Meet Our Team

The convergence of people, passion and purpose.

A Treatment Team Focused On Your Child

More than 200 Years of Combined Clinical and Therapeutic Expertise 

Equinox Counseling and Wellness Center has held true to something very important—the team that serves your child and family. Intensive outpatient work is not just for anyone; it takes a special kind of commitment combined with finely tuned clinical skills. Because of this, we have assembled the very best mental health treatment staff for you and your child—a team that is the foundation of our unparalleled treatment program. Treatment teams are comprised of licensed therapists, master level therapeutic care specialists, wilderness therapy specialists, parent coaches, and a clinical administrator. Teams work collaboratively with your child’s psychiatrist and school support team.

Connect to learn more about the Equinox team.

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

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As the founder and CEO of Equinox, Mary brings extensive insight, knowledge and experience with each of the various levels of treatment care available to parents seeking help for the complex mental health challenges their children are facing. More than 30 years of experience in the mental health field has led her to examine the treatment path that not only separates youth from their parents and family system but is also so readily recommended by many mental health professionals. Mary cares deeply about young people and their families facing complex mental health challenges and has dedicated herself to ensuring youth in need of intensive treatment experience safety, kindness, and compassion by a clinical team and system of care that delivers results.

Mary has become a prominent voice within the professional treatment community on the importance of parent and family involvement in the treatment process.  Her work centers on helping parents achieve a deep understanding that families that growlearn and change togetherheal together.   As a result, she has ensured that youth and their parents have another option; no longer do families have to move from provider to provider, be separated by treatment in wilderness or residential settings, or be in and out of psychiatric hospital settings to get the help they are seeking. In 2009, after 22 years in the mental health networks of Colorado, Nevada, and North Carolina, Mary developed an out-patient intensive level of care that combines the best of residential treatment, wilderness therapy and hospital settings to help keep youth and families together on the path towards healing. 

Additionally, Mary is the co-founder of the Parent Leadership Academy which is an integrated component of the Equinox program.  The Parent Leadership Academy has helped thousands of parents learn to parent with confidence, love, warmth, and compassion, while at the same time holding important boundaries necessary to improve their child’s functioning.  The Parent Leadership Academy teaches parents that alignment with family values and parenting a child with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health issues no longer are mutually exclusive of one another. 

Mary received her bachelor’s degree in business management and therapeutic recreation from Mesa State College and attended the University of Northern Colorado and Lesley College for master’s coursework in clinical psychology. She has over 30 years of experience in developing and delivering programs to youth and families struggling with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health challenges. With skillful expertise, Mary has developed specialized programming for youth who often present with combined complexities of anxiety, depression, OCD, mood disorders, ADHD, and executive functioning disorder.  This programming deals with the reality that these complexities create significant difficulty across a broad spectrum in their lives, parent relationships and overall functioning.  Utilizing her extensive background in developing and running residential treatment and wilderness therapy programs, she has successfully implemented intensive programming that allows these youth to remain in their home environment. 

Mary is a national trainer, speaker and clinical program evaluator. She speaks and trains on topics that include the following: Sexual Safety for Children; Developing Competent, Confident Children; How to Raise Responsible Teens; The Dangers of Using Rewards and Consequence Behavior Modification Systems. Additionally, Mary has been featured on the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and ABC’s Nightline for her work with military youth and families experiencing significant challenges as a result of their parent’s multiple military deployments


“If you are at sea, and you’re in a raft, and the swells of the sea are huge, when you are lifted to the top of the wave, you can see for an eternity. When you come down into the belly of the wave, you cannot see anything. Gratitude is not about denying the fact that you are in the belly of the wave and that wave may crash on you, but to never lose site of the horizon even though in this moment you are not seeing it.”-unknown
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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

As managing partner and Chief Clinical Officer, Eileen provides oversight of all clinical/program services and processes, ensuring the highest standard of care is utilized to attain sustainable client outcomes.  She believes that each family comes to Equinox with their own story to tell, unique strengths and complex challenges, that deserve a compassionate and skilled approach to their clinical care. As CCO, Eileen oversees a system of care focused on integrating all aspects of Equinox therapeutic programming into the client's home, community, and day-to-day relationships. Most importantly, each professional interaction, clinical intervention, and treatment decision occurs with integrity and from evidence-based practice.

Eileen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She then received a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology, with specialization in marriage, family, and child counseling from Pepperdine University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the states of Colorado and California, and has provided therapeutic services to individuals, couples, families, high-risk adolescents, and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder for the past 30 years.

Eileen worked as a family therapist with family systems impacted by trauma, behavioral disorders, mental health issues, and chronic stressors that significantly disrupted family relationships. As a Parent Coach with Equinox, Eileen utilizes her skills and knowledge of complex family systems to work closely with parents who have faced unpredictable and difficult challenges raising adolescents and helping their young adults launch into independence.  Eileen teaches parents that they are an essential catalyst for the change they are wanting to see in their family, and even more importantly she provides the necessary guidance to get there. Parent Leadership Principles integrated within the Equinox System of Care is a sequenced learning method that develops skills for effective parent leadership while enhancing the connection between the parent(s)/child that is commonly disrupted as a result of the chronic distress.  

