Kyle Bridgman
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist / President
My name is Kyle Bridgman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with Project Ember Initiative. Before becoming a therapist, I spent over 12 years working with adolescents and teens in residential care, mentorship programs, and in other mental health care capacities. Additionally, I have taught classes on parenting, life-skills, and couple’s relationships, along with taking courses and trainings on trauma, cultural awareness, and managing conflict in relationships. My practice style is very relational, direct, and goal oriented. The foundation of progress rests significantly on the relationship between a client and the therapist, so my intent is to always be open, honest and real, while creating a sense of safety and trust.
It is my unwavering belief that most people are fully capable of recognizing problem areas in their life and have the ability to adapt and make changes so that they can live with a sense of meaning and purpose. Oftentimes, my role as a therapist is to simply be a catalyst for change, offering a non-judgmental place for clients to speak openly and freely about what is going on in their lives, or more so, in their minds. You can expect your first visit to be a time for us to get to know each other, for me to hear your story and what brings you in to therapy, and gain a better understanding of where you would like to be when your goals are met.
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist, but also a husband and father… I hope that being good at one role will make me better at the other.
Kevin Taylor
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
My name is Kevin Taylor, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate at Project Ember. I earned both my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. I am a Marine Corps veteran, a Colorado Native, an amateur musician, and a former coach, now having added Counselor to the list. I primarily work with individual adults suffering from stress, anxiety, trauma, and PTSD while specializing in treating male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and men who have experienced sexual assault and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). In practice, I carry a person-centered perspective where we work together to create a space where you can tell your story, be heard, and explore the person you are. I counsel using methods adapted for each client to promote healing, hope, and change by helping you take control of your narrative, build confidence, feel more whole, and develop the strength you already possess.
Ultimately, I know it can be overwhelming, intimidating, or even feel unbearable to approach the real issues that hinder us. You’ve most likely heard it many times before, but you really don’t have to go it alone. We can work together to meet your goals, overcome your obstacles, and find freedom from what’s holding you back from being authentically “you” and living the life you want to live.
Ellie Colpitts
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
Hello! My name is Ellie, and I am a LPCC with Project Ember! I completed my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communication at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, where I also completed my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Addictions Emphasis. My clinical areas of interest are depression, anxiety, substance use, life transitions, self-care, and sports psychology. I have experience working with children and adolescents in multiple capacities and find these populations to be immensely rewarding!
I am passionate about normalizing the conversation surrounding mental health so as to reduce the stigma that can be associated with the topic. I believe we need to treat mental illnesses with the same attention and urgency as physical illnesses. I strive to meet you where you are and create a welcoming environment where you not only feel heard, but also feel safe to explore any area of your life.
As a Colorado native and former collegiate runner, I like to spend my free time appreciating our beautiful mountains while also getting a good workout in! My family and friends are incredibly important to me, and I also love relaxing with my two cats!
Michelle Hernandez
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
Hello, my name is Michelle, and I am a LPCC and graduate of UCCS with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in psychology with minors in Spanish and Education from the University of Arizona in 2017. My areas of interest are anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, interpersonal conflict, and marriage and family therapy. I hope to grow as an individual and be helpful to the people I work with while at Project Ember.
When I am not working on an assignment or reading for my classes, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and our two German Shepherds. We are fairly new to Colorado, so we enjoy exploring new towns, going fishing, trying out new hikes, campsites, and restaurants. I also enjoy reading books on self-improvement and/or spirituality. I hope to continue to explore the beautiful state that is Colorado as we start our lives here.
Julia Ralston
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
My name is Julia Ralston and I am a LPCC. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2020 from UCCS where I also graduated with my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am honored to work with children, adolescents, and adults; those who are experiencing life transitions, stress from school or work, relationship conflict, trauma, or self-esteem issues. I have experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault and have found this to be a passion area of mine.
We all experience hardships in life that can be difficult to cope with and I believe everyone has the strength within to work through those struggles, even if it takes another perspective to help guide you through it. Whether you are just not feeling yourself or this is a particularly hard time in your life, my goal as your counselor is to give you the space to feel heard and understood without judgement and allow you the time to heal.
Jenifer Stacy-Bozarth
Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate
My name is Jenifer Stacy-Bozarth and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate and graduated from Capella University. I also hold a master’s degree in Psychology along with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. In addition to working at Project Ember Initiative, I did much of my internship at Crystal Creek Initiative, a group practice that focuses on play therapy and sand tray work with children. I have extensive experience in working with children and developing a good relationship in which children feel comfortable being open and honest with me. I believe the use of systemic play therapy interventions to help them verbalize through play what may be difficult with words is one of the most beneficial ways for them to express their inner thoughts and feelings.
