Dr. Deanna McClannahan
Clinical Director
Dr. McClannahan is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, Art Therapy Certified Supervisor, Expressive Arts Therapist/Trauma-Informed, International Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor, and a National Approved Clinical Supervisor. She has a bachelors in Studio Art & Art History, with minors in Visual Communications and Psychology. During this time she moved to Florence, Italy where she attended Lorenzo Di Medici, a prominent art school.
Deanna earned her masters in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Art Therapies. She has a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies and a doctorate in Expressive Arts Therapies.
Deanna holds the following licenses and certifications:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia through the Georgia Secretary of State
- Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) from the National Board for Certified Counselors
- Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) through the Art Therapy Credentials Board
- Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS) through the Art Therapy Credentials Board
- Expressive Arts Therapist/Trauma-Informed (EXAT) through the Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute
- Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) through the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association
- Registered Play Therapy Supervisor (RPT-S) through the Association of Play Therapy
- Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor (CPCS) through the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of Georgia
- Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) from the National Board for Certified Counselors
- Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional (CATP) from The Clinical Certification Association of Licensed Professionals
- Certified Family Trauma Professional (CFTP) from The Clinical Certification Association of Licensed Professionals
- Certified in Neuroscience
- Certified in Level One Trauma-Informed Care
- Foundational Theraplay Practitioner (Attachment-based Therapy)
- EMDR Certified Therapist
Deanna has extensive training working with children and adolescents, families, severe trauma and dissociation, adoption, spiritual counseling, and the foster care system. The primary focus of her practice over the years has been on severely abused children and those in residential care. Deanna has over 24 years’ experience working in the foster care system. Deanna has extensive training in counseling supervision and provides supervision and consultation to students, those seeking licensure, as well as licensed professionals. Deanna has also written articles for several mental health magazines and has been invited to various speaking engagements around the country. For over 14 years, Deanna has served as a college professor working with both graduate and undergraduate students.
Deanna is a member of several professional organizations including The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISST-D), The American Play Therapy Association, Colorado Play Therapy Association, Licensed Professional Counselor Association of Georgia (LPCA) and the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA). She enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and the arts.
Licensed Professional Counselors
Sharlete Babrudi LPC
Sharlete is honest, compassionate, and optimistic. She believes the clients are the experts in their lives and considers it a privilege to walk alongside them in their journey to healing and recovery. She tends to see and bring awareness to the client’s strength, thus empowering them to take the issue as a challenge rather than a threat. She believes struggles and setbacks in life to be part of being human and not a sign of weakness.
Her primary therapeutic approach is Adlerian, where healthy and meaningful relationships are fundamental to individuals’ wellbeing. She uses different components of other approaches to meet the needs of every client best. She works with children, teens, and adults and has been with Creative Hope Counseling since 2021. Sharlete received her Bachelor of Arts’ with a focus on psychology and minor in criminal justice degree from UCCS. She completed her masters in counseling at Colorado Christian University.
Laura Rogers LPC
Laura is genuine, empathic and a good listener. She has a heart for kids of all ages, having raised five children of her own, and enjoys helping women overcome their stage-of-life challenges. She believes that lasting change begins with a change in beliefs and behaviors that then affect our emotions and physiology, an idea founded in Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT). Also influenced by Internal Family Systems Theory (IFS), Laura desires to walk with each person on their unique journey toward emotional awareness and self-compassion, discovering and integrating all parts of Self. Laura’s undergraduate degree in music prompted work with people of all ages over many years before her choice to pursue a graduate degree. She completed her masters in clinical mental health counseling at Liberty University. She is trained in EMDR. When she’s not working, Laura enjoys cycling, trail-running, playing with her border collie, and making music with her grandkids.
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidates
Robin Kennedy LPCC
Robin Kennedy completed her masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She considers “helping” to be one theme in life that has guided her to the counseling profession. Robin has a heart for serving others. One way she demonstrates this is through volunteering. Robin is a Veteran spouse and mother of four. She is eager to help promote wellness in life as well as the military community. She is excited to expand her knowledge through this experience while further developing her skills and providing a safe environment for those she works with.
Amanda Schultze LPCC
Amanda Schultze completed her masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. She received her bachelor’s degree in somatic psychology with a minor in art therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, CO. She is a certified Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner, which is an evidence-based approach that can create powerful shifts in perspective that bring peace. She enjoys using the tools she has in her toolbox to support and empower others of all ages as they navigate through their unique healing process. She believes in a narrative and holistic approach that considers every aspect influencing an individual's story. She views her faith as her foundation and looks forward to letting God work through her in the counseling room with you.
