Casey R., MA^Crisis Clinician/Beacon of Hope IOP Mental Health Provider
Casey graduated with her Master’s Degree in Psychology in 2021. Throughout school, she gained experience in a myriad of mental health environments to shape her perspectives. Such roles include serving as a recovery coach in a transitional vocational and residential program for individuals with mental health and substance use histories, residential program supervision for individuals with autism, crisis intervention casework for inpatient hospitalization in Philadelphia during the pandemic, and co-response in Mesa County. Her self-care regimen includes hiking with her dog, practicing yoga and anything in the kitchen.
Sarah Fedishen, LPC, LAC^Therapy Program Consultant
Sarah brings over 20 years of experience in the human services field with a focus on leadership, program development and clinical coordination. Her career includes leadership roles as program director at Aspen Hope Center and executive director of Family Resource Centers of the Roaring Fork Schools, as well as extensive experience in child welfare, adult protection and behavioral health. A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Sarah has provided direct clinical services, licensure supervision and program oversight across a range of human service settings.
Sarah currently works at Colorado Mountain College in the Human Services Program and also serves as an adjunct professor in the program. Passionate about workforce development and strong agency partnerships, Sarah has earned recognition for her community impact, including the Garfield County Humanitarian Award. She is deeply committed to her community and to providing humanistic, thoughtful services that strengthen families and foster resilience.
Sarah lives in Carbondale with her daughter and husband and, in her free time, can be found reading, hiking, camping and spending time with her dogs.
Erin Quinn, LCSW^Beacon of Hope IOP Supervisor
Erin grew up in Boulder, Colorado and attended Colorado State University for both her undergraduate and Masters Degrees in Social Work. Erin obtained her LCSW in 2020, and has had the unique privilege of gaining experience in various settings such as community mental health, residential treatment and nonprofit work along the Front Range corridor and Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. Erin has found her niche in school-based mental health services and utilizes a spectrum of clinical training to focus on the prevention of mental health challenges and suicide in young people and their families. You might see Erin riding her mountain bike around town or playing with her husky, Grizzly. Don't hesitate to say “hi!”
Taylor, LPC^Crisis Services Director
Taylor is native to the Roaring Fork Valley. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. She went on to complete her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adam's State University. She started crisis work at a residential treatment facility for youth and found a passion for it there. She has continued crisis work throughout her career and has a love for helping the community in which she grew up.
Jacque Whitsitt^Therapy Program Practicum Student, Master’s Level
Jacque Whitsitt is a graduate counseling student at Adam's State University in a CACREP-accredited counseling program. Jacque will be learning about the agency, co-experiencing crisis and the school programs, and engaging in group clinical supervision. In addition to her academic training, Jacque grew up in rural Colorado and is a long-time local. She brings a background in community leadership and professional experience working with diverse individuals and organizations. These experiences have strengthened her ability to listen deeply, build trust, and understand the real-life challenges people face. Jacque values meeting individuals where they are and supporting growth, resilience, and meaningful change.
Click here to learn more about Jacque.
James Shanahan, LSW^Therapist
James has lived on and off in the Roaring Fork Valley since 2015 and first came to Colorado in 2011. A dedicated instructor, James has been teaching winter sports full time every winter since
then. Living this seasonal life is difficult, and James decided to pursue a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Denver to gain the skills to better support his community. He is passionate
about meeting people where they are and aiding them in living their best lives in this incredible mountain environment. He knows first hand the struggles to make a life in the RFV work, and seeks to utilize therapeutic modalities to help people understand and define their dreams and obstacles.
James is a Licensed Social Worker working towards full clinical licensure. He has experience with substance use and medication assisted treatment (MAT). He utilizes CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy, as well as movement based and mindfulness techniques.
You’ll frequently find James on a bike, in the water, or on the mountain. He also enjoys the quieter pursuits of yoga, video games, and cooking.
Jelena Rahm^Therapy Program Intern, Master’s Level
Jelena Rahm is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern who brings deep empathy and real-world experience to her work with couples, adults, and families. After earning her MBA from George Washington University, Jelena spent over 25 years in the marketing and sales world, honing her communication skills and a keen ability to understand people’s stories and motivations.
During a personal turning point, Jelena worked with an LMFT that helped her reshape her own family system with grace and compassion. Inspired, Jelena began training to become an LMFT in 2021. With a clinical focus on couples therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and family systems work, she integrates models such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients explore emotional bonds, build practical relationship tools, and develop inner clarity.
Jelena now resides in Basalt with her husband, their daughter, and two beloved dogs - a labradoodle and a bernedoodle. Whenever possible, she’s outside: hiking, gardening, or walking miles through the natural beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley - the one place that always felt like home.
Click here to learn more about Jelena.
Ashley D., Clinical Intern^Crisis Clinician
Born and raised in the Roaring Fork Valley, Ashley is passionate about the healing and integration of mind, body and spirit. She is a trauma-informed yoga teacher with a background in spiritual counseling and a commitment to helping others heal and thrive. Ashley’s first career was in public safety as a firefighter paramedic, serving with both Roaring Fork Fire and Alamo Heights Fire.
