Lauren was born and raised in St. Louis and has called Colorado home since 2012. After receiving an MA in Counseling from the University of Colorado-Denver, she relocated to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2017 and has experience counseling in a variety of settings including schools, community mental health and partial hospitalization programs. Honored to synthesize these experiences and join the Aspen Hope Center team as a school-based clinician, Lauren is passionate about fostering the holistic well-being of youth and their families. Guided in the belief that every child has the capacity to thrive, she uses a warm and relational approach to create an affirming space to explore their strengths, goals and experiences. Lauren’s clinical framework integrates practical tools from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Mindfulness and Strengths-Based to promote resiliency, self-advocacy and healthy coping strategies to empower young folks in their journey of navigating life’s challenges, creating meaningful change and living authentically.

In her free time, you can find Lauren hiking and spending time in nature, adventuring to new places, dancing to live music, cooking or hanging out with her cat, Tuna.  

Klare was born and raised in Colorado and spent her time growing up between the Western Slope and the Denver-Metro area. She received her BSW from Colorado Mesa University in 2023 and continued directly into her MSW that she received in 2024. During her degrees, Klare interned working with the juvenile justice population in her bachelor’s and focused on working with individuals that experience substance use in her masters. She has focused on the use of polyvagal theory, cognitive restructuring, trauma-informed counseling, motivational interviewing and dialectical behavioral therapy, however Klare believes in lifelong learning and works towars developing her skills in other modalities. Klare has always had a passion for working with youth and being able to support families through genuine authentic connection and relationships.

When Klare isn’t engaging with professional development through looking at research or reading, she enjoys spending time with her partner and their dog Tucker. On her breaks and in her free time, she enjoys watching live music and sports, playing video games, traveling, getting outdoors, and returning to the Denver-Metro area to spend time with family and friends. 

Originally from Michigan, Megan has called the Roaring Fork Valley home since 2019. After obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and working as a data analyst, she set out on a search for a more meaningful career before discovering a passion for special education. After five years working in schools with students with disabilities, she completed her Master's in Social Work through the University of Denver. Megan is excited to return to working in schools in this new capacity and to work with diverse students and families. When not at work, Megan can be found out on the trail - running, biking or skiing. In the winter, she can also be found playing ice hockey, or occasionally even reading a book.

Emily is originally from Iowa where she revived her bachelors degree in social work at the University of Northern Iowa. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Emily attended Arizona State University where she earned her masters degree in social work with a concentration in children, youth and families. Since completing her masters degree Emily has earned her social work candidate (SWC) and is working on getting her license as a clinical social worker (LCSW).

Emily has completed an internship as a direct care provider working with adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. Emily has also completed an internship working as a school social worker at a middle school in Tucson, Arizona. Emily is extremely passionate about helping children and families grow and thrive while serving as a beacon of hope in the community.

In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time outside going on hikes; playing tennis, basketball, softball, and golf; swimming; and biking. She also enjoys doing arts and crafts and reading books.

Mariana's journey began in Lima, Peru, where she spent her formative years before moving to Basalt, Colorado at the age of 13. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience from Colorado State University, igniting her passion for behavioral neuroscience. After graduation, Mariana dedicated herself to supporting the community as the youth program coordinator at Stepping Stones in Carbondale, Colorado, a nonprofit committed to empowering local youth and families.

Recognizing a critical need for accessible bilingual mental health resources in the Roaring Fork Valley, Mariana pursued a Master of Science in Mental Health Research in Barcelona, Spain. There, she collaborated with renowned research labs pioneering advancements in mental health through cutting-edge neuroimaging technologies. Currently, Mariana is pursuing her second master's degree in counseling, driven by her commitment to making a significant impact at the Aspen Hope Center—an organization she deeply admires. With her bicultural and bilingual background, Mariana aims to leverage her expertise as a vital resource for mental health within her community.

Rachel grew up in Glenwood Springs and is very happy to be back living in the Roaring Fork Valley. She earned an Associates of Arts degree from Colorado Mountain College, a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from Fort Lewis College and a Master of Social Work degree from Colorado State University. Rachel has an SWC certificate and is pursuing a LCSW certificate. Rachel uses techniques including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy and somatic therapy; and she focuses on the strengths and unique experience of each person with whom she works. As a school-based clinician, Rachel will support the mental wellness of students and the school community to the best of her ability. She believes in the power of listening, resilience, mindset, curiosity and the impact that experiences and environments can have on people.

Rachel loves hiking with her dogs, spending time on the river, snowboarding, hanging out with her family and rock climbing.

Ericka grew up in Carbondale and is grateful to call the Roaring Fork Valley home. She is a Spanish bilingual licensed clinical social worker. Ericka earned her MSW from the University of Denver where she was awarded the Dean F. Alter Merit Award for exemplifying the best of professional social work. She is passionate about providing quality mental health care using techniques from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, PolyVagal Theory, Solutions Focused Brief Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Sandtray and Mindful Self Compassion. Ericka believes in meeting clients where they are and walking alongside them on their path towards healing. Outside of work you can find her out on the trails enjoying nature. 

Stephanie is a Clinical Social Work Candidate in the state of Colorado. She received her Master’s degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago in 2019, and she graduated with completion of all courses and fieldwork on the school social work track. Upon graduation, she worked as a school social worker in the Chicagoland area’s high schools. Stephanie also has experience working as a trauma therapist with youth in foster care and as a life-skills worker who provided equine-assisted therapy with clients.

