Our Team

I earned a Master of Science degree as a marriage, family and child therapist. I am a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. As a family therapist I can help families problem-solve, overcome personal issues, and work toward positive home and school experiences.

I worked in law enforcement, as both a dispatcher and police officer, so I understand what shift work can do to both family and personal life. I have also worked with school aged children including some with special needs. I also work with adults who are experiencing life transitions, mood disorders, loss, grief, psychological and spiritual problems. I have been working with Eating Disorders for many years, including working at an inpatient facility for Eating Disorders. My clients include those who wish to improve their marriages, parenting, communication and /or life skills.

When I’m not at my office you can find me working on a stained glass project, riding or caring for my horses and many other pets, or enjoying a mountain drive, either by car or my motorcycle.

Contact Linda at linda@risingsuncounselingcenter.com or
720-339-9830.

I have a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of Nebraska and bring a wealth of compassion, an ability to meet you where you are, and a large variety of counseling experience.

I have been a school counselor for students from K-12, a therapist for individuals experiencing domestic violence, a behavioral health counselor at an inpatient eating disorder facility, and have also worked extensively with elderly and their families. I believe it is important to meet clients where they are in their life journey, and I offer insightful guidance from a non-judgmental stance.

My passion in life is people! If I am not working, you will find me reading, crocheting, or walking alongside family and friends. I am excited for the chance to work with clients from all walks of life!

Contact Kerry at kerry@risingsuncounselingcenter.com or 720-436-3345.

Hello, I am Michael, a recent graduate from the University of Phoenix. I earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling while studying there. I completed my Internship at a 28 day inpatient rehabilitation center for adults struggling with addiction. I also did clinical hours working with family supervision and group work with adult survivors of childhood traumas.

I have worked the majority of my life with children, and helping people, in one facet or another, and helping people improve their lives is one of my utmost goals and joys in life. I have over ten years of experience in working with children in a multitude of settings (all non clinical), including residential facilities, schools, and camps. I have experience working with teenagers who are struggling with a multitude of issues including autism, anger, self-harm, and a number of other issues.

I am excited to embark on this journey of helping you to achieve the best life possible that you can for yourself!

When I am not working, you can usually find me spending time with my son, on a video game, in a fantasy or science fiction book, skiing, playing hockey or a hike! Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite places on earth.

Contact Michael at michael@risingsuncounselingcenter.com.

I studied play therapy at Regis University right here in Colorado, where I earned a Master of Arts in counseling and Post-masters certification in depth psychotherapy. My training brings a creative approach to issues that can be difficult to talk about such as abuse, trauma, and grief. I enjoy helping guide clients through dark times and back into the light where they can grow and thrive.

I have worked with a variety of clients from adults to children, including those with disabilities or developmental delays. My experience working with clients on both sides of hard-to-talk-about issues like sexual abuse has taught me to approach each individual with sensitivity, openness, and without judgment, regardless of what brings them in. I help with a variety of concerns including anxiety, personality disorders, life transitions, emotional regulation, grief, and loss to name a few. I have also been both a teacher and a stand-up comedian, so I try to bring both learning and levity to our work. Sometimes a little laughter can help lighten the load.

When I am out in the world, you will find me writing, playing games, buried in science fiction, or spending time in nature. I also enjoy exploring dreamwork, active imagination, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence to learn more about how our minds work and what our future may hold.

Contact Adam at adam@risingsuncounselingcenter.com or 720-432-9112.

Navigating life transitions and interpersonal relationships can feel overwhelming and complex. As a therapist, I would work in companionship with you to build skills that promote emotional and mental wellness. I am passionate about providing therapeutic support that is culturally responsive, and while using a social justice lens. It’s important to me that your unique experiences and identities are considered and honored in the work that we do together.

I have experience working with marginalized and underserved teens and adults in academic and forensic settings. My approach with clients is person-centered while utilizing elements of CBT, SFBT, Mindfulness, and EFT. Some of my areas of specialty include biculturalism, immigrant and first generation experiences, intergenerational trauma, grief and loss, life transitions, interracial relationships, relational conflicts, and working through anxiety and depression.

I strongly believe that a therapeutic relationship should be collaborative and foster a safe space for learning, unlearning, and healing. As your therapist, I would walk alongside you on your journey of creating meaningful changes that bring your life fulfillment.

When I’m not in the office I enjoy spending time outdoors and in nature. I like exploring new hikes and trails with my dog, and love spending time with family and friends!