Eileen’s expertise includes guiding parents of young adults to effectively support the transition to independent living despite existing challenges that contribute to a failure to launch.  She understands the unique dynamics that exist in this stage of development within the parent/child relationship and common barriers that impact our young adults in this process.  She enjoys both the individual coaching process and the weekly parent group that combines psycho-education and therapeutic support. 

Eileen loves traveling with her husband and teenage son, has three beloved dogs, and relaxes through gardening, time outdoors, and cooking.


You are not your circumstances. You are your possibilities. If you know that, you can do anything.”
Oprah Winfrey
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Partner, System of Care Officer, Parent Coach

Tim Burke

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Partner, System of Care Officer, Parent Coach

Tim Burke

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Tim is a Partner and the System of Care Officer at Equinox.   Working in this role is a natural fit for Tim after spending 25 years working in a variety of environments with an array of populations and families. He is passionate about the seamless integration of clinical, milieu, community, wilderness and parent coaching to produce the results families need and deserve.

Tim grew up in Western New York and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Niagara University. His passion for the outdoors brought him to Colorado in 1996 and he’s been combining the outdoors and behavioral healthcare ever since. He began his work with at-risk-teens in residential treatment and leading wilderness therapy trips as a field guide for 6-years before bridging experiential modalities with therapeutic milieu and community-based treatment in 2002.         

Since the inception of Equinox in 2009, Tim has developed a passion for, as well as an intimate understanding of, the unique system of care that exists at Equinox. His primary role is to ensure that the Equinox treatment teams have the skills, knowledge and operational understanding of how to effectively deliver services under our distinctive system of care. Tim’s expertise in milieu management, combined with his experience guiding the efforts of multi-disciplinary and clinical teams, make him a uniquely qualified leader, mentor and trainer at Equinox.

Tim is also a valued member of the parent coaching team. He has a particular interest in, and talent for, helping parents emerge as nurturing leaders in their family while assisting them in bridging the gaps that often exist in the parent–child relationship. Tim takes a principally based approach to leading his weekly parent coaching workshops as well as providing individual coaching. It’s no surprise that Tim has created Equinox’s “In Home Family Retreats” where he draws heavily from his experiential roots to facilitate a 3-day experience focused heavily on parent leadership in the home.

Tim also overseas all of the adventure and wilderness programming at Equinox and enjoys the training and mentoring aspects of his job. While Tim is growing up a new generation of outdoor behavioral health professionals at Equinox, he still loves his time in the field. Team spends countless hours in the field with his guides and when time allows, he still loves leading groups and families on therapeutic adventures. Tim enjoys the continuing education and maintains professional certifications including American Mountain Guide Association–Certified Single-Pitch Instructor, Association for Challenge Course Technology–Level II facilitator, The Climbing Wall Association-Lead Climbing Wall Instructor, American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education–Pro-1; and Wilderness Medicine Institute–Wilderness First Responder.

When not working, Tim enjoys rock and ice climbing, skiing, fly fishing, mountain biking and traveling adventures with his wife, Tanya, in their little camper.


Follow your PASSION, It knows where you should go.

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Chief Operations Officer, Executive MBA

Nathan Gabor

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Chief Operations Officer, Executive MBA

Nathan Gabor

Nathan, who has 20 years’ experience in operations and sales, has worked in varied organizations from start-up level to Fortune 500 corporations in retail, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, healthcare and early childhood education. His experience has provided him immense perspective and leadership skills which allow him to refine operational capabilities and create high-performing teams. He is always working on finding new and creative ways to make the world a better place, and his passion for business and self-growth is a great addition to the Equinox family.

Nathan holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Virginia Military Institute as well as an Executive Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University. He continues to pursue higher education and is currently working on an additional master’s degree in Financial Management from Boston University.  

Nathan, who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, spent the majority of his youth camping and teaching at summer camps where he gained a passion for the outdoors.  He combines his love of wilderness and spending time outside, with his professional and personal experiences to advance the life-changing work Equinox Counseling and Wellness Center does for youth, young adults, their families and their communities.

Nathan has lived in Colorado since 2007 and enjoys all that it has to offer.  When he is not helping to further the mission of Equinox, he can be found spending time with his wife and four children, finding new craft brews, and training for triathlons.  


What do you love about working at Equinox?
Seeing families grow and overcome the obstacles in their relationships.  When you can see the relief in a parents eyes when their kid has been transformed, there is nothing like that.

What is most fulfilling in your work?
Being part of a team that changes the course of a family for the better.  
 
Advice for kids.
Be open with your parents and the other kids in the program. You are not alone.
 
Advice for parents.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Trust and the process, we have seen the success of many families, and they started were where you are now.  It is possible.
  
Personal Quote 
  Enjoy the moment, do not worry about the future or the past.  If you focus on what’s in front of you, the future will take care of itself.
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Director of Administrative Services

Jen Lindstrom

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Director of Administrative Services

Jen Lindstrom

Jennifer has been with Equinox since it was founded in 2009.  She began working in a part-time capacity in accounts receivable and as the company grew, took on more and more responsibilities to include all of HR,  AR and AP.  Jennifer takes great pride in caring for our staff, and minding the “business of the business” so that our outstanding treatment teams can focus on providing excellent care to our families. She believes supporting the life-changing work Equinox Counseling and Wellness Center provides for youth, young adults, and their families is truly an honor.

