WHO WE ARE

Our group practice consists of mental health providers dedicated to serving families of young children.

We are a training program and work collaboratively as a team. Staff and interns receive regular supervision and training, and clients benefit from the collective wisdom of all of our team members.

MARY BETH SWANSON, LCSW

Therapist

I have been in the human services field since completing my Masters of Social Work from University of Denver in 1996. While I have worked in a number of different settings and agencies, I have always come back to my love of children and my passion for helping them become their best selves.

I specialize in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, which includes lots of social and emotional development and support, as well as coaching for parents and caregivers. I utilize play therapy as the primary tool for connecting with children and allowing them an avenue to express themselves. I am also trained in EMDR with additional training on healing early developmental trauma for children.

Specialties/services:

Early childhood
Child-Parent Psychotherapy
Individual and dyadic play therapy
EMDR
Parent support
Maternal substance abuse disorders

HANNAH WURSTER

Therapist

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I received my graduate degrees from Colorado State University: a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and doctorate in Applied Developmental Science. Since then, I have focused my work on learning as much as I can about infants, children, their families, and how to best support them. I am endorsed by the Colorado Association of Infant Mental Health as an Infant Mental Health Specialist.

In working with clients, my first step is to build a trusting and respectful relationship. With children, this usually is done through play. I also work closely with parents, recognizing the pivotal role they play in their child's growth and healing. When working with adults, treatment typically involves discussing the impact of current and past stressors, identifying areas of strength, and building resources for self-care and emotion regulation.

Specialties/Services:

Early childhood
Individual adult
Child-Parent Psychotherapy
Circle of Security: Parenting
Early childhood trauma and relational assessments
Bilingual Spanish-English families

AMY TUTTLE, LSW

Therapist

I received my graduate degree in social work from Colorado State University. My social work background offers me a broad perspective of the concerns that clients bring to therapy and an appreciation for how these concerns are impacted on individual, family, community, and societal levels. I combine a variety of theories and perspectives to best support the unique goals of each client, including trauma-informed therapy and mindfulness.

Reaching out for support takes courage and vulnerability, and I feel privileged to work alongside each client I meet. I believe that supporting clients always begins by building a safe, respectful, and genuinely caring relationship. From this foundation, we can work together to build upon clients’ strengths and work towards meaningful change.

Specialties/Services:

Individual adult
Adolescents and teens (11yrs+)
Trauma-informed care
Mindfulness
Narrative therapy
Art therapy

MATT SCHLICK, MA, LPC

Therapist

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I completed my degree at Naropa University, receiving a master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Transpersonal Art Therapy. My experience during and after this time has primarily been with infants to 6 year olds, young adults, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

In the therapy room I do my best to connect with others through laughter and light-heartedness, while also holding a safe and nurturing space for the parts in each of us that are experiencing pain, anger, sadness, anxiety, and all those complicated bits. I always want to help my clients feel seen and cared for just as they are.

Having worked as a preschool teacher and in therapeutic treatment centers with people experiencing huge amounts of distress, I have a deep understanding that life can feel judgemental, chaotic, and out of control. Due to this, I have learned to gather and implement a variety of tools that shift the script to encompass a greater sense of ease, connection, and confidence. I hope to work together with you to help bring the reminder that you're not alone, and that life can feel different.

Specialities/Services:

Early Childhood
Individual adult
Play therapy
Art therapy
Trauma-informed care
Parent support
LGBTQIA+

EMILY BARFUSS EGBERT, SWC

Therapist

I received my graduate degree in social work from Colorado State University. My training and work experience have centered on perinatal mental health, early childhood mental health, parent-child attachment, and supporting families affected by incarceration. I am passionate about using holistic and person-centered techniques to ensure that what is done in therapy is personalized, collaborative, and unique to your needs.

Parenting is vulnerable, tiring, and rewarding. I will honor and respect your family values and build upon the strength you and your family already possess. I believe every parent, child, and family deserve healing and joy. I look forward to learning and growing with you!

Specialties/Services:
• Individual adult
• Early Childhood Play Therapy
• Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

• Incarceration Support

ERIN HADLOW, MFTC

Contracted Therapist

Erin understands that when life doesn't go as planned, you may feel you don't have the tools to cope with the unexpected. With compassion, kindness, and sometimes humor, she'll help you move forward and build the new future you desire. Erin believes that every person or family is unique with different presenting circumstances and that counseling is an individualized process. She works with children (ages 7 and up), teens, families, couples, and individuals on a variety of issues, including abuse and trauma. She works with all populations and faiths including LGBTQ+, BIPOC and polyamorus relationships.

Erin graduated from Regis Marriage and Family Therapy Masters program in 2019 has 25+ years of experience working in the human services field helping victims of trauma and sexual abuse. She is part of a blended family with 4 teenage boys and understand the complications of parenting, divorce, pregnancy and miscarriage.

