Ariana Gioia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional based in Colorado Springs, CO. She specializes in complex trauma, codependency, issues faced by women, anxiety, OCD, grief, relationship issues, and adjustment difficulties. Ariana’s clients describe her as easy to talk to, non-judgmental, validating, and empathetic.
Ariana cares deeply for working with survivors of suicide and those who have lost a loved one to drug overdose. Surviving this type of loss is not only devastating but is often misunderstood and invalidated by those who do not know this type of complicated grief. Additionally, Ariana understands how parenthood can strain relationships and impact shifts in identity and values throughout the course of a lifetime. She enjoys working with clients adjusting to the challenges and changes associated with parenthood.
Many of Ariana’s clients seek therapy to address unresolved complex traumas and grief. These experiences negatively impact their functioning and relationships, resulting in anxiety, depression, shame, or codependency. She is dedicated to helping clients heal from past experiences, rebuild self-worth, and find happiness and meaning.
Ariana utilizes techniques such as EMDR, Ego State/Parts Work, and CBT. She practices a trauma-informed, attachment-based, client-centered, and emotionally-focused approach with her clients. She helps clients develop awareness and understanding of the impact of their beliefs about themselves and others, and their patterns of personal and interpersonal behaviors.
Through insight, deeper connection, and compassion for themselves, clients are able to heal past wounds and create meaningful and lasting change in their lives and relationships.
Sarah Roberts is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Colorado Springs, CO, and is licensed to work with clients in both Colorado and South Carolina. She specializes in working with women, major life transitions, trauma, fertility and family building, anxiety, depression, and grief and loss. Clients have described Sarah as supportive, non-judgmental, relatable, and reliable.
Sarah’s passion is to see individuals foster and build upon their inner strength and overcome incredible obstacles. Therapy will be beneficial to most individuals at some point in their lives; however, Sarah takes a holistic approach to healing and enjoys incorporating other wellness modalities and services into her work. Integrating referrals for nutrition counseling, medication management, body and energy work, as well as being intentional with physical movement can easily be included if those are areas a client would like to explore.
Sarah’s clients are often struggling with potential life changes such as career moves, marriage, divorce, major lifestyle shifts, or relocation. Clients may also be those who have experienced a recent traumatic event or are ready to work through an event from many years ago. They’re frequently navigating the challenges of family building – pregnancy, fertility treatments, adoption, perinatal mood disorders, and traumatic births.
Sarah enjoys incorporating EMDR/BLAS, mindfulness, and CBT into her regular practice with clients. Each person is welcomed into a safe and nurturing environment to begin their personal work. The use of client-centered approaches will help guide each person through a healing process that aligns with their own goals, personalities, and belief systems.
Sarah is committed to helping those who are ready to build the best versions of themselves. We have the ability to shape our futures by working through our pasts while also living in the present moment. Sarah’s ready to help you start your next chapter in the healthiest way possible.
Lisa Cherryhomes is a Master’s level Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate and Addiction Counselor Candidate in Colorado Springs, CO. She provides therapy for teens (16+), adults, and families. Lisa works with a wide variety of client populations, including anxiety, OCD, grief and loss, caregiver burnout, issues specific to women and new parents, military service members and their families, and those experiencing drug and alcohol addiction and recovery.
With more than a decade of experience as a special education teacher and school counselor, Lisa is passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals, including those living with ADHD and Autism, and their family members. She offers a compassionate space for clients navigating caregiver burnout, and welcomes clients to talk openly about the challenges associated with caring for aging parents, or medically/ emotionally/ behaviorally complicated spouses and children. Lisa also enjoys working with women around the unique struggles they face, supporting them from motherhood through the many transitions that come with life experiences. With a deep understanding of military culture and the impact that service has on the member and their family, Lisa is able to offer insightful and empathic care to military families throughout the various stages of service and transitions these individuals experience. Lisa has experience and specialty in working with individuals and families impacted by substance use, drawing on her time working in an inpatient treatment setting and her studies in Substance Use Recovery at UCCS. This background allows her to use evidence-based strategies to strengthen motivation, build coping skills, and support long-term recovery.
Lisa’s approach is integrative, warm, and collaborative, blending person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and other evidence-based practices to meet the unique needs of each client. She is committed to providing a safe and supportive space where clients feel understood, gain practical tools, and move toward healing, balance, and greater life satisfaction.
