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.