Prior to coming to Equinox, Jennifer worked in brain injury rehabilitation and coached softball at the private, high school, and collegiate levels. Jennifer continues to coach part-time giving private pitching lessons to Denver area girls ages 9-22.  Her mission to build confidence is always at the heart of her work.

When not working, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, working on projects around the house, playing guitar and singing, and relaxing in the Colorado mountains or anywhere there is a beach.


What do you love about working at Equinox? 
Walking into our milieu and seeing kids laughing, connecting, learning and changing. Knowing that most of our patients have struggled to find and keep friends makes Equinox's milieu such a desperately needed place for these kiddos.  
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?  
When I hear the stories of life changing success families experience at Equinox, when they have found no results anywhere else, I know I am where I need to be.  Knowing that I support our staff to do this important work is extremely fulfilling.
 
Advice for kids. I know entering treatment can be scary or anxiety provoking, please know you are not doing this alone.  You and your parents will have hard work to do and you have the best team of helpers to lead the way. 
 
Advice for parents. 
There is hope for your child and your family here at Equinox. Your treatment team is exceptionally skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate.  They will guide, support, and yes, push you to make progress the likes of which you have not experienced before. 
 
Personal Quote- "You always pass failure on your way to success." - Micky Rooney
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Clinical Director, MA, LPC, Clinician, Family Therapist

Kristy Barr

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Clinical Director, MA, LPC, Clinician, Family Therapist

Kristy Barr

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Kristy is the Clinical Director at Equinox and has been a valuable team member for over 5 years. Previously, she has held positions within Equinox including, Therapeutic Care Specialist, Clinician, Assistant Clinical Director, and Program Director. This experience gives Kristy unique perspective, exceptional knowledge, and clinical skill to lead our team working within the Equinox system of care. Kristy has a wealth of knowledge and love of the outdoors, with a variety of experiences in community mental health and residential treatment. Kristy holds a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Harding University and also brings five years of experience with rock climbing, yoga, somatic experiences, and facilitation of experience-based therapy. 

Having experienced the power of rock climbing for her own personal growth, Kristy continues to seek opportunities to share this therapy with youth and families at Equinox. Kristy brings her passion of rock climbing into the Strong Confident Girls Group which focuses on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills in a local Denver indoor rock-climbing gym. Through this program, Kristy has seen rock climbing transform and guide teen girls in managing their emotions, increasing their distress tolerance, and working together with peers in the group to set and accomplish goals. 

Kristy and her husband can be found in the mountains hiking, rock climbing, and camping in their pop-up camper on the weekends. Together they also enjoy kayaking in lakes and rivers in the summer seasons. Kristy is a work-out enthusiast and practices her own daily and weekly routines of exercise and yoga. 


What do you love about working at Equinox?

Fast paced & challenging work, getting off the couch and getting outside.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Client growth and the "ah" moments. Sustainable family change, team approach and always having support and ability to use one another.
 
Advice for kids?
Vulnerability will help you get to where you want to be. Trusting the people and process will give you more than you can imagine.
 
Advice for parents?
Sometimes it is just about listening and reflecting the experience of your child.
 
Personal quote:

"I've loved where I've been, but is my heart's where I'm going."- Anberlin

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Admissions Director

Eve Boyd

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Admissions Director

Eve Boyd

Eve’s variety of experience ranges from working for Tony Robbins in San Diego to managing marketing initiatives for Elements Massage and OrangeTheory Fitness. Eve is grateful and passionate about bringing awareness to Equinox’s family-level of care and healing to the community. She especially loves Equinox’s model of incorporating adventure, wilderness, and art and experiential therapy into programming. Experiential and art therapy played an integral part in her own personal healing process, and her main goal is to be a psychodrama therapist helping people through past traumas with expressive art therapy.

Having lost 150 pounds and maintaining her journey for more than 10 years, she has been featured in Shape magazine, Huffington Post, Huffpost Live, PETA, Mind Body Green and was on the show The Doctors. She has been published in three books including “Organized Obstacles: A Collection of Weight Loss Stories From Those Who Laughed In Impossible’s Face.” Her biggest passion revolves around mental health and the emotional resilience it takes to transform your life. Eve is currently finishing her undergrad at MSU Denver studying Psychology and Theatre. 

When Eve is not studying or reading a textbook, she loves to work out, sing, write, dress up in costumes, and paddleboard with her fiancé Chris. When they are not on the water, you can find them playing “Top Chef” in the kitchen, singing karaoke, or relaxing with their beloved dog, Chef. (Yes, he has his own Instagram page.)


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The fact that I work for a company that found a gap in the continuum of care and created the solution.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Supporting those towards mental wellness can truly change the world and we do that every day.
 
Advice for kids?
Remember that the journey of 1,000 miles starts with one step.
 
Advice for parents?
This part of your journey doesn't have to be walked alone any longer.
 
Personal quote:

"All change is hard at first, messy in the middles, and gorgeous at the end."-Robin Sharma

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Program Director, MA

Martha Allen

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Program Director, MA

Martha Allen

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An East Coast native, Martha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Human Services from Old Dominion University and a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Virginia. She has experience working in psychiatric in-patient hospitals, private practice, and summer programs for neurodiverse youth. 

