charlie’s professional expertise, please visit: www.co-responders.com. Charlie values the Eagle River Valley’s commitment to aggressively innovate to make our community a better place. Outside of work, Charlie is an avid outdoorsman and professional musician.
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Charlie Davis, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Crisis Clinician
Charlie Davis, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Charlie Davis is the Crisis Clinician of the Eagle Hope Center’s Mobile Crisis Co-Response team. Charlie completed his Master’s Degree in Psychology at the University of Missouri in 1989. He is a 30-year social services veteran and has spent three decades learning to minimize invasive outcomes in mental health interventions. While learning that the keys to success in this goal are clinically excellent care and the very best customer service, Charlie learned that those same values work with doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and all other community partners. He has trained many dozens of interns and newly-hired crisis workers in compassionate, excellent clinical care and community partnership, advancing to management of two teams and up to sixty staff. Charlie has a reputation for excellence in community collaboration, clinical care and supervision, customer service, speaking engagements, and innovative program design.
Recently, Charlie has presented to international forums on police-mental health collaboration, and co-responder programs in particular. To learn more about Charlie’s professional expertise, please visit: www.co-responders.com. Charlie values the Eagle River Valley’s commitment to aggressively innovate to make our community a better place. Outside of work, Charlie is an avid outdoorsman and professional musician.
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Eileen Fisher
Crisis Clinician
Eileen Fisher is a crisis clinician on the Eagle Hope Center’s Mobile Crisis Co-Response team. Eileen graduated from Hamilton College with a BS in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. In 2012, at Naropa University, Eileen received her MA in Contemplative Psychotherapy and began her career at Colorado Recovery serving individuals with chronic and severe mental illness. Eileen also supported individuals in private practice before she began crisis work, in 2018, with Boulder’s Mental Health Partners.
Eileen values wilderness therapy and volunteers for Wilderness Rites of Passage. Eileen’s soul is nourished through spending time in the beautiful Colorado outdoors. She is an avid snowboarder in the winter and enjoys backpacking and hiking during the summer months. Eileen is inspired to be working in the Eagle River Valley because of our community’s commitment to providing bridges to additional resources for the individuals who need it most.
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Elieen Fisher, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Crisis Clinician
Eileen Fisher
Crisis Clinician
Eileen Fisher is a crisis clinician on the Eagle Hope Center’s Mobile Crisis Co-Response team. Eileen graduated from Hamilton College with a BS in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. In 2012, at Naropa University, Eileen received her MA in Contemplative Psychotherapy and began her career at Colorado Recovery serving individuals with chronic and severe mental illness. Eileen also supported individuals in private practice before she began crisis work, in 2018, with Boulder’s Mental Health Partners.
Eileen values wilderness therapy and volunteers for Wilderness Rites of Passage. Eileen’s soul is nourished through spending time in the beautiful Colorado outdoors. She is an avid snowboarder in the winter and enjoys backpacking and hiking during the summer months. Eileen is inspired to be working in the Eagle River Valley because of our community’s commitment to providing bridges to additional resources for the individuals who need it most.
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Nate Gilbert, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Nate Gilbert is a crisis clinician on Eagle Hope Center’s Mobile Crisis Co-Response team. Nate graduated from Naropa University with an MA in Contemplative Psychotherapy in 2008. Since then, Nate has been actively engaged as a crisis clinician in Colorado working with Mental Health Partners in Boulder. Nate takes great satisfaction in helping clients and families navigate the mental health system.
His passion for contemplative practices, meditation and martial arts, informs his work with people every day. Quakerism, Buddhism, and the martial arts of Aikido helped shape Nate’s approach to counseling. Directing a theater camp for 19 years allowed Nate to work in expressive arts teaching youth. Nate is excited to be working in the Eagle River Valley; every staff member and community partner Nate has worked with is dedicated and friendly!
