Meet Our Team!
Kristin Brown, LPC
Psychotherapist
Kristin is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Geneva College and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Penn State University. She is a part-time Psychology professor at Colorado State University Pueblo. Kristin specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families; and has over 10 years of experience in the field. Her areas of expertise include trauma, adjustment disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, Autism, family discord, self-esteem/body image issues, parents/siblings of children with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ population. Her experience ranges from family and behavioral therapy within the home, school, and community settings; inpatient hospitalization; and outpatient therapy (school-based, individual, family, and group).
Kristin works from a holistic and strengths-based approach; and believes in the mind, body, and soul connection. She utilizes multiple techniques in her treatment which include, but are not limited to, art/expressive therapy, play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness.
Kristin has found great value in spending time in nature, gardening, cooking, and practicing yoga. Based on these values, she strives to incorporate horticulture therapy and adventure-based therapy into her therapeutic practice in the future.
Kristin plans to offer two separate groups at A New Leaf Therapy which will focus on children going through life changes, and teen girls struggling with self-esteem, body image, and self-care. Stay tuned for more information regarding these offerings.
Kristin can take Cigna, Humana, Aetna, Anthem BCBS, United, and Parkcare! She has also applied for Tricare, Kaiser, and Medicaid. If you'd like to self-pay until she is able to take your insurance, we will switch you over to using insurance just as soon as she is able to take yours.
Regan Young, LCSW, CACIII
CEO/Psychotherapist
Regan is an expert in therapy for trauma, anxiety disorders, and depression. She has 20 years of experience working with these issues in a variety of settings, including private practice, hospitals, residential treatment centers, and community mental health centers.
Regan provides treatment with the goals of increasing vitality and happiness while also reducing or eliminating symptoms. Regan's clients have often said that their work with her taught them to love themselves again. Trauma can be life changing, but therapy can be life changing too!
Regan specializes in working with physicians, first responders, business owners, and therapists. She provides the most effective treatment approaches to help people reach their goals, and uses a variety of interventions so she can match the therapy to the experience you're looking for. Regan is credentialed at the highest levels of EMDR as a certified therapist and Approved Consultant. She is also extensively trained in Exposure and Response Prevention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy, Auricular Acupuncture, Emotional Freedom Technique, and more. Regan accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Park Care, Kaiser, Tricare, Aetna, and self-pay.
Levi Middleton LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Levi Middleton is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Full Operating Level Treatment Provider and Evaluator approved by the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board. He is the Program Manager for offense specific services at A New Leaf Therapy. He has nearly 15 years experience working with mandated clients including adults and juveniles involved in the criminal justice system, especially those who have sexually offended. He has extensive knowledge in psychosexual risk and the use of PPG and VRT assessments. He has also provided expert testimony for proceedings in the criminal court of law.
Levi received his Associate of Arts degree from Lamar Community College in 1997. He received his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Colorado State University – Pueblo with a focus on fine arts and psychology in 2000. He received his Master’s Degree in clinical mental health from Adams State University in 2009. He has been listed with the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board since 2010.
Levi has experience working in various venues, including the Colorado Boys Ranch, a psychiatric residential child-care facility for adolescent boys, the Colorado Division of Youth Services, and in the private sector with two prominent agencies. Levi accepts Park Care and self pay.
Peggy Benavidez, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Peggy is a Pueblo native and has served Pueblo's community with over 14 years of experience in the field of Social Work. She has worked with adults who served in the military, as well as civilians, who have experienced trauma and dealt with anxiety and/or depression. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, and Brain Synchronization Therapy. She is grateful and blessed for the opportunity to work with you and hopes to explore your strengths and the resiliency that lies within all of us. Peggy is able to accept Comppsych, Kaiser, Park Care, and Mines.
Kimberly Blackwelder, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Kim is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working in the field of social work and mental health since 2010. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2012 and has experience working with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings to include public high school and mentoring programs, Colorado State Departments, and private practice providing substance abuse and mental health treatment.
