Meet Your Guides

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Brett (Human Guide)

When I am not working, you can find me outdoors with Harley, my partner Timi, and her pup Togo. I love hiking Colorado’s 14ers and spending time on the many trails and mountains this amazing state has to offer. I also enjoy training at the gym, trail-running/hiking, training for ultra-marathons, skiing, or digging into some new research or trainings to discover new ways to both grow myself and to help my amazing clients to grow too. When it is time to unwind, I enjoy board games, jigsaw puzzles, painting and coloring. I am a certified yoga teacher and have experience as a fitness instructor and high school cross country and hockey coach. While working in high schools, I taught Sexual and Family Education as well as Yoga and Stress Management. I have also spent time as a global tour guide as well as teaching yoga at a yoga retreat in Thailand. 

 I have lived in Australia, spent time in a small village in Nicaragua, climbed Mt. Ngauruhoe aka Mt. Doom (Lord of the Rings fans?!) in New Zealand and have found plenty of other shenanigans along the way. Some of my favorite long-distance mountain adventures I have done include running Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon, the Presidential Traverse in New Hampshire, the Grand Traverse in Colorado, Four Pass Loop in Colorado and the Death Race in Mexico. Feel free to ask me about them!

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Education

MASTER OF ARTS IN SCHOOL COUNSELING 

Adams State University
Alamosa, CO | May 2021

MASTERS IN THE ART OF TEACHING

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ | December 2015

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH BEHAVIOR SCIENCE
Minors: Education & Disability Studies

University of Delaware
Newark, DE | May 2012

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)

Professional Affiliations

Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee (MDIC)

Boulder Interdisciplinary Committee (BIDC): 

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
(National and Colorado) (AFCC)

American Counseling Association (ACA)

Second Wind Fund

Ralston House

Crime Victims Compensation (1st and 17th districts)

Harley (Canine Guide)

I work alongside Harley, who is my certified therapy dog. Harley and I have spent the past four years providing animal-assisted therapy in private practice as well as the school system and have been on the front lines of what has been a mental health crisis.

Harley loves receiving pets from all of the amazing clients she works with. When she is not at work, she loves running on trails with her family, playing with her best paw-friend Togo, playing with her human parents, camping and backpacking trips, munching on a good chew, indulging in mom’s homemade food, napping, making doggy snow angels, receiving scratches and pets, and adventuring in the mountains. She has summited 7 14ers and counting, including 3 winter 14ers!  

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Education

The Alliance of Therapy Dog (ATD) - Therapy Dog Team

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Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy

Harley's Summit

Harley brings a unique warmth and comfort to our sessions, offering a blend of emotional support and companionship that can make all the difference in your healing process. Here’s how animal-assisted therapy can benefit you:

1. Emotional Comfort & Calm

Harley’s presence creates a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel more at ease. Her calming influence helps reduce anxiety, stress, and emotional tension, allowing you to open up and connect more deeply in therapy.

2. Building trust & Connection

Sometimes, it's easier to open up to an animal than to a person, especially when dealing with difficult emotions. Harley’s unconditional support helps foster trust and encourages you to feel more comfortable sharing your feelings, making it easier to engage in the therapeutic process.

3. Grounding & Focus

When you feel overwhelmed or disconnected, Harley can help you stay grounded in the present moment. Her gentle presence encourages mindfulness, which can be particularly beneficial during times of emotional distress or panic, bringing you back to a sense of calm.

4. Breaking Down Barriers

For those who may feel skeptical or anxious about therapy, Harley acts as an icebreaker. Her friendly demeanor and playful energy can help reduce initial tension and make the process feel more approachable and less intimidating.

5. Enhancing Emotional Awareness

Interacting with Harley can increase emotional awareness and help you recognize and regulate your feelings. Through nonverbal communication, you can learn to understand emotions better, both in yourself and in your relationships with others.

6. Healing From Trauma

Animals have a special ability to offer unconditional love and empathy, which can be especially helpful for those healing from trauma. Harley provides a source of comfort that can be especially soothing for individuals dealing with PTSD, anxiety, or past emotional wounds.

7. Encouraging Positive Behavior Change

Harley’s role in therapy can also help you practice and reinforce positive behaviors. Whether it's learning to calm yourself through petting her or using her presence as a tool for emotional regulation, Harley provides a natural, gentle way to build new coping skills.

8. Providing a Sense of Purpose

Caring for and interacting with Harley in therapy can help instill a sense of responsibility and purpose. It’s a reminder that healing is not only about managing personal emotions but also about connecting with the world in a positive, nurturing way.