Our Providers

Amanda Bagwell, Intern

Amanda is a Masters Level Intern working on completing the final stage of her degree. While she is working towards completion, she will be supervised by a licensed Thriveworks Clinician. The supervisor will consult with Amanda and will not participate in the session.

Passions

 “When we deny the story, it defines us. When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending” – Brene Brown.      

Everyone struggles, and Amanda believes that’s the okay. Life is hard, and people’s resilience never ceases to amaze her. She wants to be there to hear someone’s stories and help them face their challenges. People have visions of who they would like to be, and she wants to help them break the barriers that are stopping them from accomplishing those goals.

Amanda enjoys listening to people tell their stories. It gives her a sense of what matters to hem depending on what kind of details they use to tell it. She’s passionate about helping others explore what their personal healing process looks like, as it won’t be the same for everyone. She loves being there when things are tough and being an empathetic, supportive source to turn to.

In her personal life, Amanda’s favorite pastime is reading. She also loves learning and is always up for learning something new.

Experience

Amanda is a Certified Nursing Assistant, and her experience has shown her what genuine caring can do. It heals and provides company to those who are hurting and lonely. It ensures that no one has to be alone through hard times. Her experiences in the nursing home gave her a greater understanding of the many challenges that people face throughout their life and drove her to help in more ways than just those proved by nurses and doctors.

In a counseling session, Amanda enjoys narrative therapy, reality therapy, and existential therapy, but she’s continuing to learn and explore new strategies.

You might enjoy Amanda as a counselor if you are seeking help for:

• Adolescent therapy
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Elder care
• Stress management
• Life transitions

If you’d like to schedule with Amanda, call: 719-266-3919

Aurora Umana-Arko, LPC Candidate

Aurora has a Special Services License for Secondary Counseling, a Career and Technical Education Specialist and Administrator License, is a National Board-Certified Teacher and Principal, and is currently pursuing her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Until she has her LPC, she will be supervised by one of our licensed counselors

Passions

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” -- Helen Keller

Aurora is someone who understands the hardships life can bring and more importantly, the hope that is available for everyone. She believes everyone can achieve their dreams with the right courage, support, and resilience.

Her passion lies in helping people along their journey. She loves to teach people both young and old how to become their very best selves. As a counselor, she adheres to the philosophy of positive psychology. Basically, she believes that our futures are not preordained. Despite the circumstances we are born into, we each have the capacity to change ourselves, our outcomes, and positively impact the world.

The key to our positive outcome lies within our mindset. She believes deeply that people who are willing to dig deep, learn from their mistakes, and adhere to grit, tenacity, and a strong work ethic set themselves up for a lifetime of success.

Aurora is excited to meet people right where they’re at and show them the mountain they’re facing can be climbed. She is a counselor who will support and encourage you the whole way as together, you reach for your dreams.

Experiences

Aurora has twenty-six years of experience working with and counseling at-risk youth and young adults in the public-school setting. She is an instruction and leadership coach to educators and a literacy specialist. With her experience, she has coached hundreds of teachers and principals. To top it off, she founded and ran an award-winning Early College High School and Career Pathway program for five years.

Her in-depth experience working with the school system and own experiences make her well versed in all matters pertaining to 504s, IEPs, ALPs, as well as all aspects of college and career counseling for young people.

Possibly Aurora’s most influential experience comes from her first-hand experience with issues pertaining to poverty and the effort required to overcome it.

In a counseling session, Aurora prefers to approach situations with a humanistic and behaviorist standpoint. This means she will always keep counseling sessions focused on you. She counsels with empathy and unconditional positive regard. No matter how tall the mountain may seem, Aurora will always believe in your power to overcome, and will do what she can to help you along the way.

You might find a counseling session with Aurora especially helpful if you are struggling with any of the following:

• College and Career Counseling
• Issues at School
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Adolescent Counseling
• Life Coaching
• Life transitions
• Stress

Caitlin Clote, LCSW

“What is not brought to consciousness, comes to us as fate” -Carl Jung

Passions

Caitlin is passionate about empowering others to enhance their own quality of life. She believes in the power everyone has to change their situation given the right support and armed with the right knowledge. Caitlin is here to provide her clients that unconditional, nonjudgmental support and give them the knowledge they need to win their battles.

Learning new things is one of Caitlin’s favorite pastimes. She is always pursuing new information in order to improve her own life and better her ability to help others. By improving her mind, she is cultivating her body and emotional state.

This mind-body connection plays a central role in Caitlin’s counseling style. She believes in the connection of all things and in understanding that connection, we can understand ourselves. Her individualized, client-centered treatment ensures every client gets the best possible treatment for their unique personality and situation.

