A.R.T. Providers

Hello all! My name is Carlos Villafan, and I am the owner of Mind Renewal Behavioral Health Services. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, since 2010. My Undergraduate studies were completed at UCLA and my graduate coursework at the University of Colorado, at Colorado Springs. I am currently finishing up my Applied Doctoral Project in Health & Wellness Psychology. I became a mental health professional to “pay it forward” in how help was rendered to me once upon a time by different folks – friends, family, and professionals alike! I came up in this field doing mostly community-based or home-based therapy with high-risk teens and their families. Now, my focus is on helping those suffering from life’s traumas. Although I am a CBT therapist by nature, my therapeutic work is mostly done using Accelerated Resolution Therapy or ART. Two philosophies that have been at the core of my work have been “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” as well as “If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.” The typical population ages that I work with range from young teens to older adults. Another way I hope to “pay it forward” is to help counselors-in-training, as well as newly graduated counselors, navigate their early careers as therapists by providing a practicum & internship site to forming clinicians. As such, I am an Approved Clinical Supervisor and appreciate sharing my experiences with counseling students and pre-licensed clinicians.

One of my favorite quotes was written by Henry Thoreau and it goes as follows: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life…” “…to know by experience…” All of us have our own stories to share and I would like to hear yours. Life is an adventure full of experiences of all sorts that lead us to where we are and to whom we have become. There may come a time when a non-judgmental therapist is needed to help you see and deal with what you can learn from your experiences in your life. I have experienced the continuum of care in the mental health field from inpatient, residential, day treatment, in home services, and outpatient therapies. I believe meeting individuals, couples, and families in their areas of need is important for them to meet their potential. I have also spent over a decade in the prehospital arena experiencing people’s everyday lives in progress. The experiences gave me priceless insights into how people react under duress and how to get them to a safe state of mind. I am looking forward to assisting you, your spouse, and/or your family in meeting your mental health needs. To allow you to know mental health services through your own experience.

I have worked in the DHA Healthcare System for 7 years now. I have been a military wife for 15 plus years and I am a military parent for 8 years. I understand the needs of our growing community and how people need empathy and someone who will listen and advocates for our people who have Developmental and cultural disabilities and needs. I also welcome LGBTQIA+ culture. In my spare time I love spending time with my family and our 3 dogs.

Liz was born and raised in Colorado Springs. She received her Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 2019 and her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in early 2024. Liz has experience working in elderly care, inpatient behavioral health, and is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. She prefers working with clients over the age of 12 and specializes in anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ and women's issues. In her free time she enjoys playing pool, spending time with her family and black lab Maggie.

Michaela Luck graduated from Adams State University with her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is also a Certified Accelerated Resolution Therapist (ART). Michaela’s passionate about empathizing and hearing the stories people tell through words or play. She advocates for her clients and meets them where they’re at in their journey. With an integrative approach to Person-Centered Therapy and Narrative Therapy, clients are empowered to heal through their stories. Michaela places an importance on listening and validating clients, along with pointing out their strengths. Michaela has a passion for working with children, young adults and adults through play therapy, trauma therapy, grief therapy, suicide prevention, and parenting. Outside of work, Michaela loves to spend time with her people (and pup), be outdoors, travel and drink a good cup of coffee.

Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have 9 years of experience in this field. I enjoy working with patients of all walks of life, ages 15 and up and as a veteran myself, I enjoy working with military vets and military families as well. I specialize in: Physical, mental and emotional trauma; depression; anxiety; PTSD; grief and loss; relationship issues; couples and aging issues. I utilize several therapy modalities to include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT, Narrative therapy and I am also trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). "I take a whole human approach seeking to balance body, mind and spirit."

Hello! My name is Melissa, and I specialize in helping clients overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and problems with themselves, partners, and others. I have experience with active-duty Army and a military spouse for the last 20 years. I am Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Colorado using cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment, and emotion focused approach and dialect behavioral therapy. I have a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Maryland University with a minor in criminal justice. I have 5 years clinical experience with inpatient therapy and intervention for suicidal and homicidal ideation at a military hospital and in crisis intervention as well as one-on-one therapy. Some of my specialties include PCS struggles, relationship strains from work-ups and deployments, grief over fallen friends, suicidal thoughts and history, PTSD, MST, and civilian transitioning. I focus on providing evidence-based practices with culturally competent care to include, but not limited to, CBT for PTSD, DBT for insomnia, and CBT for depression and anxiety.

“We go through difficult situations that makes us lose hope; without knowing or having any idea how to deal with it. However, in each lose there is a learning and collateral beauty that makes you be grateful for what you still have.” I`m a bi-cultural counselor that provides therapy to individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, and sexual abuse, and I also work with those needing support through life transitions and grief. Therapies I use include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused, Psychodynamic, Motivational Interviewing, and I am trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). I work primarily with Teens and Adults and I’m sensitive to the needs of immigrant populations and people of color. I conduct therapy in both English and Spanish, whatever language you feel most comfortable.

I approach therapy with compassion, and to work alongside with each client to reach your goals. By sharing your concerns, together we can develop a workable solution-focused plan to bring solid changes and make the greatest impact on problem issues. I offer skills and techniques to reduce anxiety/fears, stress, depression, mood changes, and help with relationship communications and the ability to function more resiliently. We will identify triggers, images, thoughts, emotions and sensations that cause difficulties and work to create an optimally healthy mind that functions in a healthy way. My practice style uses a combination of cognitive/behavioral therapy that is “problem focused” (specific problems) and action oriented (assisting the client in selecting strategies to address those problems). It is relationships-centered (focused on affected relationships), strengths- based (notice what you do well), and culturally sensitive (Your background/lifestyle). I am EMDR Trained (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and ART Trained (Accelerated Resolution Therapy).