Melissa Blatnik MA, LPC, LAC

Are you struggling to find the joy you once felt? Needing help navigating through the stressors of life? Wanting relief from past traumas that are keeping you from being fully engaged in life? I am here to help! My name is Melissa Blatnik, and I am excited to assist you on your journey to a happier, healthier you! I have worked in the mental health and substance abuse field for 18 years, and I am still as passionate about it today as I was back then. I am an empathetic counselor who provides a safe environment to open up about the struggles you have been through. I look forward to working with you!

I am a Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I received my Master's degree in Clinical Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting and Psychedelic Somatic processing. I work with adults 18+ and couples.

Seeking counseling isn't easy. My goal is to make the process as smooth as possible. I look forward to connecting with you and helping you achieve your goals. Please don't hesitate to reach out. There is no better time for change than now!

Megan Johnson MSW, LCSW, ACC

Megan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Addiction Counselor. She spent years working within local community systems to foster change at different levels, collaborating with children and families within the juvenile court system, providing care coordination and therapeutic services to individuals within the medical system, and transitioning to private practice in 2017.

Megan has advanced training in EMDR, peer support with first responders, Somatic Trauma Therapy, mindfulness, nature based therapy, trauma-sensitive yoga, chronic pain, Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, and addictions. Megan supports her clients in building awareness of the nervous system's response to stress, and in developing both on the spot and maintenance practices to shift the body to a place of felt safety and regulation. Experientially, clients are guided through emotions and their felt sense within the body with curiosity and acceptance. Root causes of patterns, behaviors, and internal states are identified and addressed through targeted interventions.

Megan is committed to co-creating a therapeutic space for each individual that honors their perspective and unique path. In her own healing and self discovery Megan has relied upon a daily meditation practice, spiritual retreat, principles of Buddhist psychology, EMDR and Internal Family Systems therapy, shamanic journeying and breathwork practices, and nature based depth work such as vision quests and solo excursions.

In Megan's free time she enjoys time with family and friends, gardening, practicing and teaching yoga, time outdoors with her Australian shepherd, reading, traveling, and creating.

Derrick "Rick" Stonecipher MS, MFTC

Derrick (“Rick”) is a native of Colorado with extensive experience and diverse expertise in both emergency services and mental health care.

Rick began his career as an EMT approximately 25 years ago and has since worked in various capacities, including structural firefighting, hazardous materials (Hazmat) management, and ambulance-based emergency medical services (EMS) in the metropolitan area. Additionally, he spent six seasons on a Type 2 wildland firefighting crew and has dedicated the past 12 years to volunteering with a mountain fire/rescue department.

Rick holds an Associate of Science in Fire Science Suppression and an Associate of Science in Fire Science Prevention. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with an emphasis on addiction, from Purdue University Global. He further advanced his education by earning a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University.

Clinically, Rick has significant experience working with adults struggling with addiction. He also spent eight years in a residential setting assisting individuals with schizophrenia and completed his internship focusing on families with high-risk adolescents. These adolescents often faced severe challenges such as suicidal or homicidal ideation, gang involvement, legal issues, and substance abuse problems.

Understanding the profound impact of being a first responder on the family system, Rick utilizes systems theory to address and resolve family issues. His areas of specialization include families in conflict, couples, individuals, pre-marriage, post divorce, parenting and co-parenting issues, talking to your teens, conflict resolution, men’s issues, grief and trauma, and addictions (including process addictions).

Rick's comprehensive background and empathetic approach enable him to provide effective support and guidance to individuals and families facing a variety of challenges.

Emily Berg MS, LMFT, LAC

Emily is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Addiction Counselor who is fully trained in EMDR. She has worked in the behavioral health field in a variety of multi-disciplinary settings including community based/in-home services, university counseling centers, hospital settings, community mental health, inpatient and walk-in crisis settings. Additionally, she has experience in leadership and a passion for igniting others enthusiasm for this work. With over 12 years of experience working in the behavioral health field she has developed a broad skillset working with diverse populations. She provides individual (15 years and older), couples, and family therapy. Emily’s style is equally warm, directive and grounded in trauma informed, humanistic and family systems theory.

Whether you are looking for more solution-focused, directive approaches to enact change or to unpack past experiences and narratives, Emily enjoys adapting her approach to support your goals and needs. One of her passions is improving relational health to enhance the quality of connections in client's lives. This can look like couples and family therapy, individual therapy to promote healthy connections, or parenting support. She has expertise working with various intersections of identity in multiple areas including addiction, trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, perinatal mood disorders and suicidality.

As the wife of a combat veteran, Emily is culturally aware of the unique needs, experiences, strengths, and challenges of first responders. She is honored to support them in the work they do and help them thrive in their personal lives.

Brooke Badberg MA, LAC

Brooke is an experienced psychotherapist and Licensed Addiction Counselor in Colorado, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients manage anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, relationship challenges, and addiction concerns. With 25 years of experience in outpatient and other treatment settings, she provides a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without judgment.

Her therapeutic approach is systemic, collaborative, and strength-based, incorporating psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral techniques while honoring the cultural, ethnic, and economic factors that shape each client’s experience. Brooke guides individuals in building resilience, developing healthier coping mechanisms, and utilizing their support systems and mindfulness practices to foster healing and personal growth.

