Sunshine Alexander, LPCC

Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate

Inside the chaos, build a temple of love. –Rune Lazuli 
I believe that even in crisis, through trauma or in dealing with a mental health disorder, one can build themselves a temple of love, comfort and healing.  I truly feel that it is my calling to help people find or build this temple within themselves.  
I have a bachelors in psychology from the University of the Incarnate Word, as well as a degree in religious studies.  I have a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University with a certificate in Counseling Military Members and Military Families.  I am currently working on my Licensed Professional Counseling license from Colorado.  I am EMDR trained as well as certified in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, Intellectual Disabilities and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders for professionals. Virtual Counseling for Professionals as well as training in Play Therapy, Art based DBT, and Theraplay.  I take a very Client Centered approach to counseling, meeting my clients where they are in their special journey.  I believe that everyone’s journey is unique and deserves a unique approach when it comes to the therapeutic orientation needed to help facilitate a loving and nurturing path. 

Currently Accepting New Patients: FULL

Gretchen Charlton, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor 

One of my favorite quotes was written by Henry Thoreau and it goes as follows: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life…” “…to know by experience…” 
All of us have our own stories to share and I would like to hear yours. Life is an adventure full of experiences of all sorts that lead us to where we are and to whom we have become. There may come a time when a non-judgmental therapist is needed to help you see and deal with what you can learn from your experiences in your life. I have experienced the continuum of care in the mental health field from inpatient, residential, day treatment, in home services, and outpatient therapies. I believe meeting individuals, couples, and families in their areas of need is important for them to meet their potential. I have also spent over a decade in the prehospital arena experiencing people’s everyday lives in progress. The experiences gave me priceless insights into how people react under duress and how to get them to a safe state of mind. I am looking forward to assisting you, your spouse, and/or your family in meeting your mental health needs. To allow you to know mental health services through your own experience. 

Currently Accepting New Patients: YES

Luz Gomez, NLC

Pyschotherapist, Spanish Speaking

I am a Psychotherapist with more than 4 years of experience in the clinical area. I am specialized in the treatment of children, adolescents and adults. Part of my specialties include trauma therapy, occupational therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, anxiety and depression treatments, behavior problems, and family and couples counseling as well as experience dealing with mental health crisis situations.
Mainly I focus on serving people who speak Spanish, for a better expression.

Currently Accepting New Patients: YES

Lisa Harlacher, NLC

Pyschotherapist

My name is Lisa Harlacher. I enjoy listening to and supporting clients and helping them see their full potential. I work with individuals, couples, and families who are willing to make improvements so they can live the best life they can. I believe that every single person has a powerful story, and I take pride in providing a safe, calm environment where you are empowered to share with me. I work with adolescents and adults who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, stress, substance abuse, or a mood or a personality disorder. I am LGBTQIA+ friendly and judgement free. I am trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) which has been used successfully to treat trauma and other conditions. I also utilize a variety of other theoretical approaches to help serve you in the best way that I can. 

Currently Accepting New Patients: FULL

Val Jeter, MSW

Clinical Social Worker Candidate

I have worked in the DHA Healthcare System for 7 years now. I have been a military wife for 15 plus years and I am a military parent for 8 years. I understand the needs of our growing community and how people need empathy and someone who will listen and advocates for our people who have Developmental and cultural disabilities and needs. I also welcome LGBTQIA+ culture. In my spare time I love spending time with my family and our 3 dogs.

Currently Accepting New Patients: FULL

Liz Koenig, MS, LPCC

Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate

Liz was born and raised in Colorado Springs. She received her Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in 2019 and her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in early 2024. Liz has experience working in elderly care, inpatient behavioral health, and is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. She prefers working with clients over the age of 12 and specializes in anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ and women's issues. In her free time she enjoys playing pool, spending time with her family and black lab Maggie.

