ABOUT US
Roads & Rivers helps struggling and frustrated families and individuals find direction and hope
Roads & Rivers is a private practice of licensed therapists and counselors, serving the greater Denver area, Colorado.
We support families and individuals with a range of therapeutic interventions that are soundly based in current mental health research practices. Our clientele includes adults, children, and adolescents. We also specialize in supporting parents and caregivers of children suffering from the effects of trauma.
If you’re frustrated with life’s challenges, unsure of what to do next, and yearning to find hope and direction for yourself or a loved one, we can help you take the next step.
OUR VALUES
At Roads & Rivers, we meet you in your moment (on your road) with a deep sense of compassion and understanding.
Together we will help to bring clear direction and hope to your unique situation through our integrated therapeutic approaches. We back this up with a network of resources tailored to support you on your journey.
Our practice is underpinned by the desire to make mental health more accessible, more affordable, and more transparent for all. We aim to achieve this in several ways…
Being affordable and available when you need us
We’re passionate about making mental health available to everyone. This means offering certain services at a more affordable rate, accepting Medicaid insurance, having multiple locations, and also having immediate availability.
Demystifying mental health care
We know how complicated the healthcare system and medical insurance can be, which makes it really confusing for people in need of mental health support to get the help they need, when they need it. Our goal is to make the path to wellness easier and simpler for you to navigate.
Providing support above and beyond
We aim to provide each individual with the support they need even if it’s not at our practice. You are more than welcome to contact us and even if we’re not the right fit for you, we’ll connect you to the right resources so that you can get the help you need as soon as possible.
Beyond the practical aspects of providing quality mental health care, at Roads & Rivers we aim to help you find an anchor of hope within the river of your life.
Book a free 15-minute introductory call with us today to find how we can help you take the next step.
OUR TEAM
Meet the team of therapists and counselors dedicated to helping you navigate life’s journey
“As a therapist, it is my joy to lean into the power and hope of supportive relationships. I value continued learning and support for myself so that I can meet my clients’ needs with care and wisdom.”
Jennifer Thorstad
Roads & Rivers Founder & Lead Therapist (MA, LPC, ACS, NCC)
Jennifer relocated to Colorado with her family from the south east in 2016 before starting Roads & Rivers. She is a sucker for dogs, planning new ideas and adventures, and being outside near all forms of water. She also loves being still on a rainy or snowy day, enjoying music, a book, or connecting with friends and family.
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• 23+ years’ experience working mental health, 14 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Experience providing counseling and therapy in various settings including outpatient therapy offices, homes/schools/community, enhanced mental health services for children and adolescents, and psychiatric emergency services
• Extensive formal trainings in: attachment-based approaches, developmentally and biologically informed treatment, trauma-informed approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, and animal assisted psychotherapy skills
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• History of trauma
• Various types of anxieties
• Attachment/adoption support
• ADHD and executive functioning - adult and child
• Behavioral/emotional disorders of childhood
• Parent consult and support
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• Attachment-focused and developmentally informed
• Experiential/creative therapies
• Play therapy
• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
• Narrative therapy
• Animal assisted psychotherapy
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• Masters degree in Counseling (MA)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in CO (2016-present)
• Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
• National Board Certified Counselor (NCC)
• Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT): Trained and Certified
• Licensed Professional Counselor in NC (2010-2017)
“I love authentically connecting with others in a therapeutic setting to help build on their strengths and identify areas of growth.”
Anna Melillo
MA, LCSW, SSW
Anna has lived in Colorado since 2016, but has lived throughout the United States and also spent time living and exploring internationally. She loves to travel and learn about new cultures and cuisines. Like most Coloradans, she enjoys the outdoors, especially skiing and paddle boarding. To combine her love for cats and ‘Lord of the Rings’, she aptly named her two fur babies Arwen and Pippin.
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• 7 years’ experience in the field of mental health
• Experience working with children, adolescents, and families in various settings including schools, residential treatment programs, and day treatment programs
• Extensive experience with children who have experienced trauma
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• Attachment/adoption
• Parent support and consultation and collaboration with schools
• Behavioral/emotional disorders of childhood
• History of trauma
• Anxiety and fears
• Consultation with schools/teachers
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• Developmentally sensitive and trauma informed
• Play therapy/synergetic play therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Creative therapies
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• Masters Degree in Social Work (MA)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• School Social Worker (SSW)
• Trained and certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) and Neurosequential Model of Education (NME)
“I hope to come alongside you and be present with you as you work towards growth and change.”
Mikey Espegren
MA, LPC
Mikey moved to Colorado in 2014 and is a big time fan. She’s lived in the mountains and in the city and loves exploring both. When she’s not in the state, she’s visiting family and friends in California and Texas. Mikey loves to anticipate each season with excitement, like skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. There is so much to look forward to!
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4 years experience providing clinical counseling in private practice therapy setting.