She believes in the resiliency and strength of each person and works from a strengths-based perspective and a person-centered approach. She uses a collaborative approach to treatment with her clients to find the best fit of therapeutic interventions to treat a variety of concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, personality disorders, family and relationship issues, and substance abuse. In addition to competency in traditional therapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she also specializes in utilizing Animal Assisted Interventions in order to assist clients in reaching their therapy goals and realize lasting change. Her therapy dog, Daniel, is a black Labrador terrier mix certified through Pet Partners to assist in enhancing the therapeutic process. Kim accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Park Care, Medicare, Tricare and self pay.
Jacquelyn De'Anda
MSW Graduate Intern
Jackie De’Anda is a graduate student intern pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work from Walden University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in human services from Colorado Technical University. Jackie has experience working with children and families that are involved in dependency and neglect cases. She also has experience working with the geriatric population. Jackie is a passionate Army veteran who enjoys working with children and families and she hopes that with her advocacy she can strengthen her clients resilience and overcome adverse events. Jackie is excited to work with clients and learn from her experience. She will be with A New Leaf Therapy until her graduation in November 2020, when she pursues her official licensure. Jacquelyn accepts Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna and self-pay. We offer a reduced session rate for seeing graduate interns.
Megan Milberger, MSW
Registered Psychotherapist
Megan is a Registered Psychotherapist who received her master’s
degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of New England.
She has 5 years of experience working with children, teens and
families in both group and individual settings. Over the past year
Megan has developed her skill set to include an array of strategies
to aid adults and couples well being. Her areas of experience
include addressing trauma, depression, anxiety, cognitive
distortions, adjustment disorder, and relationship conflicts.
Megan enjoys working from a strengths-based, client-centered and
solution-focused approach with implements of Motivational
Interviewing, Ego-State Therapy, Exposure and Response
Prevention, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other
techniques. She is trained in Brian Synchronization Therapy for trauma therapy and in Level One of the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy. Individualized care is crucial to her therapeutic approach. She aims to enable and strengthen clients with the resources, tools and life skills needed to overcome obstacles through strategies of empowerment, personal-reflection and growth, and a positive outlook of change.
She looks forward to each unique experience working with a
diverse array of individuals, couples and families. She hopes to
continue learning and expanding her knowledge base for the
continuance of her lifetime. At this time Megan accepts self-pay, Aetna, Cigna and Medicaid.
Rachel Hadaway, LSW
Licensed Social Worker
Rachel Hadaway is proud to have earned her BSW through Colorado State University and her MSW through Colorado State University-Pueblo. She has a history of working with people with disabilities, victims of violence, and in the child welfare system. Rachel is looking forward to working with teenagers and adults who have a wide array of backgrounds. Rachel works from a strengths based, person in environment approach. By giving clients the tools and support they need Rachel hopes to help them thrive in their lives. Rachel is excited to work with clients in order to meet them where they are and continue to grow and learn through this experience. Rachel accepts Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna and self-pay.
Mona Moncibais
Graduate Student Intern
Mona Moncibais is a graduate student intern pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colorado State University Pueblo. Mona has a history of working with developmentally disabled adults, and is interested in working to improve quality of care while reducing stigma for individuals with mental illness. Mona is looking forward to working with individuals of various ages who have been exposed to trauma. She is excited to work with clients to improve their quality of life while also learning as much as she can from this experience. She will be with A New Leaf Therapy until her graduation in May of 2021 when she will pursue her official licensure. Mona accepts Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna and self-pay. We offer a reduced session rate for seeing graduate interns.
Ben Graf, BA
Graduate Student Intern
Ben Graf is a graduate student intern entering his candidacy for his master’s degree in clinical psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS). He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2017 from UCCS cum laude, with highest distinction, and a minor in counseling and human services. Ben has experience providing ABA therapy for children and adolescents. Additionally, he has experience working with and providing care for adult inpatient psychiatric populations from his time at The Medical Center of Aurora. Currently, Ben is a graduate researcher at UCCS and studies the varying relationships among trauma, awareness of mortality, and emotional experience. Ben is also an instructor at UCCS and teaches lab sections of undergraduate level research methods and measurement.
