Meet DFI's Therapists

DFI is a vibrant therapy provider and community, offering therapy services to couples, families, individuals and children from all walks of life. We recognize the central importance of relationships and honor the diversity in relationships and of individuals in our world. We welcome different cultures, faiths, lifestyles and backgrounds. We strive to treat each of our clients with openness, effectiveness and respect. 

At DFI, our student therapists are a mix of graduate students in their final year of school and post-graduate students who are licensed or working towards licensure. These students see clients, take courses, and attend rigorous supervision in the pursuit of becoming the best therapist possible and receiving their certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. All of our student therapists are supervised by the highest quality supervisors and are eager to serve the Denver community. 

Part of what makes DFI unique is that we offer therapy services at lower, more affordable rates, and we are also a training facility for up and coming clinicians. We ask each of our client’s therapy sessions to be videotaped for training purposes only.

Josephine Ampaw

Best way to spend the day:
I love to spend my days crocheting blankets and scarves for family and friends, watching tv shows, and reading inspiring feel good books!

Emily Bretl 

Born and raised in Door County, Wisconsin, I’d have to say that the best way to spend the day is on the water soaking up the sun, boating around the peninsula, and eating delicious food with family and friends!

Alyssa Bekerman 

Favorite place in CO: Anywhere I am spending time with my dog

Tara Celentano 

Bio coming soon!

Ray Cox

One book I would recommend: My most often recommended book is Emily Nagoski’s “Come As You Are.” I think it’s the best book on the planet to understand women’s sexuality and sexual response. And I recommend it to men as often as I do to women.

Amelia Davenport 

Bio coming soon!

Liz Drogin 

Favorite way to spend a day: I’m happiest when a day includes a combination of my most treasured activities — playing outdoors (biking, tennis, swimming); connecting with family & friends; and enjoying leisurely delicious meals.

Wejdan Felmban

Why I love DFI:
With all the stress, changes, and uncertainty that accompanied Covid-19, I am grateful that I found a community that believes in me, that is built upon strength, and has a social justice emphasis. I feel that, at DFI, I experience a reconnection with myself, as well as comfort, emotional safety, and structure. I never imagined an online learning experience would be enjoyable and personal. At DFI, I experience unique ways of relating to people, making repairs in relationships and healing. I am grateful to be learning from everyone: Clients, supervisors, faculty, co-therapist, interns, students, alumni, and admin.

Emily Fisher

My favorite Book: One of my favorite books is The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard. It follows thirteen-year-old Wendy through the process of grief after losing her mother in the national tragedy of 09/11. Wendy’s story is compelling, inspiring, and a great reminder that figuring things out doesn’t always happen according to the usual rules.

Sarah Fishman 

Favorite way to spend a day: is usually anything involving my dog, Reese, whether it be out for a day in the park or curled up on the couch.

Lynette Garber

My favorite way to spend a day: Doing something creative outdoors like shooting portrait photography -if it’s the spring, summer or fall! If it’s winter, I enjoy making crafts and gifts for family and friends in my warm apartment.

Kelly Howell

The best way to spend a day: is to rise early with the sun, slowly enjoy a cup of coffee in the quiet, move my body in some way, and enjoy creative food & games with friends or family!

Patty Kozma

Favorite place in Colorado: After most of my life in Colorado, a few years back I found myself moving to another state. The height of the pandemic arrived as I discovered that the best place is anywhere my family and friends are, so back I came. While there is so much natural beauty in Colorado that I continuously enjoy through hiking and activities, the best place to be is where my family and friends are!

Joseph McCullough, MDiv

My favorite spot in Colorado: A natural spring that I found once while hiking along a creek in a meadow near Boreas Pass. It’s a crystal clear pool, teeming with life, and surrounded by soft mountain grasses and wildflowers (at least in the summertime).

Chloé Miller

One book I would recommend: Women Who Run With The Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype, by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Kara Moseley

My favorite spot in Colorado is: Mount Falcon Open Space Park in Jefferson County. It is a beautiful space to be in nature, but it does not take long to get there. I love the green trees and wildflowers along the trails and have occasionally seen deer or foxes as well.

Denver Family Institute logo

Jennifer Perkins 

My Favorite way to spend a day: is to sleep in, then sit on the deck and enjoy a cup of chai, read a book or go on an adventure with family or friends! We love to kayak, go find new or fun places to eat, see local live music on a patio or have people over for a bonfire! Or if it’s a cold or rainy day, I love just staying in to binge-watch shows on Netflix! 🙂

Nicole Reid 

The best way to spend a day is: includes being anywhere in the mountains hiking, stand up paddle boarding, camping, or reading a book by a beautiful creek. I love to end a day of Colorado adventure with a delicious meal with my family and our puppy in tow!

Lila Rhodes 

My favorite book: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. This story tells the tale of a toy bunny who finds himself on a beautiful adventure filled with love, loss, heartache and hope.

Alice R. Ryan

The best way to spend a day is: My perfect day would consist of a lot of outdoor activities. Such as hiking, biking, and paddle boarding. I would also love spending my day doing those activities with family and friends while eating great food!

Anna Samsonova

The best way to spend a day is: To sleep!

Michelle Stromme

The best way to spend a day is: With my family and my dogs out in the woods or somewhere else in nature. 

Greta Swanson

The best way to spend a day is: Near or on any kind of water

Esther Terpenning

Favorite way to spend a day: I love a slow day close to home – taking a walk with my family on the familiar path near our house, maybe having time for a run or some yoga, eating something fabulous for dinner and then relaxing with my husband in the evening.