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Nate Gilbert, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Crisis Clinician
Nate Gilbert, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Nate Gilbert is a crisis clinician on Eagle Hope Center’s Mobile Crisis Co-Response team. Nate graduated from Naropa University with an MA in Contemplative Psychotherapy in 2008. Since then, Nate has been actively engaged as a crisis clinician in Colorado working with Mental Health Partners in Boulder. Nate takes great satisfaction in helping clients and families navigate the mental health system.
His passion for contemplative practices, meditation and martial arts, informs his work with people every day. Quakerism, Buddhism, and the martial arts of Aikido helped shape Nate’s approach to counseling. Directing a theater camp for 19 years allowed Nate to work in expressive arts teaching youth. Nate is excited to be working in the Eagle River Valley; every staff member and community partner Nate has worked with is dedicated and friendly!
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Jacob Midkiff, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Jacob Midkiff is a crisis clinician on Eagle Hope Center’s Mobile Crisis Co-Response team. Jacob received his BS in Psychology from Christopher Newport University, with a minor in Philosophy and Religious Studies. At Prescott College, Jacob completed his Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Adventure Based Psychotherapy. Jacob then completed his Master’s Level Clinical Internship at Noeticus Counseling Center & Training Institute in Denver.
For three years, Jacob served as an Emergency Psychiatric Service Clinician for Crisis Intervention Services at Boulder Mental Health Partners. He then served as a Clinical Supervisor for two years. At the Eagle Hope Center, Jacob values the opportunity to collaborate and problem solve with the Hope Center’s community partners to provide the best service for individuals in need. When he is not working, Jacob enjoys all of the outdoor recreation that Colorado has to offer, from skiing in the winter to climbing and backpacking in the summer months.
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Jacob Midkiff, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Crisis Clinician
Jacob Midkiff, LPC
Crisis Clinician
Jacob Midkiff is a crisis clinician on Eagle Hope Center’s Mobile Crisis Co-Response team. Jacob received his BS in Psychology from Christopher Newport University, with a minor in Philosophy and Religious Studies. At Prescott College, Jacob completed his Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Adventure Based Psychotherapy. Jacob then completed his Master’s Level Clinical Internship at Noeticus Counseling Center & Training Institute in Denver.
For three years, Jacob served as an Emergency Psychiatric Service Clinician for Crisis Intervention Services at Boulder Mental Health Partners. He then served as a Clinical Supervisor for two years. At the Eagle Hope Center, Jacob values the opportunity to collaborate and problem solve with the Hope Center’s community partners to provide the best service for individuals in need. When he is not working, Jacob enjoys all of the outdoor recreation that Colorado has to offer, from skiing in the winter to climbing and backpacking in the summer months.
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Ashley Sabido, LPCC
Crisis Clinician
Ashley is a Licensed Professional Counselor candidate who relocated to Colorado from New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and her Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Ashley’s work has been focused in community mental health with a focus in trauma, providing individual therapy, group therapy, and family and couples counseling. She has also worked in crisis and de-escalation in an alternative school setting, offering support for children, adolescents, and teens with severe emotional concerns. She has worked with children as young as four up to clients in their sixties and seventies. Ashley’s interests lie in working with individuals who have trauma, depression, anxiety, victims of sexual abuse and sexual offenders, and clients who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Ashley’s therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and she utilizes meditation and mindfulness skills. Each client is unique and has a different set of needs, which is why it is important to her to identify and utilize each client’s inherit strengths during the therapeutic process. She is passionate about offering services to clients out in the community so that there is one less barrier in place to receive mental health services. She is also extremely passionate about helping to end the stigma around mental health!
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Ashley Sabido, LPCC
Crisis Clinician
Crisis Clinician
Ashley Sabido, LPCC
Crisis Clinician
Ashley is a Licensed Professional Counselor candidate who relocated to Colorado from New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and her Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Ashley’s work has been focused in community mental health with a focus in trauma, providing individual therapy, group therapy, and family and couples counseling. She has also worked in crisis and de-escalation in an alternative school setting, offering support for children, adolescents, and teens with severe emotional concerns. She has worked with children as young as four up to clients in their sixties and seventies.