Currently Accepting New Patients: YES

Miguel Lopez, MSW, LSWC, LAC

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Spanish Speaking

Hello, my name is Miguel Lopez, I am a Hispanic male (him/his) who is a military combat veteran who speaks Spanish and loves helping and working with people. I graduated with my Master’s degree in Social Work from Walden University, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Colorado Technical University, and an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Pikes Peak State College. I have over ten years of caseworker, substance abuse, and therapy work experience working with diverse clients who are coping and dealing with real-life problems and need help daily.
 Every day people go through hard times, breakups, divorces, grief, and the loss of a friend, animal, or loved one, the loss of a job, etc. and we all need help from an unbiased person for aid and support in these and other areas of concern. When it comes to Trauma, I believe it is an exciting part of life, one is not expecting it, and you barely understand it. Now you can deal with and overcome it in a healthy and professional way. Along with other mental health issues, I have experienced enough trauma, grief and loss, sadness, depression, and substance use to last a lifetime, from childhood mistakes to adult issues and I got help.
My philosophy is to help people out in the best way I can by approaching things with an open mind and using Maslow's hierarchy of needs because a client cannot focus on his or her mental health if he or she is not well with their physical health or who are dealing with other issues and concerns such as being homeless or dealing with substance abuse. I enjoy working with clients from the age of 9 to geriatric who are dealing with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, PTSD, Mood, Personality Disorders, and other mental health and substance abuse conditions. It is easy to fight your battles alone and to suffer in silence; I want you to know that you no longer have to fight this battle alone. 

Currently Accepting New Patients: YES, Telehealth ONLY

Michaela Luck, LPCC

Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate

Michaela Luck graduated from Adams State University with her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is also a Certified Accelerated Resolution Therapist (ART). 
Michaela’s passionate about empathizing and hearing the stories people tell through words or play. She advocates for her clients and meets them where they’re at in their journey. With an integrative approach to Person-Centered Therapy and Narrative Therapy, clients are empowered to heal through their stories. Michaela places an importance on listening and validating clients, along with pointing out their strengths. Michaela has a passion for working with children, young adults and adults through play therapy, trauma therapy, grief therapy, suicide prevention, and parenting. 
Outside of work, Michaela loves to spend time with her people (and pup), be outdoors, travel and drink a good cup of coffee.

Currently Accepting New Patients: YES

Nicole Messick, LSW

Licensed Social Worker

Hello, my name is Nicole Messick and I have been providing professional support to individuals and families within my community since 2006.  In those years, I have been very fortunate to work in client homes, shelters, schools, and hospital settings.  Having worked to support adults, elders, and their families, it has been working with our youth that I favor most.  My areas of specialization are guiding our youth in developing coping skills that help minimize their feelings of depression and anxiety.  And showing one how to advocate for themselves when feeling overwhelmed or confused. Lastly, developing executive functioning skills to be more efficient with the demands of daily life.   

Degreed in both Psychology and Social Work, I am continuing my education to stay current and aware of the best practices in my field and obtain my clinical licensure.  During my free time, I enjoy quality time with my family, hiking, reading, & spending time with friends.

Currently Accepting New Patients: FULL

Joanna Torres, LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker, Spanish Speaking

Joanna is a Licensed Mastered Social Worker who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master of Social Work degree from Boise State University.
Joanna has worked with youth, women, and families in a variety of counseling settings. Joanna has training in trauma-informed care and utilizes a collaborative and compassionate approach to counseling, in an effort to foster hope, healing, and resilience. Her focus has been working with children and families in crisis and with those who have found themselves coping with adversity. She has extensive experience working with clients who have experienced trauma, loss and grief, and family separation.
Joanna promotes and embraces the practice of mindfulness and gratitude, the value of human connection, and the importance of finding meaning in one’s life. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, being active outside, and trying new foods. She is working on her Clinical licensure and hopes to further increase her education and training.

Currently Accepting New Patients: FULL

Carlos Villafan, LPC, ACS

Owner, Clinical Director, Spanish Speaking

Hello all! My name is Carlos Villafan, and I am the owner of Mind Renewal Behavioral Health Services. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, since 2010. My Undergraduate studies were completed at UCLA and my graduate coursework at the University of Colorado, at Colorado Springs. I am currently finishing up my Applied Doctoral Project in Health & Wellness Psychology.
I became a mental health professional to “pay it forward” in how help was rendered to me once upon a time by different folks – friends, family, and professionals alike! I came up in this field doing mostly community-based or home-based therapy with high-risk teens and their families. Now, my focus is on helping those suffering from life’s traumas. Although I am a CBT therapist by nature, my therapeutic work is mostly done using Accelerated Resolution Therapy or ART.
Two philosophies that have been at the core of my work have been “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” as well as “If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.”
The typical population ages that I work with range from young teens to older adults. Another way I hope to “pay it forward” is to help counselors-in-training, as well as newly graduated counselors, navigate their early careers as therapists by providing a practicum & internship site to forming clinicians. As such, I am an Approved Clinical Supervisor and appreciate sharing my experiences with counseling students and pre-licensed clinicians.