As a mental health professional, Martha has extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and a background integrating art, music, and nature into a therapeutic setting. Martha deeply believes that every person deserves to know, tell, and understand their story, and believes that this can best happen in a holistic treatment environment like the one at Equinox Counseling & Wellness Center. 

When not working, Martha, her husband, and their goldendoodle puppy enjoy all that Colorado has to offer by way of camping, hiking, playing tennis, and rock climbing. 

 


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The variety of activities we do every day! Workouts, outside experientials, nature, etc.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Seeing clients succeed and learning new skills. Also, watching the clients form friendships in the program.
 
Advice for kids?
If you can fully open yourself up to the process. Your progress will be unstoppable.
 
Advice for parents?
Take some deep breaths, Equinox is here to help and support your family like no other!
 
Personal quote:

"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable."- Mary Oliver

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Experiential & Adventure Programming Coordinator, MA

Alexander Traugott

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Experiential & Adventure Programming Coordinator, MA

Alexander Traugott

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Alexander brings a unique combination of outdoor adventure experiences and an education in Holistic Counseling Psychology.  His primary focus and passion are the healing and learning available—and inherent—in experiential wilderness immersions.  Alexander holds a Master of Arts in Holistic Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, combining all of the foundations of traditional psychology, with authentic transformative spiritual practice, mindfulness, Jungian depth psychology, indigenous wilderness vision-quests, trauma-focused psychotherapy, and somatic practices.  

Alexander’s attraction to Equinox’s overarching mission, is its underlying focus on experiential adventures in natural wilderness settings.  His primary avenues for wellness and healing is a culmination of over 25 years of skiing, eight years of traditional rock climbing, 20 years of mountain biking, and a lifetime of swimming, camping, and hiking in the natural settings including: New England, the Swiss Alps, the Sierra Nevada, and now in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.  Alexander recently completed the American Mountain Guide Association’s Single Pitch Instructor Course in Colorado’s South Platte wilderness and continues to be an amateur student of fitness, physical therapy, and yogic practices.

Outside of wilderness adventures and his clinical work, Alexander can be found attending jazz, funk, and world music concerts with his fiancée, enjoying stand-up comedy, and practicing improvisational electric guitar at home with his two cats.  


What do you love about working at Equinox?

Mentorship, team culture, variety, adventure outings, client relationships, career development, mountain therapy.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Being impactful with clients success and struggles, support of teammates and mentors.
 
Advice for kids?
This is your path, join us in helping you own and author your journey.
 
Advice for parents?
Trust the process, let go of the outcomes, set clear expectations, invite & encourage.
 
Personal quote:

"The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek."- Joseph Campbell

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CLINICIAN, MSW

Grant Aaron

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CLINICIAN, MSW

Grant Aaron

Grant brings to Equinox his experience in attachment issues, various levels of trauma, and neurodiverse conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. He has worked with children and young adults in a variety of settings over the past seven years in the Denver area including young men in residential placement battling substance abuse, foster children with developmental disabilities, as well as individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Through crisis management, group therapy, assessment and mentoring, Grant has worked to encourage positive change in these environments and is a huge proponent of providing trauma-informed care. 

Grant earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Wyoming and promptly made his way to Colorado to begin his professional journey. He acquired a Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University and has since been enamored with the social work values and ideals. Grant was initially attracted to Equinox for its reputation as a holistic agency that provides services to families from every angle, unlike any he has encountered. He has been ecstatic to share his skills and perspective with the Equinox team and families. 

Colorado has proven to be a perfect home for Grant as he has expounded on his passion for the outdoors, including hiking, skiing, running, road-tripping, and frisbee days in the park. He has come to appreciate the residents of Colorado, valuing the connections he continues to make and the inspiring, warm sense of community.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

At Equinox I love that I can see so many pieces at work in every client's life.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Establishing and strengthing a network of clinicians, coaches, family, and other supporters for each client.
 
Advice for kids?
Balance-it's difficult to achieve but important that you always strive for it. Set boundaries, exercise your willpower, and always practice compassion.
 
Advice for parents?
Be consistent. Don't allow your kids to power struggle.
 
Personal quote:

"Just because your path is different doesn't mean you're lost."

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Clinician, MSW, LCSW

Kayla Bogs

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Clinician, MSW, LCSW

Kayla Bogs

Kayla comes to Equinox with an enthusiastic desire to help individuals and families overcome obstacles utilizing family systems theory, experiential and adventure methods, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and strengths-based methods. She has experience primarily with adolescents and families in residential and partial hospitalization levels of care who experience neurodivergent disorders, mood disorders, and trauma. She is currently working towards her Adventure Therapy certification, believing that nature, relationship, and connection are powerful tools in healing.

In 2011, Kayla graduated from Southwestern University with a B.A in Psychology and a B.A. in Communication Studies, then immediately began working directly with adolescents in residential care. She received her Master of Social Work in 2016 at Texas State University. Prior to her move to Colorado, Kayla was licensed in Texas and is thrilled to be a part of a new community in a beautiful place.


What do you love about working at EQ?

I love the relational approach we take in our treatment, especially in the milieu. We value connection most, and I believe our kids feel that.

What is most fulfilling about your work?