Multiple years of experience working with adolescents prior to beginning a counseling career
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• Individual counseling for adults and teens
• Play therapy for children
• ADHD and other Neurodivergence
• Anxiety and fears
• Athletes/identity and performance
• Grief and loss
• Life transitions
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• Developmentally sensitive and trauma informed
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Experiential therapies
• Play therapy
• Movement integrated therapy
• Narrative therapy
• Person-centered therapy
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• Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
• Licensed Professional Counselor , CO
“I take a person centered, authentic, and holistic approach. If you are ready for deeper healing, I am invested in supporting you towards that path.”
Christina Glewen
MA, LCSW
Christina was drawn to Colorado by our active community, extensive sunlight, and the personal and professional opportunities which led her to move here in 2022 from Michigan. She enjoys spending time with her cat Sage, traveling, and being active. Christina also loves the ocean and has started to get back into reading for fun in the last few years!
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7 years of experience working as a mental health therapist
Experience working with adults in various long and short term therapy settings
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Individual therapy for adults
Life transitions
Complex and acute trauma
Family dynamics
Value based living
Depression/Anxiety
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Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Acceptance and commitment therapy
Internal Family Systems
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
Motivational interviewing
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Masters Degree in Social Work (MA)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
“I believe every person has an inner wisdom and are the only true experts on their lives. My role as your therapist is to help you develop tools that connect you with that inner wisdom and empower you to trust it
Peyton Burnside
MA, LSW
Peyton relocated from Arizona to Colorado for school and fell in love with the area. She enjoys long distance running, hiking, and skiing. She also has a passion for world traveling and connecting with people of different cultures. A core value of Peyton’s is balance- outside of the office you could find her on a hike or ready to explore a museum or new restaurant downtown, sometimes even on the same day!
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2 years working in private practice providing psychotherapy to teens, adults, transgender and queer individuals, and individuals with anxiety and trauma.
3 years as a dual sport college athlete and as a mental health advocate for competitive athletes
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• LGBTQ+ affirming therapy and identity exploration
• Empowerment & confidence building
• Counseling for current competitive and retired athletes
• Anxiety and trauma support
• Women’s issues
• intimate relationship issues
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• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Person-centered Therapy
• Teens, adults, and couples
• Narrative therapy
• Person-centered therapy
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• Master’s in Social Work
• Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology
• Licensed Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker Candidate, Colorado
“I believe in the power of authentic connection, play, and nature to spark transformation and growth.”
Katie Young
MA, LPCC
Katie has lived in Colorado for seven years, where she enjoys hiking, biking, and climbing. When she’s not outdoors, she is creating—whether it’s sewing, painting, or making music. Gardening is another way she unwinds. Katie believes in the joy and healing that nature and play bring.
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• 15 years experience working with children and teens in various capacities
• 2 years experience working in Mental Health field with adults, children, and teenagers.
• Mental health experience with life transitions, trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction.
• Specialty training in Synergetic Play Therapy and Transpersonal Nature-Based Therapy
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• Play Therapy for children
• Individual therapy for teens and adults
• Anxiety and Depression
• Trauma
• Grief
• Life Transitions
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• Person Centered
• Nature Based Therapy
• Synergetic Play Therapy
• Somatic Approach
• Mindfulness
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• Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) with a concentration in Transpersonal Nature-Based Therapy
• Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate CO (June 2025)
• Certified Level 1 in Synergetic Play Therapy
“Being with someone in the valley is never easy—but I’m here to walk with you, believing there’s always room for hope, healing, and restoration in your story.”
Jasmine Inayat
MA, LPCC
Jasmine relocated to Colorado in 2022 from Pakistan to pursue her graduate studies and begin a new chapter in the Rocky Mountains. She enjoys discovering cozy coffee shops, new food spots, and planning adventures in the mountains. She finds joy in nature walks, reading, and exploring faith, she also cherishes quiet, snowy days with music, journaling, or connecting with loved ones
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• 10+ years working with children and teens through education, mentorship, and counseling.
• 2 years in the mental health field supporting adults, children, and adolescents in individual and group settings.
• Clinical focus on life transitions, trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction, using trauma-informed and culturally responsive care
• School counseling experience across K–12, addressing academic, emotional, and social needs.
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• Individual therapy for kids, teens and adults
• Play-based therapy for children
• Experiential and strengths-based approaches
• Support for trauma, anxiety, and depression
• Identity exploration and life transitions
• Relationship and interpersonal issues
• Faith-based and spiritually integrated counseling
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• Play-Based Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Person Centered
• Narrative
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• Masters Degree in Counseling (MA) with a dual concentration in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling
• Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate ( LPCC), CO
STEP ONE
Book a Free Call
Book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our trained therapists to access your or your loved one’s mental health care needs, and to find out whether Roads & rivers is the right fit for you.
Access quality mental health care in 3 easy steps…
STEP TWO
Assess your needs
During our call we’ll match you with the best therapist to help you or your loved one with your specific challenge. We’ll help you navigate payment and insurance requirements, and book you for your first appointment.
STEP THREE
Access quality support
Take the first step on your journey to wellness. We can’t wait to meet you!
We’ll also happily guide you to extra resources to deepen your growth.