Our Team

About you…

Yes, you.

You might have noticed at the top of the page it says, “Our Team,” that’s because our work together is a team approach to life’s challenges. The challenges you’re facing may be monumental and all-encompassing or may feel more like an underlying, nagging sense that things just aren’t right.

·       You have family and friends, but may feel disconnected from them.

·       You wonder if parenting will always be this difficult.

·       You don’t understand why your child is behaving this way.

·       You put yourself at the bottom of the list.

·       You may be a military member or spouse who is struggling with the unique and always changing challenges of military life.

·       You may be a people-pleaser and hold yourself to very high standards.

·       You struggle with anxiety and/or depression.

·       You have experienced trauma and need a place that feels safe to work through it.

·       You may be experiencing chronic pain and are looking for a mind, body approach for treatment.

 

How We can help

You are the expert on your life. You know what works for you and what doesn’t. We are there to help you sort through it all, work on your goals, and build on your strengths. We use a whole body, person in environment approach. What this means is:

·       We will ask you about your sleep habits, your eating habits, your daily routine, and anything else that may affect your lifestyle.

·       We will take into account how your environment affects what is happening in your life.

·       We will strongly encourage self-care methods as part of your daily routine.

·       We may offer traditional and non-traditional options for treatment.

 The Therapeutic approach at Lotus Child and Family Therapy is laid-back and casual. It may even seem like you are meeting a friend for coffee, however, the session is all about you. The conversation will focus on what is important to you. Taking a look at the bigger picture, your therapist can offer insight and suggestions for ways to manage the challenges.

 

Meet the Team

  • Lori Derr, LCSW, RPT, RYT

    Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Business Owner

    A little about me

    First and foremost I am a military spouse and mom. My husband and I met when we were teenagers and have been together ever since. We have two college age children, that I am happy to still have living at home with us while they attend school. We’ve moved around the world and are happy to call Colorado home as it’s not far from our home state of Nebraska.

    I enjoy spending time with my family and my dogs. I also like reading, shopping, hiking, and taking pictures. I love practicing yoga and strive to make it part of my daily self-care.

    My professional bio

    As a therapist, I am personable, genuine, and laid back. I believe that connection between client and therapist is imperative. My passion is working with families and children to help them in creating the best relationship possible. Children often do not have the words to tell us when things are not going well for them, instead, they often show us their feelings through challenging behaviors. I love helping parents understand their child’s behavior and helping children find new ways to cope when things are tough. I know parenting is not always easy. I like to help parents (and children) learn how to find calm amidst the chaos of everyday life. Family life can be stressful, I want to help families learn how to enjoy being together and supporting one another. In addition to raising my own children, I have worked with infants, children, and teenagers in various settings such as daycare provider, girl scout/boy scout leader, and volunteering in the school system. I truly enjoy helping parents and children learn to communicate and connect.

    My clinical practice has focused on trauma, parent-child relationships, attachment, parenting, anxiety, and depression. I work with individuals of all ages and especially enjoy working with children under age 10. As a therapist my approach is client-centered, non-judgmental, empathic, and holistic. Life has lots of ups and downs and I feel honored to walk this path with you.

    I graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from New Mexico State University. I am a registered play therapist with the Association for Play Therapy. I provide individual, family, and group counseling. I also provide Circle of Security parenting classes to individuals, couples, and groups. I have training in Child Parent Psychotherapy and Infant Mental Health. I am also a Licensed Massage Therapist with specializations in pregnancy and infant massage. Adding to my holistic approach, I became a Registered Yoga Teacher in 2018 and have trained with the Veteran’s Yoga Project to provide trauma informed yoga for physical and mental health.

  • Coree Williams, MSW, SWC

    Therapist

    A little about me

    Hi there, my name is Coree. Born and raised in Colorado, no matter where I am, Colorado is always home. Getting outside at any sight of sun (no matter the season) cooking new recipes (I may fail), and spending time with my cherished family and friends are all my love languages. As a therapist, you will know I care through my calm, personable, genuine environment.

    I work and live by the motto that success is not an upward linear trend- life will always have ups, downs, and plateaus. Success is completing the full circle of yourself, and it is important to understand and appreciate all the zig zags that brought you to where you are now. My role is advocating for needs while providing trained emotional support and guidance. My goal is to help you care for yourself, or your child, without overwhelm, shame or guilt.

    Present Professional Profile

    I am specializing in children, preteens, and teens facing challenges related to ADHD, Autism Spectrum, behavioral issues, anxiety, and depression. With a well rounded understanding of developmental psychology, social work, and years of clinical experience, I am committed to providing a supportive and collaborative environment with my clients and their families.

    I am deeply passionate about integrating attachment theory into my practice to nurture the emotional well-being and resilience of young individuals. With a firm belief in the profound impact of early relationships on mental health, I am dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for children and teens to explore, heal, and thrive.