It is very fulfilling to hear about families connecting or reconnecting with their kids after time of significant struggle.

Advice for kids?

You are so much more than what brings you to treatment. It’s worth the work to make you feel more YOU!

Advice for parents?

We do our best with what we know. When we know better, we do better!

Personal Quote

Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we will ever do. - Brene Brown

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Clinician, MA, LPCC

Julie Garczynski Lewis

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Clinician, MA, LPCC

Julie Garczynski Lewis

Julie believes in a whole mind-body-spirit integration and values that each person comes to awareness in a variety of ways. She utilizes EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, talk-therapy, skill building, movement, breath work and meditation to explore emotions and self awareness while developing physical, emotional and cognitive strength.

Julie’s therapeutic practice centers around creating a healing-centered space for both adolescents and their families, working to decrease negative patterns and strengthen the family system. Over the years, Julie has worked closely with young adults and their families, helping them bridge the gap of communication to rebuild hope and strength within the family system. She holds a Master of Art degree in Counseling Psychology. She is also a certified yoga instructor with 15+ years teaching experience. She recently earned a certification in Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy.

Outside of work, Julie is a competitive ballroom dancer; traveling around the country for events. She also enjoys practicing yoga, biking, water & snow skiing, reading and spending time with family. In addition to working with teenagers at Equinox, she has raised two of her own.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love that EQ combines the best components of therapy to keep your child in the home - where they belong.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Witnessing growth in a family system. We all come together with the common goal of increasing wellness within the student and their family environment.

Advice for kids?

Step outside of your comfort zone. You will be fully supported here on your journey towards peace.

Advice for parents?

Be patient. Take care of yourself. Read! Get your hands on a few books. We have an incredible list of recommended reading. Trust the process.

Personal quote

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.” - Susan Jeffers

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National Outreach Manager

Kat Slater

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National Outreach Manager

Kat Slater

Prior to coming to Equinox, Kat worked in a variety of human service roles. These roles ranged from teaching assistant to behavioral health technician in an in-patient psychiatric hospital setting. At the age of 19, Kat founded an international non-profit, working to provide tools for sustainability to women running orphanages in Africa. Fueled by her passion for working in mental health, as well as her 14 years of experience as executive director of her non-profit, Kat is excited to be part of the Equinox team and sharing our mission of family level healing.

Kat grew up in Northern California and moved to Colorado in 2011. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Non-Profit Enterprise from Metropolitan State University in Denver, CO. She is passionate about meeting clients where they’re at and treating the whole individual. After working in a hospital setting with a one-size-fits-all approach to care, Kat is thrilled to be a part of an organization focused on individualized family care that achieves lasting and meaningful results.

Kat has a passion for family, the outdoors, nutrition, and fitness. She loves to spend time with her son and visit her family in California. Kat loves anything outdoors and spends most of her free time hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and working out!


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The passion of the people who work here. This team of individuals work so well together to create sustainable results for their clients.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Providing family-level, individual care that meets a new standard in mental health.

Advice for kids?

If you want to see change in your life, you will.

Advice for parents?

In the difficult times, remember that lasting change comes with peaks and valleys; when you’re in the valleys look up and know a peak is coming.

Personal quote:

"Mental Health is not a destination but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going." -Noam Shpancer

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Young Adult Program Coordinator

Julianna Miller

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Young Adult Program Coordinator

Julianna Miller

Julianna brings to Equinox more than 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in an education setting and mental health capacity. Julianna believes that all people deserve safety, happiness, and positive development. She is committed to working in service of others and measures her successes by the positive impact she has on them. 

 

Julianna completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Binghamton University before working as an educator with Teach for America.   During her tenure, Julianna led her students to achieving the highest standardized test scores in aptitude and growth margins in her school. This feat was a demonstration of expertise in supporting neurodiverse youth with executive functioning skills to aid in academic and individual success. While teaching, Julianna worked as a Program Manager for an educational non-profit music program where students learned music theory and how to play different instruments to express themselves and learn together in a safe space. Through these experiences, she realized that mental health support and psychoeducation had to come first for students to achieve their goals and reach their potential. Thus, Julianna is currently pursuing a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at St. Bonaventure University.

 

When not at work, Julianna enjoys cooking, painting, kickboxing, hiking, kayaking, and many more activities that allow her to express herself mentally and physically. 


What do you love about working at Equinox?

My favorite thing about working at Equinox is the sense of community. We are super collaborative and always trying to improve our communication and systems to impact our clients as positively as possible. 

 

What is most fulfilling in your work?

 The most fulfilling part of my work is seeing the progress in our clients and being able to support them through their journey. They're all incredible and deserving of the utmost safety and happiness.

 

Advice for kids?

Slow down, take a deep breath, and try trust. We are here for you.

 

Advice for parents?

Lead your family with a heart of peace and remember your support system here is always bigger than you think.

 

Personal Quote

"The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching." - John Wooden

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Therapeutic Care Specialist

Aidan Kernan

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Therapeutic Care Specialist

Aidan Kernan

Aidan has a background of working with a diverse range of clients, from youth and adolescents to adults with severe mental health disabilities. He spent most of his time working with at risk youth, which was the most fulfilling to him. He loves developing a healthy rapport with clients and seeing them grow. Aidan believes that nature is one of the most powerful healing tools and loves being outdoors. Aidan takes pride in seeing each client as their own person and matches his style to each individual.

