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Our Therapists
Judy Austin, MA, LPC, NBCC - Director
As a licensed professional counselor, Judy specializes in working with children, adolescents and their families around issues of grief, loss, and healthy attachments. She was the director of children’s bereavement programs for Hospice of Mercy through 2007, has consulted with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, is on the faculty of Fort Lewis College, and has a private therapy practice in Durango. Judy is a graduate of Northwestern University, The University of Colorado, and the Mindfulness Education Institute, and is a National Board Certified Counselor, a Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional with advanced training in EMDR, Brainspotting and EFT, and a certified Mindful Schools facilitator. She is also a member of the National Alliance for Grieving Children, the International Association of Trauma Professionals, and the Association for Death Education and Counseling.
Anne Bartlett, CLMA, RSMT, MSW
Anne earned a masters’ degree in Social Work from the University of Denver in 2020 and is working toward licensure as a clinical social worker. In addition, she is a registered somatic movement therapist and has over 25 years’ experience as a movement artist, educator, and therapist. Anne incorporates mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy-influenced skills and tools, along with empathy and compassionate listening in her work with clients. She also offers yoga and movement workshops and ongoing groups for people experiencing grief and loss.
Mary Dengler-Frey, MA, LPCC
A series of positive life experiences led Mary to the counseling profession. She earned her master’s degree in counseling from Adam’s State University. Her background in education, art, and environmental studies has prepared her to listen well and understand that every client has unique challenges, connections, and gifts. Mary meets clients where they are in their grief and partners with them on their journey as they recognize their own grief needs and goals. Through strength-based and culturally sensitive approaches, Mary aims to empower and support her clients and help them find meaning in their loss, whether through death, diagnosis or other life circumstances.
Julie Hutson, MA, LPC, NCC, CGCS
Julie is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate, Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Certified Grief Counselling Specialist with a professional background in working with individuals with developmental disabilities. She understands that loss is a personal experience and that healing does not follow predictable stages. Julie works with children, adolescents, and adults following a person-centered approach that aims to meet each person where they are at in their grief journey. She is committed to walking beside each person as they process their loss and learn to reconnect with life in a meaningful way.
Melinda Jameson, MA, LPC
Melinda is a licensed professional counselor who has been in private practice in Durango for 27 years. She specializes in working with children and adolescents and has considerable experience with trauma and grief, particularly with mothers who have lost children.
Jim Kavenaugh, Ph.D
Dr. Jim Kavanaugh is a licensed Psychologist with a long history of service to children, youth, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds. Having worked in local schools for the past decade, he is eturning to clinical practice and partnering with the Grief Center, with an emphasis on therapeutic services to families, couples, and other significant relationships. He uses a variety of perspectives and approaches to facilitate desired changes with clients. His mission is to compassionately accompany clients in facing and managing life challenges in ways that strengthen their relationships and foster individual wellness. He provides services at the Grief Center on Saturdays and Sundays and through telehealth and is able to accept many insurances, including Medicaid.
Julie Madden, MA, Lead Grief Coach
Julie holds a master’s degree in counseling and specializes in grief coaching primarily with adults. She was the bereavement and volunteer coordinator for Hospice of Mercy for close to 25 years until 2007, working with Judy Austin to conduct children and family bereavement camps and facilitating grief support groups for adults. Julie has degrees from Marygrove College, Adams State University and Fort Lewis College.
Caleb Speas, MA, LPC
Caleb found the counseling profession via the long route-- working in finance, construction, and for non-profits before realizing that his best work is serving people by hearing their stories and walking alongside them. He is deeply pulled to grief work because when we lose our loved ones we can feel like our worlds are shattered, and helping to find connection in those times is vital to survival and making meaning. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, walking his dogs, snowboarding, painting, and reading.