Ashley’s interests lie in working with individuals who have trauma, depression, anxiety, victims of sexual abuse and sexual offenders, and clients who identify as LGBTQIA+. Ashley’s therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and she utilizes meditation and mindfulness skills. Each client is unique and has a different set of needs, which is why it is important to her to identify and utilize each client’s inherit strengths during the therapeutic process. She is passionate about offering services to clients out in the community so that there is one less barrier in place to receive mental health services. She is also extremely passionate about helping to end the stigma around mental health!
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School-Based Team
School-Based Team
Erica Donica, LCSW
School Based Clinician
Erica is a licensed clinical social worker with the Hope Center in Eagle, Colorado. Erica is originally from the Chicago area. Erica attended DePaul University in Chicago, and studied sociology and political science. Upon graduation, Erica worked for a small nonprofit in Chicago providing after school programming for elementary school aged students, case management services for high school students applying for college and employment, and eventually became a Program Coordinator of a Career and College Readiness Program.
With a desire to pursue a career in school social work, Erica enrolled in the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration and concentrated on clinical and school-based practices. After graduation, Erica began working as a school social worker in a high school on Chicago’s south side. Hoping to move closer to her family in Colorado, Erica moved to Denver and worked as a school social worker in several middle and high schools. Most recently, Erica has worked as a Child and Family therapist and School Social Worker at a Therapeutic Day School and Residential Facility in Denver. This allowed Erica to merge her passion of working in a school setting and providing trauma-informed therapy to students and families.
Erica is excited to move to the Eagle Valley area and continue her passion of working to support youth and families through school-based work. In her free time, Erica enjoys teaching yoga, skiing, cooking, and hiking with her husband and dog.
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Erica Donica, LCSW
Eagle Valley Middle School
Clinical Supervisor
Eagle Valley Middle School
Clinical Supervisor
Erica Donica, LCSW
School Based Clinician
Erica is a licensed clinical social worker with the Hope Center in Eagle, Colorado. Erica is originally from the Chicago area. Erica attended DePaul University in Chicago, and studied sociology and political science. Upon graduation, Erica worked for a small nonprofit in Chicago providing after school programming for elementary school aged students, case management services for high school students applying for college and employment, and eventually became a Program Coordinator of a Career and College Readiness Program.
With a desire to pursue a career in school social work, Erica enrolled in the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration and concentrated on clinical and school-based practices. After graduation, Erica began working as a school social worker in a high school on Chicago’s south side. Hoping to move closer to her family in Colorado, Erica moved to Denver and worked as a school social worker in several middle and high schools. Most recently, Erica has worked as a Child and Family therapist and School Social Worker at a Therapeutic Day School and Residential Facility in Denver. This allowed Erica to merge her passion of working in a school setting and providing trauma-informed therapy to students and families.
Erica is excited to move to the Eagle Valley area and continue her passion of working to support youth and families through school-based work. In her free time, Erica enjoys teaching yoga, skiing, cooking, and hiking with her husband and dog.
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Teresa Haynes, Psy.D.
School Based Clinical Supervisor
Teresa is a Licensed Psychologist and School Based Clinical Supervisor with the Hope Center in Eagle, Colorado. Teresa graduated with a BS in Psychology from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, a MS from Troy State University and a Psy.D. from Colorado School of Professional Psychology. Her doctoral program specialization was in working with young children and trauma. She was licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in 2013.
Teresa has been passionate about serving others and has a wealth of experience prior to coming to the Hope Center. She moved to Colorado in 2001 after obtaining employment at a therapeutic wilderness program working with adolescents and families. She completed her doctoral internship as The Children’s Center, a therapeutic preschool, providing psychological testing, assessments, and individual, group, and family therapy. She was employed as a school psychologist in both Eagle and Lake Counties. Most recently, Teresa has been in private practice serving children, adults, and families.
