Meet Karen

Karen Nicholson LPC, FACHE, FACMPE

While her medical center experience is diverse, including stand-alone, community owned facilities as well as large multi-facility organizations Karen has always worked within integrated delivery systems.

Karen has been a part of the Weld/Larimer Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), first joining the steering committee in 2004.

She has been a CIT trainer since the establishment of the first Weld/Larimer class, a coalition which later expanded to include Boulder County. She became a Mental Health Consultant for the Hostage Negotiations Team of Larimer County Sheriff’s Office in 2013, completing the FBI Negotiations course in September of that year. Karen also responds to crisis negotiation calls in Boulder County through the Longs Peak Crisis Negotiators, as well as in Weld County.

Karen has instructed on identifying and de-escalating psychiatric crisis to Colorado State University law enforcement as well as annual Ranger Excellence School. She has studied forensic psychology under Roy Hazelwood, Reed Meloy, Kris Mohandie, Phillip Resnick and John Douglas.

FRTC is excited to have Karen as another, “Culturally Competent” Clinician working with First Responders on both FRTC’s Regional All Agency Peer Support Response Team and also working as an interface with Medical and Behavioral Health Clinician, Facilities, (in and out patient) and First Responders, their families and departments, in the logistics of their specific care needs.

Karen Nicholson LPC, FACHE, FACMPE, First Responder Trauma Counselors' Behavioral Health & Logistics

Meet Jason

JASON ROBERTS, MA, LPC, First Responder Trauma Counselors Therapist and 911Touchpoint Manager

JASON ROBERTS, MA, LPCC

Jason Roberts, has recently graduated with an MA counseling from Colorado Christian University.

He is FRTC peer support trained, and also a graduate from Crown College (MN) with a degree in Christian Ministry.

Jason’s area of concentration is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and is also capable of integrating Christian principals into his client’s journey toward healing. Jason welcomes diversity and will not discriminate based on religion, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

He has worked in the emergency services field for over 20 years as a firefighter/paramedic. Through his own story, he has realized how little attention has been paid to the mental health of first responders and the failure to see PTSI in this population. He is currently working to change this perception in his field and reduce the stigma towards seeking mental health.

Additionally Jason is EMDR trained and also working as a peer support team member for his department, and is currently a PREPARE/ENRICH Marriage enhancement facilitator.

Jason is excited to be part of the FRTC team of culturally competent clinicians as he works towards is LPC Licensure.

Meet Taylor

Taylor Montey MA, LPC

Taylor Montey, MA, LPC is currently EMDR trained and is a Licensed Professional Counselor for FRTC. Taylor is an FRTC – peer support team trained, graduate from Colorado Christian University.

Taylor’s concentrate is on a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of care which strives to affect the mind, body spirit, social and emotional aspects of a person to bring about change. She is trained in counseling with Christian principles but her practice does not discriminate based on religion, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation; she welcomes diversity.

Besides counseling, Taylor has worked in the emergency response field for the past 16 years as firefighter/EMT/Captain and a fitness trainer for the past 7 years. She is currently certified as a peer support team member as well as in the core skills of Motivational Interviewing. She is currently working on hours to become a Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) as well as a Domestic Violence Counselor. Taylor is a certified ACE peer fitness trainer, a CrossFit Level 2 and a CrossFit Kids certificate holder.

Taylor is excited to be working with FRTC’s Regional Peer Support Family.

Meet Jess

JESS LPC, NCC

Jess Tiergyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor, (LPC), they are EMDR trained and a National Certified Counselor, (NCC). They received their Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University and is working toward their Addiction Counselor license, (CAC).

Prior to working in the counseling field they worked as a Medic in EMS and Humane Law Enforcement for many years and worked at an emergency veterinary clinic. They had the honor of working with a Community Mental Health Crisis Team for 3 years before opening a private counseling practice in Greeley, Colorado. Jess is peer support trained by FRTC.

Jess enjoys meeting with a variety of clients; those struggling with rediscovering their life path, those dealing with PTSI, trauma, suicidal thoughts, shame or other struggles that hold them back from fully living the life as desired. Jess uses an eclectic approach that custom designs all treatment to your story. They use elements from CBT, DBT, mindfulness, the Enneagram and other models as needed.

Following a head/neck injury they were partnered with their mobility support/medical alert Service Dog, Kindynos. Kindynos is a Dutch Shepherd who likes to keep watch over counseling sessions when they are not actively working.

Jess and Kindynos consider it an incredible privilege to be able to work with First Responders and be a part of the First Responder Trauma Counselors team.

JESS HAYNES LPC, NCC, First Responder Trauma Counselors, Culturally Competent Therapist

Meet Nataeah

Nataeah Barron MA, LMFT, LAC

Nataeah completed her undergrad at San Diego State University and her Masters at Alliant International University in San Diego, CA.

Nataeah's concentration is in Marriage Family Therapy as well as Addiction Counseling. She is currently EMDR

and Acudetox (ear acupuncture) trained.

Prior to working in the mental health field she was a Firefighter/EMT for 4 years for a Professional Fire Agency in California and after moving with her family to NOCO; Nataeah worked for a Behavioral Health agency for 3 years assigned to a County based behavioral services program for a Law Enforcement Agency.