LeEtta Klink, LSW is a trauma-informed therapist with a background in Occupational Therapy and a focus on functional mental health. She takes a whole-person approach to care, combining integrative therapies with evidence-based modalities such as DBT, CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and individual attachment style.
LeEtta uses an individualized care approach to support emotional, physical, and relational well-being. She works with children, adults, and couples—including neurodivergent, adoptive, and LGBTQ+ clients—guiding them through personal growth, healing from trauma, and learning tools for long-term resilience.
She specializes in supporting healing from childhood repressed trauma, helping clients access and integrate buried emotions to reduce triggers, release somatic symptoms, change patterns, and deepen self-awareness.
Helen is a Master’s level Licensed Professional Counselor, Candidate who works with children ages 5+, teens, families, and young adults. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, adoption and foster care counseling, neurodivergence, social skill development, conflict resolution, and life transitions. She holds specialized training and experience in Adoption Competency and enjoys working with adoptive and foster care youth, alongside their families, as they navigate the changes, challenges, and unique aspects of these transitions, attachments, and family roles.
When working with Helen, clients can expect therapy that is warm, empathetic, curious, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive. She works collaboratively with her clients, respecting their autonomy while fostering a strong therapeutic alliance. Her approach integrates elements of person-centered therapy, CBT, DBT, mindfulness practices, art therapy, play therapy, and a multicultural perspective. Together with her clients, she will explore strengths, develop tools to address challenges, and create a safe space for healing and growth.
Helen’s passion is rooted in walking alongside individuals and families as they face difficulties, discover strengths, build resilience, and create meaningful change as they work towards healing. She strives to meet every client with empathy, compassion, and respect, while holding space for growth and healing. It is her goal to create a therapeutic environment that feels inclusive, safe, and empowering.
Bridgett McCarroll is a Master’s level Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate who works with children ages 6+, teens, families, and adults. Bridgett offers a holistic, trauma-informed approach that supports healing through the mind-body connection. Her work is rooted in the belief that each person carries innate wisdom and the capacity for self-healing when given space, safety, and support. Bridgett integrates Art Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brain Synchronization Therapy, Play Therapy, and Somatic-Based practices. Her approach is informed by Polyvagal Theory, helping clients regulate their nervous systems and reconnect with a sense of safety and inner balance.
Through creative expression, body awareness, and gentle exploration of the self, Bridgett supports clients of all ages in processing trauma, building emotional resilience, and reclaiming their sense of agency and wholeness. She believes that healing is rediscovering and reuniting with the parts of ourselves that have been silenced, hurt, or hidden. Bridgett is LGBTQIA+ informed and affirming, and she is committed to creating an inclusive, nonjudgmental therapeutic space where individuals of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and lived experiences feel seen, respected, and supported.
Whether working with children navigating developmental challenges, adolescents coping with identity and relational struggles, or adults healing from complex trauma, Bridgett provides a compassionate and collaborative space where growth can unfold organically. Her goal is to walk alongside each client on their unique journey, offering tools, insight, and unwavering support as they move toward greater connection, clarity, and self-compassion.
Ryan Averitt is a Licensed Social Worker based in Colorado Springs who works with teens ages 16+ and adults. He has experience working in intensive outpatient settings and specializes in treating trauma, depression, anxiety, and relational challenges. He enjoys supporting clients as they navigate life transitions, heal psychological wounds, and develop greater self-understanding. Clients often describe Ryan as thoughtful, grounded, curious, and compassionate.
Ryan brings a relational, trauma-informed, and insight-oriented lens to his therapeutic work. He frequently integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness-based practices, and attachment-focused approaches to help clients explore how past experiences have shaped present-day beliefs, behaviors, and emotional patterns. He is particularly skilled at helping clients identify unhelpful cycles and begin making meaningful, values-driven changes.
Many of Ryan’s clients are working through unresolved trauma, identity struggles, or difficult relationship histories. Others seek support as they adjust to new stages of life, develop healthier boundaries, or manage lingering shame or self-criticism. He is passionate about helping clients reconnect with their sense of agency and purpose.