Caitlin understands that different tools are needed to beat different types of mountains. Wherever you are climbing, for whatever goals, there are ways to get the freedom you deserve and reach new heights. Caitlin is here for you every step of the way.

Experience

Caitlin’s experience as a Clinical Social Worker ensures she understands the multi-faceted nature of mental health. She has developed an eclectic approach utilizing many research-proven therapies to address needs on an individualized basis. From Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to address aversive behaviors to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to root out negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones, Caitlin is equipped to address the emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral aspects of mental health.

Caitlin has worked with everyone from middle aged youth to families and has a wide variety of specialties. You might find a counseling session with Caitlin especially fruitful if you are seeking counseling for any of the following:

• PTSD
• Trauma
• Domestic Violence
• Emotional Abuse
• Substance Use and Addiction
• Co-occurring disorders
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress Management
• Life Transitions

Cathrin Moeller, LMFT

Cathrin is licensed Marriage and Family Counselor (LMFT).

Passions

“You have to go wholeheartedly into something that is worth having and make sacrifices to achieve personal gain.”

Cathrin’s life passion is helping others discover their own. She strives to help clients find their own purpose and passion for life, whatever that may be. Sometimes it may be buried beneath the stresses of life, but Cathrin will walk side by side with you as you both discover what makes you tick, and what may be stopping you from living your very best life.

Therapy is a journey, and it can be easy to get lost amongst the twist and turns. Cathrin serves as a travel guide so that together, you can work on your personal goals, find your strengths, and build your confidence. You deserve happiness- Cathrin is intent on helping you get it!

At the end of the day, this journey is about you and what you will heal from and discover. Cathrin’s role is to provide guidance and expertise. She offers a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients to come and mess up, get a little lost, and eventually find their way to growth and healing.

Experience

Cathrin has worked in a plethora of settings, including an inpatient crisis hospital, with military families, career counseling, and for a non-profit in a sexual abuse trauma treatment program. She specializes in Military Culture, Blended Families, Divorce, and Addiction.

Life is about learning how to deal with challenging and trying times in a way that works for you. Her goal is to empower you to find your own internal resources. She provides the support needed for you to gain a new perspective on how to create change.

Cathrin prefers a solution focused approach that is unique to every client. What works for you specifically? You’ll explore that question and more in a counseling session with Cathrin. She integrates other techniques which she has picked up over the years- always keeping it individualized to the client.

Oftentimes, the past which shaped us, is now keeping us stuck. Cathrin works with you to find your “stuck points” and explore how to get them unstuck at a pace comfortable to you.

You might find Cathrin especially helpful if you are struggling with:

• Addiction
• Divorce
• Blended Families
• Military culture and life
• Anxiety/Depression
• Coping skills
• Domestic Violence
• Sexual abuse
• Living with Special Needs and supporting a loved one with Special Needs

To schedule an appointment with Cathrin, call 719-266-3919 or request an appointment online from our portal.

Cheryl Spice, LSC, RN

Cheryl is a Licensed School Counselor (LSC) as well as a Registered Nurse (RN). While she is attaining her LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), she will be supervised by another licensed clinician. She graduated from the University of Colorado with Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Nursing and dual Master’s degrees in both Community (clinical) Counseling and School Counseling.

Passions

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Our brain and body are inextricably linked. Where one goes, the other will often follow. So why should counseling focus on just one of those aspects? Cheryl doesn’t think it should! She believes in the mind-body connection and the power we have as an individual to influence that connection. Her clients leave a session with Cherly feeling refreshed in the mind and body.

Her holistic approach is backed with the understanding that each client is wonderfully unique. She loves working with people because of these individual differences in life experiences and personal goals. The safe and nurturing environment she creates is perfect for bridging the gap between mind and body.

Cheryl understands that counseling is the process of being invited into another’s reality to facilitate personal understanding and growth. It is a privilege and a great responsibility- one that she boldly takes up with joy, passion, and empathy.

Experiences

Cheryl brings unique experience to Thriveworks with her in-depth medical training. As a registered nurse, she has experience working with people struggling with a medical diagnosis or are trying to navigate the medical system. As a school counselor, she also has ample experience working with children. She enjoys working with all ages and has the most experience and skill working with children and adolescents aged 3-18.

Cheryl does not adhere to any one counseling strategy- she draws on her bank of knowledge to use what is needed for the individual client. Typically, she likes to take a humanistic, client-centered focus on counseling. Some examples of strategies she will use include choice/reality theory, CBT, interpersonal, systemic, guided imagery, mindfulness/mediation, solution focused, and dream analysis.