Masters Level Interns
Maria Alvelo
Maria is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Colorado Christian University. She earned an Associate Degree in Psychology from CNM in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Maria is compassionate and empathic. She believes in the importance of providing a safe environment for clients' healing and growth. Her approach naturally aligns with client-centered and solution-focused evidence-based approaches. She is also interested in the Gottman Method and Attachment Theory. She is honored and grateful to walk with clients on their healing journeys.
She is a veteran spouse and a stepmom of three. She is a former US Army civilian and longs to see healing and wholeness within the military community. She enjoys spending time with family, songwriting, traveling, and jewelry making.
Deborah Newton
Debi is currently a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling programs at Colorado Christian University. She completed her bachelor's degree in business with a psychology minor from Washington University in St. Louis. She has a passion for helping others and understands that everyone’s unique story deserves to be heard and valued. Debi is eager to work with clients from all types of backgrounds and cultures and loves working with clients of all ages. Her compassionate, authentic approach utilizes person-centered, strengths-based, and cognitive behavior theories. Debi hopes to help people find healing so they can live a life they truly enjoy. In her downtime, she loves going for walks with her two dogs, playing with her five kids, or drinking coffee with her husband in the mountains.
Elizabeth Bailey
Lizi is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. She feels called to come alongside people as they pursue a flourishing, integrated life and has a passion for helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and discover their strengths. As a mother of five and happily married for 25 years, she brings empathy, patience, and lived wisdom to her work with clients. In addition to her counseling training, Lizi is a professional musician and songwriter, a creative outlet that enriches her ability to connect with people on a deeper, more expressive level. She has also been in vocational Christian ministry for 20 years. She blends evidence-based counseling techniques with genuine compassion, creating a safe and supportive space for personal growth, healing and self-discovery. Whether working with individuals, couples, or families, Lizi is committed to fostering resilience, building healthy relationships, and empowering her clients to move toward meaningful change. When she’s not studying, counseling, or making music, she enjoys time with her family and friends, exploring nature, photography, reading and travel.
Corrin Sheaffer
Corrin is an Art Therapy and Clinical Mental Health graduate student attending Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She attained her bachelor’s in art, minored in psychology and has eight years of teaching experience with children of all ages. Through her volunteer work, Corrin has mentorship training with women who have undergone trauma and has witnessed their healing journey. Corrin specializes in art therapy and nature-based approaches. She has a keen interest in person-centered, strength-based, narrative and existential approaches for individuals from all walks of life. With these lenses, she empowers clients to reimagine their story through art-making, expression and self acceptance. Corrin’s warm, gentle and open personality facilitates an environment where clients can authentically work towards their goals, creating a lasting positive impact. Corrin has plans to attain her horticulture certification to implement both plant and art therapy in her future practice.
Christie Green
Christie is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Colorado Christian University. She is based in Colorado Springs and brings a unique blend of academic training and personal experience to her work, including personal experience with adoption and foster care. Her counseling approach is person-centered and trauma-informed, grounded in empathy, authenticity, and a deep respect for each client’s individual journey. She creates a safe, supportive environment where clients can explore their challenges and work toward healing and growth. Christie integrates Christian values with evidence-based therapeutic practices, honoring each client’s faith background and personal goals. She has a particular interest in working with trauma, attachment, parenting, and family dynamics. Christie is passionate about supporting individuals, couples, and families as they pursue emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and lasting change.
Elizabeth Lantz
Elizabeth is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Colorado Christian University. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and has a passion for working with children of all ages. Various modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory, and Existential Theory influence her work with clients. She believes every individual has a unique story and deserves individualized care in the counseling room. Her desire is to walk alongside individuals in their journey towards wholeness and whatever that might look like for them as an individual. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time creating through various art forms, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Sariah Hilt
Sariah is a graduate student in the Clinical Counseling program at Colorado Christian University. Sariah values clients from a holistic perspective, drawing from multiple disciplines, such as attachment theory, neurobiology, client-centered, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sariah’s warm, calm, and empathetic presence strives to create an environment where clients feel heard, respected, and supported. She believes that healing happens through safe, authentic connection and walks alongside clients with compassion and hope.
Jennifer Dawson
Jennifer is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Colorado Christian University. She is developing an integrative, systemic framework rooted in the belief that each person carries a unique story worth honoring. Jennifer is passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. Her emerging clinical approach blends evidence-based practices with compassion and curiosity, attending to the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual aspects of healing. Deeply committed to walking alongside others as they navigate life’s challenges, Jennifer supports clients in rediscovering their inner resilience. Outside of her academic and clinical work, she enjoys hiking, physical fitness, and spending time in nature to stay grounded and balanced. As she continues her training and moves toward licensure, Jennifer remains dedicated to compassionate care, cultural humility, and the lifelong pursuit of growth—both for herself and those she serves.