Psychotherapists
Abigail LaVoo PhD, LPC-S, LAC, PMH-C
Abigail has lived in the Colorado Springs area since the age of five. She enjoys hiking, skiing, camping and spoiling her dogs in her free time. She is a mother of 2 children. Abigail has been in the mental health field for 24 years and has been licensed since 2006 in the State of Colorado.
Abigail is trained in the evidence based modalities such as Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, Dialectic-Behavioral therapy, Eye-Movement-Desensitization-Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, Positive psychology, and Attachment-Based therapy.
She uses a holistic approach to therapy with a mind-body connection focus. She has extensive training with perinatal support/post-partum, infertility, trauma, job loss, bereavement, death and dying, anxiety, depression, addiction, military issues, divorce, and blended families. In addition, she has a certification in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (pregnancy issues).
Licensed Addiction Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
EMDRIA Certification
Perinatal Mental Health Certification
Masters Counseling Psychology
Doctorate Organizational Leadership and Development
Postpartum Support International Member
Administrator/Owner/Clinical Supervisor
drlavoo@monumentalexperiences.info
Andrea Grasmick, EdD, MS, LPCC
Andrea has lived In Colorado and Northern Virginia and considers herself to be a world traveler. She is a mother of two, and loves the outdoors, climbing, flying a single-engine airplane, hiking with her dog, and spending time with friends and family. This is a second career for her and she enjoys working with people, being a part of their journey and learning every day.
Andrea has training in trauma-informed care, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Solutions-Focused therapy, Mental skills, and biofeedback training. Andrea’s approach is to work with the whole person - cognitively, emotionally, and physiologically.
Andrea understands that seeking support and guidance during difficult times is hard and sometimes overwhelming. She provides a collaborative relationship addressing life changes, significant life decisions, infertility, parenting, adoptions, anxiety and depression symptoms, Adult ADHD, identity issues, eating disorders, and coping with high-stress environments.
Licensed Professional Counseling Candidate
HeartMath Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Master of Science Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Doctorate of Education in Sports and Performance Psychology.
Contact Andrea at 719-480-8848 to start your counseling. therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
Psychotherapist
(CCHA and RMHC Medicaid, BCBS/Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, United Health care/Optum Provider)
Ashlie Robertson LPCC, ACMHC, CMHC
Originally from a small agricultural town, Ashlie transitioned to a military spouse, allowing her the opportunity to travel and have new experiences. Travel and continuous change has altered her personal and professional perspective on facing adversities, which has helped her as a therapist. She enjoys activities such as hiking, snow boarding, gardening, sewing, cooking, and listening to books.
Ashlie believes, what works for one person is not necessarily going to be beneficial for another. She does not believe in the "one size fits all approach". Instead, the counseling process should be tailored to the individual, allowing them to achieve a more authentic Self.
She uses a combination of evidence-based treatments, including aspects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Approach, Eye-Movement-Desensitization-Reprocessing (EMDR), Interpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Approaches, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Attachment-Focused therapy.
Ashlie has a strong grasp on crisis intervention, suicidality, anxiety-related disorders, depression, and adverse childhood experiences. Her special areas of interest are postpartum, pregnancy, parenting Issues, infant and grief loss, depression/anxiety, military trauma, trauma from abuse, and PTSD/Stress Management.
She is working on licensure in several states, which allows her to work with clients over state line.
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate- Colorado
Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor-Utah
Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate-North Carolina
MS Professional Counseling
Contact Ashlie at 719-480-8848 to start your counseling. therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
Psychotherapist
(CCHA and RMHC Medicaid, BCBS/Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, United Health/Optum Provider)
Brandy Lockhart MA, LPCC, NCC
Brandy is a Colorado native, who loves living in a state with four seasons and over 300 days of sunshine! She is a wife and a mother of two great kids. With over 15 years in the mental health and social work field, Brandy has in-depth knowledge and experience with anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, family issues, and prenatal/postpartum support.
Brandy is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Family Systems Therapy (FST), Transpersonal Psychology, and Parent-Child Interactional Therapy (PCIT). Brandy uses a holistic approach with an emphasis on mind-body connection, and works from a multi-generational, attachment-based lens.
She is passionate about infant and parental mental health, attachment and bonding, substance use problems, family violence, and trauma recovery. She works with families in all stages, offering couples counseling, family planning support, infertility counseling, pregnancy decision-making assistance, prenatal counseling, non-medical birth support, breastfeeding support, postpartum counseling, birth trauma counseling, and adoption support.
Nationally Certified Counselor, National Board of Certified Counselors
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
Certified in Rapid Resolution Trauma Therapy Levels I & II
Certified Confidential Victim Advocate
Hypnotherapy Practitioner
Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling
Contact Brandy at 719-480-8848 to start your counseling.
therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
Psychotherapist
(CCHA and RMHC Medicaid, BCBS/Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Optum/United Healthcare Provider)
Christy Ball MA ,LPC
Christy is originally from Mississippi. As a proud Military Spouse, she has lived many places within the United States and abroad. Her experiences enable a unique understanding of many different backgrounds and cultures. In her spare time, Christy enjoys dance fitness, cycling, hiking, reading autobiographies, watching documentaries, traveling, and laughing. Most importantly, spending time with her friends and family.