Ben takes an existentially based and lifespan-oriented approach to therapy. He hopes to use these modalities to foster positive senses of both meaning and purpose in life. He is interested in providing a safe and therapeutic space for adolescents and adults to explore their thoughts, emotions, and strengths from the context of their unique worldviews. Ben also wishes to employ art therapy and creativity-based techniques to enhance an understanding and appreciation of the self. Overall, his goal through therapy is to aide in improving individuals’ self-esteem and quality of life. Ben looks forward to working with individuals from diverse populations including those from various racial/ethnic backgrounds and the LGBTQ+ community. He strives to be a strong advocate for all his clients.
Outside of work and school, Ben enjoys drawing and painting. He also loves cooking, hiking, spending time with family and friends, reading, and playing video games.
Ben will be with A New Leaf Therapy until June of 2021 at which point he intends to pursue his PhD in counseling psychology and licensure for the state of Colorado. Ben accepts Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna and self-pay. We offer a reduced session rate for seeing graduate interns.
Julie Silvestri
Graduate Student Intern
Julie is a graduate intern pursuing her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University Worldwide. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Julie has experience providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and working with children with developmental disabilities, as well as their families. She also has experience working with the geriatric population. Julie is an open minded intern with a passion to help her clients in support and therapeutic growth. Julie is excited to continue learning and helping clients of all ages. Julie accepts Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna and self-pay. We offer a reduced session rate for seeing graduate interns.
Jenna Patton
Graduate Student Intern
Jenna Patton is a graduate student intern perusing her Master’s degree in Social Work. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Colorado State University-Pueblo and a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University Dallas. Jenna has years of experience working in crisis services and assessment. She is looking forward to working with clients of various ages and backgrounds. She will be with A New Leaf Therapy until her graduation in May of 2021 when she will pursue her official licensure. Jenna accepts Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna and self-pay. We offer a reduced session rate for seeing graduate interns.
Sarah Lawler
Graduate Student Intern
Sarah Lawler is a graduate student intern pursuing her Master’s degree in Counseling from Adams State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University-Pueblo. Sarah has experience providing ABA therapy for children and adolescents, and recently worked at an intensive outpatient eating disorder clinic, providing group therapy. Through her work as a hospice volunteer, Sarah has developed a passion for supporting clients through experiences of grief and loss. She is excited to work with clients of diverse backgrounds and experiences. She will be with A New Leaf Therapy until her graduation in May of 2021 when she will pursue her official licensure. Sarah accepts Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna and self-pay. We offer a reduced session rate for seeing graduate interns.
Shaylin White
Graduate Student Intern
Shaylin White is a graduate intern pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adams State University. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in social work from Colorado State University Pueblo in 2018. Shaylin has experience working with at-risk youth as well as individuals with a variety of struggles. She has a passion for helping people and is excited to apply this to her internship. Shaylin is looking forward to working with clients of various ages and backgrounds. She will be with A New Leaf Therapy until May 2021 when she will pursue her official licensure. Shaylin accepts Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna and self-pay. We offer a reduced session rate for seeing graduate interns.
Michael Gallion
Office Manager
A New Leaf Therapy is lucky to have Michael Gallion as our Office Manager and billing specialist. You may receive emails from Michael requesting and providing information about your insurance benefits. He will also email you a link to our intake forms.
Rachael Paris
Office Assistant/Quality Control
Rachael Paris is A New Leaf Therapy's Office Assistant and Quality Control Professional. She is certified in Medical Billing and Coding and is a valued part of our team! Rachael is usually who you will reach when you call our office.
Sunny
"Therapy Dog"
Sunny is one of our therapy dogs! She wanted to share her head shot with you. :)