Teresa is excited to be a part of the Hope Center team and feels passionate about supporting the mental health of children as well as supporting those people who directly impact the mental health and wellbeing of children. In her free time, Teresa enjoys teaching and practicing yoga, skiing, music, reading, hiking, and camping with her family.
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Teresa Haynes, Psy.D.
Clinical Supervisor
Clinical Supervisor
Teresa Haynes, Psy.D.
School Based Clinical Supervisor
Teresa is a Licensed Psychologist and School Based Clinical Supervisor with the Hope Center in Eagle, Colorado. Teresa graduated with a BS in Psychology from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, a MS from Troy State University and a Psy.D. from Colorado School of Professional Psychology. Her doctoral program specialization was in working with young children and trauma. She was licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in 2013.
Teresa has been passionate about serving others and has a wealth of experience prior to coming to the Hope Center. She moved to Colorado in 2001 after obtaining employment at a therapeutic wilderness program working with adolescents and families. She completed her doctoral internship as The Children’s Center, a therapeutic preschool, providing psychological testing, assessments, and individual, group, and family therapy. She was employed as a school psychologist in both Eagle and Lake Counties. Most recently, Teresa has been in private practice serving children, adults, and families.
Teresa is excited to be a part of the Hope Center team and feels passionate about supporting the mental health of children as well as supporting those people who directly impact the mental health and wellbeing of children. In her free time, Teresa enjoys teaching and practicing yoga, skiing, music, reading, hiking, and camping with her family.
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Alexa Maestranzi, LPC
School Based Clinician
Alexa Maestranzi, Licensed Professional Counselor, is the new School-Based Therapist located exclusively at Berry Creek Middle School. Alexa has transitioned from School Counselor at BCMS to therapist after being in the school for 2 years. Prior to working in Eagle County Schools, Alexa was a School-Based Mentor through AmeriCorps at Steamboat Springs Middle School where she worked with a caseload of at-risk students by providing individual and group services. She has also worked
at a community mental health clinic in the city of Chicago while going through her forensic counseling graduate program.
The new school-based service through the Hope Center is extremely unique in that it is the first school-based therapy program in Eagle County Schools and allows greater access to services that families would not otherwise have. The therapy program is free of charge and located right at the school. Alexa is excited to continue being a part of the Berry Creek culture and looks forward to cultivating the necessity of this program and the great support it gives to the students!
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Alexa Maestranzi, LPC
Berry Creek Middle School
Berry Creek Middle School
Alexa Maestranzi, LPC
School Based Clinician
Alexa Maestranzi, Licensed Professional Counselor, is the new School-Based Therapist located exclusively at Berry Creek Middle School. Alexa has transitioned from School Counselor at BCMS to therapist after being in the school for 2 years. Prior to working in Eagle County Schools, Alexa was a School-Based Mentor through AmeriCorps at Steamboat Springs Middle School where she worked with a caseload of at-risk students by providing individual and group services. She has also worked
at a community mental health clinic in the city of Chicago while going through her forensic counseling graduate program.
The new school-based service through the Hope Center is extremely unique in that it is the first school-based therapy program in Eagle County Schools and allows greater access to services that families would not otherwise have. The therapy program is free of charge and located right at the school. Alexa is excited to continue being a part of the Berry Creek culture and looks forward to cultivating the necessity of this program and the great support it gives to the students!
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Hannah Ross, LCSW
School Based LCSW
Hannah Ross, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is one of the two School-Based Therapists located at Eagle Valley Middle School. Hannah previously worked for the Eagle County School District as a Prevention Specialist, providing social work services for three upper schools. Prior to that, Hannah worked for 8 years at a non-profit community mental health agency in Florida- Hibiscus Children’s Center. At this organization, Hannah served as Sexual Abuse Treatment Program Coordinator, and also provided individual and family therapy to youth ages 3-17 in both the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, and the Community Mental Health Program.
