ABOUT US
Roads & Rivers helps struggling and frustrated families and individuals find direction and hope
Roads & Rivers is a private practice of licensed therapists and counselors, serving the greater Denver area, Colorado.
We support families and individuals with a range of therapeutic interventions that are soundly based in current mental health research practices. Our clientele includes children, adolescents, parents, and also individual adults. We also specialize in Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics © (NMT) which provides support to children suffering from the effects of trauma.
If you’re frustrated with life’s challenges, unsure of what to do next, and yearning to find hope and direction for yourself or a loved one, we can help you take the next step.
OUR VALUES
At Roads & Rivers, we meet you in your moment (on your road) with a deep sense of compassion and understanding.
Together we will help to bring clear direction and hope to your unique situation through our integrated therapeutic approaches. We back this up with a network of resources tailored to support you on your journey.
Our practice is underpinned by the desire to make mental health more accessible, more affordable, and more transparent for all. We aim to achieve this in several ways…
Being affordable and available when you need us
We’re passionate about making mental health available to everyone. This means offering certain services at a more affordable rate, accepting Medicaid insurance, having multiple locations, and also having immediate availability.
Demystifying mental health care
We know how complicated the healthcare system and medical insurance can be, which makes it really confusing for people in need of mental health support to get the help they need, when they need it. Our goal is to make the path to wellness easier and simpler for you to navigate.
Providing support above and beyond
We aim to provide each individual with the support they need even if it’s not at our practice. You are more than welcome to contact us and even if we’re not the right fit for you, we’ll connect you to the right resources so that you can get the help you need as soon as possible.
Beyond the practical aspects of providing quality mental health care, at Roads & Rivers we aim to help you find an anchor of hope within the river of your life.
Book a free 15-minute introductory call with us today to find how we can help you take the next step.
OUR TEAM
Meet the team of therapists and counselors dedicated to helping you navigate life’s journey
“As a therapist, it is my joy to lean into the power and hope of supportive relationships. I value continued learning and support for myself so that I can meet my clients’ needs with care and wisdom.”
Jennifer Thorstad
Roads & Rivers Founder & Lead Therapist (MA, LPC, ACS, NCC)
Jennifer relocated to Colorado with her family from the south east in 2016 before starting Roads & Rivers. She is a sucker for dogs, planning new ideas and adventures, and being outside near all forms of water. She also loves being still on a rainy or snowy day, enjoying music, a book, or connecting with friends and family.
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• 22+ years’ experience working mental health, 13 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Experience providing counseling and therapy in various settings including outpatient therapy offices, homes/schools/community, enhanced mental health services for children and adolescents, and psychiatric emergency services
• Extensive formal trainings in: attachment-based approaches, developmentally and biologically informed treatment, trauma-informed approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, and animal assisted psychotherapy skills
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• History of trauma
• Various types of anxieties
• Attachment/adoption support
• ADHD and executive functioning - adult and child
• Behavioral/emotional disorders of childhood
• Parent consult and support
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• Attachment-focused and developmentally informed
• Experiential/creative therapies
• Play therapy
• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
• Narrative therapy
• Animal assisted psychotherapy
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• Masters degree in Counseling (MA)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in CO (2016-present)
• Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
• National Board Certified Counselor (NCC)
• Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT): Trained and Certified
• Licensed Professional Counselor in NC (2010-2017)
“I love authentically connecting with others in a therapeutic setting to help build on their strengths and identify areas of growth.”
Anna Melillo
MA, LCSW, SSW
Anna has lived in Colorado since 2016, but has lived throughout the United States and also spent time living and exploring internationally. She loves to travel and learn about new cultures and cuisines. Like most Coloradans, she enjoys the outdoors, especially skiing and paddle boarding. To combine her love for cats and ‘Lord of the Rings’, she aptly named her two fur babies Arwen and Pippin.
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• 7 years’ experience in the field of mental health
• Experience working with children, adolescents, and families in various settings including schools, residential treatment programs, and day treatment programs
• Extensive experience with children who have experienced trauma
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• Attachment/adoption
• Parent support and consultation and collaboration with schools
• Behavioral/emotional disorders of childhood
• History of trauma
• Anxiety and fears
• Consultation with schools/teachers
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• Developmentally sensitive and trauma informed
• Play therapy/synergetic play therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Creative therapies
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• Masters Degree in Social Work (MA)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• School Social Worker (SSW)
• Trained and certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) and Neurosequential Model of Education (NME)
“I hope to come alongside you and be present with you as you work towards growth and change.”
Mikey Espegren
MA, LPC
Mikey moved to Colorado in 2014 and is a big time fan. She’s lived in the mountains and in the city and loves exploring both. When she’s not in the state, she’s visiting family and friends in California and Texas. Mikey loves to anticipate each season with excitement, like skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. There is so much to look forward to!
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Multiple years of experience working with adolescents prior to beginning a counseling career
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• Individual counseling for adults and teens
• Play therapy for children
• Anxiety and fears
• Depression
• Identity development
• Grief and loss
• Life transitions
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• Developmentally sensitive and trauma informed
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Experiential therapies
• Play therapy
• Narrative therapy
• Person-centered therapy
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• Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
• Licensed Professional Counselor , CO
Affordable counseling offered by…
“You are making a courageous decision to pursue healing and tap into your resiliency. Through our work together, you will learn to embrace your unique journey, finding clarity, purpose, and empowerment along the way.”
Alison Blunk
Alison grew up in Chicago, spent a number of years living internationally, and eventually moved to Colorado in early 2021. She thoroughly enjoys reading, starting her day with a long walk, and baking sourdough bread. Alison is passionate about health and wellness, being a Chicagoan, & trying new recipes.
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• 5+ years experience working internationally with adolescents, teens, adults
• Experience working in community mental health clinic
• Experience helping with anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidality, and addiction
• Severe mental illness
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• Anxiety and Depression
• Self Harm and Suicidality
• Life and career transitions. Personal identity
• Attachment concerns
• Somatic Experiencing
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• Play Therapy
• Narrative therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Person Centered Approach
• Prepare and Enrich Certified
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• Clinician-in-training from a highly accredited masters level counseling program
“I am passionate about honoring your story and how it shapes your thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs. I believe that every individual has a unique set of resiliencies, and I would love to work with you as you grow your strengths and gain self-compassion.”
Martta Ensio
Martta has been living in Colorado since 2020 with her loyal pup Nova. She loves all the adventures that Colorado has to offer and has an enthusiasm for board sports. In her down time she enjoys Sci-Fi novels, hobby farming, and trying new recipes.
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• 6 years of teaching and caregiving for children and adolescents
• Experience working in high school and middle school communities
• Experience helping individuals struggling with relationship dynamics
• Experience working with older adults facing life transitions -
• Children and Teens
• Women’s mental health
• Adults: Individual therapy, relationship dynamics, parent support
• Anxiety and Trauma history
• Chronic Illness -
• Play Therapy
• Narrative therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Trained in Brainspotting
• Somatic Therapy -
• Clinician-in-training from a highly accredited masters level counseling program
STEP ONE
Book a Free Call
Book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our trained therapists to access your or your loved one’s mental health care needs, and to find out whether Roads & rivers is the right fit for you.
Access quality mental health care in 3 easy steps…
STEP TWO
Assess your needs
During our call we’ll match you with the best therapist to help you or your loved one with your specific challenge. We’ll help you navigate payment and insurance requirements, and book you for your first appointment.
STEP THREE
Access quality support
Take the first step on your journey to wellness. We can’t wait to meet you!
We’ll also happily guide you to extra resources to deepen your growth.