Stephanie has a passion for working with adolescents and their families. She believes it is important that adolescents have the opportunity to receive therapeutic support as they navigate exploring their internal and external systems during their teenage years. She uses a trauma-informed approach and utilizes motivational interviewing in her practice, to help clients heal from difficult experiences that shifted the foundation of their lives, and to also help them discover their interests and passions and build a life that aligns with their values. Stephanie’s areas of focus are anxiety, depression, complex/chronic trauma, LGBTQ+, grief/loss and life skills. She approaches her work with her clients with compassion and curiosity, and is honored to be a part of a client's journey as they engage in therapy to create change in their own life.

Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys skiing, hiking, walking her toy Australian Shepherd Althea, reading a book and spending time in coffee shops throughout the Roaring Fork Valley.

Mary Jo (MJ) is from Athens, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice. In 2021, MJ moved to the Roaring Fork Valley to begin her Master of Social Work at the University of Denver’s Glenwood Springs program, and began working in the substance use field at a community mental health center. MJ’s experiences underscored the critical importance of prevention, inspiring her to transition into a role where she can have a proactive impact on young lives. As a strengths-based therapist, MJ aims to create a safe and nurturing environment where clients can express themselves freely, promoting emotional well-being and resilience through tailored therapeutic interventions. MJ is thrilled to join Aspen Hope Center as a school-based clinician, where she looks forward to fostering positive growth and development in students.

Brandon holds a master’s degree in social work from Metropolitan State University of Denver and serves as a school-based clinician at Basalt Middle School. He's called the Roaring Fork Valley home for seven years. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, he moved to Longmont, Colorado at the age of nine. Prior to joining the Hope Center, Brandon spent a decade working in environmental education, youth leadership, and conservation. In addition to his MSW, he holds degrees in Outdoor Education from Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs and Sociology and Community Leadership at the University of Colorado. He has dedicated his career to supporting youth and adults as they connect to the natural world, to their communities, and to themselves.

Transitioning to the field of social work has allowed Brandon to have deeper relationships with students and their families. He finds great importance in working with clients to address many of the same issues that were revealed over his years as an educator. At Basalt Middle School, Brandon will offer bilingual (English/Spanish) individual and group therapy for students, as well as education on various mental health topics. Brandon will encourage students to grow confidently into their unique identities with grace and self-compassion.

While not at school, Brandon can be found listening to community radio, foraging for wild foods and crafting (occasionally delicious) meals, and having as much fun as possible with friends and family.

Caitlin is originally from northern Utah but fell in love with western Colorado the moment she first arrived in the mountains. She found her way home to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2021 where she quickly became involved in the community as a dancer and as an intern at a therapeutic ranch in Carbondale. Caitlin is earning her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus in Dance/Movement Therapy from Lesley University. She believes our bodies and movements have a lot to tell us and she’s looking forward to helping folks fortify the relationships between their mind, body, feelings, art, and spirit. Caitlin will work with her students to uncover the knowledge, wisdom and stories their minds and bodies have to share about their past, present and future.

Cate grew up in northern Wisconsin and attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with concentrations in Education and Race and Ethnic Studies. During college, she spent summers working with Summer Advantage in the Roaring Fork Valley and fell in love with the community. After college, she worked with ELL students through AmeriCorps, with adolescents in adventure therapy, and with young adults in residential substance use treatment programs.

Cate completed her Master’s in Social Work through the University of Denver’s Western Colorado program. She is passionate about building relationships, empowering youth and families, and supporting holistic wellness for all. In her work with students, she utilizes DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Solutions-Focused Therapy.

Heather was born and raised in Nebraska but has called Aspen home for the past eight years. She began her journey in social work by recognizing a need for more supports for youth and families in the school system. She received her PreK-12 School Social Worker Certificate from Colorado State University in 2020. From this experience, she knew that social work was her calling and began her Master’s degree. She graduated the University of Denver with her Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on clinical practice.

Heather has a passion and focus for working with youth and families. She enjoys providing individual and family therapy for youth and their caregivers and helping them navigate the stressors in their lives. Heather’s approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and applied through a biopsychosocial lens. Her training includes CBT, TF-CBT, CAMS, and she is trained in integrated behavioral health. Working as a clinical social worker in a community mental health center also helped her understand the need for wraparound care and community support for families. This experience ignited her desire to also look at systems level influences on families and the best ways in which to support the families in our community. 

In Heather’s free time she enjoys hiking, biking, cooking, and spending time with her husband. 

Mackenzie received her BSW from the University of Pittsburgh. She enjoyed the program so much that she continued straight on to earn a Masters in Social Work. While completing her degrees, Mackenzie participated in two internships and a fellowship. The areas of focus of these were addiction and mental health, health care social work, trauma-informed counseling, and social and emotional support. After relocating to Colorado, Mackenzie spent time working as a teaching assistant. With her love of children rekindled, Mackenzie decided to focus on supporting young children and their families. She loves being a part of the process in helping kids to develop new coping skills to live their best life. She has a passion for grief-work and understanding the effects of experiencing trauma at a young age on a person’s life. In her free time Mackenzie enjoys spending time in the kitchen, reading a good book, the outdoors, and hanging out with her dogs.

Steven is a passionate individual who feels incredibly grateful for his upbringing in Glenwood Springs. His strong connection to his hometown has been a constant source of inspiration. After completing his undergraduate studies at Colorado State University, he pursued a Master's in Social Work (MSW), driven by his commitment to social justice. Despite his introverted nature, he aims to dismantle systems of oppression. Having personally witnessed the warmth and support of his community, he is thrilled to return to his roots and give back to the place that has shaped him.