Meet Our Faculty & Administration

Our faculty & administration consists of therapists with a wide range of specialties, licenses, and experience. Faculty members teach courses and supervise our student therapists. 

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.

The DFI Administration

Gwen Bonilla

LSW
Clinic & Internship Director

Gwen graduated from DFI in 2019. She is so proud to continue to be a part of the community as the Internship and Clinic Director. In addition to her work at DFI, Gwen works as a clinician with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She specializes in narrative and experiential therapies and developed a model for therapy, Touching Stories, specifically designed for people with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. When not working or telling stories, Gwen loves cooking, camping, hiking, and traveling.

One book I recommend: As a narrative therapist, I have to recommend The Uses of Enchantment, by Bruno Bettelheim.

Emily Dorn

Executive Director

Emily has been involved in the DFI community since 2015 as a student, Board member, Board chair, and currently as the Executive Director. Prior to entering the field of mental health, Emily spent 12 years in public education and nonprofit leadership as a special education and general education teacher, administrator, and systems leader. Most recently, Emily led the External Relations team for Rocky Mountain Prep, a growing network of elementary schools in Denver and Aurora. After graduating from DFI, Emily opened a private practice and joined the PASS Center as a therapist specializing in attachment and post-adoptive support for families. Emily holds a master’s degree from Loyola Marymount University and a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Denver Family Institute.

The best way to spend a day: Traveling, adventuring, or exploring with no particular agenda or destination

Lexi Nickens

Operations Manager

Lexi has over six years of experience of providing administrative support to nonprofits. In addition to her work at DFI, Lexi owns a small business that provides IT consulting to local nonprofits. She is also currently pursuing a master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver. Outside of work, Lexi is an active member of her community as both an organizer and volunteer for groups such as Denver Community Fridges and the Colorado Asylum Center. In her free time, she loves baking, running, and spending time with her two cats – Molly & Coco.

August Tousignant-Stanton

LCSW, LMFT
Program Director

August Tousignant-Stanton (they/them) is a queer therapist, supervisor, and speaker through their private practice, Affirming Psychotherapy LLC. They hold a Master’s in Social Work and a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, and are licensed as both a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

August serves as the Program Director at Denver Family Institute (DFI) and is the Lead Clinician for the newly developed Systemic Provider Training for Queer Youth Clients at DFI. With over 17 years of experience in the field, August specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ youth and their families, neurodiversity, and intimate partner relationships.

They are the author of the “Children” section in the AAMFT’s Gender-Affirming Guidelines for Working Systemically with Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Expansive Clients, and have presented to a wide range of organizations, including medical practices, The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapist national conference, Sherwin-Williams, Optum Health, and Arcadis, an international engineering firm.

Why I love DFI: Students receive a therapeutic education that goes the extra mile! Students present live and taped cases to supervisors, and work in a creative space to explore different facets of marriage and family therapy. I love how our students, faculty, and staff think of therapy experimentally. This creates such an innovative and insightful environment!

Miguel Valdez

Queer Youth Program Project Manager

Miguel (he/him) is a graduate of the University of Florida with a background in political & community organizing, volunteer management, and work in the nonprofit sector. Before joining DFI as the Project Lead of its Queer Youth Program, he worked as Program Manager at the nation’s first incubator exclusively for BIPOC-led & BIPOC-serving nonprofit organizations that provided services to 185,000 Coloradans. A proud husband to an Army Veteran, Miguel volunteered with American Veterans for Equal Rights Rocky Mountain Chapter (AVER-RMC), an organization dedicated to equal rights for LGBTQIA+ service members and Veterans. He later worked at Veterans Community Project of Longmont.

Samantha Singleton

Admissions Coordinator

Samantha Singleton (she/her) serves as the Admissions Coordinator for DFI. Originally from California, she moved to Colorado to pursue her education and earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. Since graduating, Samantha has built a career in enrollment and recruiting. Passionate about helping others achieve their goals, she thrives in roles that involve communication and relationship-building. Her career reflects her commitment to fostering growth and success for both individuals and organizations alike.

Megan Cliff

Program Manager

Megan (she/her) is a Program Manager at DFI supporting the delivery of Envision:You programming. Megan moved to Colorado from Northern California to pursue her MSW at the University of Denver, which she completed in 2023 along with a certificate in Human-Animal-Environment Interactions. She brings to this role experience in project and operations management, student intern supervision, as well as her personal experiences as a queer person in recovery.