Aidan is a Denver native and has his BA in Psychology from Metropolitan State University of Denver, with a minor in Human Services. His goal is to eventually obtain his MA in Counseling.

Outside of work, Aidan loves making music, playing basketball and getting into the mountains whenever he can.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The outdoor adventures are what I love most about working here, Nature is a powerful therapeutic tool.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Seeing the change in our clients, when what they have been working on starts to blossom.

Advice for kids?

Take it one day at a time, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Advice for parents?

Believe in yourself, and your kids. That belief alone will be something that makes a difference.

Personal quote

Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard.

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Human Resource Assistant

Alessandra Clarke

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Human Resource Assistant

Alessandra Clarke

Alessandra first visited Colorado in 2017 then later made the decision to permanently reside in Colorado after completing undergraduate studies in 2018. She holds a BS in Finance and Economics from the University of the West Indies, Mona and is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Colorado, Denver. Alessandra has several years of administrative experience in a variety of industries including hospitality, accounting, and property management.

In her free time, Alessandra primarily enjoys reading, creative writing and binge-watching historical dramas. Alessandra has a passion for travel and a loaded vision board of places to visit. She believes experiences gained from traveling are invaluable and enjoys a good solo travel trip when the opportunity arises. Alessandra grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and it will probably always be her favorite place to travel to.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I appreciate working in an environment where everyone holds a similar value system where holistic health and wellness are concerned.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

The opportunity to leave a mark whether directly or indirectly on someone’s day.

Advice for kids:

Learning and growth are lifelong processes. Just keep trying to be a better you than you were the day before.

Advice for parents:

Foster an environment of open and honest communication. Listen to your children. Their future selves will thank you for the transparency.

Personal Quote:

“Be intentional. Live with purpose.”

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Therapeutic Care Specialist & Neurofeedback Technician

Isabelle Linkous

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Therapeutic Care Specialist & Neurofeedback Technician

Isabelle Linkous

Belle began her career in mental health as a recovery coach in an adolescent residential eating disorder facility. Working in a milieu environment learning the benefits of a multifaceted therapeutic environment. Most recently she has a behavioral therapist with children who have different developmental delays. Belle is excited to continue her journey in mental health as a neurofeedback technician and therapeutic care specialist at Equinox.

Belle was raised in Washington before moving to Oregon for school where she graduated from the University of Portland with a Bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in sociology.

In her free time, she can be found watching the Portland Trailblazers play basketball, painting, playing board and card games, and listening to live music. Belle also enjoys spending time with her kitten and her bearded dragon.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

What I love most about working at Equinox is the sense of community and collaboration. It is an honor to be a part of a team that is so dedicated to helping our clients grow.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

The most fulfilling aspect is seeing the connections the clients make with each other. Watching them use these connections to engage more deeply with their peers and their therapeutic activities makes my work deeply meaningful.

Advice for kids?

Give things time and trust the process. We are all here to support you on your personal journeys.

Advice for parents?

Take a deep breath. You are doing what you can to support your child right now and that is enough.

Personal quote

When you have a bad day, a really bad day, try and treat the world better than it treated you.- Patrick Stump

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Marketing Manager

Alana Yeager

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Marketing Manager

Alana Yeager

With a background in tourism and hospitality, Alana brings years of diverse marketing experience to the Equinox team. Alana passionately stands behind our values and mission here at Equinox. With our focus on family-level healing, she finds our program's progress and achievable success incredibly encouraging and inspirational.

Alana received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Art History and History from the University of Colorado. With a deep passion for arts & culture, she is fascinated by holism in anthropology and the creative, expressive ways individuals work through external factors' impact on their lives and communities. Furthermore, as a seasoned Colorado resident of 25+ years, she's passionate about aligning herself with local institutions - like the Scientific and Cultural Facilities Dis­trict (SCFD) organizations, that actively seek to improve the lives of their communities, patrons, and team members.

 

Outside of work, Alana finds inspiration by spending time at any one of Denver's phenomenal cultural hubs - including the Denver Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Arts, Museum of Nature and Science, or the Botanic Gardens, to name a few! When in need of recharging or a refreshed perspective, you'll find her out in nature, enjoying Colorado's extensive year-round offerings of outdoor adventure to be had. In addition to her deep love for nature and exploring our majestic mountains, Alana is an avid gardener with years spent cultivating both cutting (flower) and vegetable gardens.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

What I love most about working at Equinox is the shared passion and dedication of our talented EQ team members. This - paired with the truly unique, specialized Equinox program, creates a palpable feeling of optimism around our center.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

The most fulfilling aspect is seeing the sense of hope and community we provide for children and their families in need. Witnessing the powerful growth and improvement our families experience with Equinox after years of struggling and exhaustive efforts. 

Advice for kids?

Know that you are never alone.
Learn to celebrate your differences and never stop exploring what makes you happy!  

Personal quote

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.

-    Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Therapeutic Care Specialist

Eve Castro

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Therapeutic Care Specialist

Eve Castro

Eve has acquired many years of experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing behavioral and/or mental health challenges, with levels of care ranging from mild to severe; in educational, in-home, clinic, and community-based settings. Eve is passionate about advocating for clients to receive the right treatment to fit their complex individual needs. She believes in meeting people where they're at with empathy and acceptance while encouraging them to be the best version of themselves that they can be by meeting their goals on a personal and family-level.