Ryan believes therapy should be both collaborative and personalized. He strives to create a nonjudgmental space where clients can safely explore their inner world and build the emotional tools they need to grow. Whether you’re stepping into therapy for the first time or returning to deepen your work, Ryan is honored to walk alongside you on your journey.
Brooke Zielke is a Master’s level Licensed Professional Counselor, Candidate with a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from McKendree University in Southern Illinois. She enjoys working with children 12+, teens, and young adults. Her specialties are working with anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, emotional regulation, perfectionism, ADHD, life transitions, trauma, and issues faced by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Brooke uses a variety of clinical approaches with clients, but most frequently draws from Client-Centered and Trauma-Informed Theory, CBT, DBT, and behavioral modification. She loves forming genuine and honest connections with clients that allows them to connect present struggles with their past experiences and environment. Clients would describe Brooke as open, comfortable, easy to talk to, and direct in her approach with clients.
Brooke has personal knowledge, experience, and understanding of the demands and struggles that college athletes face and deeply enjoys supporting clients in this arena. Brooke has a strong love for advocacy in the LGBTQ+ community and has found value and meaning in her experience working with queer and diverse clients. She feels that providing a safe space with a little bit of humor allows clients to get comfortable with her and gives them the freedom to work through struggles and challenges. Brooke is also a strong advocate for individuals who are diagnosed later in life with ADHD and are looking for support. She has personal understanding of the challenges adults face with ADHD and knows how impactful it can be to have support, compassion, and guidance in this area.
Brooke is excited to work with clients who feel ready to start their healing journey, and also welcomes clients who are new to therapy and perhaps anxious or hesitant to begin this process. She feels a slow and steady client-lead approach allows clients to become more comfortable and values giving clients space and time to feel ready for the vulnerability that often comes along with therapy. She believes that connecting with the client is the most important aspect of therapy and is looking forward to finding new clients who are ready to take this next step.
Patti Diffee is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor with over 13 years of experience in a variety of clinical settings. She specializes in systems therapy which is a holistic approach to psychotherapy that considers the impact the client’s relationships have on the issues they are facing. Patti’s approach is strengths-based and focused on solutions, regardless of the reason clients are seeking help. She considers it a privilege to be invited to partner with her clients to support the outcome they’re looking for.
Her clients describe her as empathetic, warm, creative, insightful and inclusive. She works to create a safe space where her clients can explore uncomfortable or difficult emotions and barriers to healthy connection at a pace that feels comfortable to them. She is skilled in helping her clients explore what is getting in the way of realizing their full potential whether as a result of the patterns in their family-of-origin, or other stressors impacting their life.She especially enjoys helping clients identify and address messages and modeling that has been passed on generationally and how this impacts the way people interact and function in their daily life.
Patti enjoys working with women who are facing issues such as divorce, career change, parenting struggles, difficulty establishing relationship boundaries and exploration of identity and self-esteem. She is also experienced helping teenagers and their families enjoy a greater level of healthy connection.
Therapy provides a space that’s uniquely yours to be curious about yourself and those who are most important to you so you can enjoy deeper connection and healthy relationships.
Mary Kathryn is a Licensed Social Worker practicing in Colorado Springs, CO. She has experience working in community corrections, hospitals, inpatient psychiatric care, and in schools.With this experience, she has had the opportunity to work with many different populations and a range of ages from preschool aged children to older adults and has found she enjoys working with clients of all ages and backgrounds in the community. She is passionate about providing a supportive environment for all clients, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Mary Kathryn specializes in depression, anxiety, family conflict, ADHD, and is excited to continue to grow in her specialties. Clients have described Mary Kathryn as being non-judgmental, empathetic, and someone who provides a supportive trauma-informed environment where growth is possible.
Mary Kathryn has training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy with plans for ongoing continued education. She also utilizes other therapeutic approaches including client-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based modalities.She is dedicated to meeting clients wherever they are and walking alongside them on their therapeutic journey, providing support and helping clients build coping skills. This involves helping clients identify their own strengths and providing support to empower them to use those strengths to make progress toward their goals.
Mary Kathryn understands that reaching out and talking to a professional can feel overwhelming and uncomfortable. She will always strive to provide an environment that is trauma-informed, inclusive, and honors wherever a client is in their journey without judgment. Mary Kathryn loves her work with clients and would love the opportunity to work with you.