Outside of work, Megan enjoys craft or movie nights with friends, getting out in nature (preferably near water), and cuddles with her dog and two cats.

The best way to spend a day: Waking up early for a long drive to explore a new mountain town, making stops along the way for trails, viewpoints, or any local farmstands/bakeries.

Story Elder

Program Coordinator

Story Elder brings to DFI a background in events, communications, marketing, customer service, and nonprofit/queer advocacy. With previous experience at Community Resource Center, he developed a strong understanding of how to serve communities and maximize capacity in their own professional life in the nonprofit sector. He is passionate about supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and prioritizes mental health in both personal and professional spaces. They hold a degree in Theatre and Philosophy from Marquette University, a foundation that informs his creative and thoughtful approach to work and leadership.

Outside of work, Story is a celebrated drag artist who loves hosting community-focused events and performs around the country. He was recognized as one of 2022’s Freshest Faces in Drag and was a 2025 finalist for Trans Trailblazer at the Colorado DIVAs. They continue to merge artistry and activism, hoping to create spaces where people feel seen, supported and celebrated.

Favorite spot in Colorado: The Loveland Locks! It’s like the bridge in Paris (RIP) where lovers can secure a lock that they engrave on these sculptures in Loveland and it’s supposed to be good luck for your relationship’s longevity! I proposed to my spouse here with a lavender lock. 

The DFI Core Faculty

Kate Breslin

LCSW
Instructor

Kate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Sex Therapist. Her private practice focuses on clients who want to work on issues under the umbrella of relationships–with self, partners, family, society etc. Kate enjoys empowering clients to learn how to ensure their relationships lead to harmony, balance, and fulfillment. Kate is also committed to battling the stigma associated with the experience of sexual and gender minorities and supporting clients who identify with these communities.

Margaret Elliott Nelson

MA, LPC, AAMFT Clinical Member
Instructor, Communications Consultant

Maggie (she/her) is a DFI alum and a licensed professional counselor. She has over 10 years of experience in the field and owns her own practice, Elliott Counseling Services, where she focuses on helping couples and individuals navigate the joys and challenges of the relationships in their lives.

Misti Klarenbeek-McKenna

LCSW, LMFT, ICEEFT Certified Supervisor
Supervisor, Instructor, Supervision Consultant

I grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota but I’ve been in Colorado longer than anywhere else so this is home. 

I moved from county social services work into private practice and my practice is focused on Emotionally Focused therapy and providing supervision. I take a ballet class any time I can fit it in and I love to travel with my family.

Why I love DFI: DFI is my professional family. I began my family therapy journey here over 20 years ago and love this community of dedicated MFTs who constantly strive for excellence and then apply it to meeting an important need in the Denver area. DFI changes peoples’ lives, from our clients to our students to our faculty and board. It is inspiring and I feel honored to be a part of it.

Michael Lopez-Jensen

LCSW
Supervisor, Instructor, Teaching Consultant

I was raised in the Chicago suburbs and attended college in upstate New York. I moved to Colorado in 1992 to teach elementary school.

When I realized that parent teacher conferences were my favorite part of teaching, I left the classroom to get a Masters in Social Work with a specialty in direct practice with couples and families. I graduated from the DFI certification program in 2002 and returned to join the faculty in 2004. Clients, supervisees & students tell me they appreciate my creativity, warmth and authenticity. My professional specialties include addiction, blended families, adolescence, parenting, and supporting couples impacted by infidelity. I enjoy creative writing; public speaking; travel; and laughter.

A book I would recommend: One book I would recommend is Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth.

Emily O'Rourke-Mills

LMFT
Supervisor, Capstone Director

Emily O’Rourke-Mills is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her BA from the University of Colorado, and her MA from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Emily has been in mental health care for 15 years, beginning as a sexual assault hotline volunteer during her sophomore year in college, and most recently serving as the Clinical Director for a dual diagnosis residential treatment program. She currently sees clients with a group practice in Denver, and teaches at the University of Denver, as well as DFI. Her career has focused on working with diverse, complex populations and bringing the concerns of historically marginalized populations to the center of her work. Emily’s work with clients is warm, curious and infused with humor and respect for the honor of hearing the stories of her clients. In addition to clinical work, Emily is a nationally recognized speaker, having given lectures on trauma informed care, LGBT affirmative treatment and human development. Emily is a Colorado native, having recently returned after a 10 year California adventure. She loves reading at coffee shops, and rediscovering Denver with her wife, and their pug, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Favorite spot in Colorado: I have so many favorite spots in Colorado that it’s hard to choose just one! I love spending time in Grand County, but there’s nowhere on earth that I’d rather be than Folsom Field on a Saturday during football season.