    Through empathetic listening and effective communication, I work to foster a safe space for children and teens to express their thoughts and emotions openly. I use a variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), play therapy like practices, mindfulness techniques, and family therapy, to help clients develop coping skills, build resilience, and improve self-esteem. I also recognize and employ the importance of collaboration with parents, teachers, and other professionals involved in the child's life to ensure comprehensive support and success.

    Previous Professional Experience:

    My work in the mental health field began in 2017. Since then, I have held numerous diverse roles which have impacted my well rounded understanding as an individual therapist. Roles within non profit community agencies, local residential treatment centers, hospital inpatient psychiatric care, medical clinical social work, and now private practice therapy.

    My Academic Experience

    My undergraduate degree was completed in 2019 at Utah State University where I studied Psychology with a dual minor of Human Development Family Studies and Sociology. After which, I completed my Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver with a concentration in Mental Health/Counseling in 2022.

  • Alissa Shanahan, MSW, SWC, RYT

    Therapist

    A little about me

    Originally from Fort Collins, I recently returned to Colorado after spending my formative years in Nebraska. I consider myself to be a warm, down to earth, and comforting person. I love going for walks, spending time in the sun, cuddling my cats, doing yoga, and tending to my plants. I am a firm believer in the phrase “movement is medicine” and often work to infuse this into my daily life and work as a mental health provider. I know that mental health challenges can often feel heavy, isolating, and hopeless, so I also work to sprinkle laughter and levity into our work together.

    My professional bio

    I received my Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and my Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with an emphasis in Sociology. I have also attended 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher trainings, and am a Registered Yoga Teacher.

    I’ve worked with children for as long as I can remember, in an array of settings including childcare, education, ABA therapy, and now mental health therapy. My roles as a paraeducator and ABA therapist allowed me to work closely with neurodivergent folks, and leadership roles in schools provided me the opportunity to work closely with adolescents/teens navigating gender, sexuality, and diverse identities.

    I completed a practicum at Mourning Hope Grief Center, where I facilitated grief groups with individuals across age and demographic spectrums. I then found my way here to Lotus Child and Family Therapy, where I now primarily work with adolescents/teens, young adults, and families. My clinical practice thus far has focused on anxiety, depression, grief, neurodivergence, and LGBTQIA+ issues.

    I have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, play therapy, suicide interventions, trauma support, grief and loss, polyvagal therapy, and various somatic therapies. My passion is to integrate the body, movement, and mental health into the work that I do with clients. Regardless of the individual, I work to collaboratively build a safe, non-judgmental space where we attend to your “whole” self."

  • Kate Reutzel, LPCC

    Kate Reutzel, LPCC

    A little about me

    Born and raised in Colorado, I have grown up feeling incredibly lucky to call this place my home. As most Coloradans, I love being outdoors, enjoying the sunshine, and exploring the many different adventures that this state has to offer. I am a believer in a simple but meaningful lifestyle, which for me includes cooking dinners with friends, spending time with my family, and going for long walks whenever I can. I live most of my life with the idea that long-term contendness comes from tiny moments of joy day to day.

    I feel honored to assist people in the journey of healing and do not take it lightly. The process of therapy can feel daunting, and I will always strive to create a welcoming, warm, and supportive environment for you.

    Professional Profile

    My goal as a therapist is to partner with my clients to create the change they’d like to see in their life. I believe my role is to walk side by side with my clients, moving with them through the process of navigating mental distress and struggle. I believe one of the most important aspects of therapy is the relationship between the client and the therapist, fostering that is one of my top priorities. I think of myself as a warm, accepting, and relaxed person who will keep that relationship in the forefront of my thoughts.

    My passion is working with teenagers, young adults, and adults as they navigate life’s stages and the various worries and struggles that can come with them. I specialize in depression, anxiety, relationships, trauma, and grief. All of these being human experiences that can make people feel isolated or ashamed, my goal is to help my clients move through these experiences as smoothly as possible.

    Previous Professional Profile

    I graduated with a Master in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver in 2022. I completed my internship at Judi’s House where I received training in grief and family counseling. My therapeutic approach is client-centered, holistic, and somatically based. I have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and Internal Family System, typically integrating these foundations to best fit my client’s needs. I provide individual counseling, family counseling, and couples counseling.

  • Evyn Fickau, MSW Student Intern

    Evyn Fickau, MSW Student Intern

    Hello! I am currently working as a part time intern here at Lotus Child and Family Therapy while pursuing a master’s in Social Work from University of Denver. Additionally, I provide services under the direct and hands-on supervision of Lori Derr, LCSW. During my coursework I have received some training in cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, experiential therapy, play therapy, and trauma informed practices. All of which I am applying to my caseload and practice as an intern. Prior to my studies at DU, I studied psychology and painting where I explored the different approaches and techniques to expressive arts therapy which I hope to utilize in sessions now, and moving forward in my career. I have experience working with children and adolescents through Girls Inc. of Metro Denver.

Click on the button below to learn more about additional therapists that partner with Lotus Child and Family Therapy