Cassandra Garcia-Lozano, LPC

Ms. Ellen Ortiz is fully licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in multiple states. She has decades of life experience to support her 3 years of full licensure. Ms. Ortiz sees individuals from the perspective of the various environments they interact in and how it impacts them. Ms. Ortiz is enthusiastic about collaborating with clients under the care of one of our psychiatric experts in order to allow for a more complete and personalized approach for each individual's needs.
Ms. Ortiz began her education later in life at Elgin Community College then continued to acquire her bachelor’s degree from Argosy University with honors. Ms. Ortiz forged ahead and completed her Master’s in Family Counseling at the CACREP accredited graduate school, Northeastern Illinois University. Her training included the externship for Emotion Focused Therapy with Dr. Sue Johnson.

Ms. Ortiz incorporates therapy from a Solution Focused perspective including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Attachment theory.  Ms.Ortiz has been trained in Crisis Intervention and Trauma Informed therapy. Her life experience and clientele have spanned all life cycles, races, and medical needs as well as honoring all varieties of human beings. She has also supported clients through medical diagnosis and end of life as well as grief.

Ms. Ortiz brings enthusiasm for each client based on the belief that each person has unique purpose, strengths and abilities on which to draw on. The client's abilities paired with tools and support acquired in therapy will lead each of her clients to a life they choose to enhance.

Tara Merchant is a person-centered, nonjudgmental, relationship-based LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) who recognizes the intrinsic value of all people and holds positive regard for all her clients. Tara views counseling as a collaborative effort that provides psychoeducation and coping skills for the obstacles with which clients may be struggling, and clients provide insights as experts on themselves. She believes that all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and have valid underlying factors. Tara seeks to help clients connect the dots, from both past and present, to have a greater understanding of themselves and their environments. She also fosters a safe space for clients to identify and embrace their feelings toward emotional catharsis. Tara received her Bachelor's Degree from Purchase College, State University of NY, and her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She has an eclectic style that utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic modality. Tara aims to uphold cultural humility for ongoing learning and awareness that supports racial and social equity. She is experienced in working with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and child development. Tara is a big proponent of self-care and encourages you to find whatever it is that fills your cup. She, for example, loves to watch TV and sing in her spare time.

Jessica Mars is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in clinical practice for over 10 years. Jessica received her undergraduate degree in Social Work at Colorado State University-Pueblo and her master's degree in social work from Newman University. Along with her clinical work, Jessica teaches undergraduate and graduate students of Social Work at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, because she values being able to work in her local communities to educate and teach. She identifies as a lifelong learner and incorporates that into her treatment approaches. ‍Jessica has primarily focused her clinical practices working with individuals who have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual assault, trauma from medical or physical health problems, substance use, and other forms of trauma. Her approach is culturally aware, trauma informed, and client centered, and she will work closely with her clients to ensure that the treatment approach and plan is thoughtful and matches what the client may need. ‍Jessica has extended training in EMDR, TF-CBT, CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, developmental trauma, suicidality, and trauma informed care. Jessica will encourage you to increase your awareness of thoughts, feelings and behaviors in the present and to increase your personal sense of freedom and well-being. Jessica hopes to work with you to empower you and help you recognize your own strengths, with compassion for both yourself and for others.

Kathleen Francois, LCSW, brings a rich background in outpatient, community mental health, crisis intervention, and behavioral health settings. She holds a degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical social work and addiction, allowing her to support individuals through a wide range of challenges with expertise and compassion.

Kathleen values authenticity, deep connection, and creating a safe space where people feel truly seen and supported. She approaches care with warmth, curiosity, and compassion, fostering a collaborative environment where clients feel empowered to explore and grow.

Kathleen’s approach is rooted in trauma-focused care and holistic wellness, honoring the mind-body connection and the influence of social wellbeing. She integrates evidence-based practices with a holistic lens to promote lasting healing, balance, and personal growth.

Courtney Flynn, LCSW, earned her Bachelor of Social Work in 2015 and Master of Social Work in 2017 from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. She has over a decade of experience practicing psychotherapy in the Northern Colorado region.

Courtney began her career in 2014, working with high-risk youth on parole in a residential treatment setting. In this role, she provided crisis intervention and therapeutic support to adolescents with complex trauma. In 2015, she served as a facilitator at a high school Wellness Center, supporting teens struggling with substance use, trauma, and mental health challenges by connecting them with individualized resources.

From 2017 to 2022, Courtney worked at Mountain Crest Behavioral Health Center in Fort Collins as a care coordinator and behavioral health therapist. There, she provided a wide range of services, including crisis intervention, individual therapy, family and couples counseling, group therapy, trauma-focused care, and discharge planning for adolescents and adults in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

In 2022, Courtney shifted her focus to clients with substance use disorders. She joined Northpoint Recovery in Loveland, Colorado, where she served as a primary therapist for both adolescents and adults in intensive outpatient and inpatient programs, offering individual and group therapy.

In 2023, Courtney began working at The Redpoint Center in Fort Collins, an intensive outpatient program specializing in mental health and substance use treatment. There, she facilitated individual and group therapy sessions, helping clients explore and address the underlying causes of their behaviors in a safe, supportive, and authentic therapeutic environment.

Courtney is skilled in a range of therapeutic approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, recovery-oriented care, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). She has extensive experience working with individuals and families affected by trauma, and has successfully treated a variety of concerns, including mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety, depression, family conflict, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. Courtney takes a strengths-based approach with her clients, tailoring her methods to their unique needs and empowering them to create a life worth living.

Courtney's passion for this work is driven by a deep commitment to supporting her community and a genuine sense of empathy and compassion for others. Outside of her clinical work, she has been a professional dancer for over 15 years and has taught dance in her community for the past 12. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, listening to music, seeking new adventures, and being with her friends, family, and loved ones. Traveling is also one of her greatest joys when she's not working or dancing.

Courtney's approach to working with clients is rooted in meeting them where they are, respecting their autonomy, and empowering them to connect with both their past and present selves. She prioritizes building rapport and trust from the very first session, ensuring clear goals and objectives are established early on. Courtney brings a kind, compassionate, and positive attitude to each session, fostering a structured yet upbeat environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions freely.

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Tekisha Norwood, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience supporting adults navigating mental health challenges, chronic illness, trauma, life transitions, and aging-related concerns. She has an extensive background in inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings, including roles at the VA community outpatient program, skilled nursing homes, and as a crisis and behavioral health therapist in private practice. Tekisha earned her BSW (2010) and MSW (2012) from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is passionate about empowering clients through individualized, compassionate care that meets each person’s unique needs.

Tekisha offers a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment centered on compassion, cultural awareness, and mutual respect. She ensures that every client feels seen, heard, and valued without judgment. Her therapeutic approach is collaborative and flexible, designed to align with each individual’s goals for growth and healing.

During the first session, Tekisha conducts a thorough psychosocial assessment to understand each person’s background, challenges, and goals. Together, she and the client create a personalized treatment plan that guides the therapy process. Follow-up sessions focus on working through the plan collaboratively, with ongoing support, reflection, and adjustments as progress unfolds.