Much of the clinical services that Hannah provided focused on childhood trauma, as well as, depression, anxiety, and other life stressors that impact youth mental health. Hannah is excited to work with EVMS students to reduce barriers that often impact the large percentage of students who are not able to access quality mental health care, including cost, transportation, missing school, and parents being unable to miss work during business hours to make it to appointments. Hannah utilizes a trauma-informed approach, often including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy strategies, to assist youth in overcoming negative thinking patterns that can interfere with healthy functioning. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys spending time with her husband and baby, hiking, watching sports, and baking.
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Hannah Ross, LCSW
Eagle Valley Middle School
Eagle Valley Middle School
Hannah Ross, LCSW
School Based LCSW
Hannah Ross, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is one of the two School-Based Therapists located at Eagle Valley Middle School. Hannah previously worked for the Eagle County School District as a Prevention Specialist, providing social work services for three upper schools. Prior to that, Hannah worked for 8 years at a non-profit community mental health agency in Florida- Hibiscus Children’s Center. At this organization, Hannah served as Sexual Abuse Treatment Program Coordinator, and also provided individual and family therapy to youth ages 3-17 in both the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, and the Community Mental Health Program.
Much of the clinical services that Hannah provided focused on childhood trauma, as well as, depression, anxiety, and other life stressors that impact youth mental health. Hannah is excited to work with EVMS students to reduce barriers that often impact the large percentage of students who are not able to access quality mental health care, including cost, transportation, missing school, and parents being unable to miss work during business hours to make it to appointments. Hannah utilizes a trauma-informed approach, often including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy strategies, to assist youth in overcoming negative thinking patterns that can interfere with healthy functioning. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys spending time with her husband and baby, hiking, watching sports, and baking.
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Jennifer Kim, LPCC
Jennifer Kim is a licensed professional counselor candidate who relocated from the northern suburbs of Illinois to join the Hope Center team. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Illinois at Chicago and her Master’s degree in counseling from Northern Illinois University.
Jennifer has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in different settings. These settings include primary and secondary schools, after school enrichment programs, and a detailed practicum program. During Jennifer’s practicum experience, she had the opportunity to work with individuals who presented problems of depression, anxiety, stress, body image, substance use/abuse, interpersonal and family issues, and other common concerns in a college student population. She draws from Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and the idea of empowering and motivating clients to be the best version of themselves.
Along with taking in all of Colorado and what this beautiful state has to offer, Jennifer will continue her passion of working with children of all ages through school-based work. For self care, Jennifer enjoys exploring new towns, hiking, and being creative in any way possible with her thrift store finds.
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Jennifer Kim, LPCC
Stone Creek Charter School
Stone Creek Charter School
Jennifer Kim, LPCc
Jennifer Kim is a licensed professional counselor candidate who relocated from the northern suburbs of Illinois to join the Hope Center team. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Illinois at Chicago and her Master’s degree in counseling from Northern Illinois University.
Jennifer has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in different settings. These settings include primary and secondary schools, after school enrichment programs, and a detailed practicum program. During Jennifer’s practicum experience, she had the opportunity to work with individuals who presented problems of depression, anxiety, stress, body image, substance use/abuse, interpersonal and family issues, and other common concerns in a college student population. She draws from Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and the idea of empowering and motivating clients to be the best version of themselves.
Along with taking in all of Colorado and what this beautiful state has to offer, Jennifer will continue her passion of working with children of all ages through school-based work. For self care, Jennifer enjoys exploring new towns, hiking, and being creative in any way possible with her thrift store finds.
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Jenny Goldstein, LPC
Jenny Goldstein is the new School-Based Therapist at Battle Mountain High School. Jenny will be delivering individual, group, and family therapy services to referred students, and crisis services to campus as needed, in the hopes that eliminating common accessibility barriers and providing free mental health support directly to students will improve their mental and emotional health as well as overall educational and daily living outcomes.