After many years in emergency services, Ashley pursued higher education locally, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Leadership & Management from Colorado Mountain College. She is now completing her final year in the Master of Social Work program at Arizona State University, where her graduate research has focused on understanding mental health disparities in high-altitude rural communities and ski towns. Ashley is EMDR trained, with a passion for CBT and other trauma-informed modalities. She is especially dedicated to supporting people in healing from trauma, drawing on evidence-based practices rooted in neuroscience. She also believes in the importance of fostering strong, thriving school and community cultures that nurture individual well-being.
Outside of work, Ashley is a proud mom to a spirited four-year-old who attends Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork—a dream come true for their family. What she loves and appreciates most about life in the valley is its unique rhythm centered in the outdoors and adventure, with a deep appreciation for the flow that comes with the changing seasons.
Britta H., LCSW^Crisis Clinician
Britta grew up in Northern California but spent many summers and winters visiting family in the Roaring Fork Valley. She received her Bachelor’s in Sociology from San Francisco State University and went on to work as a family support counselor in the Bay Area, where she developed a passion for working with youth and families with complex behavioral health needs. She then relocated to Colorado in 2010 to pursue her Master of Social Work at the University of Denver, before moving to the valley in 2018.
Britta’s professional background includes animal-assisted therapy, crisis-focused clinical work in inpatient and community-based settings, as well as extensive experience working with youth and families in school environments. Her clinical approach is solution-focused, strengths-based, and person-centered, emphasizing practical skill-building, emotional regulation, and helping individuals regain a sense of clarity and stability during some of their most vulnerable moments. Drawing from cognitive behavioral and solution-focused strategies, she supports individuals in identifying their own strengths, building effective coping tools, and taking meaningful, manageable steps forward.
In addition to her community and school-based experience, Britta also works in private practice with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, relational challenges, and life transitions. Outside of her professional work, Britta values time with family and friends, and enjoys gardening and spending time outdoors.
Casey R., MA^Crisis Clinician
Casey graduated with her Master’s Degree in Psychology in 2021. Throughout school, she gained experience in a myriad of mental health environments to shape her perspectives. Such roles include serving as a recovery coach in a transitional vocational and residential program for individuals with mental health and substance use histories, residential program supervision for individuals with autism, crisis intervention casework for inpatient hospitalization in Philadelphia during the pandemic, and co-response in Mesa County. Her self-care regimen includes hiking with her dog, practicing yoga and anything in the kitchen.
Charles E., LCSW, LAC^PRN Crisis Clinician
Charles E., LCSW, LAC, has lived and worked in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley since 1993, where his work has focused primarily on emergency mental health response, suicide risk assessment, and short-term crisis stabilization.
Born and raised in London, England, Charles first came to the United States in the mid-eighties through an exchange program in California. Several years later, he returned to the U.S. to pursue formal training in social work and mental health, embarking on the academic and professional path that has defined his career. Charles earned his Bachelor of Social Work with distinction, with a minor in Youth Agency Administration, from Colorado State University, and his Master of Social Work from the University of Denver.
His professional background centers on crisis-focused clinical work in hospital and community-based settings throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. In addition to direct crisis care, Charles has provided clinical supervision, program development, and specialized services for adolescents and families. He has completed family preservation training through the Homebuilders Program of the Institute for Family Development, contributed to the development of nonprofit foster care programming in collaboration with the State of Colorado, and worked as a therapist and field supervisor in wilderness-based intervention programs. Charles served eight years in the United States Navy Reserve and deployed to Iraq from September 2004 through April 2005. His military service continues to inform a calm, disciplined, and trauma-informed approach to crisis care.
Jacob, LPC^PRN Crisis Clinician
Jacob grew up in southeast Virginia and chose his first career path in architecture and design. Sitting behind a computer all day didn't sound that exciting so he chose to focus on the human side of things, how we interact and the relationships we build with the world and systems around us. For his undergraduate degree, he went to Christopher Newport University and majored in childhood psychology, minoring in religious studies.
After traveling for some time, Jacob then enrolled at Prescott College for his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Adventure Based Therapy. Jacob has been in the crisis field since 2014 and wants to continue to support people in finding adaptive and systemic ways to help them overcome crisis situations. He also really likes coffee and exploring outside.
Jillian, MA, LPCC^Crisis Clinician
Jillian was born and raised in Canyon, Texas. She attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Counseling. Jillian has experience working with individuals from all walks of life. She grew up playing sports and has a love for the outdoors. She enjoys hiking, snowboarding, water sports, swimming, and all the activities associated with water. She is adventurous and always open to trying new and exciting things. If she is not working, you will find her outdoors. Jillian recently relocated to Colorado with her two Australian shepherds. She is passionate about mental health and works as a crisis clinician with the Garfield County team.