Christy is a certified professional, who will guide and help you through your journey to make changes in your mindset, empower you with tools, and design practical coping skills which can meet your needs. Her experience includes utilizing evidence-based therapies: EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy and Trauma Solution Therapy. Christy specializes in working with minorities, military families, blended families, multiracial families, couples, and you. Her areas of interest include anxiety, depression, life transitions, cultural trauma, military issues, and stress management.
Finding the right person to talk to is hard. Finding a person you can trust, who will understand your unique needs is even harder. Christy is an active, compassionate, empathic listener who enjoys working with clients facing personal, professional, family, and/or mental health issues.
Master's Degree in Psychology and Community Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) from the state of Colorado.
Contact Christy at 719-480-8848 to start your counseling.
therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
Psychotherapist
(CCHA and RMHC Medicaid, Medicare, BCBS/Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser, Optum/United Healthcare Provider, Tricare, Triwest)
Cricket Rice, LCSW
Cricket has lived In Colorado, Kansas and California and enjoys spending time across the U.S. via traveling adventures. She is a mother of three, and loves the outdoors, camping, hiking, sporting events, travel and spending time with friends and family. She is also a proud dog mom of a corgi and German shorthair pointer.
Cricket Rice is passionate about continuous learning, advocating for mental health awareness, and engaging in self-care practices that nurture personal well-being. Cricket welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and is committed to fostering inclusivity and cultural sensitivity in every aspect of their practice. With extensive training and experience, Cricket utilizes a person-centered approach, emphasizing the client's autonomy, strengths, and unique needs to foster a collaborative and healing therapeutic environment. Cricket is deeply committed to providing a safe, empathetic, and nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Whether addressing issues related to trauma, anxiety, depression, or life transitions, Cricket tailors interventions to align with each client’s goals and pace.
As a certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) practitioner, Cricket helps clients process and resolve past traumatic experiences that continue to impact their lives. EMDR facilitates the integration of distressing memories, reducing their emotional charge and enabling clients to move forward with greater resilience and clarity.
In addition to EMDR, Cricket incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques to support clients. She works with her clients to gain practical tools to navigate life's challenges, achieve emotional balance, and create healthier relationships.
By integrating evidence-based modalities with genuine care and understanding, she helps clients rediscover their strengths and build a path toward a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Master's Degree in Social Work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Contact Cricket at 719-480-8848 to start your counseling.
therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
Psychotherapist
(Medicaid, Medicare)
Giovani Casseus, LPCC, MS/EdS
Giovani had been raised in South Florida and moved to Denver, CO after completing his master’s degree at Florida State University. In his free time, Giovani enjoys taking long walks around and in the city of Denver, traveling to and resting at beaches, writing, and admiring performing arts.
Tenets of Narrative Therapy, Emotion-focused therapy, Family-systems therapy, Couples therapy, and queer-informed theory (LGBTQ+) inform Giovani’s chosen modality of psychotherapy. Giovani works to connect with his clients on a human level to help strengthen their construct and develop their chosen life narratives so that they may live their desired lives.
Giovani has completed clinical and research training in programs and certification courses in: Human Subjects Research, Gottman Level One, Trauma and Resilience Level One, and is a member of the Sex Offender Management Board of Colorado.
Masters of Science
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
Contact Giovani at 719-480-8848 to start your counseling.
therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
Psychotherapist
(CCHA and RMHC Medicaid, BCBS/Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Optum/United Healthcare Provider)
Leigh (Lisa) Pantano MA, LPC, MAC
Leigh is originally from Staten Island, NY. Her family moved to New England when she was 5. Leigh grew up off- grid in rural southern Maine. Nonetheless, education was of high importance in her family, as
well as being of service to others. Her goal was to attend art school and become an artist working for Disney.
She then crossed the country to attend California State University at Long Beach, where she earned a BFA in Printmaking with a minor in Psychology. The art program at the time was developed by Betty
Edwards, who is the author of “Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain.” and “ Drawing on the Artist Within”. While growing as an artist, the program introduced Leigh to the idea that the only obstacle that we have in or way is our perception of things.
Leigh served as a reserve officer in the US Army and the California National Guard. When her tenure was completed she continued on to graduate school, earning a Master’s of Science in Community Counseling from the University of Phoenix.
Leigh is passionate about helping women reach their full potential. Leigh is trained in EMDR and is an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist. Leigh’s prior experience includes working with the chronically mentally ill, adult and youthful offenders, veterans and victims of trauma.
Leigh is passionate about helping clients create balance in their lives and empowers them to experience self-gratitude and self-acceptance. Leigh’s special areas of interest are working with military families and veterans issues, addiction, anxiety and mood disorders, self-esteem, and women’s issues, including perinatal work.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Master Addiction Counselor
EMDR
Acupuncture Detoxification
therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
(CCHA and RMHC Medicaid/Medicare, BCBS/Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser, United Health/Optum Provider, Tricare)
Nicole Longhofer, MA, LPCC
Nicole Longhofer, originally from Canton, Ohio, has had the unique opportunity to relocate to several states as a Veteran and military spouse. She is a mother to four children, two of whom were born at an advanced maternal age. Nicole enjoys staying at home with her children and spending time outdoors exploring new areas. Nicole’s counseling career journey began in 2018 at Antioch University New England, following a rewarding experience as a Chaplain Assistant in the United States Military.