Nataeah is Native American and is connected to her ancestral roots in her holistic approaches to therapy, acupuncture, EMDR treatment modalities. She works with all people no matter ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender. Nataeah, has experience working with clients who struggle with trauma, PTSI,

relationship difficulties, as well as substance abuse issues.

First Responder Trauma Counselors is proud to provide our system with another true Culturally Competent Clinician.

Meet Randy

Randy Jones M.Div, MS, EMR

Reverend Randy Jones is a Masters in Divinity educated Spiritual Counselor with Redtail Ministries LLC and works with First Responder Trauma Counselors. He is an Ordained Minister with Unity Worldwide Ministries and holds a Masters of Divinity from Unity Institute. Has a Masters and Bachelor in Business Administration from Wichita State University. Is a Certified Emergency Medical Responder as well as a certified Reiki Master. He is a member of Association of Flight Chaplains for First Responders and has been a Hospital Chaplain, EMS Air Medical Flight Chaplain for many years as well as a Hospice Chaplain.

Randy has worked in the prehospital and healthcare field for well over 45+ years. Starting in 1976 as an EMT, then a EMICT Paramedic in 1981, an EMT instructor coordinator in 1986. Working as a street medic and as an educator in emergency medicine until the late 1990’s. Served on the Governing Board of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Sedgwick County, KS. Served as a member and Chairman of Sedgwick County Emergency Preparedness Council. Received the Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicine from the Kansas

Emergency Medical Association. Randy has also served as a Board Member of 911 for 911, a 501c3 focused on providing Behavioral Health care to First Responders.

Randy entered the ministry to serve patients, their family and medical staff. The opening of Redtail Ministries allows him to focus on his passion for First Responders and Medical Professionals. This comes out of his own struggle with PTSI and Caregiver Burnout. Randy states, “My breakdown was an Existential crisis, my faith was in conflict with my reality as a paramedic”. I have spent my life wrestling with the problem of Theodicy, “Why does a just God allow bad things to happen to good people?”.

Randy states, I am a non-denominational minister and see the Creator in all religions. My job as a Spiritual Counselor is to work within the responders belief systems to understanding and clarity to deal with the trauma of death, injury and personal fear that are imbedded in our professions.

First Responder Trauma Counselors is not only excited to welcome Randy as valued advisor, and "Culturally Competent Counselor", but also to provide a strength to the "true fabric" of deep rooted commitment to our mission.

Randy Jones M.Div, MS, EMR, First Responder Trauma Counselors, Senior Chaplain and Therapist

Meet Mark

Mark Cunningham M.S. MFT-C

After completing his B.A. in Anthropology at UNLV, Mark moved to CO & attended graduate school at CSU for Human Development and Family Studies (Marriage & Family Therapy focus). Growing up with in a military and first-responder family influenced Mark to respond to 9/11/2001 by enlisting in the Army National Guard as a Military Police officer. Later, Mark volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan in 2010 and conducted convoy security, detainee operations, trained ANP, and worked alongside German MP’s and other NATO forces on various missions. After serving for seven years and reflecting on his experiences in the military Mark decided to change the mission of his life to be more in line with his values and experiences. After separating from the military and completing his B.A., Mark chose to spend ten months backpacking through Europe, S.E. Asia, & Oceania to explore and learn from

other cultures, which lead to him deciding to become a therapist. Mark is passionate about supporting the healing of trauma in ourselves, our relationships and collectively so that we can learn to thrive as one species on this one planet we call home.

Today, Mark lives in a blended family with his wife, three children, dog & two ball pythons. Together, they love to feel/experience adrenaline and grounding on their slackline, SUP boards, bicycles, rollerblades, & longboards. Mark also loves doing yoga with his wife Joy who is a yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner locally. They are passionate about physical, relational, & spiritual evolution and they struggle to talk about anything else with people and love to nerd out on podcasts and documentaries.

Mark has additional training in Gottman Level 2 couples therapy and is currently attending the Sexual Health Alliance to become a sex therapist. Mark loves supporting couples in moving from gridlock to dialogue about their life dreams, insecurities, fantasies, and more. Mark enjoys supporting clients who practice a wide range of relationship or loving lifestyles and identities such as monogamy, nonmonogamy, kink and LGBTQIA and other marginalized or unique populations.

Mark worked for 3 years at CSU in student counseling and co-facilitated groups for anxiety & DBT before deciding to pursue private practice. Mark is also excited about the possibilities and future of psychedelic assisted therapy and appreciates the power of nature to remind us of who we are. First Responder Trauma Counselors is proud to provide our clients with another truly Culturally Competent Clinician.

Meet Linda

Linda Campagna MA, LMFT

Linda Campagna is a Marriage, Family, Child, and Individual Therapist, candidate, specializing in trauma counseling. Linda holds a master’s degree in Marriage, Family and Individual Therapy and has many years of experience working in the counseling field. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Linda is in private practice in Commerce City, Colorado and offers therapy services for a multitude of mental health issues including but not limited to:

Trauma,
PTSI,
Crisis Intervention,
Anxiety Disorders,
Depression,
Eating Disorders,
Family related issues, including reunification, and Sex Abuse Treatment.