You may find Cheryl especially helpful if you are struggling with:

• A difficult medical diagnosis
• Health and nutrition
• ADHD
• Autism
• Life transitions
• Abusive relationships
• Anxiety/depression
• Family Therapy/Parenting
• Stress
• Grief and Loss
• Military Life
• Social Skills

If you’d like to schedule with Cheryl, call 719-266-3919 or view available appointment through our online portal.

Elizabeth Rosas, LMFT

Elizabeth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor (LMFT).

Passions

 “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.”      - Jimmy Dean

Elizabeth believes we can all grow and strive to be our better self with the right support and by learning new tools. To her, our current situation is not an accurate representation of our future. We may not have the power to change how we got here, but we have the power to change where we end up.

Elizabeth does this by empowering her clients through encouragement, trust/respect, and increasing their self-understanding. In a counseling session with Elizabeth, the focus is on you and your personal growth.

In her own life, Elizabeth carries through the values she displays as a counselor. She believes children are our future, and as such, she loves investing time in supporting the community by giving back to programs that support activities for youth. She has volunteered at many schools.

She also believes it is important to learn and experience new cultures and environments and is an avid traveler. As a counselor, she understands the importance of knowing where someone comes from and embracing their unique culture.

Experience

Elizabeth has 13 years of experience working in the mental health field. Specifically, she’s worked with children and adolescents in school, in home services, and outreach programs. She has 5 years of experience working with children with Autism and their families.

She also has unique experience running small groups with adolescent and teen girls. She focused on self-esteem, positive identity, mediation, and building positive coping skills. On the other hand, she’s done parenting workshops that focus on positive parenting tips, behavior strategies, setting goals within the family, health boundaries, and communication skills.

Elizabeth believes every individual and family is unique and wonderful. There is simply no one like you- with your past, goals, dreams, culture, and family. Because of this, she draws on a variety of strategies when counseling a client.

At it’s core, Elizabeth’s counseling practice is one of positivity, empathy, and genuineness. She works to form a healthy relationship with her clients and always keeps them at the center of a session. When the time calls for it, she’s trained in interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT- identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones), mindfulness, and art and play therapy.

You might find Elizabeth especially helpful if you are looking for a counselor who specializes in:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Anger
• Children
• Adolescents
• Family therapy
• ADHD
• Social skills
• Self- improvement
• Suicidal thoughts
• Grief and loss
• Christian Counseling
• Parenting support
• Autism

Kevin Taylor, Intern

Kevin is a Masters Level Intern working on completing the final stage of his degree. While he is working towards completion, he will be supervised by a licensed Thriveworks Clinician. The supervisor will consult with Kevin and will not participate in the session.

Passions

 “No matter the adversity, you can choose and take action to determine how your story will be written, told, and end. You are the author, actor, and director no matter who else believes they are.”

― Jeffrey Duarte

Kevin has a heart for people who’ve suffered trauma, struggled in life, and felt like they’re broken or damaged. It’s easy for clients to fall into the trap of negative beliefs about their mind, body, and spirit. When you’ve walked in darkness for so long, it can feel like no one understands, or worse, that nobody cares.

Kevin wants to help change that perspective so that his clients find the ability to change their story, feel understood and cared for, and rightly see they’re not broken or damaged. He believes everyone can change their story with a little help, acceptance, and encouragement.

Every person has worth, the potential to heal, and the right to a fulfilling life beyond the issues they’re currently facing. Hurting is real. It’s honest. Kevin can appreciate the pain, but there are always ways to find healing. Kevin believes that healing can begin with discovering one’s voice. As a counselor, he wants to hear that voice. He won’t just listen. He seeks to understand a client’s story so that he can meet clients where they’re needed and walk with them as they reach their goals.

Experience

Kevin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS). He is currently in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program at UCCS.

He is also a Marine Corps veteran, a Colorado Native, a member of multiple veteran’s organizations, an amateur musician, and former wrestling coach.

Kevin specializes in the following:

• Anxiety
• Trauma
• sexual abuse
• men’s issues

If you’d like to schedule with Kevin, call 719-266-2919

Melissa Rank, M.S.

Melissa has her M.S in Clinical Counseling, is a registered psychotherapist, and is working towards her LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor).

Passions

“To thine own self be true.”  William Shakespeare 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the sort of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.”  Theodore Roosevelt

Melissa believes in dreaming big and acting accordingly. She understands that can be hard and scary, but that’s why she’s here. She has found that through learning what works, along with what doesn’t, she can enhance self-actualization and become a little closer to her best self. It is her heart for everyone to live their best life and create their own journey through support and new experiences.