Understanding that reaching out for help can feel daunting, Brooke ensures that her clients never have to navigate their challenges alone. She is committed to walking alongside them every step of the way as they build the fulfilling life they envision. She also recognizes the unique dynamics of families in law enforcement, as she is married to a police officer.

Mary Friedman MSW, LSW

My name is Mary Friedman, I am a therapist with a Master of Social Work from Colorado State University, specializing in advanced clinical behavioral health. Currently I am working as a Community Clinician within the Public Health Program of South Metro Fire Rescue in Centennial, Colorado. Before South

Metro Fire Rescue, I spent a year working alongside Law Enforcement as a Co-Responder. Additionally, I worked for five years in an inpatient behavioral health hospital setting on both the Active Military and Adolescent Units, as well as in intake.

With a passion for helping individuals struggling with grief and trauma, I primarily utilize the Psychodynamic model, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and EMDR therapy to guide clients towards clarity, purpose and resilience. Clients can anticipate developing effective coping strategies that enable them to tackle life’s challenges, fostering discernment, emotional regulation and a greater awareness of their inherent strengths.

When I am not working, I love to embrace the outdoors through activities like snowboarding, hiking and mountain biking with friends and family. These adventures recharge my spirit and keep me connected to nature.

Jeanette Jennings MA, LPC

With 13 years of experience working on an ambulance, Jeanette developed a deep passion for helping people in challenging moments. She was a peer support team member for many years which enhanced her passion for supporting other first responders until she decided to pursue a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado.

Jeanette's clinical journey began with an internship at the Cheyenne VA in Northern Colorado, which evolved into full-time work supporting veterans and their mental health needs. Following her time at the VA, she worked at Imagine, a PHP/IOP clinic in Fort Collins working with teens with a variety of mental health and substance use issues. Following that, Jeanette became a co-responder clinician with Larimer County Sheriff's Office where she responded to 911 calls alongside an experienced deputy in order to better meet the needs of those experiencing mental health crises in the community. She has acted as the Community Outreach Director, a counselor and coach with Mindset Reps where mindset, mindfulness and functional fitness are integrated to serve youth and first responders.

Today, Jeanette focuses on private practice counseling, specializing in working with first responders, veterans, and teens. Jeanette primarily works from a CBT and ACT lens and has also been trained in EMDR. She believes lifestyle, nutrition, movement and social support/community are vital components that support healing. Her style is warm, but direct and she aims to help clients find the best path forward that fits their needs and values. "I want to help you move from surviving into thriving." Jeanette has an adorable golden retriever puppy named Luna who is a therapy dog in training and happy to get pets, although she typically snoozes through Jeanette's therapy sessions.

Jeanette is passionate about fitness, reading, cooking, stand-up comedy and outdoor adventures including paddleboarding, snowboarding, hiking, and exploring new places with her kids, family and friends. She thrives on showing up for others while staying active, pursuing challenges and making memories.

Nichole "Nikki" Hendricks BSN, RN

Nikki Hendricks, BSN, RN, Certified Life & Success Coach, and Breathwork Facilitator, is a Board-Certified Holistic Nurse with over a decade of experience as an ER and ICU nurse. Her own journey navigating the physical, mental, and emotional toll of critical care nursing—combined with childhood abandonment and burnout—has fueled her passion for supporting healthcare workers and first responders.

In 2020, after reaching the peak of burnout in her nursing career, Nikki hired her first life coach. This transformative experience became the turning point in her healing journey and inspired her to integrate coaching into her own practice. Certified and experienced in coaching countless individuals, Nikki believes her most valuable qualification is the personal resilience and insights she gained from overcoming these challenges.

Married to a first responder, Nikki intimately understands the unique stressors faced by healthcare workers and first responders. She is committed to helping them build emotional resilience, reconnect with their purpose, and rediscover their identity beyond the bedside.

By blending her nursing background with coaching and breathwork facilitation, Nikki empowers her clients with practical tools and strategies for stress reduction, emotional regulation, nervous system support, and self-discovery. Nikki's mission is to serve her community through transformative coaching that identifies and shifts limiting beliefs, rewires out-dated thought patterns and supports healing to create positive change, achieve their goals and ultimately find deep fulfillment in life.

Alison McCabe MA, LPC-S, GEP

Alison McCabe is a licensed professional counselor and equine psychotherapist who has been helping individuals heal through horse-human connection since 2013. With a Master’s degree in Counseling from Prescott College and a specialization in Equine-Assisted Mental Health, Alison brings a trauma-informed, relationship-centered approach to her work.

Through her private practice, Horses Heal Therapy, based in Boulder, Colorado, Alison works with individuals, couples, teens, and families navigating trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, and relationship challenges. She specializes in supporting veterans and first responders —a passion she has pursued since 2020 through her work with Operation Equine—and has extended this support to the first responder community since 2023.

Alison's clinical expertise is backed by extensive training, including certifications in Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, and holistic horsemanship. She has also served as faculty and mentor with The HERD Institute, and facilitated programs for youth in foster care, breast cancer survivors, and the Latinx community.

Alison is passionate about helping people find healing, regulation, and resilience through the profound wisdom of horses.