Contact Jasleen at jasleen@risingsuncounselingcenter.com.

I received my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Denver. As a therapist, I bring compassion and empathy, a nonjudgmental stance, and a sense of positivity for each individual.

I enjoy working with a variety of people and have gained experience in various settings. I have counseled high schoolers within the school environment, I have worked with Native Americans in the community mental health setting, and I have been a therapist at an adult inpatient eating disorder facility. I believe it is important to meet you where you are and to hold hope for you to work through whatever challenge you are facing. I’m excited to work with you and to guide you through this process!

When I’m not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my cat, watching The Office, doing crossword puzzles, hiking, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, and being with my friends and family.

Contact Melissa at melissa@risingsuncounselingcenter.com or 720-646-4341.

I received my Master of Arts for Art Therapy and counseling in 2021 from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana. In addition, to talk therapy, my training as an art therapist allows us to go beyond words, integrating the fields of human development, visual art, and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. I approach counseling through a creative, collaborative, and person-centered perspective that is supportive and dynamic within the therapeutic relationship while facilitating awareness, insight, and compassion.

Most recently I worked with residents at a senior living community. Some of the most meaningful work for me occurred while at a hospice agency helping individuals, families, children, and staff experiencing anticipated grief, loss, and bereavement using the creative process. I have experience as a K-12 substitute teacher as well as teaching younger children how to draw during after-school programming.

When I’m not working, you will find me playing with art materials in a variety of ways, from mixed media, collage, oil and acrylic painting, drawing, assemblage, fibers, ceramics to paper pulp. I enjoy a regular art practice along with meditation, foraging for wild mushrooms, walking in nature, reading, and learning new ways to do things!

Contact Dorota at dorota@risingsuncounselingcenter.com or 720-436-9805.

I hold a Master’s of Social Worker (MSW) and am a Clinical Social Work Candidate (SCW)  under supervision and working toward my hours for full clinical licensure. I received my Master’s Degree (MSW) in Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver where I worked with young adult individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for two years. I have specialized experience working with eating disorders and worked as a therapist in an acute inpatient treatment facility working with individuals with eating disorders, addiction, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses.

My therapeutic approach focuses on creating a safe and compassionate space for clients to feel seen and understood. I utilize a strengths-based, mindfulness approach to help clients overcome the obstacles they face. I focus on helping clients learn how to listen to and trust themselves so they can process and heal from past traumas, learn clinical tools they can apply to everyday life, and feel prepared to face whatever life has in store.

When I am not working I love reading everything from fantasy and sci-fi to non-fiction. working on anything crafty (knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc.), spending time with my family and our pets, and cheering for every Colorado sports team.

I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Rehabilitation through the University of Wisconsin, Stout in 2014. I then began working full-time as a Mental Health Counselor in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, serving and supporting vulnerable adults with serious and persistent mental illness, substance use and/or co-occurring diagnoses. In 2020, I earned a Master of Arts degree in Social Work through Walden University while living in Minneapolis, MN. I am currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Colorado and enjoy blending my light-hearted personality with my professionalism and passion for working with people.

I have many years of clinical, professional experience working with children, adolescents and adults struggling with various mental health and relational concerns. This experience has afforded me opportunities to work closely with and support survivors of domestic abuse, adults in residential/group home settings, and youth with mental health concerns in both school and inpatient psychiatric settings.

I practice through a solution-focused and person-centered lens. My aim is to meet my clients where they are at, support them to achieve their treatment goals and guide them to insights so that they feel better/best equipped to tackle life difficulties. I value creating and maintaining a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel they can unpack and process whatever it is they feel ready and able to, with the hope that they leave sessions feeling heard and supported. I approach each person I work with from a stance of equality, and want to foster ongoing, healthy therapeutic rapport between my clients and myself so that they are able to achieve their goals and grow in the ways that are meaningful to them.

When I am out in the world, you can find me at concerts, traveling, camping, trying out new restaurants, watching football or laughing during my favorite movies! It is also very likely that you would find me with my dog for most of those activities – he’s a great camping and travel buddy!

Contact Allison at allison@risingsuncounselingcenter.com

I am a student at Naropa University, earning a Master’s in Somatic Counseling, concentrating in Body Psychotherapy. I also hold a Bachelor’s in Economics from Cornell University and spent some time in the business world before I began my path of healing and awareness.