Jenny studied English and Education at the University of Texas at Austin. She worked in residential direct care with abused and neglected children for 2 years before pursuing her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Jenny has worked as a counselor in two residential facilities; one serving male teens who had recently been released from juvenile detention and one serving emotionally disturbed female teens with physical and sexual abuse histories. She spent 4 years with a school-based nonprofit serving middle and high school students designated as at-risk, and one year working with behaviorally challenged students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in rural middle schools. In the summer, Jenny serves as the Behavioral Health Manager at Roundup River Ranch providing mental and emotional support and behavioral interventions to children and teens battling serious illnesses.
Jenny employs a strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective and TBRI in her client interactions and utilizes humanistic and cognitive behavioral theories in delivering therapy. She incorporates play therapy techniques as well as sports, art, and music into student groups and individual sessions. Jenny is honored and excited to be a part of the Battle Mountain team and contribute to the social and emotional growth of this community’s amazing young men and women.
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Jenny Goldstein, LPC
Battle Mountain High School
Battle Mountain High School
Jenny Goldstein, LPC
Jenny Goldstein is the new School-Based Therapist at Battle Mountain High School. Jenny will be delivering individual, group, and family therapy services to referred students, and crisis services to campus as needed, in the hopes that eliminating common accessibility barriers and providing free mental health support directly to students will improve their mental and emotional health as well as overall educational and daily living outcomes.
Jenny studied English and Education at the University of Texas at Austin. She worked in residential direct care with abused and neglected children for 2 years before pursuing her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Jenny has worked as a counselor in two residential facilities; one serving male teens who had recently been released from juvenile detention and one serving emotionally disturbed female teens with physical and sexual abuse histories. She spent 4 years with a school-based nonprofit serving middle and high school students designated as at-risk, and one year working with behaviorally challenged students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in rural middle schools. In the summer, Jenny serves as the Behavioral Health Manager at Roundup River Ranch providing mental and emotional support and behavioral interventions to children and teens battling serious illnesses.
Jenny employs a strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective and TBRI in her client interactions and utilizes humanistic and cognitive behavioral theories in delivering therapy. She incorporates play therapy techniques as well as sports, art, and music into student groups and individual sessions. Jenny is honored and excited to be a part of the Battle Mountain team and contribute to the social and emotional growth of this community’s amazing young men and women.
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Lauren Ruhl, LPC
School Based Clinician
Lauren Ruhl is a graduate from the Sport & Performance Psychology Master’s program from the University of Denver. She is currently a licensed professional counselor candidate with diverse experience serving children as young as the age of nine to adults of middle age. Being a former collegiate athlete, Lauren’s passion lies in helping individuals live with a strong mind-body connection to allow for optimal performance and overall life. Her early experience involved working with Denver-area adults and children who have various types of disabilities (Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, dyslexia, learning impairments, various mental health diseases, etc.) to help them become their own self-determined advocate with the necessary skills to be successful within their living, working, and social environments.
Lauren’s understanding of the brain and neurological development has enhanced her knowledge around the imperative mind-body connection. Lauren transitioned her career towards performance and exercise psychology in Eagle County in the summer of 2017. Here she has since assisted sports teams, individual athletes, and weekend warriors in developing a mental toolbox to allow them to feel prepared in overcoming, managing, and preventing unique situations they may face in sport and life. Lauren was additionally an employee for Youth Power 365 and helped run the Girl PowHer program for the 2017-2018 school year. This experience is where her passion blossomed for wanting to help children and adults in Eagle County that are experiencing and struggling to manage mental health issues. Lauren is a strong advocate of mental health awareness and deeply loves supporting, guiding and serving for her community.
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Lauren Ruhl, LPC
Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy
Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy
Lauren Ruhl, LPC
School Based Clinician
Lauren Ruhl is a graduate from the Sport & Performance Psychology Master’s program from the University of Denver. She is currently a licensed professional counselor candidate with diverse experience serving children as young as the age of nine to adults of middle age. Being a former collegiate athlete, Lauren’s passion lies in helping individuals live with a strong mind-body connection to allow for optimal performance and overall life. Her early experience involved working with Denver-area adults and children who have various types of disabilities (Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, dyslexia, learning impairments, various mental health diseases, etc.) to help them become their own self-determined advocate with the necessary skills to be successful within their living, working, and social environments.
