A bit about me

Cheryl has a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix, SLC, UT, a Bachelors in Exercise Science from Ball State University, Muncie, IN,  Certified in ASIST / Applied Suicide Intervention Skills, and a Certified Level 4 Energy Healer. For over 18 years, she has been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and worked with ages 12 and up, couples & families. She has worked with youth and adults for over 30 years in a variety of settings that include grief support groups after the loss of a loved one to sudden death/suicide or murder, created suicide prevention experiential groups, ER crisis worker, foster care, drug court, youth story slams, Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, camp counselor, and coaching high school basketball & volleyball.

She blended her private practice for several years in the Parker, CO area using a combination of traditional and holistic counseling and saw incredible results and moved in forward to Northern CO. Building community and offering many forms of expression allows her clients to feed their body, mind & soul. 

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Cheryl has personal experience with many different types of trauma, depression/anxiety and suicide due to being an attempt survivor in her early 20's, losing friends and family to suicide, supporting family members who have had a suicidal crisis and/or attempt, living and thriving with autoimmune disease, witnessing violence regularly as a child/youth, working with suicidal clients, and many others. Her mother's murder at the age of 18 sent her into a tailspin that almost led to her own death, but thankfully ended up transforming her into helping others even more. This variety pack of experiences has helped her to relate & connect with people in very unique ways. Cheryl's years of dedication to learning and cultivating her spiritual beliefs have taken her from being bedridden to living with intention!

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In 2018, Cheryl became Certified in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Program (ASIST). She has specialized training in suicide assessments using evidence-based tools and continuously attends local trainings and maintains continuing education in suicide prevention and holistic mental wellness for youth and adults. She equally dedicates herself to trauma-responsive training and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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Cheryl has volunteered with local suicide prevention workgroups to help serve LGBTQIA youth and helping the faith community to be more connected & educated in prevention efforts. She even started a nonprofit for youth and families promoting holistic mental wellness. Cheryl served on the Impacted Family & Friends Division and the Attempt Survivor / Lived Experience Division for (AAS) American Association of Suicidology for several years. She had the opportunity to serve as the Colorado Coordinator for the AAS Impacted Family & Friends Division for suicide attempt & loss survivors and impacted family members further along the healing path. 

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Cheryl is a firm believer in animal-assisted activities as a powerful way to heal and learn more about yourself. No type of talk therapy can compare. Her own unique connection with horses and her own journey with Equine Therapy provided a peace she had never experienced. She now works in collaboration with an Equine Specialist and offers YOU Equine Assisted Learning sessions as part of your holistic journey.

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Cheryl has been a guest speaker and instructor over the years in the areas of mental health, complicated grief, and trauma. Since 2018, she has been a guest speaker sharing her trauma and suicide attempt survivor story and will continue due to her strong belief that those with lived experience can help change the landscape of mental health and suicide prevention. Her brave son Nathan and family were recently featured in the 2021 MTV Documentary 'Each and Every Day' highlighting the stories of suicide attempt survivors and/or those who had a suicidal crisis.

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Cheryl also provides monthly community Lived Experience Story Slams  that allows people to creatively express their ups and downs of life through storytelling, poetry, singing/rap, music, acting, art, and more. This creates a sense of belonging and nurtures mental wellness in a profound way ~ nothing else can compare!

She was silenced for 21 years, but no more.

Cheryl believes trauma & suicide is everyone's business and we MUST promote human connection more than ever before to create healing! She will continue to be a voice for those suffering in silence. She encourages others with lived experience to share their stories as well - when they are ready and in their own way. She helps to guide and empower survivors to share at public events along with her OR on their own.