Our Team of Clinicians

Dr. Amber

 

I pride myself on my ability to work with persons in a supportive and encouraging setting. I strongly believe in each persons potential and ability to make changes and create happiness. I hold a doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology and will meet you at 1st Priority Institute for Better Living where the atmosphere is cheerful and hopeful; optimistic for a better tomorrow:).

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Gina

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I believe that having the self-awareness and strength to seek counseling when you are in need is one of the bravest and most inspirational things a person can do. I began my professional career as an attorney and mediator specializing in collaborative law. I have always held a desire to help my community and this was at the heart of why I decided to become an attorney and a mental health counselor. Years of working in conflict resolution gave me the understanding that communication and self-awareness are not only the key to resolving conflict in our own lives but also the key to having and maintaining healthy relationships. I am a certified yoga and movement arts instructor. I have taught mindfulness, meditation, and wellness classes in the United States, Costa Rica, and Mexico. A few years ago my children were in a school shooting. While they came out of the shooting physically unharmed, the next year of our lives was spent healing from and trying to understand the depth of the impact a tragedy like that has. Through my own recovery from PTSD and the daily anxiety the shooting caused, I learned that life events can have a cellular impact on us and affect us deeply in unimaginable ways. I hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Juris Doctor (a doctorate degree in another field). I wish to help our community and individuals through cognitive and mindfulness-based behavioral therapy, existential therapy, narrative work, and positive psychology. I love working with teens, adults, couples, and families and specialize in anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, couples counseling, sensitive and gifted individuals, and addiction.

Helen

 

Do you sometimes feel as if you are putting on a brave face to hide your pain from loved ones, friends, and colleagues? Our self-talk or the stories we tell ourselves about our difficult
experiences can become our greatest barriers to achieving personal goals and living a peaceful
and satisfying life. My mission as your counselor is to support you in your journey as you empower yourself to say YES to the life you deserve. We will work as a team to examine thinking, emotional, and behavior patterns that contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, or shame; and
begin sowing the seeds of thinking styles that are conducive to you wellness.
I use a person-centered approach, as well as cognitive behavior therapy, Adlerian, Gestalt, and
feminist therapy. I enjoy working with individuals of all ages and am invested in supporting clients on the autism spectrum and/or with ADHD, and other neurological profiles. I am an
LGBTQIA+ affirming counselor and my goal is to create a safe space for you to feel validated,supported, and empowered with practical tools that will equip you to live a joyful and fulfilling life. I received my Master of Science in Bilingual Education from Nova Southeastern University in 2007 and my Bachelor of Arts in English Creative Writing from the University of Houston in
1998. I am a clinician in training with previous work experience as a board certified hypnotherapist. Upon request, I use hypnotherapy and teach clients self-hypnosis as a tool they can use for relaxation and/or to achieve personalgoals.

Amy​

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Amy Blum, BA, BSN, RN

I received my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Colorado at Denver in 1995 and my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Denver College of Nursing in 2019. I have worked in school nursing, inpatient psychiatric treatment in crisis stabilization, and inpatient eating disorder treatment for adults, adolescents, and children. Currently, I work as an RN Case Manager in hospice care. I am pursuing an MA in Counseling from Adams State University, graduating in May 2024. In my therapy practice, I utilize a somatic, emotion-focused, person-centered approach, respecting my clients as experts on their own experiences while incorporating different strategies to help them engage their minds and bodies on a journey to wholehearted living.

Ian

 

Beginning the therapy journey can be intimidating, but it can be the start to a beautiful process of growth and personal change. Being an aid in your story is important to me, providing resources and a supportive therapeutic relationship that can give you the space you need to learn more about yourself and what you want and need. I am a graduate student in Colorado Christian University's Clinical Mental Health program. Being EMDR-trained and trauma-informed as a clinician, I integrate several perspectives into how I approach therapy, focusing on what is being experienced in the present and how previous relationships in the past have formed who we are today. I look forward to meeting you and becoming a part of your healing story.

