Our Trainers

Executive Director, VitalHearts
• Has led STRT over 115 times for over 2300 professionals
• Trauma psychologist, 30 year experience
• Psychotherapy practice: Colorado Psychological Resources, PC
• Earlier in his career, police psychologist, forensic psychologist, hospital administrator.
• Taught his dog to play tic-tac-toe.  Dog never loses.

• Private psychotherapy practice ten years
• Primary Care Liaison for Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network
• Twenty years’ experience including community mental health, palliative care and hospice, animal-assisted therapy, victim rights and empowerment, vocational rehabilitation, and residential treatment.

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Forensic Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Mental Health and Wellness Consulting
• 2006 Nightingale Finalist
• Consultant, Clinician, Educator and Entrepreneur
• C-Sane Consulting, LLC, Nightingale Center for Human Caring
• Lives Life with Purpose and Passion

University Counselor and Outreach Coordinator at the Colorado School of Mines

• Previously: Behavioral Health Professional and Project Manager with Clinica Family Health, Counselor and Community Organizer with Project WISE, and Child Advocate and Forensic Interviewer at NWA's CAC
• First Job:  Roller skating Sonic carhop.  Never dropped a tray.

Body-Based Trauma-Informed Therapist

Counselor and Registered Dance/Movement Therapist at The Exclusive Addiction Treatment Center in Hawaii

• Specializes in secondary trauma, burnout and self-care for professionals, particularly in the treatment of trauma, mental illness, and addiction 

• Loves squirrels, glitter, and the color orange… but not at the same time. 

Art Psychologist

School Based Therapist with Community Reach Center
• Previously with Eating Disorder Center of Denver, Naropa Community Art Studio, National Theater Workshop of the Handicapped, Women’s Wilderness Institute
• Greatest Fear: Heights…Favorite Sport: Rock climbing

Clinical Case Manager / Therapist for Colorado Coalition for the Homeless’ Family Support Services
• Actor, Director, Theater Teacher in Denver and previously in the Czech Republic
• Moved from portraying trauma on stage to the mental health field; now helps folks resolve traumas in real life, while still adoring the power of theater.

Bilingual Therapist at The Blue Bench

• Specialties: Bilingual Social Work, Primary and Secondary Trauma, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga

• Loves: yoga, hiking, drawing, riding my bike, and walking my cats!

ED/Critical Care RN, HCA Healthcare

• 20 years of experience working various roles in the emergency department which has fostered a passion for First Responder resiliency, self-care, and prevention of violence against caregivers.

• Trained in crisis defusing and debriefing for critical incidents, as well as emotional and spiritual care in disasters.

• I love traveling, spending time outdoors with my family, and adore my English bulldog named Phyllis!

Child Life Manager, Child Life Specialist at Denver Health

• Master’s degree in educational psychology, studying how children think and learn

• Over 18 years of experience supporting acutely, chronically, and terminally ill hospitalized children and their families

• Life passion- to raise healthy, fulfilled children and positively influence the lives of children with whom I work!

• I am a joy-filled adventure seeker, fitness instructor, optimist, teacher, playmaker, and light shiner!

Development Director & Training Coordinator, VitalHearts
• Avid supporter of the Secondary Trauma Resiliency Training since 1999.

• Previously, Operations Manager for wellness center, Massage Specialists and Office Manger for mental health center, Neuro-Therapy Clinic. 
• Passion: Making driftwood jewelry salvaged from world-wide shores!