Nicole is a psychotherapist who believes that taking the first steps toward therapy can lead to a meaningful experience. She focuses on exploring and assisting individuals in finding meaning, acceptance, and growth as they heal. Nicole describes herself as an integrative therapist who
utilizes the approach that best fits her client's needs. Her experience includes working with clients using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Strength-based Approaches while incorporating Psychodynamic Therapy elements to achieve a deeper understanding beyond symptom reduction. She is particularly interested in exploring Attachment Theory, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
Nicole is passionate about empowering individuals to overcome challenges such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, parenting difficulties, and relationship issues. Her recent opportunity as a school counselor has extended her focus to working with children and teenagers dealing with identity issues, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. As a mother of four, her life experience has led to a passion for guiding women to embrace their authentic selves. She offers personalized support to women navigating difficult relationships, single parenthood, and the demands of multiple roles.
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
Masters Of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
(CCHA and RMHC Medicaid, BCBS/Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, United Health/Optum Provider)
Penelope Hazinakis-Swainston MS, LPC-S, CCTP
Penelope is a first-generation Greek-American who is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. She is a wife of 15 years and a late in life mother of 2 teenagers, and 1 very furry German Shepherd Dog. Penelope enjoys spending time with her family, hiking in the beautiful Colorado mountains, reading, and yoga. She also enjoys volunteering with local animal rescue groups.
Penelope loves helping individuals reach their full potential, utilizing a compassionate and holistic approach to client care. She believes that learning is a life-long process, and change and development are possible in all stages of life. Penelope places a heavy emphasis on the mind-body connection, the therapeutic relationship, as well as strength-based approaches to help clients achieve their goals.
Penelope employs evidence-based treatment methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mind-Body practices, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy.
Her expertise involves helping those who struggle with trauma and complex trauma achieve mastery and healing through traditional and somatic methods. She is driven to work with women's issues, parenting, depression, anxiety, and whole body health. She is an angel ambassador for the Stillborn Stillloved Foundation.
Masters Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Diplomate, The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
Gottman Level 1 Certification
Contact Penelope at 719-480-8848 to start your counseling.
therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
Clinical Supervisor Only
Rachel Ortiz LCSW
Rachel is a native New Yorker who has been living in Colorado Springs since 2013. She honorably served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is actively involved in local veterans’ organizations. Rachel holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs
(UCCS) and a Master of Social Work from Newman University. In her career, Rachel has worked in various roles, providing case management, therapy, and mental health support to children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds. Her life experiences have taught her to embrace change, meet people where they are, and focus on the positives in life. Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and five dogs, as well as running and drinking coffee.
Her strengths lie in helping clients recognize their own abilities and
resilience through hard work and perseverance. She employs a strength-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, and holistic approach in her practice. Rachel is experienced in motivational interviewing (MI), psychotherapy, solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). She has treated a wide range of clients including children, adolescents, adults, military personnel, and veterans, assisting them in navigating life’s challenges and transitions. Her areas of expertise include psychotic disorders, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), grief and loss, mood disorders, self-harm behaviors, psychological disorders, relationship and marital challenges, coping skills, homelessness, stress, trauma, self-care, chronic pain, LGBTQIA+ issues, and dual diagnosis.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Master of Social Work
therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.info
Psychotherapist
Clinical Supervisor
(Medicaid CCHA, Medicare)
Rebecca Hodge LPCC
Rebecca grew up in Mississippi and moved to Colorado in 2023. Since moving, she has discovered a love of nature and recharges by exploring the beauty of Colorado. She enjoys hiking, photographing beautiful landscapes, spending time with family and friends, reading, and taking care of her houseplants. Rebecca is a wife, a mother, and is passionate about helping others find hope and healing.
Rebecca earned her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mississippi State University. She works with a variety of clients, with varying cultural backgrounds, and mental health conditions. Her experience has included working with female clients in residential and inpatient treatment settings.
Rebecca uses an eclectic approach to therapy, incorporating a variety of treatment modalities and evidence-based interventions that support each client’s individual needs. She provides trauma-informed care and has experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). Rebecca also enjoys incorporating art, music, and other creative outlets into therapy when appropriate.
Rebecca prioritizes providing each client with a safe and non-judgmental space where they can feel heard, supported, and valued. Her special areas of interest include trauma, mood disorders, depression, anxiety, suicidality, self-harming behaviors, neurodivergence, eating disorders, LBTQIA+ issues, infertility, postpartum, and women’s health issues.
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Contact Rebecca at 719-480-8848 to start your counseling.
therapyinquiry@monumentalexperiences.infoPsychotherapist
(Medicaid CCHA and RMHC, Cigna, UHC/Optum, Aetna, BCBS/Anthem)