Eve graduated from Eastern Washington University with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is planning to obtain her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

In her free time, Eve enjoys taking her dog on hikes or to the park, yoga, getting crafty with different art projects, skiing, rollerblading, and spending quality time with loved ones. Exploring her new home here in Denver has been a blast and she looks forward to integrating more into the community.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

One of the many things I love about working at Equinox is the strong support system and community, including staff, clients, and their families. I also love how well-rounded our program is and the dedication of everyone involved. 

What is most fulfilling in your work?

The most fulfilling part about my work is the moment in treatment when a breakthrough happens for the client and seeing how hard they worked to get there. 

Advice for kids?

My advice for kids is to come in with an open mind every day. With an open mind, anything is possible.  

Advice for parents?

My advice for parents is to use one of our tools: try trust. We appreciate you taking this leap for your child and they are in the best hands with Equinox staff. 

Personal quote

“There is hope even when your brain tells you there isn’t."

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

Riley is a purebred Silver Labrador.  He's been a certified therapy dog for 9 years.  His original handler was a man named Dan, who experienced mental health issues and needed help emotionally as well as with daily tasks.  Riley was an integral part of Dan's life for several years, helping him feel safe, comfortable and well taken care of.  

When we first adopted Riley, all we really knew was he had an exceptional nature to him, was emotionally intuitive, and within seconds could find the person in the room who needed him most.  What we did not know was that he also, as part of his service responsibilities, could open doors and let himself in and out, even if the door was locked.  He opens the refrigerator and freezer doors, and helps himself to tasty treats when hungry.  He also has specific ways of communicating his needs to his human companions, one of which is getting into the pantry and grabbling a package of Top Ramen to carry around.

Riley is a loving companion to all the kids and young adult in the program.  When you come to the program he'll be sure to greet you with his gentle nature and a wagging tail.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love being at work everyday!  I know that I make the kids in the program feel calm, settled and unconditionally loved. Don't tell anyone, but they make me feel the same way.  Lucky me!

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Comforting the kids and young adults in the program.  Knowing that everyday I go to work I make everyone feel good.  

Advice for kids?

I'm a 70 pound gentle Silver Lab.  If your feeling sad, having a hard day or just need a little love, I'll lick you tears away, put my head on your lap, or be there to comfort you for as long as you need.

Advice for parents?

It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our lives that matters.

Personal quote:

"The best therapist has fur and four legs." - Riley

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

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As the founder and CEO of Equinox, Mary brings extensive insight, knowledge and experience with each of the various levels of treatment care available to parents seeking help for the complex mental health challenges their children are facing. More than 30 years of experience in the mental health field has led her to examine the treatment path that not only separates youth from their parents and family system but is also so readily recommended by many mental health professionals. Mary cares deeply about young people and their families facing complex mental health challenges and has dedicated herself to ensuring youth in need of intensive treatment experience safety, kindness, and compassion by a clinical team and system of care that delivers results.

Mary has become a prominent voice within the professional treatment community on the importance of parent and family involvement in the treatment process.  Her work centers on helping parents achieve a deep understanding that families that growlearn and change togetherheal together.   As a result, she has ensured that youth and their parents have another option; no longer do families have to move from provider to provider, be separated by treatment in wilderness or residential settings, or be in and out of psychiatric hospital settings to get the help they are seeking. In 2009, after 22 years in the mental health networks of Colorado, Nevada, and North Carolina, Mary developed an out-patient intensive level of care that combines the best of residential treatment, wilderness therapy and hospital settings to help keep youth and families together on the path towards healing. 

Additionally, Mary is the co-founder of the Parent Leadership Academy which is an integrated component of the Equinox program.  The Parent Leadership Academy has helped thousands of parents learn to parent with confidence, love, warmth, and compassion, while at the same time holding important boundaries necessary to improve their child’s functioning.  The Parent Leadership Academy teaches parents that alignment with family values and parenting a child with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health issues no longer are mutually exclusive of one another. 

Mary received her bachelor’s degree in business management and therapeutic recreation from Mesa State College and attended the University of Northern Colorado and Lesley College for master’s coursework in clinical psychology. She has over 30 years of experience in developing and delivering programs to youth and families struggling with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health challenges. With skillful expertise, Mary has developed specialized programming for youth who often present with combined complexities of anxiety, depression, OCD, mood disorders, ADHD, and executive functioning disorder.  This programming deals with the reality that these complexities create significant difficulty across a broad spectrum in their lives, parent relationships and overall functioning.  Utilizing her extensive background in developing and running residential treatment and wilderness therapy programs, she has successfully implemented intensive programming that allows these youth to remain in their home environment. 