Molly is a Master’s level Licensed Social Worker and sees children 8+, teens, and adults. She aligns strongly with somatic teachings and believes in considering the whole person and their environments as well as the connection between mind and body. As a compassionate and dedicated therapist, Molly strives to create a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their emotions, overcome challenges, and achieve personal growth.
Molly works collaboratively with each person, tailoring her approach to fit their unique needs and goals using modalities such as CBT, IFS, and person-centered approach. She believes in empowering people to discover their own strengths through a judgement-free, trauma-informed approach.
Molly’s mission is to help clients heal, gain insight, and develop the tools they need to navigate life with confidence and resilience. She is intentional about allowing the therapeutic process to develop naturally as rapport strengthens. Her clients have described her as someone they feel comfortable with and are able to trust.
Molly is available to meet with clients at the office in-person or via telehealth Wednesdays – Saturdays.
Sarah Pascetti is a Master’s level Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate who works with individuals ages 18+, couples, and traditional/ non-traditional relationships. She works with a wide variety of clients and clinical specialties, a few of which include discernment therapy for relationships, financial therapy, burnout, self-esteem, eating disorders, and stressors unique to women.
She stands for all things beautiful and complicated about being human. With her first career in healthcare, the decision to become a therapist was an easy one. She has a tremendous amount of life experience which lends itself to providing compassionate care. Whatever path her client chooses- parenting, life transitions, self-esteem, finances, or reproductive care may be part of the story and she is happy to be a part of their healing and growth process.
Making decisions about these life events can be stressful or even feel like a dark comedy; she wants her clients to know she will be there to help navigate the choices and encourage and support alongside them. Sarah enjoys using different therapy styles in a single session. In collaboration with her clients, the sessions may be more traditional talk-therapy style, involve whiteboards, or props.
For those who are hesitant about starting the therapy process, Sarah understands! She knows that for many reasons folks don’t want to take the jump or are unsure of how therapy can help. She encourages clients to take the leap and schedule, knowing they can work at their own pace.
Kristen Hackbarth is a Master’s level Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) who enjoys working with teens ages 16+, couples, and adults. Kristen specializes in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, communication & behavioral issues, stress, EMDR and trauma. Clients describe Kristen as caring, kind, helpful, and easy to talk to. In approaching the therapeutic relationship through a non-judgmental lens, Kristen finds that individuals are able to really explore themselves in order to take the next steps towards healing.
With over 7 years of experience as a teacher prior to moving into a counseling role, she finds that helping adolescents learn skills and techniques to navigate their everyday lives is essential for successful development. In working with teens, Kristen focus on developing life skills, coping skills for school stressors, building self worth, interpersonal skills, and skills for emotional regulation
When working with adults and relationship counseling, Kristen uses a variety of approaches to help her clients achieve their goals. These approaches include utilizing a foundational Person-Centered approach while also incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques. In her work with individuals who have experienced trauma, Kristen allows space for individuals to work at their own pace and in ways in which they are most comfortable. Kristen gently helps her clients understand their traumatic stressors and responses, and learn how to express and regulate their emotions when triggered. Kristen utilizes EMDR in order to help clients process through trauma.
Kristen realizes that beginning the therapeutic journey can be challenging and scary, so she works to ensure that she creates a safe and inviting environment for clients to feel empowered to start their journey. She believes that each individual is unique and deserves to be heard and understood in order to tackle one’s challenges successfully. Kristen understands that the therapeutic relationship starts with empathy and a comfortable and personal connection at the forefront, and she works diligently with each of her clients to create this experience.
Elena Marquez is a Licensed Social Worker who has 16 years of experience working with children ages 5+, adolescents, adults and families. She specializes in grief & loss, trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and day to day life stressors that may affect a person’s quality of life. She enjoys working with the LGBTQIA+ community and military veterans. Clients have described Elena as being consistent, empathetic, non-judgmental, passionate & empowering.
Elena has specialized training in EMDR & Accudetox (Acupuncture Detoxification) which are both evidence-based therapeutic practices that can help resolve painful past trauma and somatic symptoms that may surface with deep rooted trauma. Accudetox can help with cravings of many sorts, smoking cessation, insomnia, anxiety, depression, irritability, agitation & addictive behaviors. Elena has specialized training in EMDR which is an evidence based therapeutic practice that can help resolve painful past trauma. Elena also incorporates other therapeutic approaches into her work such as solution-focused, client-centered, and cognitive behavioral therapies. Utilizing art therapy techniques may also help clients who are more comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings in visual or tangible ways.