Stephanie 

Thank you for choosing 1st Priority Institute for Better Living. My name is Stephanie, I am a veteran, a sports lover, and a member of a two-person book club. I began my journey into the counseling world at Colorado Christian University where I received my undergraduate graduate degree in psychology in 2019. Soon after, I started my graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling and will finish in the fall of 2023. I am currently an intern under supervision while I conduct therapy with you. I take a person-centered approach in therapy, I use a cognitive behavioral therapy approach, and I also understand that every client deserves treatment that is tailored to their specific needs. I work with children, adolescents and adults. I am committed to sharing my expertise and providing ethical and compassionate care to everyone who comes to me for help. Thank you again for this opportunity, I look forward to working with you!

Cara

 

Watching things grow is one of my greatest joys in life — be it tending my houseplants and garden, spending time in nature, or supporting my clients in working toward their personal potential, happiness, and fulfillment. I believe that we all have the capacity for personal growth within us and the strength to overcome the challenges that we face in life. I am here to help you find the clarity and self-knowledge that can allow you to visualize and move forward on your path ahead. I am a counselor in training and will complete my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in spring of 2024. I look forward to meeting you and providing a safe and supportive space to explore your emotions, beliefs, behaviors, and relationships. Together, we can identify what is holding you back from living your happiest, most authentic and empowered life, and create a plan to overcome the obstacles in your way.

Mickey

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You have taken the first step to creating the most fulfilling life possible. It can be difficult to create change when life feels as if it is a whirlwind. As a counselor, I am here to help you make sense of your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. I will work alongside you to help you facilitate the changes you would like to make, as well as achieve the goals you set for yourself. As you begin a journey of change, I can use my experience to help you discover the tools and skills you need to have a successful journey.

Steph

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I am a James Madison University and Metro State University graduate with degrees in International Business, Economics, and Accounting. I am currently enrolled in the graduate program at Adams State University for a Master's in Mental Health Counseling. In 2006 I completed yoga teacher training and have been the President of my own business Mandala Monkey LLC for full-time yoga instructing. I am a recent trauma survivor from August 2020 in a near-fatal wall strike accident at Mt. Evans. I grew up in various countries in Southeast Asia, including Taiwan, South Korea, The Philippines, and Indonesia, and I am also part Filipina. I am interested in utilizing a person-focused therapeutic style with clients of varied ethnic and economic backgrounds and trauma survivors. I am hopeful to help empower clients through gaining knowledge, acceptance, and mindfulness. 

Kerry 

I received my undergraduate degree in communications and journalism at the University of
New Mexico and my Master of Science in Criminology at Regis University. I am also a trained
and certified End-of-Life Midwife (aka death doula), working closely with the dying and their
families. I have been part of the Victim’s Assistance Unit with the Denver Police Department
interfacing with victims of acute trauma related to suicide, homicide, rape, domestic violence ,
and unexpected death. My approach to therapy is very people-focused. Each client is unique
and his or her reasons for seeking therapy are equally so. I utilize talk therapy, cognitive
behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and other interventions with the goal of helping clients
find the emotional and psychological space where they can enjoy life and the things and people
they care about the most.

Dave

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I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Ball State University, Muncie, IN in Psychology and have a Masters of Science in Information Communications from Ball State University. For the past twenty years I have worked in the technology and finance sectors working for large telecommunications and consulting companies. I have a passion for health in working with the mind, body, and spirit.  I am a person that believes that we can maintain mental and emotional stability by working on all aspects of our health to help stabilize our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.  My therapeutic approach consists of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Gestalt, meaning that I believe that we must focus on acceptance of ourselves (thoughts, feelings, and behaviors) and others while being responsible for the decisions that we make in the “here in now”.  I am a person that believes that we cannot change the past and the future does not exist so that we must focus on how we feel in the present moment to begin to make the necessary changes to lead a more meaningful and productive life while being connected to the present moment.

 Mackenzie

 

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Marriage and Family Studies at Brigham Young University of Idaho. I have worked in a residential treatment center for adolescents struggling with difficulties associated with depression, anxiety, and trauma. I have worked at an OCD and anxiety treatment center where I met with clients individually to increase their tolerance for emotions associated with fear and anxiety by using exposure and response prevention therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. I utilize a humanistic existential and person-centered approach to therapy while incorporating dialectical behavioral strategies such as emotion regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance. Through this theoretical lens, my goal is to help clients build greater self-awareness and provide a space that allows them to do so without judgment.