Lauren’s understanding of the brain and neurological development has enhanced her knowledge around the imperative mind-body connection. Lauren transitioned her career towards performance and exercise psychology in Eagle County in the summer of 2017. Here she has since assisted sports teams, individual athletes, and weekend warriors in developing a mental toolbox to allow them to feel prepared in overcoming, managing, and preventing unique situations they may face in sport and life. Lauren was additionally an employee for Youth Power 365 and helped run the Girl PowHer program for the 2017-2018 school year. This experience is where her passion blossomed for wanting to help children and adults in Eagle County that are experiencing and struggling to manage mental health issues. Lauren is a strong advocate of mental health awareness and deeply loves supporting, guiding and serving for her community.
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Mike Santambrogio, LPCC
School Based Clinician
Mike Santambrogio is a school-based mental health therapist at Red Canyon High School via the Hope Center Eagle River Valley. His primary role is to serve the students at Red Canyon, being a consistent, genuine, and empathetic support. This is an incredible opportunity as it brings mental health support directly to the students, removing many of the accessibility barriers individuals experience in obtaining mental health services. In addition, the services provided to the students are completely free of cost to the students and families.
Prior to beginning this role with Red Canyon, Mike has worked throughout Eagle County serving children and families over the past 12 years. While the ways in which Mike worked with children varied, what remained consistent was his passion, commitment, and dedication to building and maintaining genuine relationships with those children. Whether coaching soccer or mountain biking, helping students become college or career ready, or running leadership support groups, Mike has found that there is no greater gift than to be able to support others, specifically children who are in need.
With regards to his professional training and education, Mike obtained his Masters Degree in Counseling as well as his LPCC (Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate) from Regis University in Denver Colorado and is working towards his full licensure after having completed his graduate degree. Prior to Regis, Mike received his BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Boulder, Colorado. Most recently, Mike completed his psychological internship at Mind Springs in Eagle Colorado last August where he served as a mental health clinician. Upon hearing that Eagle County was looking to place mental health focused clinicians in our schools, Mike jumped at the opportunity to join the Hope Center.
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Mike Santambrogio, LPCC
Red Canyon High School
Red Canyon High School
Mike Santambrogio, LPCC
School Based Clinician
Mike Santambrogio is a school-based mental health therapist at Red Canyon High School via the Hope Center Eagle River Valley. His primary role is to serve the students at Red Canyon, being a consistent, genuine, and empathetic support. This is an incredible opportunity as it brings mental health support directly to the students, removing many of the accessibility barriers individuals experience in obtaining mental health services. In addition, the services provided to the students are completely free of cost to the students and families.
Prior to beginning this role with Red Canyon, Mike has worked throughout Eagle County serving children and families over the past 12 years. While the ways in which Mike worked with children varied, what remained consistent was his passion, commitment, and dedication to building and maintaining genuine relationships with those children. Whether coaching soccer or mountain biking, helping students become college or career ready, or running leadership support groups, Mike has found that there is no greater gift than to be able to support others, specifically children who are in need.
With regards to his professional training and education, Mike obtained his Masters Degree in Counseling as well as his LPCC (Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate) from Regis University in Denver Colorado and is working towards his full licensure after having completed his graduate degree. Prior to Regis, Mike received his BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Boulder, Colorado. Most recently, Mike completed his psychological internship at Mind Springs in Eagle Colorado last August where he served as a mental health clinician. Upon hearing that Eagle County was looking to place mental health focused clinicians in our schools, Mike jumped at the opportunity to join the Hope Center.
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Myriah Garaudy, LPC
Myriah Garaudy is a Licensed Professional Counselor and works for the Hope Center as a school based clinician. Myriah is based out of Homestake Peak School.