Kathryn Henderson, LPC, CAC^Therapist
Kathryn moved to the Roaring Fork Valley from Connecticut in 2016. In conjunction with her 15 years in private practice, she worked as a Treatment Coordinator for several years in the Adult Recovery Center at Greenwich Hospital and Yale New Haven Heath. Working with a multidisciplinary team, under the supervision of an addiction MD, Kathryn assessed, evaluated and facilitated groups, as well as individual therapy, for patients in detox and intensive outpatient treatment. Prior to Kathryn’s work at Greenwich Hospital, she was on full time staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Westport Connecticut, as a Treatment Counselor in both the Adolescent and Adult Intensive Outpatient Programs. Kathryn received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Fairfield University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, where she also worked for several years as a Clinical Supervisor to graduate students. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado, a member of the National Board for Certified Counselors, a member of the International Association of Trauma Professionals, and a Certified Addiction Counselor.
Click here to learn more about Kathryn.
Katheryn, LPCC^Crisis Clinician/Therapist
Katheryn (Kat) was born and raised in Aspen, Colorado, with the mountains being her first love and playground. She went on to attend Hastings College in Nebraska for her bachelor's degree and fell in love with psychology. She returned to complete her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Naropa University in Colorado. Kat has worked with various populations including high-risk youth in residential treatment, young children with and without autism, and adults in detox; and she’s experienced in case management and support groups. Her mission is to incorporate the wisdom of the communities and people with which she works to provide person-centered care. Kat enjoys spending time outside (preferably hiking or running), building and tending to her LEGO collection, reading books, watching movies, and caring for her many plants.
Click here to learn more about Katheryn.
Kelly Cooper, LPC, LAC^Therapist
Kelly graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology. After graduation, she traveled the world studying human and animal behaviors. Kelly lived in New Zealand for a year, where she worked with the endangered Kiwi birds. She became interested in the intersections of human and animal survival behaviors. She traveled to Nepal and worked alongside Sherpas and yaks while learning about mental health in the Everest and Annapurna regions. She moved to Hawaii and worked at a Horticulture therapy program where she learned more about Wilderness Therapy and ceremony. While working with mustangs and wolves, she found a passion for animal-assisted therapy. She graduated with her Master’s Degree in Wilderness Therapy from Naropa. Kelly has been a wilderness guide for the past 10 years where she incorporates her yoga teacher training from Kripalu, PSIA-Professional Ski Instructors of America, AASI-American Association of Snowboard Instructors, Rope’s Course Critical Skills, Wilderness First Responder, and Leadership development skills to help facilitate both external and internal growth. Kelly is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has specialized in crisis work since 2016.
Click here to learn more about Kelly.
Jonathan Shamis^Advisory Board Member
Jonathan Shamis was appointed as Lake County Judge in Colorado’s Fifth Judicial District in 2013. He previously was Executive Director of Alpine Legal Services. Since 2015, he has served on the Colorado Suicide Prevention Commission and currently serves on the Colorado Task Force on Attorney Well-Being. He is currently working on a national effort to develop standards of judicial competence in mental health for all trial judges.
Casey M., M.Ed.^Interim Crisis Operations Manager
Casey is a mental health professional who transitioned from central Pennsylvania to the scenic Roaring Fork Valley. Her academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Business and Communications. Her initial engagement in event sales hinted at her knack for connecting with people and facilitating meaningful interactions which led her to pursue a graduate degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in School Counseling. Upon completing her academic endeavors, Casey found her true calling within the mental health field where she found herself drawn to crisis intervention, recognizing the profound impact she could have in supporting individuals during their most challenging moments. This specialization became the cornerstone of her career as a mental health professional.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Casey is an avid enthusiast of outdoor activities. Whether it's hiking through picturesque trails, skiing down powdery slopes, or simply soaking in the natural beauty that surrounds her, Casey finds solace and joy in the great outdoors.
Laura, LPC^Crisis Clinician/Therapist
Laura moved 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. She is passionated about supporting individuals through crisis response and therapy.
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.
Click here to learn more about Laura.
Lauren, LPC^Crisis Clinician/Therapist
Lauren was born and raised in New Jersey and ventured to New Orleans to complete her undergraduate studies at Tulane University, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. She later pursued her graduate education at the University of Denver, and she received a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health and specialization in Addictions.
As a grad student and clinical intern, Lauren provided outpatient therapy to adults, emergency mental health services to clients with diverse presentations, and intensive case management to individuals with severe persistent mental illness in assisted case care settings. She briefly returned to the East Coast to work in Manhattan and the Bronx supporting individuals experiencing mental illness and housing insecurity through transitional case management.
Drawn back to Colorado, Lauren returned to the Roaring Fork Valley. Since 2019, she has continued her dedication to supporting individuals through their most challenging moments in her role as a crisis clinician. She has extensive experience with suicidal ideation, high-risk behaviors, harm reduction, trauma, fatalities, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Lauren is a Licensed Professional Counselor who recognizes the individuality of each client and their experiences. She integrates evidence-based approaches—Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—to align treatment with personal goals, needs, and values.
Click here to learn more about Lauren.