I also enjoy working with adults, couples, and families, as this is the focus of my degree program. I use structural, experiential, and family systems perspectives to make sense of the complicated dynamics that often take place within personal and family relationships. I believe that working with children and their parents has a lasting benefit on their relationship when they grow with one another and not against. I am deeply passionate about working with children and their families based on some of my own personal experiences and believe that children are our future. I look forward to meeting you and if you have any questions feel free to reach out.
Samantha Nagle
Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate
My name is Samantha Nagle, and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate and graduate of Touro University Worldwide. I completed my Bachelor of Science in human development and family studies and have taken several classes from the ethnic studies department at Colorado State University in 2018. My areas of interest are depression, anxiety, identity exploration, couples, and family therapy. My passion is working with middle school and high school aged persons and helping them navigate a truly important time of their lives. I use Bowen Family Therapy and Psychodynamic Family Therapy as my main therapeutic lens, which focuses on attachment and individuation.
I have experience working with suicidal ideation, trauma, homelessness, children who are on the Autism spectrum, and adolescents exploring an identity within the LGBTQ+ community. Upon graduating, my goal is to obtain additional training on trauma-informed care and conduct trauma and resiliency assessments for persons ages 5 – 18.
Anneliese Rice
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
My name is Anneliese, and I am a LPCC and clinical mental health counseling intern in the Master of Counseling program at UCCS. I received my bachelor’s degree from Colorado College, and I am excited to be pursuing my degree and license as a mental health counselor.
Life can feature twists and turns, peaks and valleys, and sometimes we all need support on our journey. I would be honored to assist you in becoming the self that you want to be as you move forward. I have experience working with kids with special needs, those with chronic and severe medical issues, and people facing mental health struggles of different kinds. I apply a person-centered approach and enjoy sharing mindful self-compassion techniques.
In my previous careers, I was a ranch hand and farmer as well as a medical office coordinator. In my free time, I love gardening, being outdoors, and reading with my cat on my lap.
Amanda Bonnot
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
Hi! I’m Amanda. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) who received a BA in Psychology from Missouri State University in 2021 and a MA in Counseling and Human Services from UCCS in 2023. I have experience working with toddlers, school-aged children, teens, and young adults. In past employment, I’ve worked with individuals experiencing homelessness as well as individuals on the Autism spectrum.
I am passionate about using experiential therapies combined with person-centered talk therapy; sand tray, play therapy, and therapeutic art are great ways to explore individuals’ needs and emotions in a developmentally accommodating way. Becoming a person can be uncomfortable! Regardless of where you’re at in life, I’d like to hold space for you. I believe all individuals are worthy of acceptance and understanding (yes, that means you too).
In addition to being an LPCC, I am so many other things! I am an artist, an advocate, a gardener, a sci-fi and fantasy bookworm, a gamer, and a cat mom!
Dennis Hughes
Masters of Counseling Intern
My name is Dennis Hughes, a Master of Counseling Student with Project Ember. I met the founder of Project Ember Counseling, Kyle Bridgman, in 2008 while working with teenagers in New Mexico at a residential care facility.
As a teenager, I had a strong desire to work with teenagers as a career choice and felt I would do so for the rest of my life. I attended Central Bible College (Now Evangel University) and graduated with a double major in Youth and Bible. I spent a few years during and after graduation as Youth Pastor. In 2002 my wife and I headed to New Mexico to begin an almost 15-year journey working with youth in a residential setting. I spent 3 ½ years working as a House Parent. I worked in the site’s private school for the next 7 and a half years fulfilling the role of registrar and Education Administrator. The 4 years was spent working in administration with maintenance over buildings and vehicles and new staff training. The most important thing for me during the time in management was to still have direct contact with the youth. I was able to do this by working alongside them in the work program and mentoring capacities. The past 4 years I have spent time working with youth at TwoCor Projects and Kids Crossing, both programs focusing on work training and life skills support. In addition to vocational training, the goal of helping youth heal was met through experiential activities, group discussions, work-based training, and attending to their trauma histories, managing stress, anxiety, and depression, and working through addiction.
Now here I am at Project Ember Counseling! I have studied trauma and brain development through seminars, staff trainings, and books. I believe past experiences do shape us, but they don’t have to define us. We can have traumatic things happen in our lives but hopefully the memory of that is a brief visit and not extended stay.