Our Graduate School Interns
Precious Holcomb
Sadie Lewis
Takanori Kondo
Kate Osterloh
Maria Santiago
Devin Wills
Judy Austin, MA, LPC, NBCC - Director
As a licensed professional counselor, Judy specializes in working with children, adolescents and their families around issues of grief, loss, and healthy attachments. She was the director of children’s bereavement programs for Hospice of Mercy through 2007, has consulted with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, is on the faculty of Fort Lewis College, and has a private therapy practice in Durango. Judy is a graduate of Northwestern University, The University of Colorado, and the Mindfulness Education Institute, and is a National Board Certified Counselor, a Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional with advanced training in EMDR, Brainspotting and EFT, and a certified Mindful Schools facilitator. She is also a member of the National Alliance for Grieving Children, the International Association of Trauma Professionals, and the Association for Death Education and Counseling.
Anne Bartlett, CLMA, RSMT, MSW
Anne earned a masters’ degree in Social Work from the University of Denver in 2020 and is working toward licensure as a clinical social worker. In addition, she is a registered somatic movement therapist and has over 25 years’ experience as a movement artist, educator, and therapist. Anne incorporates mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy-influenced skills and tools, along with empathy and compassionate listening in her work with clients. She also offers yoga and movement workshops and ongoing groups for people experiencing grief and loss.
Mary Dengler-Frey, MA, LPCC
A series of positive life experiences led Mary to the counseling profession. She earned her master’s degree in counseling from Adam’s State University. Her background in education, art, and environmental studies has prepared her to listen well and understand that every client has unique challenges, connections, and gifts. Mary meets clients where they are in their grief and partners with them on their journey as they recognize their own grief needs and goals. Through strength-based and culturally sensitive approaches, Mary aims to empower and support her clients and help them find meaning in their loss, whether through death, diagnosis or other life circumstances.
Julie Hutson, MA, LPC, NCC, CGCS
Julie is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate, Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Certified Grief Counselling Specialist with a professional background in working with individuals with developmental disabilities. She understands that loss is a personal experience and that healing does not follow predictable stages. Julie works with children, adolescents, and adults following a person-centered approach that aims to meet each person where they are at in their grief journey. She is committed to walking beside each person as they process their loss and learn to reconnect with life in a meaningful way.
Melinda Jameson, MA, LPC
Melinda is a licensed professional counselor who has been in private practice in Durango for 27 years. She specializes in working with children and adolescents and has considerable experience with trauma and grief, particularly with mothers who have lost children.
Jim Kavenaugh, Ph.D
Dr. Jim Kavanaugh is a licensed Psychologist with a long history of service to children, youth, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds. Having worked in local schools for the past decade, he is eturning to clinical practice and partnering with the Grief Center, with an emphasis on therapeutic services to families, couples, and other significant relationships. He uses a variety of perspectives and approaches to facilitate desired changes with clients. His mission is to compassionately accompany clients in facing and managing life challenges in ways that strengthen their relationships and foster individual wellness. He provides services at the Grief Center on Saturdays and Sundays and through telehealth and is able to accept many insurances, including Medicaid.
Julie Madden, MA, Lead Grief Coach
Julie holds a master’s degree in counseling and specializes in grief coaching primarily with adults. She was the bereavement and volunteer coordinator for Hospice of Mercy for close to 25 years until 2007, working with Judy Austin to conduct children and family bereavement camps and facilitating grief support groups for adults. Julie has degrees from Marygrove College, Adams State University and Fort Lewis College.
Caleb Speas, MA, LPC
Caleb found the counseling profession via the long route-- working in finance, construction, and for non-profits before realizing that his best work is serving people by hearing their stories and walking alongside them. He is deeply pulled to grief work because when we lose our loved ones we can feel like our worlds are shattered, and helping to find connection in those times is vital to survival and making meaning. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, walking his dogs, snowboarding, painting, and reading.
Our Graduate School Interns
Precious Holcomb
Sadie Lewis
Takanori Kondo
Kate Osterloh
Maria Santiago
Devin Wills