Myriah is originally from Louisiana, where she went to Louisiana Tech University for her undergraduate degree in Sociology and as well as her masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After graduate school, Myriah worked for a non-profit agency in Louisiana that provided community based therapy to low-income children, teenagers and their families. Myriah has experience providing crisis therapy to children and teenagers who have been victims of abuse or have witnessed abuse or trauma. The majority of the clients that Myriah worked with were struggling with other symptoms that are associated with trauma such as depression, anxiety, relationship and family issues, and often behavior issues. She provided counseling primarily to clients that were involved in the forensic interview process at the local Children’s Advocacy Center. The Center’s aim was to reduce the amount of times a child had to tell their traumatic story and gave those children access to counseling where often the client wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. Myriah also worked in private practice in the community providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families for a variety of symptoms.
Myriah’s passion for providing counseling to children and teenagers has continued to grow and she is excited to serve the needs of the students at Homestake Peak School.
Myriah enjoys spending her free time hiking with her two dogs, riding horses, fishing and spending time with friends and family.
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Myriah Garaudy, LPC
Homestake Peak School
Homestake Peak School
Myriah Garaudy, LPC
Myriah Garaudy is a Licensed Professional Counselor and works for the Hope Center as a school based clinician. Myriah is based out of Homestake Peak School.
Myriah is originally from Louisiana, where she went to Louisiana Tech University for her undergraduate degree in Sociology and as well as her masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After graduate school, Myriah worked for a non-profit agency in Louisiana that provided community based therapy to low-income children, teenagers and their families. Myriah has experience providing crisis therapy to children and teenagers who have been victims of abuse or have witnessed abuse or trauma. The majority of the clients that Myriah worked with were struggling with other symptoms that are associated with trauma such as depression, anxiety, relationship and family issues, and often behavior issues. She provided counseling primarily to clients that were involved in the forensic interview process at the local Children’s Advocacy Center. The Center’s aim was to reduce the amount of times a child had to tell their traumatic story and gave those children access to counseling where often the client wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. Myriah also worked in private practice in the community providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families for a variety of symptoms.
Myriah’s passion for providing counseling to children and teenagers has continued to grow and she is excited to serve the needs of the students at Homestake Peak School.
Myriah enjoys spending her free time hiking with her two dogs, riding horses, fishing and spending time with friends and family.
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Susan Elliot
Intern
Susan is currently interning with Hope Center and is expected to finish her Masters in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University in May of 2020. Although she is new to her role as a School Therapist, Susan brings with her 20 years of experience as a Special Education Teacher. Susan received her Bachelors of Science in Exceptional Education from the University of Central Florida. Susan has taught children from age 4 to 18 in the field of special education where she made it a part of her practice to actively collaborate with a variety of service providers. It was through this collaboration that led her to seek a second career in counseling.
Susan has a great deal of experience with adolescents and has obtained years of training in memory, motivation, and executive functioning practices. Susan has experience in public and private school settings as both a Special Education Teacher and Instructional Coach. Susan and her family moved to Eagle, CO in 2017.
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Susan Elliot, Intern
Gypsum Creek Middle School
Gypsum Creek Middle School
Susan Elliot
Intern
Susan is currently interning with Hope Center and is expected to finish her Masters in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University in May of 2020. Although she is new to her role as a School Therapist, Susan brings with her 20 years of experience as a Special Education Teacher. Susan received her Bachelors of Science in Exceptional Education from the University of Central Florida. Susan has taught children from age 4 to 18 in the field of special education where she made it a part of her practice to actively collaborate with a variety of service providers. It was through this collaboration that led her to seek a second career in counseling.
Susan has a great deal of experience with adolescents and has obtained years of training in memory, motivation, and executive functioning practices. Susan has experience in public and private school settings as both a Special Education Teacher and Instructional Coach. Susan and her family moved to Eagle, CO in 2017.
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