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 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 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.

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!

Contact Lexii at Lexii@risingsuncounselingcenter.com

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate. I received my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Regis University. As your therapist, I will bring an empathetic and nonjudgmental posture to our sessions.

I am a bilingual therapist who loves working with a variety of clients. I work with individuals, couples, families, and underserved populations. My passion is working with clients who come from intricate family systems, working with children, and helping them express their emotions.

I practice through a systemic lens. My goal is to build a strong therapeutic relationship and create a safe environment by meeting you where you are, exploring the challenges you are facing, and developing and maintaining healthy boundaries, which will help you get where you want to be. I know it takes courage to seek help, and I would love to get the opportunity to walk with you on this journey.

I spend time with my friends and parents and play with Luna, my puppy when I am not in the office. I also like watching movies or soap operas in Spanish, eating out with friends at our favorite restaurants, and trying new ones! One of the things I enjoy the most is traveling. I love meeting and learning from different cultures and places, especially trying their foods.

Contact Rosa at Rosa@risingsuncounselingcenter.com

Dolores DeVargas-Schoonover, MA, LPC, CACII, CEDS/Approved Supervisor, is a bilingual professional
counselor who has extensive experience in working with individual very resistant to treatment, history of
trauma, eating disorders, neglect/abuse, substance abuse, poverty and homelessness. Ms. De
Vargas-Schoonover received her Bachelor of Arts from Regis University in the area of Spanish/Secondary
Education, Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado/Denver. Dolores
believes that the family unit is an important component of the recovery process and incorporates Family
Systems Theory. Dolores values meeting the needs of each patient’s individual treatment.

Dolores has worked over 25 years as a therapist. She has worked for the last 14 years treating eating
disorders, dual diagnosed adults, couples and families. Previously she was employed for 14 years in Child
Protective Services in the unit that supported reunification of families, as well ongoing private practice at a
limited capacity. Dolores is considered an expert at working with dual diagnosed individuals.

Her interests outside of providing therapeutic services include baseball-Colorado Rockies, spending time
with her husband and pet poodle Charlie, visiting extended family in her native state of New Mexico,
turquoise jewelry, reading and occasionally knitting.

dolores@risingsuncounselingcenter.com

My background lies in trauma and substance use, as well as working with

children and adolescents who may be experiencing issues related to their

identity. I have many years of experience working with children who have

experienced trauma as well as severely emotionally disturbed children. I have

worked with adults and teens who are experiencing substance use disorders,

often combined with underlying mental health issues. I understand how the two

go hand in hand and how identifying the root cause can help explain comorbid

issues. My passion is working with children who have experienced trauma and I

love utilizing play as a way to explore issues, emotions, and “big feelings.”

I have worked with children and families for my entire professional career. Over

the past 16 years I have built an ability to quickly build rapport with people, to be

patient if that rapport takes time, and to create a very safe place for people to be

vulnerable, which I know is not an easy thing to do. I truly understand what it

feels like to struggle, especially when you are struggling with emotional or

behavioral issues with your child. I come from a very positive, strengths-based

approach and I strive to empower children and their families to make their family

system the best that it can be. I look forward to meeting you to see how I can

help your unique issues!

My ideal client is one that is in need and has reached a point they are able and

willing to accept help. Their issues could be anything from substance use, to

trauma, to learning how to manage their mood and anxiety issues. I specialize in

children, adolescents and young adults and LGBTQ+ populations. I like to meet

clients where they are at and go from there. They are hopefully looking for a safe

and non-judgmental space where they can be their authentic self to help them

become their happiest and healthiest. They want to get better, and I want to help

them achieve that.

kate@risingsuncounselingcenter.com

Typhanie Beasley, DNP works as a mental health and family nurse practitioner who impacts the lives of everyone around her using grace and empathy to promote wellness and genuine connections. She treats mental health disorders, eating disorders, and the co-morbidities associated with these conditions. Typhanie Received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Denver School of Nursing. She also went to Walden University where she received her Doctorate and Master of Nursing in Science with a secondary Master’s degree in Psychiatry. She has also received certification in obesity medicine allowing her to provide holistic care and treatment of the mental health disparities associated with disordered eating conditions.  In her free time, Typhanie enjoys spending quality time with her family. She enjoys outdoor sports including camping, hiking, biking, running, and archery.

I am in the process of receiving my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. I received my undergrad in psychology from Metro State University.

I enjoy creating a safe space for clients to feel that they can explore the difficulties and challenges that they have experienced or are going through.

I enjoy working with various people and have gained experience in several areas within the mental health community. I worked on an adolescent unit where kids’ last step before jail was to try and learn new coping mechanisms, talk about their anger, explore their behaviors, and divert them from their current path. I have also worked at an inpatient hospital with clients who suffer from various mental health disorders. I have worked with adolescents who struggle with eating disorders, self-harm, mood disorders, and personality disorders.

My passion is working with the military and first responders. I currently work in a specific inpatient setting where military and first responders receive treatment for PTSD, extensive trauma, and a variety of mental health disorders. I have worked with this group for several years and am deeply passionate about continuing my therapeutic work with this population.

I am reading or playing with my two cats if I am not at work or school.

Contact Savannah at Savannah@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.

Contact Zack at Zack@risingsuncounselingcenter.com or ‪720-515-0751

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!