DFI Presents: Queer Youth Training Program

Alex Leach (she/her) is the Nondiscrimination Coordinator at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDHPE). Prior to her role at CDPHE, Alex served in roles focused on suicide prevention and crisis response. Alex is passionate about helping clinicians to become more comfortable with the topic of suicide and teaches as an Adjunct Faculty in MSU Denver and DU’s schools of Social Work. Alex received her Bachelor’s Degree from Dartmouth College, a dual MSW/MPH from the University of Michigan, and a law degree from the University of Denver. 

August Tousignant-Stanton (they/them) is a therapist, supervisor, and speaker through their private practice Affirming Psychotherapy LLC. August holds a masters in social work and a certificate in marriage and family therapy, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). August is also the Program Director at Denver Family Institute and is the Lead Clinician on the newly-developed Queer Youth Program at Denver Family Institute. August has over 12 years of experience in the field, and specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ youth and their families as well as intimate partner relationships. August has presented to various groups in the Denver community, including medical practices, Sherwin Williams, and Optum Health. They live in Denver with their wife and three young children.

Eduardo (he, they) is a licensed therapist by way of social work, a Maya Priest, an emerging scholar-activist-creative, and therapist in private practice. He joined the faculty at DFI in 2024 where he designed and taught the new course, “MFT 651-Self of the Therapist II: Advanced Use of Self and the Reflexive Therapist,” for DFI’s marriage and family therapy training program. Eduardo will be teaching DFI’s new course for the Queer Youth Program titled “The Golden Thread of Power, Privilege and Oppression in Psychotherapy.”

Emily O'Rourke-Mills (she/her) is a dedicated licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in substance use issues, with a particular focus on supporting queer individuals. With a Master’s degree from the California Institute of Integral Studies, Emily is licensed to practice in both Colorado and California.In addition to her clinical work at a group practice, Emily serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver School of Social Work and is a Core Faculty member at the Denver Family Institute. Through her teaching and therapeutic practice, Emily is committed to fostering understanding and healing within the communities she serves, with a focus on anti-oppression and systemic issues. 

Erin Harrop (they/them), LICSW, PhD is a medical social worker, eating disorders clinician, and Assistant Professor at the University of Denver. Erin specializes in eating disorders and weight stigma among marginalized populations, with a particular interest in LGBTQ+ and gender expansive populations. Erin is a licensed independent social worker and has completed three interdisciplinary training programs, including the Leadership and Education in Adolescent Health Fellowship. They also earned their Certified Prevention Professional, focusing on eating disorder and substance use prevention.

Fiona Cochran (she/they), LMFT, ACS is a couples and sex therapist who specializes in work with queer and BIPOC folx with over a decade of experience in the field of mental health. Fiona currently works in private practice, provides clinical supervision, and speaks frequently on the topics of sex, sexuality, and relationships. Fiona is currently in the process of becoming a certified sex therapist through AASECT and recently completed training to provide Ketamine Assisted Therapy. When Fiona is not working, she enjoys spending time with her life partner and three children, traveling, and making sourdough bread.

Gwen Bonilla (she/her) is a social worker, instructor, and therapist and currently serves as Clinic Director at Denver Family Institute. Gwen holds a masters in social work and a certificate in marriage and family therapy. She served as the Chair of DFI’s Social Justice Advisory Board from 2019-2023. Gwen has 20 years of experience in the human services field, and specializes in working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Prior to her work with DFI, Gwen spent most of her career in the I/DD field as a caseworker, program manager, and clinician.

Jennifer Shivey (she/hers), a passionate and dedicated play therapist, practice owner, LGBTQ+ advocate for youth, affiliate faculty member and international speaker and consultant. She has a profound commitment to the emotional well-being of children and adolescents with the focus of her recent work being supporting transgender and gender expansive youth and their families.

Jennifer Shivey holds a MA in Community Counseling, is a Registered Play TherapistSupervisor, an Approved Clinical Supervisor and an Approved Provider with theAssociation for Play Therapy. She incorporates EMDR into her clinical work as well. As a seasoned play therapist, Ms. Shivey has accumulated years of hands-on experience in using various therapeutic techniques tailored to the unique needs of each child.

Jessie (he/him) is a queer trans man and therapist. Jessie is neurodivergent (autistic and ADHD) and is an ambulatory wheelchair user due to disabling Long COVID. He runs a private therapy and clinical training practice called Serotiny Counseling that primarily serves trans and autistic clients of all ages. Jessie has 15+ years of experience working with autistic youth and providing professional training about gender and neurodiversity. Jessie loves women’s basketball, birds, and camping.

Jonna Finocchio (they/them) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and serves as the Behavioral Health Services Program Manager at the TRUE Center for Gender Diversity. They are currently finishing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree with a concentration in Community and Behavioral Health. Jonna has over 14 years of experience working with the transgender and gender-diverse community, predominantly supporting trans youth and their families. In addition to providing direct care as a behavioral health clinician throughout that time, Jonna has also created training curricula to improve and advance community providers’ understanding of gender-affirming care. They have had the opportunity to train medical providers, mental health professionals, educators and paraeducators, legal professionals, insurance representatives, child protective service employees, front office staff, and students. Jonna has also previously served as a gender diversity consultant at numerous agencies and has worked with universities as well as outpatient, inpatient, and residential treatment facilities to create standard operating procedures for the safe and ethical treatment of gender-diverse youth in care. They firmly believe in the value of incorporating the insight of the community into the healthcare that serves them.

Merissa Cope (they/them) is a professor at the University of Denver and a therapist with The Cannon Institute. They received their Master's in Social Work from the University of Denver, and their Bachelor's in Sociology from Emory University. They are white, queer, temporarily able-bodied, and neurotypical. Their brain thrives on organization/logistics and their heart thrives on connection. They love talking about feelings, leaning into nuance, and finding humor where it’s possible. They are passionate about people of all ages and all identities accessing affordable and comprehensive mental health care, and are excited to contribute their passion and knowledge to this program!

Nicole (Nykol) Harrison (she/her/they) is a LMFT, LAC, RP-T private practitioner, supervisor, and instructor. Nykol specializes in working with families, individuals, and children of color and emphasizes working with clinicians in supporting culturally appropriate services to enhance marginalized communities. Nykol has worked with homeless and housing insecure youth for more than 15 years, 10 of which was with Urban Peak Denver. Nykol does not consider herself an expert on the topic of homelessness, but as an advocate for youth homelessness and housing insecurity.

Ryann Morgan (they/them) is a dedicated mental health counselor with three years of experience in the field. Graduating with high distinction, Ryann was a proud member of the counseling honor society during graduate school. They specialize in providing support to queer youth, utilizing a compassionate and affirming approach to foster resilience and personal growth. Ryann is committed to creating an inclusive and safe space for all clients, ensuring that their unique experiences and identities are honored and understood.

Sarah (she/they) is a queer, neurodivergent individual of European heritage (Italian, French, Irish, and Scottish). Living with an invisible disability, she recognizes gaps in her understanding of People of the Global Majority and other identities, viewing this as an opportunity for continuous growth and actively uplifting marginalized voices.

Sarah is the owner and therapist at Chrysalis Counseling, LLC, with a background in school social work, engaging in school based mental health services and special education coordination in Colorado school districts.

Born and raised in Montréal, Canada, Sarah has been a resident of so-called Denver since 2013, acknowledging the land that occupies the traditional territories of the Cheyenne, Ute, and Arapahoe peoples.