Currently Accepting New Patients: FULL

ChiChi White, LPCC

Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate

ChiChi (they/he) is a black, queer, and transgender non-binary student of psychology who engages in community psychoeducation through online forums and streaming. They believe that therapy should be a collaborative effort in which harm-reduction is a core value and individuals can learn to accept themselves as they are. They take a multidisciplinary, narrative-focused approach that combines Rogerian therapy styles, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Narrative Therapy to promote psychosocial well-being the way the client defines it for themself. ChiChi works with individuals who have endured trauma, those who hope to explore their gender and sexuality, those who are disabled, and individuals of all ages in individual, family, and couple's therapy.

Currently Accepting New Patients: FULL

Edward White, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have 9 years of experience in this field. I enjoy working with patients of all walks of life, ages 15 and up and as a veteran myself, I enjoy working with military vets and military families as well. I specialize in: Physical, mental and emotional trauma; depression; anxiety; PTSD; grief and loss; relationship issues; couples and aging issues. I utilize several therapy modalities to include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT, Narrative therapy and I am also trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).  "I take a whole human approach seeking to balance body, mind and spirit."

Currently Accepting New Patients: YES

Melissa Wright, MS, LPCC

Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate

Hello! My name is Melissa and I specialize in helping clients overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and problems with themselves, partners, and others. I have experience with active duty Army and a military spouse for the last 20 years.
I am Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Colorado using cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment, and emotion focused approach and dialect behavioral therapy. I have a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Maryland University with a minor in criminal justice. I have 5 years clinical experience with inpatient therapy and intervention for suicidal and homicidal ideation at a military hospital and in crisis intervention as well as one-on-one therapy.
Some of my specialties include PCS struggles, relationship strains from work-ups and deployments, grief over fallen friends, suicidal thoughts and history, PTSD, MST, and civilian transitioning. I focus on providing evidence-based practices with culturally competent care to include, but not limited to, CBT for PTSD, DBT for insomnia, and CBT for depression and anxiety. 

Currently Accepting New Patients: YES

Jovana Zamora, NLC

Counselor, Spanish Speaking

“We go through difficult situations that makes us lose hope; without knowing or having any idea how to deal with it. However, in each lose there is a learning and collateral beauty that makes you be grateful for what you still have.” 
I`m a bi-cultural counselor that provides therapy to individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, and sexual abuse, and I also work with those needing support through life transitions and grief. Therapies I use include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused, Psychodynamic, Motivational Interviewing, and I am trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). I work primarily with Teens and Adults and I’m sensitive to the needs of immigrant populations and people of color. I conduct therapy in both English and Spanish, whatever language you feel most comfortable.

Currently Accepting New Patients: YES

Jennifer Zenker, LPC, NCC, MAC

Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor 

I approach therapy with compassion, and to work alongside with each client to reach your goals. By sharing your concerns, together we can develop a workable solution-focused plan to bring solid changes and make the greatest impact on problem issues. I offer skills and techniques to reduce anxiety/fears, stress, depression, mood changes, and help with relationship communications and the ability to function more resiliently. We will identify triggers, images, thoughts, emotions and sensations that cause difficulties and work to create an optimally healthy mind that functions in a healthy way. 
My practice style uses a combination of cognitive/behavioral therapy that is “problem focused” (specific problems) and action oriented (assisting the client in selecting strategies to address those problems). It is relationships-centered (focused on affected relationships), strengths- based (notice what you do well), and culturally sensitive (Your background/lifestyle).   I am EMDR Trained (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and ART Trained (Accelerated Resolution Therapy).  

Currently Accepting New Patients: YES- Telehealth ONLY

Connor Sullivan

Intern Counselor, Supervisor: Carlos Villafan, LPC, ACS

Hello, my name is Connor Sullivan, and I am a counseling student at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. I have worked in the field of mental health for the past three years, primarily in the crisis setting. In that time I have gained hands on experience working with diverse individuals that are coping with many different mental health concerns, most of which stemmed from trauma. I utilize a variety of techniques with a primary orientation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
As your therapist I will not be there to judge you or tell you what you need to do, instead I will be your ally through the often-difficult process of discovering more about yourself and making the changes that you feel are necessary. To me therapy is a partnership in which client and clinician are on equal levels. I believe that the first step in healing is to learn to accept and cope with the symptoms that you are currently experiencing. Itis then important find ways to move past the difficult symptoms while learning from them so that you have better insight into yourself that can help you in all areas of life. I am a firm believer in the resiliency that all humans have, and I am excited to help you discover more about yours.

Currently Accepting New Patients: FULL