Skylar^LCSW^Crisis Program Director
Skylar was born and raised in Oklahoma where she attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a Bachelors in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. Throughout her undergraduate program, Skylar focused on the impact of incarceration on the family system and Native American and Indigenous Studies.
After graduating with her B.A. and working as a defense paralegal in Oklahoma, Skylar moved to Colorado to pursue her masters at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, concentrating in mental health and substance use counseling.
Her passion for crisis was sparked when she began working in Denver, CO at a residential community for individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness. Her love of working alongside community partners stems from her time on the triage team for the Denver District Attorney's Family Violence Unit. It was a combination of these experiences that led her to become a crisis clinician and clinical social worker with the Aspen Hope Center.
In Skylar's spare time she enjoys playing sports, cooking, reading books, volunteering, and traveling as much as possible.
Laura^LPC^Crisis Supervisor
Laura comes to the Roaring Fork Valley from Austin, Texas with knowledge and experience in mental health crises. Laura attended Penn State University (We Are…!) for her bachelor’s degree in psychology and Texas A&M University for her master’s of science in clinical mental health counseling. Laura is a retired military spouse with a deep understanding and respect of our armed services, veterans and their families. Laura is passionate about trauma-informed care and is mindful of the challenges those who have experienced trauma face.
Having served as a clinical advocate and therapist for high-risk adults and adolescents with pervasive mental health and substance use issues, Laura brings experience working in crisis management. She is skilled in the treatment of trauma, borderline, schizoaffective, Depression, Anxiety and Bipolar Disorder. She has experience in treatment planning, crisis and management, diagnostic evaluations, group therapy, individual therapy, case management and client advocacy.
Laura’s self-care regimen includes spending time with her family, hiking, road trips, exploring new places and adventures, listening to music and podcasts, cooking and storytelling.
Riley^MD^Crisis Supervisor
Riley was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and is an unrepentant Astros fan. As an undergraduate, he studied Human Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. He obtained a Doctorate in Medicine at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and completed an internship in Psychiatry at the same institution. In his practice, Riley has trained in emergency care, inpatient hospitalization, and outpatient care, working with children, adolescents, and adults. Riley has extensive experience working with Veterans, seniors, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and people living with disabilities. Riley is excited to join the Aspen Hope Center as a Crisis Clinician on the Garfield County team. In his free time, Riley enjoys hiking, bicycling, and hanging out with his cats.