Linda is a former police officer in Illinois, with 8 years of law enforcement experience.

Linda specializes in family therapy and is particularly centered around therapy practices for children. As a 40 Hour National Peer Support Academy Graduate, Linda provides Culturally Competent therapy services to our member agencies and First Responder Trauma Counselors is excited to have Linda as part of the team.

Linda Campagna MA, LMFT, First Responder Trauma Counselors', Culturally Competent Therapist

Meet Steph

Stephanie Neuman MSW, LCSW

Stephanie Neuman was in Law Enforcement for ten years, both as a Detention Officer and Patrol Sergeant for an area Law Enforcement Agency.

In 2006 her life as she knew it changed. She was eight weeks into her patrol career when she was involved in a critical incident. The Stephanie she knew would change forever. The “man with a gun,” call turned into her being involved in an “officer-involved shooting.” With virtually no provisions for Peer Support, she found herself reeling from the event and being ordered back to responding to calls within an hour of the shooting while she was still being investigated, she was attempting to wrap her head around what just happened, and what might happen to her and her career. She would never be the same. One of her fellow officers suggested that she see a Therapist who specialized in First Responders.

The therapist was excellent and introduced her to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

Throughout her career, she referred back to the same therapist after many critical events. Still, with no administrative policy in her agency, she took it upon herself to advocate for other officers to get care after incidents. In 2009, while still employed as a Patrol Sergeant, she began Master’s degree to get a foundation of education to provide care for other First Responders and to be a voice for those who need care.

Steph utilizes Brainspotting and EMDR to help clients find relief and joy quicker than they could have imagined. Therapy doesn’t have to be about a long term treatment plan; her goal is to get us fixed faster.

Additionally, she utilizes “animal-assisted therapy” in the form of a Charcoal Labrador named Grizzly. Grizzly is the calmest, most mellow lab you will ever meet. He helps clients feel safe and calm as they embark on their journey of healing.

From Steph: "I am excited to be associated with First Responder Trauma Counselors to join other, “Culturally Competent” Clinicians who care about all First Responders who are looking to find relief from the professional and personal stressors of public service".

Meet Leslie

Leslie Nine, CCHT

Leslie Nine is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master, who is also trained in Reflexology. Leslie found after over 20 years in the first response EMS and Wildland Fire fields, she was looking for ways to mitigate the impacts of her own compounded traumas. She found great personal comfort in hypnotherapy and energy work in the form of Reiki and Reflexology.

Upon finding how well these treatment modalities worked for her she wanted to share her excitement with her fellow First Responders and became trained in those modalities several years later.

During her time, in the First Response with a Fire District, Leslie held positions as an EMS Coordinator, EMS Division Chief.  Later she began working with a large Hospital Based Ambulance Service as an EMT and worked constantly to widen her knowledge and education by obtaining numerous ICS, structural fire fighter, and FEMA certifications.  Leslie was also instrumental in developing a EMS Wildland Response Team and EMS Honor Guard Teams and is also a FRTC 40-hour Certified National Peer Support Academy graduate.

Leslie has also held the positions in her Hospital District of Field Training Officer, Coordinator of the Peer Support Team, Coordinator of All Hazard Response Team for Wildland Deployments, and is currently holding the position of Captain in her Agency.   She was also recognized as a two-time Employee of the Year for her Hospital District where she currently serves. 

First Responder Trauma is immensely proud to provide our member agencies with another Culturally Competent, Practitioner.

Meet Niki

Niki Woods

With relationships in the First Responder Tribe seemingly collapsing and divorce rates rising, it has become necessary to look at how we see Ourselves. How can we hope to have a healthy relationship, if our relationship with ourselves is not Authentic and Loving. Sometimes we just need someone to empathetically “hear us” and help to assist us on our own path to being the person who we have always wanted to be. First Responder Trauma Counselors is proud to introduce Niki Woods.

Niki is a Certified Love and Authenticity Practitioner. She is also a Certified Whole Healer which is a modality that works on the entirety of a person through Mind, Body and Soul.

She is a national Speaker and Trainer and has been featured on radio shows dedicated to improving relationships with oneself and others. Niki's story is uplifting and compelling on her own path to healing and has firsthand knowledge on how to maneuver life’s roadblocks.

As Niki worked through her own transformative healing, she found her calling in life and is now dedicated to helping her clients rediscover their Authentic Self. Niki believes that everyone has the capacity to heal deeply, if they so choose. The only requirement is Courage and the ability to grow into the person you have always wanted to be.

Niki is the founder of Blank Canvas Ltd., a project dedicated to freeing people from Beliefs, Patterns and Rules that were born out of fear. Niki’s mission is to assist people in choosing to discover their healthy subconscious thoughts so that they may live from a place of true awareness and courage in choosing their own healthy life paths.

Niki is culturally aware, being married to a Firefighter for over a decade and is a graduate of First Responder Trauma Counselors 40–Hour National Peer Support Academy.