I am passionate about integrating the body into therapy, emphasizing present moment awareness, physical presence, and the body-mind processing of experiences. My own profound experiences with body-oriented psychotherapy practices including Breathwork, Core Energetics, and Gestalt therapy are key influences on my own approach.

I create a safe, supportive, therapeutic container for our work. I am a compassionate listener and creative problem-solver. I incorporate the lenses of family, culture, structural oppression, and social justice into our work. Together as a team, I support you in facing challenges in pursuit of the life that you want and deserve.

When not working I am often in the outdoors, running, swimming, hiking, skiing, or walking my dog. I am always learning about something new and love to talk about common interests.

Contact Jake at jake@risingsuncounselingcenter.com.

I hold a Master’s degree in International Studies from Concordia University, Irvine, emphasizing Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language (ESL). Currently, I am working towards a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adams State University.

I’ve also completed two undergraduate degrees from a small, private liberal arts university in Sociology and Environmental Biology.

Over the past ten years, I have worked in international education. I have also worked as the lead probation officer for high-risk offenders, the drug court, and the sex offender caseload. Since completing my undergraduate and Master’s work, I have gained real-world experiences teaching, advising, and training in Israel, Thailand, South Korea, Guatemala, China, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. In each case, I had to be flexible and cater to different needs based on the population I was serving. My previous work experience instilled a desire to enhance my knowledge related to global mental health needs. It has led me to narrow my career focus to one overarching goal: to help others overcome personal obstacles using various therapy modalities to meet the unique needs of every client.

My previous work experiences have left me very knowledgeable of multiple cultures and well-versed in several languages, namely Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Arabic. I look forward to helping you work through any challenges you may be facing.

When I’m not working, I might be: traveling, eating, reading, working out, visiting family and friends, volunteering, or outdoors.

Contact Monty at 720-314-8553 or monty@risingsuncounselingcenter.com.

After a little over a decade in my initial career as an educator I decided to transition to becoming a counselor, where I can continue to serve people in their growth in a more direct and intentional manner. As a teacher I had the opportunity to teach an array of subjects across a variety of demographics and locations, including East Asia, the Horn of Africa, Latin America, and most recently as a special education case manager in Austin, Texas. I am currently studying for my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health at Adams State University.

My ambition is to empower people to become the best version of themselves by helping them to align their mind, body, and social footprint. Whether specific, or broad and not yet defined, I hope to help clients develop new patterns of thought and behavior so that they may relish the present while achieving positive change moving forward.

I am passionate about creating a sustainable future for our planet and I believe that—as stewards of this beautiful rock—the best place to start is by helping the diverse individuals that populate it to achieve their optimal mental health. My promise to you is to help you on that journey by holding you with unconditional positive regard without judgment.

A bit of a journeyman as a teacher, Denver is the tenth metropolitan area where I have had the privilege of living since graduating college at Texas A&M University. I enjoy exploring this new city, and even more love hiking, camping, and wandering around the gorgeous nature surrounding us to fill my eyes with as much nature and sunshine as possible.

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling Psychology through Johnson & Wales University, Denver in 2020. Currently, I am a student at the University of Northern Colorado pursuing my Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on couples and family therapy. While pursuing my education, I have worked in a residential treatment setting supporting adolescents throughout their daily routines.

I enjoy working with all clients to create a safe, welcoming, and collaborative therapeutic space to work through the many difficulties experienced in life. My passion is helping individuals, couples, and families within the LGBTQ+ community achieve their personal and relational goals.

I hold the belief that everything is connected, which can make facing conflict more complex. I utilize a systems approach that takes the various communities that you are a part of, your own individual experience, and the identities that you may hold into consideration during the process of therapy. My goal is to help clients gain knowledge and new insight on how to create and maintain more positive connections within their lives.

As your therapist, I can provide a safe and non-judgmental space for you to be seen and heard while exploring the struggles you are facing. Together, we can discover the inner strengths that you hold and build on them to get you closer to achieving your wants and needs.

While not in the office, I enjoy gardening, baking, and spending time with my animals!

I was born and raised here in the Denver metro area. In the summer you’ll find me out hiking or playing fetch with the family dogs. In the winter you’ll find me curled up with a book, some tea and my bearded dragon, Gimli. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Metropolitan State University of Denver and am currently pursuing a Birth Doula Certification. I recognize that just showing up for your session can be a huge battle some days, so I try to make our lobby as welcoming and comforting as possible!