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 earned 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 middle school ELL students through AmeriCorps, with adolescents doing adventure therapy, and with young adults in residential substance use treatment programs.

Cate returned to the valley and completed her Master’s in Social Work through the University of Denver’s Western Colorado program. She feels passionate about building relationships, empowering youth and families, and supporting holistic wellness for all. In her work with students, she utilizes DBT, CBT, ACT, CAMS, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Solutions-Focused Therapy. When she's not at work, she enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and recreating outside with her dog, Percy.

Clarissa holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky. Originally from New York City, she grew up amidst the bustle of the city, but always felt drawn toward a quieter, smaller community. She has called Colorado home for the last twelve years, with the past seven spent in the Roaring Fork Valley. Clarissa earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Studio Art from Oberlin College, after which she spent several years guiding outdoor education programs, working as a nanny, and honing her craft as a landscape painter.

Her transition to social work evolved naturally as she reflected on the insights gained through her work as an educator, caregiver, and artist navigating an ever-changing world. With extensive experience working with youth of all ages, Clarissa is passionate about providing a safe, nurturing, and nonjudgmental space where students can explore their thoughts and emotions, build confidence, and discover what it means to sit with uncomfortable feelings. Clarissa believes in people's innate ability to heal; she feels honored to walk alongside her students as they seek clarity, practical solutions, or simply a safe space to be heard and witnessed. 

Mina is a Licensed Social Worker and has worked in a school setting for the last 3 years. She attended the Western Colorado’s class of 2025 Graduate School of Social Work program at University of Denver. Furthermore, she has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English from the University of Notre Dame. Mina is dedicated to improving the lives of adolescents through suicide and depression prevention strategies and has experience treating neurodivergent teens with co-occurring mental health disorders and suicidality. Her methodology is strengths-based and client-centered with professional training in ACT, CAMS, and Motivational Interviewing. She is passionate to see her students grow through resilience and empowerment. Outside of work, Mina enjoys skiing, hiking, camping and playing tennis and softball.  

Gianna comes from Chicago and found her way to Colorado in 2017, where she  completed her bachelor's degree in psychology at Colorado State University with a concentration in addictions counseling. She graduated in May 2026 with her master's in clinical mental health counseling from Adams State University.  She found an interest in counseling after firsthand experience with family members struggling with addiction, and became passionate about understanding the human brain and experience, reducing stigma around mental health, and increasing access to resources. Through her own personal experiences,  she has become very passionate about eating disorders and the treatment for them.

She has experience working with clients across the spectrum of gender, age, and mental health needs, and is so excited for the opportunity to work with children in the school setting. Gianna finds great importance in prevention and early education and thinks this will lend itself nicely for work as a school-based clinician Outside of work, Gianna finds peace in nature and all things outdoors, whether it's skiing, golfing, rafting, or just walking her dog. She recharges by spending time with family and by engaging in creative hobbies, including painting and crocheting.

Heather is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who graduated from the University of Denver with her Master's in Social Work. Her approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and systems-oriented, recognizing that each person's experiences are shaped by the relationships and environments around them. Heather has training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  Heather believes in a collaborative process and values working alongside students, families, and other trusted adults in the student's life to build on strengths, develop skills, and create meaningful change. She strives to create a supportive, compassionate space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Heather has lived in Colorado for over a decade and enjoys living in the mountains. When she isn't working, Heather enjoys reading, hiking, and being with her husband and son. 

Jodi is a Clinical Social Work Candidate in the state of Colorado. A native to Colorado, she spent 10 years living in Crested Butte before moving to the Roaring Fork Valley with her family. Jodi received her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is the co-founder and board president of Crested Butte State of Mind, a suicide-prevention nonprofit based in Crested Butte. Jodi is passionate about breaking down barriers for accessing mental healthcare and working to reduce the suicide rate in Colorado mountain communities. She brings years of experience as a caseworker in child protection with a wide array of experience in child and family mental health services, sexual abuse case management, adoption services and the licensing and management of foster homes in the state of Colorado.

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.  

Mackenzie grew up in Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pittsburgh for both her undergraduate and Master's Degrees in Social Work. After relocating to Colorado, Mackenzie spent time working as a teaching assistant with Summer Advantage. It was through that experience that she was inspired to work with children. Mackenzie’s practice is grounded in a strengths-based, client-centered approach utilizing CBT, DBT, CAMS, motivational interviewing, and narrative techniques. She has a passion for grief work and understanding the effects of trauma at a young age on a person’s life. It is witnessing her clients’ resilience and capacity for growth that sustains Mackenzie’s love for walking alongside people in their journeys.

In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys spending time in the kitchen, reading a good book, and taking her cat on hikes.

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.

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.

Stephanie was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois but she fell in love with the Roaring Fork Valley at a very young age when she grew up traveling here with family. She attended the University of Chicago Crown School of Social Work, Policy and Practice and graduated with a Master's Degree in Social Work in 2019. Since then, she has worked with children, adolescents and adults in various settings including schools, outpatient mental health clinics and nonprofit agencies. Stephanie is passionate about increasing access to mental health services for populations who may have limited access to these resources. Her approach to therapy is trauma-informed, holistic, and strengths-based. Her areas of focus are anxiety, depression, complex/chronic trauma, LGBTQ+ and grief/loss. Stephanie connects with her clients with compassion and curiosity, and she is honored to be a part of each and every client's journey as they engage in therapy to create a life that aligns with their unique values. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys skiing, hiking, reading, and spending time with her partner, son, and toy Australian shepherd.

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