Meet Melissa

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!

Meet Megan

Megan Johnson MSW, LCSW, ACC

I graduated in 2005 with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Colorado State University, and have lived in Colorado for 21 years. I spent years working within local community systems to foster change at different levels, collaborating with children and families within the juvenile court system, individuals within the medical system, and finally arriving in the role of therapist in private practice. I have been a therapist in Fort Collins for the past eight years. I have advanced training in EMDR, Somatic Trauma Therapy, mindfulness, nature based therapy, yoga, trauma sensitive yoga, chronic pain, and addictions. I support my clients in building awareness of nervous system responses to stress, developing both maintenance practices and on the spot interventions to shift the body back to a place of felt safety and regulation. Experientially I guide clients through relating to emotions and felt sense in the body with curiosity and acceptance. Root causes of patterns, behaviors, and internal states are identified and addressed using the modalities described below. Principles of resilience are cultivated through exploration of tools to restore hope, connect to creativity, foster connections, and build upon self efficacy.

In my own healing and self discovery I have relied upon a daily meditation practice, spiritual retreat, principles of Buddhist psychology, EMDR and Internal Family Systems therapy, shamanic journeying and breath work practices, and nature based depth work such as vision quests and solo excursions.

In my free time I enjoy time with family and friends, gardening, yoga, running or hiking with my Australian shepherd, reading, traveling, and creating.

Meet Derrick (Rick)

Derrick "Rick" Stonecipher 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.

Meet Emily

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.

Meet Cole

Cole Butler MA, LPCC, ADDC

Cole Butler, LPCC, ADDC, MACP is a Counselor based in Fort Collins, Colorado. He has a passion for working with the first responder community, as his step-father served a 40-year career in the police force. Additionally, his partner is a Nurse and worked in the hospital for over a decade.

Cole received his Master's Degree in Addiction Counseling in Psychology in 2023. He enjoys working with first responders and frontline healthcare workers that might be struggling with substance abuse, and/or have difficulty expressing their emotions.

As a male counselor, he helps other men embody their masculinity in a healthy way.

Cole is also a family man. Between his fiancee, two step-children, a little girl, and his dog, he stays busy! He enjoys getting out into the mountains of Colorado, doing strength training and cardio, and attending countless sporting events for his family.

Meet Brooke

Brooke Badberg MA, LAC

Brooke is a behavioral health therapist and Licensed Addiction Counselor in Colorado. Brooke has provided therapy services for 24 years in outpatient and treatment settings. She has experience working with adults and adolescents who have experienced trauma, grief, anger, family relational problems, varied mental health diagnoses (including depression and anxiety), as well as addiction issues, and legal and socioeconomic concerns. Brooke works from a systemic, collaborative, strength-based approach that is mindful of cultural, ethnic, and economic concerns. She has a diverse approach that includes psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral techniques with a focus on how people can use their support system, community resources, mindfulness, and newly learned skills to live the kind of life they envision for themselves. Brooke has a law enforcement spouse.

Meet Mary

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.