It is very important to Elena to meet each client where they are in their journey and help empower each client to work on becoming the best version of themselves. Elena is passionate about working with each and every client and looks forward to working with you.
Sydney Kerin is a Licensed Social Worker who has experience working with children ages 10+, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in ADHD, trauma, self-esteem/confidence, depression, anxiety, and working with LGBTQIA+ community members. Clients have described Sydney as empathetic, empowering, and non-judgemental.
Sydney is passionate about working with individuals with ADHD and neurodiversity, using their strengths to help them reach their goals. Sydney understands that having ADHD and neurodiversity presents unique challenges and believes in embracing and working alongside your brain, rather than trying to fix something that is not broken. Additionally, Sydney takes a client centered and trauma focused approach with her clients. She has specialized training in EMDR and enjoys helping clients process through and heal from painful, unresolved experiences from their past. Through validation, insight, and reframing negative thinking patterns, she empowers clients in their healing journey.
Sydney’s clients often struggle with feeling like they are not good enough and work twice as hard to prove themselves. Whether it stems from unhealthy relationships, trauma, or growing up with high expectations, these clients put so much effort into meeting the needs of others that they often forget to meet their own needs. Regardless of whether a client is already on their healing path or thinking about beginning, she helps clients rebuild their identity, self-worth, and autonomy.
Sydney knows that each client coming into therapy has their own story and needs. She enjoys adapting her approach to meet the client where they are in their journey. She may utilize techniques such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, and play therapy. Through an inclusive, collaborative approach, Sydney empowers clients to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and facilitate the change they want to see in themselves.
Matthew Rummel is a Master’s level Licensed Professional Counselor, Candidate. Matthew specializes in anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, family conflict, and life transitions. Matthew utilizes a variety of approaches based on his client’s needs in each session. However, he primarily works through the modalities of EMDR, CBT, DBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Reality Choice Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care. Matthew works with clients ages 12 and older, couples, traditional and non-traditional relationship styles, and families.
Matthew is dedicated to and is passionate about the LGBTQIA+ community and the social, emotional, psychological, familial, and religious issues that can arise from being a member, ally, or relative of someone in that community. Matthew sees the importance of working with family systems to strengthen parent’s understanding, acceptance, and support of their children. Matthew cares deeply about assisting his clients in navigating through the challenges of coming out and authentically knowing and expressing their identity. He welcomes all gender expressions and sexual orientations in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
Matthew’s passion is to help others develop the tools necessary to cope with challenges as they arise in everyday life. These tools can include increasing self-awareness and self-acceptance, developing resiliency and interpersonal boundaries, or strengthening communication and conflict resolution skills. It’s his goal to empower clients with the ability to utilize the tools they possess so they can lead healthy, healed, and well balanced lives. Matthew knows that reaching out and talking to someone new can be scary and daunting. He will always endeavor to provide support, empowerment, safety, inclusivity, and acceptance so his clients have the room they need for healing and self-discovery. Together, Matthew and his clients can work on reclaiming agency, building resilience, and fostering authenticity.
Allifair Mundine, BA
Administrative Assistant
She / Her / Hers
Allifair Mundine is the front desk coordinator for Polaris Wellness Group. She oversees a variety of administrative operations including scheduling, billing and insurance, and client interactions. Allifair has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology and is looking to pursue her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has experience and skill in working with special needs and neurodivergent children and has enjoyed the personal and professional growth that has come as a result of her work with these populations. Allifair is passionate about mental health, holistic wellness, and supporting the LGBTQ and recovery communities. She aspires to give back to her community and to be a positive support in the lives of others.
Insurance Accepted
PWG is proud to accept the following insurance providers:
Aetna and First Health, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and Evernorth, Kaiser Commercial, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare and UMR
Want to find out how to become a Polaris Wellness Client?
A Safe and Inclusive Place
PWG is passionate and committed to helping all clients. We offer a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment to culturally diverse and LGBTQIA+ clients. We are dedicated to providing culturally competent, quality wellness services with providers who are supportive, aligned, and accepting.