Specialties/Services:

TF-CBT
Sandtray
Attachment /systems work
play therapy
Abuse/trauma
Anxiety
Bowenian/family of origin work
Mindfulness and compassion

Photo Credit to Rebecca Arbach

Erin's Websie

AYLA WOODWARD

Care Coordinator

I received my undergraduate degree from Naropa University in contemplative psychology and art therapy. I am currently in the process of earning my graduate degree, also from Naropa University in transpersonal counseling psychology. I’ve worked with children and their families for years across a range of settings. During my undergraduate education, I worked with a therapist writing evaluations for family immigration court. I interned with a therapist seeing clients ages 5 years through 65 years for art based, play, and equine assisted psychotherapies. I studied early childhood education and development and trained as a birth doula.

I believe that a therapist’s role is both as a warm presence and sounding board to help clients create a safe space and understand their experiences more fully. The foundation of good therapy comes from the quality of the relationship. My focus is on meeting each client where they are and becoming a collaborative partner in their healing. I strive to help each client see their basic goodness and develop compassion for themselves.

Specialties/Services:

Individual adult
Parent support and education
Prenatal/Postpartum
Trauma-informed mindfulness
Art therapy
Early childhood
Care coordination

MADDIE DARNELL

Intern

I received my undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in Marriage and Family Studies in 2019. I am currently in the process of receiving my graduate degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in Social Work with a concentration in evidence based interpersonal practice and a certification in trauma. I’ve dedicated the majority of my career thus far, to working with traumatized children, families, and caregivers. Additionally, I hold experience in various medical settings and crisis work. Though healing is serious and thoughtful process, when appropriate I strive to bring gentle humor and kindness into my work.

I am a firm believer in catering therapy to fit an individual clients needs. Whether that is gaining insight, processing emotions/traumas, shifting thought process, etc. I strive to be strengths based and solution focused. When working with adults, my goal is to help you find compassion for yourself and accept where you are in your journey. As well as where you would like to be. I utilize methods from Dr. John Gottman’s research when working with couples and am certified to teach the “Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work” and the “Bringing Baby Home” workshops.

When working with children, my focus is creating a safe space for them to express their emotions. Whether that is through play or talk, etc. I believe in partnering with parents and caregivers, utilizing a child centered approach. I truly feel it’s a privilege to be a part of an individuals journey and look forward to working towards healing and wellness with you!

Specialties/services:

Trauma informed care/practice
Abuse, neglect, divorce
Individual adult and child
Couple and relationship issues
Parent coaching and education

Photo credit to Elena Dawson

ANDREA JOYCE

Intern

I received my undergraduate degree from Missouri Baptist University in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Before joining the Willow Collective team, I worked as a kindergarten and pre-kindergarten teacher for five years. My experience as an educator helped me realize the importance of prioritizing mental health needs in children and adults. I am currently in the process of receiving my graduate degree from Missouri Baptist University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

I work closely with clients to create a therapeutic relationship that reflects empathy, trust, and respect. I believe individuality should be honored, so I utilize a variety of counseling theories and techniques to meet the diverse needs of clients, including person-centered therapy, trauma-informed therapy, play therapy, narrative therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. I hope to make therapy a collaborative and worthwhile experience for the client to recognize their strengths and ability to achieve their goals.

Specialties/Services:

Early Childhood
Individual and dyadic play therapy
Individual adult therapy
Parent support
Care coordination

AUDREY LISTER, M.Ed.

Intern

I have dedicated my career to working with children and families. I have my bachelor’s and master’s in
special education and have 13 years of experience working with children with disabilities and their
families. I worked to help parents navigate socio-emotional development, as well as challenging
behaviors. I am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work at Colorado State University with an
emphasis on trauma and early childhood mental health. I am also passionate about the impact of
intergenerational and systemic trauma and how this impacts the birthing and postpartum experience.

I believe in a strength-based and client-centered approach where the client is the expert in their own life
and experience. I strive to collaborate with individuals and families with respect for values, goals, and
lived experience. With children, I use a child-directed approach where the child is valued, and behavior
is communication to be understood, not a problem to be solved. I also love to laugh and find joy along
the journey.

Specialties/Services:

Early childhood
Individual adult
Autism
Developmental disabilities
Challenging behaviors
Trauma-informed care
Play therapy
Parent support

SAMANTHA DAYAK

Intern

I am currently in the process of completing my Master's in Social Work degree from Colorado State University. Prior to this, I received my undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I have worked in the human services field for 5 years, specializing in Early Childhood Mental Health. I am well experienced working with children ages 0-5 in foster care, foster families and biological parents. I have found my passion in working with young children and caregivers to create healthy bonds by creating a safe and inclusive environment while prioritizing the child and caregivers’ needs.

I utilize client centered and child directed play therapy to lead my practice. My values lay in creating authentic relationships and creating spaces where people are welcomed and able to collaborate and learn from one another.

Specialties/services

Early childhood
Individual adult
Play therapy
Parent support
Care coordination
Incarceration support