She holds the philosophy that it is what you think of yourself that matters most.  Do not look left or right.  There will always be someone ahead and behind you.  Look straight and go.  You can do this.  Visualize success.  Keep moving forward.  Do the next right thing.  Do the best you can until you know more.  When you know more, do more.

Melissa’s job as a counselor is to help you know more and support you as you take those steps forward. Personal growth and self-acceptance are key points and focus in her own life as well, and she intimately understands their power. She loves audiobooks, music, dance, hikes, walking, caring for animals, and creating art. These everyday simplicities create peace and fulfillment in her life.

Of course, just because life isn’t simple doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Melissa’s passions also include beekeeping, yoga, juicing, martial arts, gardening, and fashion. She strives to live her life to the fullest while helping people in the most fruitful ways.

Experience

Melissa has worked as a behavior coach, residential treatment aide, substance abuse facilitator, clinician, among other service positions.  She has lived as a military spouse, traveling the country, beginning anew and learning how to recreate life as needed. These experiences have shaped her belief that if life does not work the way you want it to, you can change it to experience the best possible outcome.  You can do this.   Let’s explore alternatives and create solutions together.  Want to?  Let’s try something new.

She is certified in many areas, including Brain Synchronization Therapy and Acedetox.

You might find Melissa especially helpful if you are seeking counseling for:

• Anxiety
• Substance abuse recovery
• Yoga informed treatment
• Mindfulness
• Parent support
• Creative expression
• Trauma
• Wellness
• Self-compassion and Self-care
• Depression
• Couples or marriage therapy

Settie Phillips, NCC

Settie is a National Certified Counselor. She is pursuing her Licensed Professional License and while doing so will be supervised by a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Passions

Settie loves to help people explore their fears, regrets, deepest desires, and other hard feelings that can manifest as life moves on. She walks with her clients as they learn how to manage difficult emotions, discover inner resources, and grow into their strongest, most confident selves.

Settie believes everyone has the innate strength to grow and heal into the person they want to be. Sometimes, it can be helpful to have an empathetic, professional guide to help you get there. Settie always strives to provide a nonjudgmental, open atmosphere to practice skills and grow. As a counselor, she is interactive, warm, and empowering. She’ll make sure you don’t have to walk alone.

She is also passionate about justice, and regularly advocates for those whose voices are not heard. In her personal life, Settie is passionate about food, travel, her family, integrity, and of course, people!

Experiences

Settie has varied experiences that she draws on to provide a complete and fulfilling counseling experience. In addition to therapy, Settie works as a personal coach, a court-appointed child and family investigator, a volunteer with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), and she teaches parenting lessons.

Because of her wide experiences, Settie understands how each situation and person will be unique. What works for one person might not work for another. That’s why she uses a variety of techniques in a counseling session including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, increasing self-compassion, inner child work, assertiveness training, and empowerment.

You might find Settie especially helpful if you are looking for counseling for any of the following:

• High-Conflict relationships
• Divorce
• Parenting
• Post-partum
• Family dynamics
• Relational abuse
• Personality disorders
• Anxiety
• Complex trauma

Stephanie Schubert, LMFT

Stephanie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

Passions

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

Stephanie believes in walking alongside her clients by supporting, encouraging, and educating them on ways they can overcome their past and build a better future. As a therapist, her goal is to become a compassionate and non-judgmental source of understanding and support. Sometimes, the patterns that occur in our life our harmful to our wellbeing and future. Stephanie is here to make sure those patterns don’t stay. You can change the trajectory of your life, and it can start today.

In her own life, Stephanie loves to be outdoors hiking or camping. She is a lifetime learner and strives to improve upon what she already knows. Her job as a counselor is never to change you, but to offer some of her knowledge and skills so you can make the change you want to see.

Experiences

As a military spouse for 10 years and mother of 3, Stephanie understands the ups and downs of relationships. She knows how much pain they can bring just as she knows how the joy of a close-knit relationship overcomes it all. Her goal as a counselor is to allow you the space to have more joy and less pain.

In addition to specializing with military families and couples, Stephanie is also skilled at treating adolescents who are struggling with anxiety or depression. Her training in Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) and EMDR (a method to unlock trapped memories) helps you heal from past and present pain.

Stephanie’s additional experience as a special education teacher for 8 years allows her to fully understand the difficulties facing families of students with disabilities and challenges facing students in general. It is a cause she is passionate about and is eager to help you and your loved ones strive for a better future.

You might find Stephanie especially helpful if you are seeking counseling for one of the following topics:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Adolescents
• Marriage/Couple Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Military Families
• ADHD
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Grief and Loss

Katrina Hepner, NCC

Katrina is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed School Counselor.