The DFI Affiliate Faculty

Cara Allan
LMFT, CST, ATR-BC, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Supervisor

Drawing upon extensive clinical expertise cultivated across diverse settings and as the owner of Couples Counseling of Denver, Cara Allan (she/her) is a highly qualified licensed Marital and Family Therapist in Colorado and California, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and an AATA Board Certified & Registered Art Therapist. Passionate about the transformative power of therapy, particularly within intimate relationships, she possesses proven therapeutic success in individual, family, and relationship modalities, including specialized areas like sex therapy and discernment counseling. With a deep commitment to facilitating growth and healing, Cara is poised to translate her comprehensive practical experience and dedication to client well-being into a rich, engaging, and valuable learning experience for students.

Sarah Brill
LCSW, EMDR Certified
Instructor, Supervisor

Born in California and raised in Colorado, I love both the energy of the city and tranquility of the mountains. I’m a people-person at heart, and even the most seemingly chance story never ceases to captivate and inspire me.

For this reason, I was drawn to pre-medical studies in my undergraduate education at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where I earned my B.A. After living in Los Angeles for a few informative years, I proudly earned my Masters in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Denver and my Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Denver Family Institute. I’ve worked at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, and in various educational settings — providing me with a broad range of experience in the therapy and medical fields. I’ve also gained experience in the criminal justice system working with individuals transitioning from prison to parole, conducting both individual and group therapy sessions.In my experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, I’ve recognized that my specialties surround helping people to discover their authentic passions and paths, as well as helping to facilitate genuine communication between couples and families. Certified in EMDR, I also specialize in trauma work.

Kate F. Cobb
PhD, LMFT
Instructor, Supervisor

Kate is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor Candidate. She works in private practice at Colorado Couples and Family Therapy and specializes seeing couples and young adults.

Her favorite part of working with clients is helping them to think more systemically and relationally about their problems. Kate earned her PhD in Couple and Family Therapy from the University of Iowa in 2020. She has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as well as a Masters in Religious Studies from the University of Iowa. Kate grew up in the Chicago suburbs and after completing all of her higher education in Iowa City, she and her husband moved to Denver in 2020. She spends her free time exploring the city, the outdoors, spending time with her family and all their dogs, as well as making art and singing in a local choir. Kate is excited about teaching and supervising at DFI because she is passionate about learning, loves helping others become great therapists, and enjoys being a part of a community of other therapists.

Grace Edstrom
LCSW
Supervisor

A native of Boulder, Colorado, Grace Edstrom earned her Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver and her Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Denver Family Institute. 

She works with individuals, couples, and teens, and practices therapy through a strength-based and attachment lens. Grace is passionate about being a therapist because she believes that human relationships are “what it’s all about.” She knows that when we feel seen, safe, and supported by the important people in our lives, we become braver, more authentic, and better able to be fully ourselves. Becoming a part of the DFI community was this incredible experience of finding my professional family. It gave me the skills, confidence, experience, and mentorship to discover my most authentic self as a clinician, and was the spring board from which every aspect of my career jumped off. I am proud of the work DFI does, how it serves both its students and the community, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the ways in which DFI shaped my life.

Joyce Miles Jacquote
Supervisor

My name is Joyce Miles Jacquote. I obtained my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. I hold the licenses of LMFT Supervisor and LCDC. 

In addition, I am the owner of a solo private practice, Overcoming Miles Counseling, PLLC. In my private practice, I provide therapy via telehealth for individuals, couples, and families in the states of Colorado, Texas, Utah, and Washington. My therapeutic passions are serving the communities that I am a part of, including the Black and Brown communities and Queer communities. On a personal note, when I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, listening to music, and tending to my plants.

Amanda Jepson
LPC, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Board Certified Sexologist
Instructor

Amanda Jepson (she/her) is a total sex nerd, both personally and professionally. She is one of the co-founders of Respark Foundation, a Clinical Therapist at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, and an adjunct lecturer for the University of Colorado-Denver and Denver Family Institute. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, and a Board-Certified Sexologist. Amanda has been a therapist for nearly 15 years; she specializes in working with active duty and veteran military service members and first responders on issues such as combat trauma, physical or sexual abuse, sexual assault, and vicarious trauma. Additionally, her specialized training means she is skilled in helping clients navigate issues and interests related to sex, sexuality, consensual nonmonogamy, and kink from an intersectional and inclusive lens. Amanda utilizes a variety of interventions, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), mindfulness, CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), Narrative Therapy, Sensate Focus, DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), and Motivational Interviewing.  Amanda has been previously featured on the Sex & Psychology Podcast as well as on Midori’s Consent Dojo and Patreon. She is passionate about empowering her clients as they reclaim their whole selves, providing consultation to both seasoned and new providers, and being a sex-positive provocateur in clinical and educational spaces.

