Meet Our Office Mascot
Canine Good Citizen Award, Certified Therapy Dog with Therapy Dog International
My name is Keegan Bell. I will probably be the first staff member you meet at Empowerment. In addition to being a certified therapy dog, I am a very good listener! You will see me around the office, in a chair or in a session with my Mom, Angie. I really love children, too. If I forget my manners, I can be gently reminded to behave with a kind, gentle tone. If you have allergies or a fear of dogs, please tell any staff member to assure your visit to ETC is one without worry.
Our Empowerment Therapy Center staff holds over 40 years combined therapeutic experience. Our clinicians are specially trained in a variety of therapeutic styles. Please visit the Services page for an overview of the many choices.
Angie Bell, MA, LPC, NCC - Owner and Operator
Angie graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Masters Degree in Community Counseling. She is a native of Colorado Springs and has worked with families and children for over twelve years providing individual, group and family therapy services. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and a State Approved Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Provider (for both women and men), Angie brings specific expertise and in-depth understanding of the individual and family dynamics involved in domestic violence situations. Her practice provides active co-facilitation of both adult domestic violence offender groups as well as adolescent groups. She is currently trained in EMDR trauma recovery for adults and children as young as three years of age. A commitment to the emotional health and well-being of children and families within our community is paramount in the treatment provided by Angie.
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Christine Burcham, MA, LPC, NCC - Owner and Operator
Christine graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Masters degree in Community Counseling and is currently working on her Doctorate in Psychology. She has ten years experience working with victims and offenders of domestic violence in El Paso County and has a substantial knowledge base of community resources. She is also a State Approved Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Provider. Christine provides a wide range of services to include individual, group, and couples therapy as well as EMDR trauma recovery. In addition to therapeutic services, she provides domestic violence evaluations, mental health assessments, and adoption home studies. She is also a Certified Child Family Investigator. Empowering clients to achieve their personal goals and develop greater independence is an essential component of Christine's treatment approach.
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Maureen graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Elementary Education. She pursued a Masters degree in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs after discovering her passion for working with the entire family system. She has ten years of experience working with children and families. Maureen currently serves as a adjunct instructor in the UCCS Counseling Department. She specializes in domestic violence survivor treatment to include group, individual, and family therapy as well as EMDR trauma recovery. Maureen's commitment to helping clients work through troubling life circumstances is evident in her therapeutic approach. She believes that a sound client- therapist relationship often serves as the catalyst to instrumental growth and development.
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Dr. Hutchinson earned his B.S. degree in Psychological Science in 1986 and M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology in 1988 from Ball State University. His Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology was completed in 1994 at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Hutchinson worked for 17 years as the Chief Psychologist for a Federal Agency. During that time, he functioned in multiple roles including Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator, and Drug Abuse Program Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, marriage and family counseling, academic advising, domestic violence counseling, substance abuse counseling, crisis intervention, children's homes, Veteran's Administration Hospitals, and university counseling centers. In addition to being a Colorado-Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Hutchinson is a Certified Child and Family Investigator, Certified EMDR Therapist, and trained in biofeedback.
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Jamye is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is a graduate of University of Colorado - Colorado Springs with her BA in Psychology. She then continued her education at the University of Phoenix - Colorado Springs and completed her Master’s degree in Community Counseling. Jamye specializes in the emotional well-being and physical safety of children. She has over 12 years of experience working with children and families and she is currently working toward a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor credential. Jamye provides both non-directive/experiential and directive play therapy to children and their families as well as therapeutic supervised visitation. In addition to her work with children and families, she will be serving as a board member on the 2012 Colorado Association for Play Therapy Board. Jamye believes that all parts of the family are important for the successful emotional and physical development of children.
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Janis graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a Masters in Counseling and Human Services. She is currently working towards licensure and plans to receive her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in May of 2012. Alongside that, she is working to become a State Approved Domestic Violence Treatment Provider and eventually intends to become a Registered Play Therapist. Janis is a co-facilitator for domestic violence offender group, provides individual, family, and play therapy, and offers family preservation work. Following person-centered ideals, her treatment approach is toward sustainability and finding a place where clients can healthily and happily maintain and nourish their lives.
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Amy graduated from the University of Colorado with a Masters degree in Community Counseling and Human Services after working in the social work field for many years. She has over ten years of experience working with children and families. At ETC, Amy specializes in domestic violence survivor treatment and children’s play therapy. She is currently working towards her registered play therapy certificate. Amy is trained in EMDR trauma recovery and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She also has specialized training in couples therapy. Amy is passionate about empowering clients to overcome obstacles and reach their goals. She is committed to providing services in a way that facilitates a safe space for therapeutic growth.
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Val graduated from Regis University in Colorado Springs. She provides a wide range of services to include individual, group, couples and family therapy with her passion and focus being with children and adolescents. She has a strong experiential background in issues of domestic violence, dependency and neglect, mental and physical disorders, and addictions. She is familiar with the implications and potential setbacks such mayhem can have on individuals and families. As a counselor, Val is fully committed and determined to advocate for people facing such setbacks as she believes every person, if given the proper guidance and tools, can find a path to their own personal success. She believes counselors must be positive role models and have a vested interest in clients’ success. Through her experience as a counselor, her involvement in the community, and her strong spiritual conviction, she developed an unrelenting passion for helping people overcome obstacles in their lives!
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Shannon graduated from the University of Missouri in St. Louis with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Shannon currently employs her skills at ETC as a Family Preservation worker, as well as a Life Skills Specialist. Shannon also facilities the agencies Nurturing and Parenting Program. Shannon' s experience has given her keen insight into the needs and behaviors of children and the challenges that parents face in creating a happy, and healthy home.
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Robin graduated from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins Colorado with a bachelor's degree in social work and is currently working on her master's degree in social work. Robin has 10 plus years of experience working in the field of child protection. In addition, she has worked as a mental health therapist on a child and adolescent psychiatric unit and has also conducted forensic interviews of children who are victims of a crime or who have witnessed a crime for local law enforcement agencies. She is currently certified as a mediator.
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