Delaina Harris
Masters of Counseling Intern
My name is Delaina, and I am a practicum intern working towards my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UCCS. I received bachelor’s degrees in Sustainability and Sociology from Arizona State University in 2016. Since then, I have worked with children, adolescents, and young adults at various capactities; working as a guide at a horticulture therapy and rites of passage treatment program, training young adults independent life skills, and being a part of behavioral health treatment teams in school-based settings. I also have extensive experience helping individuals and families navigate the foster care system and advocating with clients to get their needs met.
I primarily use person-centered and narrative therapy approaches to counseling that prioritize clients’ wants and needs and trusts in the innate wisdom of each person towards healing. I strive to create a collaborative, compassionate, and down-to-earth therapeutic atmosphere aimed toward helping clients reach alignment in their inner and outer worlds.
In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, dancing, hosting dinner parties with friends, camping, and going on spontaneous road trips!
Casey Crocker
Masters of Counseling Intern
Hello! My name is Casey Crocker, and I am a Clinical Mental Health Counseling intern enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Colorado Christian University. I have earned a B.S. in Biblical Studies with an emphasis on original languages and an M.A. in New Testament Biblical Literature with a focus on the religious, political, and cultural context of the New Testament. My background is in pastoral ministry and Christian education, but seeing an interconnected pattern between belief systems, life crises, and spiritual abuse brought me into the counseling world.
“I am here to see you come alive” is my life’s mission statement, which carries over into my counseling approach. It does not matter if you are experiencing debilitating anxiety and depression, marital struggles, spiritual/religious abuse, or are frustrated with feeling stuck in a holding pattern in personal development and growth; my goal is the same: to be a breath of fresh air, a guiding hand in helping you rediscover your inner compass, and see you come alive to your whole, integrated self.
In practice, I employ a client-focused perspective as we explore your life experiences, personal development, and obstacles together. Each client is unique, and I intentionally approach each therapeutic relationship as such, allowing the needs and experiences of the client to inform the therapeutic approach.
You are worth more than they have let you believe, and I look forward to working with you!
Sarah Tan
Masters of Counseling Intern
Hello! My name is Sarah. I am an intern currently working towards my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UCCS. I have worked with adolescents within the juvenile justice and foster care systems within an inpatient setting, and young adults attending university. My areas of interest include anxiety, depression, life transitions, and identity exploration; but I am constantly working towards expanding my clinical expertise.
My goal is to provide a nonjudgmental and culturally sensitive safe space for youth, adolescents, and adults alike to feel seen, heard, and understood. I believe that this is one of the crucial elements of growth and change, and I am ready to walk alongside you on your journey to wellness. Whether you are in a period of transition and would like someone to help you make sense of things, or are experiencing or have previously experienced difficulties in your life that you would like to process, I am honored to have the opportunity to work together to help you meet your goals.
Alexis Duarte
Masters of Counseling Intern
My name is Alexis, and I am a Clinical Mental Health Counseling intern enrolled in the Counseling and Human Services program at UCCS. I received my bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2017, and since then I have gained valuable experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, spanning various age groups, and addressing a wide range of client needs. I bring a genuine passion for supporting individuals navigate life’s challenges and empowering them to overcome obstacles to reach a healthier, more fulfilled life.
My counseling approach is centered around creating a therapeutic environment that fosters personal growth and self-discovery through the integration of experiential and person-centered therapy techniques. By utilizing experiential therapy, I aim to engage clients in hands-on, interactive activities that facilitate self-exploration and promote deeper insight. I am particularly enthusiastic about incorporating mindfulness-based practices and art therapy techniques. I value and prioritize each individual’s unique experiences, perspectives, and goals. This means I actively listen, empathize, and collaborate with clients to establish a supportive and non-judgmental space for clients to feel heard and understood.
If you are considering taking this courageous step, I would be honored to be a part of your journey!
Ashley Lyle
Masters of Counseling Intern
My name is Ashley, I am a practicum intern, working towards my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. I received a bachelor’s degrees in Psychology from University Northern Colorado in 2016. I have experience working with toddlers, school age children, teens and young adults.
My focus includes a person-centered approach while incorporating narrative therapy and mindfulness. I am excited to have the opportunity to incorporate experiential and play therapy with children and families. I am passionate about working with families and children, and I am excited to collaborate with you on your journey.
Brittany Byrd
Marriage and Family Therapy Intern