Passion

"We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world"- Helen Keller

Katrina partners with her clients through a genuine and compassionate relationship, working with them to learn bravery, experience joy and achieve their goals. Katrina believes that life isn't about getting things perfect, it’s about achieving your individual best. People enjoy Katrina’s passion for life and her out-of-the-box thinking. She knows that only one person can help you become your best self....You!

As a former Marine, Katrina enjoys relating to others who know the military lifestyle. She also enjoys meeting with children, adolescents and young adults, as she guides them to be at their best; finding joy, growing self-esteem and experiencing success. Katrina is an expert in finding strengths in individuals who are living together in families. Helping families learn to respect the individuality of each person while remaining in a harmonious family relationship is Katrina’s goal when working with families.

Experience and Strategies

Katrina is an active duty Marine Corps veteran and was a school counselor for over 10 years. Her extensive and diverse experiences with people of all ages and cultural background provide her with skills to genuinely connect with her clients and individualize a treatment plan with them. The strategies she uses are unique to each client and are evidenced based – meaning they have been proven effective in others. Katrina will greet you with a smile, a warm personality and a nonjudgmental attitude. She wants to work with you to look past personal mistakes and on to possibilities. Call Thriveworks Colorado Springs 719-266-3919 or Book Online to schedule with Katrina. Katrina treats many different conditions, in addition to being a counselor in Thriveworks Groups.

• Anxiety, Depression
• Relationships – couples counseling, premarital counseling, marriage counseling, divorce, co-parenting, family therapy, conflict resolution
• Spiritual struggles
• Work/Career Adjustments, career counseling, life transitions
• Children, Pre-teens, Adolescents, Young adults
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ)
• Suicide Prevention
• Self-Improvement - stress management, time management, coping skills, assertiveness, mindfulness, Goal setting, weight loss, insomnia, conflict resolution
• Self-injury

Jerry Noel, LPC

Jerry is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed School Counselor.

Passion

“No matter where you go, there you are.”

Jerry is an empathetic, non-judgmental counselor who sees the power in his clients even when they cannot see it themselves. He strives to guide clients to their own problem-solving abilities so they can achieve their goals.

His passion lies in helping his clients realize they have a choice in how they act, feel and respond to stimuli. There is nothing and no one in this world that can make you act or think in any certain way- you have the power to create your own reality. Jerry guides his clients to this understanding with empathy and acknowledgement using strategies from Choice Theory. These concepts can be difficult to learn, and even harder to implement but Jerry’s expertise, empathy and care guides clients in meeting their goals.

Of course, one psychological theory does not sum up the scope of Jerry’s passions. He also believes in the power of using one’s strengths, laughter and physical exercise as ways to relieve pain and meet your goals.

Experience and Strategies

Jerry has 22 years of experience as a school counselor and over 15 years as a professional counselor. During that time, he has put his heart, skills and time into helping adolescents and adults reach their full potential.

His certifications in Choice Theory Counseling and Reality Therapy give him unique insight into client’s inner self and how they make choices, set goals and problem solve. Jerry creates a non-judgmental space for anyone to come and grow. His vast experience has offered him opportunities to work with countless people and their unique experiences.

Jerry has many specialties:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Relationships
• PTSD
• OCD
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (GLBTQ)
• Self-Improvement (stress management, time management, coping skills, assertiveness, mindfulness)
• Child abuse
• Parenting issues
• College mental health

If you’d like to schedule with Jerry, please call Thriveworks Colorado Springs at 719-266-3919 or request an appointment online.

Becky Witt, LCSW

Becky has a master's degree and certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She uses an array of counseling skills throughout her practice.

Passion

Empowering people to live healthy and fulfilling lives is Becky’s passion. She believes there are many roads to recovery, with the process being different for everyone. To meet these unique needs, she gets to know each person and creates individualized plans for recovery.

Becky’s genuine character quickly builds trust with adolescents and children, setting the foundation for growth and change. She works with young people who have serious emotional disabilities, school discipline issues, and helps with suicide prevention with teens.

Experience and Strategies

Becky’s approach with people is to identify and grow their strength, while considering physical, social and emotional health.

People will dream big with Becky – creating great expectations for themselves. With support and encouragement, people find themselves achieving more than they thought they could. These quotes summarize Becky’s perspective of the counseling process and the positive outlook she has:

“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” Carl Jung

“Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen.” Author Unknown

Becky works with pre-teens, adolescents, young adults and adults. She specializes in the following:

<liAdoption
• Anxiety
• Depression and Bipolar
• Grief and Loss
• Mindfulness
• Self-injury
• Suicide Ideation

Call 719-266-3919 to schedule, or book online.