Will R. Logan
LCSW, LMFT
Supervisor

Will Logan (they/them) is a queer and trans/nonbinary Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. They graduated from DFI in 2017 and earned their MSW at the University of Denver in 2016.

Will has 13+ years of experience in the sexuality field, and their private practice is focused on trauma and attachment work—spanning from queer and trans-affirming family therapy to individual therapy in the areas of sex, gender, and sexuality. Their work as a therapist and supervisor is rooted in values of anti-racism, anti-oppression, abolitionism, and disability justice.

Ashley Niemann
Supervisor

Ashley (she/her) works as a Clinical Supervisor at Denver Family Institute and is the founder of Aspen Grove Mental Health, a practice specializing in working with teens, young adults and relationships. 

Ashley is a newcomer to Colorado having moved around the US, originally from Minnesota. She is a graduate of Northcentral University in 2018 where she was trained in Marriage and Family Therapy, specializing in children and adolescents. Ashley has training and experience specifically working with Autism, Trauma, Permanency/Adoption and Grief and loss with children and teens. She is honored to give back to the next generation of therapists and support their journey of finding unique passions within the mental health field. Outside of the office, you will find Ashley spending time with those she loves and outside in the sunshine as often as possible.

Kerry Stutzman
MSW, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor 
Supervisor, Alumna, Board Chair 2012 – 2017, Tenant

Kerry thinks of herself as a Parentologist. She studies parenting, practices parenting on her six kids, teaches parenting and works with parents in her private practice.

Her private practice office is at DFI South where she works with individuals, couples and families. In the summer of 2019, she conducted a research project about parent-teen relationships and is passionate about working with parents of teens. Kerry is a Denver native who marvels every day at how amazing the Rocky Mountains are, She loves to cycle, sail, go on picnics and have family dinners. I couldn’t pick just one. You can pick whichever you choose. Her favorite place in Colorado is Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp near Pike’s Peak where she has been a camper, counselor and director, and where her extended family goes for holidays to sled and play broomball. Website is kerrystutzman.com.

Why I love DFI: Because DFI provides high-quality, experiential training for therapists who think about the whole family system and look for strengths first.

Darin Wallis
PhD, LCSW, LMFT, CACIII, AAMFT Clinical Fellow & Approved Supervisor
Instructor, Supervisor

Dr. Wallis is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work and an Affiliate Faculty at Regis University in their Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy program. 

Darin teaches and is a clinical supervisor at Denver Family Institute where he is currently a Core Faculty Member, consulting on clinical supervision, and formerly the Interim Executive Director. He received his MSW from Colorado State University, his post-graduate certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy from Denver Family Institute, and his PhD in Social Work from the University of Denver. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), a Certified Addictions Counselor III (CACIII), an American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT) Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor. Darin is the Past President of the Colorado Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, is the Past Chair of the Council of Division Presidents for AAMFT, and a Past Director on the National Board of AAMFT. Dr. Wallis is the owner of the Colorado Center for Couples & Family Therapy. Darin is also part of the group practice at Denver Family Therapy Center. Dr. Wallis is also one of the founding members of the Colorado Center for Applied Systemic Thinking (CoCAST), which trains therapists on systemic / relational therapies and supervision.

Eduardo Viezca
Instructor

Eduardo (he/they) is a Maya priest, public intellectual, and licensed clinical social worker. As part of his therapy and coaching practices, he works with queer and multicultural couples, while his intellectual interests seek to bridge decolonization with ancestral wisdom practices. Eduardo is currently completing his doctoral dissertation on decolonial feminist theory and praxis.

Kalen D. Zeiger
PhD, LMFT, CCTP, CFTP
Supervisor

Kalen is the Director of Clinical Development and Outreach at Radiant Counseling and Wellness Center. Kalen previously served as the Assistant Director of the University of Iowa’s LGBTQ Counseling Clinic. They focus on clinical work and research with LGBTQ+ populations, trauma and resilience, identity development, and inclusive healthcare.