Sara Valerious^Therapy Services Director
Sara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who comes to the Roaring Fork Valley from Salt Lake City, where she has built a career in clinical practice, supervision, teaching, and leadership. She previously served as a Crisis Clinician at Aspen Hope Center, gaining firsthand experience with the organization's trauma-informed, community-centered approach to behavioral health care. Her clinical foundation was shaped at the University of Utah's Behavioral Health Innovation and Dissemination Center (BHIDC), where she provided individual and couples therapy and trained extensively in evidence-based modalities. As adjunct faculty for the University of Utah School of Medicine, she taught Advanced Psychodynamics to psychiatry residents and went on to supervise residents alongside established and emerging clinicians in various disciplines, developing a teaching style rooted in curiosity, humility, and adapting complex ideas to her audience.
In her role as Therapy Services Director, Sara draws on deep experience in clinical training and workforce support. She previously served as Interim Director of Psychiatry Outpatient Psychotherapy Training, overseeing training structures, clinical staffing, and case conceptualization support across a complex outpatient program. She also founded the University of Utah College of Social Work's first in-house support program for graduate students, offering peer support to help emerging clinicians build resilience and sustain long-term careers in community mental health. Across these roles, Sara has developed expertise in psychologically safe, collaborative mentorship, evidence-based practice, and ethical decision-making under pressure — skills she now brings to shaping therapy services and supporting clinicians at Aspen Hope Center.
Sallie Bernard^Advisory Board Member
Sallie has been a board member of the Hope Center since 2013. She is the Board President of the James Kirk Bernard Foundation which was established in 2010 to honor the life of her son Jamie Bernard who died from suicide.
Sallie is the board president of Ascendigo Autism Services, located in the Roaring Fork Valley, which provides outdoor recreation, enriched community-based opportunities and clinical services for children and adults across the autism spectrum. Sallie also serves on the board of SafeMinds and is an active member of the Cochrane Collaboration’s Consumer Network. She spent over 20 years in the marketing business before devoting herself full time to non-profit work in 2005. Sallie resides in Aspen and enjoys the Colorado outdoors.
Michael Buglione^Advisory Board Member
Sheriff Michael Buglione is a law enforcement professional with 19 years of dedicated service in the Roaring Fork Valley. He began his career with the Aspen Police Department and then transitioned to the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office, where he has held various roles, including patrol deputy, sergeant, director of operations, and now, Sheriff. Throughout his tenure, Sheriff Buglione has demonstrated a deep commitment to community safety and welfare. His proactive engagement extends beyond traditional law enforcement, as exemplified by his advocacy for mental health services. Serving on the board of the Hope Center and continuing as an advisory board member, he actively works toward improving services for those with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Additionally, Sheriff Buglione has contributed to community safety by serving as a board member of the Aspen Fire Department, showcasing his dedication to a comprehensive approach to public service. Sheriff Buglione brings a wealth of experience and a community-oriented philosophy, emphasizing the importance of positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. His leadership, both within the Sheriff's Office and in collaboration with community organizations, reflects a holistic approach to public service that goes beyond traditional law enforcement roles.
Steven Esrick^Advisory Board Member
Mr. Esrick’s career began managing and later becoming President of a chain of retail electronic stores in the Tampa Bay Area. In 1990, Mr. Esrick Co-founded and served as President of National Business Solutions, Inc. (NBS) which grew from a start up to more than $300 million of revenues in 1996. Paychex, Inc. acquired NBS in August 1996. Mr. Esrick and NBS received numerous awards including a finalist of Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year for 1996, Inc Magazines 57th fastest growing company in 1995 and winner of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.
Since 1997, Mr. Esrick has been involved in numerous private investments, as an example he was one of the Executive Producers for the Tony Award-Winning Broadway Show “Hairspray” along with numerous other successful real-estate developments and private equity investments. Of recent, a primary focus of Mr. Esrick has been on philanthropic activities, notably as co-founder of Hope Through Education, which builds primary and secondary schools in Africa. Other examples of his involvements are, Aspen Education Foundation, Aspen Jewish Community Center, All Children’s Hospital, and the Hope Center.
Rabbi Mendel Mintz^Advisory Board Member
Rabbi Mendel Mintz is the Founder & Director of the Chabad Jewish Community Center. He moved to Aspen together with his wife Lieba in 2000. They are blessed with six children.
Aislinn Pinela^Community Resource Navigator
Angie attended Metro State College in Denver, Colorado. With 22 years in finance, office management and sales, she specializes in and appreciates diversity in her job. She works well under pressure and is very committed to completing projects in a timely manner. Angie thoroughly enjoys working with nonprofit organizations.
Angie and her husband Chris are Colorado natives, and live in Rifle. They have two sons and one daughter. They enjoy supporting their children’s dreams of sports, dance and school projects. Their oldest son is joining the Navy after graduation and they are proud and excited for this opportunity for him to serve our country and travel. They love camping, hunting, fishing and taking their jeep off-road, especially in Moab.
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.
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 child and adolescent mental health services and specializes in 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 a native of the Roaring Fork Valley and is passionate about supporting the community she grew up in. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado before completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adams State University.
Taylor began her career providing crisis support at a residential treatment facility for youth, where she discovered a passion for crisis work and helping individuals navigate challenging moments. She has continued this work throughout her career, bringing compassion, experience, and a strong commitment to serving others.
Taylor is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that has always been home and is dedicated to helping individuals feel supported, heard, and empowered through difficult times.
James Shanahan, LSW^Therapist & Crisis Clinician
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., MSW^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.
James Shanahan, LSW^Therapist & Crisis Clinician
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.
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.