Mary is a national trainer, speaker and clinical program evaluator. She speaks and trains on topics that include the following: Sexual Safety for Children; Developing Competent, Confident Children; How to Raise Responsible Teens; The Dangers of Using Rewards and Consequence Behavior Modification Systems. Additionally, Mary has been featured on the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and ABC’s Nightline for her work with military youth and families experiencing significant challenges as a result of their parent’s multiple military deployments


“If you are at sea, and you’re in a raft, and the swells of the sea are huge, when you are lifted to the top of the wave, you can see for an eternity. When you come down into the belly of the wave, you cannot see anything. Gratitude is not about denying the fact that you are in the belly of the wave and that wave may crash on you, but to never lose site of the horizon even though in this moment you are not seeing it.”-unknown

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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

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As managing partner and Chief Clinical Officer, Eileen provides oversight of all clinical/program services and processes, ensuring the highest standard of care is utilized to attain sustainable client outcomes.  She believes that each family comes to Equinox with their own story to tell, unique strengths and complex challenges, that deserve a compassionate and skilled approach to their clinical care. As CCO, Eileen oversees a system of care focused on integrating all aspects of Equinox therapeutic programming into the client's home, community, and day-to-day relationships. Most importantly, each professional interaction, clinical intervention, and treatment decision occurs with integrity and from evidence-based practice.

Eileen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She then received a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology, with specialization in marriage, family, and child counseling from Pepperdine University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the states of Colorado and California, and has provided therapeutic services to individuals, couples, families, high-risk adolescents, and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder for the past 30 years.

Eileen worked as a family therapist with family systems impacted by trauma, behavioral disorders, mental health issues, and chronic stressors that significantly disrupted family relationships. As a Parent Coach with Equinox, Eileen utilizes her skills and knowledge of complex family systems to work closely with parents who have faced unpredictable and difficult challenges raising adolescents and helping their young adults launch into independence.  Eileen teaches parents that they are an essential catalyst for the change they are wanting to see in their family, and even more importantly she provides the necessary guidance to get there. Parent Leadership Principles integrated within the Equinox System of Care is a sequenced learning method that develops skills for effective parent leadership while enhancing the connection between the parent(s)/child that is commonly disrupted as a result of the chronic distress.  

Eileen’s expertise includes guiding parents of young adults to effectively support the transition to independent living despite existing challenges that contribute to a failure to launch.  She understands the unique dynamics that exist in this stage of development within the parent/child relationship and common barriers that impact our young adults in this process.  She enjoys both the individual coaching process and the weekly parent group that combines psycho-education and therapeutic support. 

Eileen loves traveling with her husband and teenage son, has three beloved dogs, and relaxes through gardening, time outdoors, and cooking.


You are not your circumstances. You are your possibilities. If you know that, you can do anything.”
Oprah Winfrey

 

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Partner, System of Care Officer, Parent Coach

Tim Burke

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Partner, System of Care Officer, Parent Coach

Tim Burke

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Tim is a Partner and the System of Care Officer at Equinox.   Working in this role is a natural fit for Tim after spending 25 years working in a variety of environments with an array of populations and families. He is passionate about the seamless integration of clinical, milieu, community, wilderness and parent coaching to produce the results families need and deserve.

Tim grew up in Western New York and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Niagara University. His passion for the outdoors brought him to Colorado in 1996 and he’s been combining the outdoors and behavioral healthcare ever since. He began his work with at-risk-teens in residential treatment and leading wilderness therapy trips as a field guide for 6-years before bridging experiential modalities with therapeutic milieu and community-based treatment in 2002.         

Since the inception of Equinox in 2009, Tim has developed a passion for, as well as an intimate understanding of, the unique system of care that exists at Equinox. His primary role is to ensure that the Equinox treatment teams have the skills, knowledge and operational understanding of how to effectively deliver services under our distinctive system of care. Tim’s expertise in milieu management, combined with his experience guiding the efforts of multi-disciplinary and clinical teams, make him a uniquely qualified leader, mentor and trainer at Equinox.

Tim is also a valued member of the parent coaching team. He has a particular interest in, and talent for, helping parents emerge as nurturing leaders in their family while assisting them in bridging the gaps that often exist in the parent–child relationship. Tim takes a principally based approach to leading his weekly parent coaching workshops as well as providing individual coaching. It’s no surprise that Tim has created Equinox’s “In Home Family Retreats” where he draws heavily from his experiential roots to facilitate a 3-day experience focused heavily on parent leadership in the home.

Tim also overseas all of the adventure and wilderness programming at Equinox and enjoys the training and mentoring aspects of his job. While Tim is growing up a new generation of outdoor behavioral health professionals at Equinox, he still loves his time in the field. Team spends countless hours in the field with his guides and when time allows, he still loves leading groups and families on therapeutic adventures. Tim enjoys the continuing education and maintains professional certifications including American Mountain Guide Association–Certified Single-Pitch Instructor, Association for Challenge Course Technology–Level II facilitator, The Climbing Wall Association-Lead Climbing Wall Instructor, American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education–Pro-1; and Wilderness Medicine Institute–Wilderness First Responder.

When not working, Tim enjoys rock and ice climbing, skiing, fly fishing, mountain biking and traveling adventures with his wife, Tanya, in their little camper.


"Follow your PASSION, It knows where you should go."

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Chief Operations Officer, Executive MBA

Nathan Gabor

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Chief Operations Officer, Executive MBA

Nathan Gabor

Nathan, who has 20 years’ experience in operations and sales, has worked in varied organizations from start-up level to Fortune 500 corporations in retail, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, healthcare and early childhood education. His experience has provided him immense perspective and leadership skills which allow him to refine operational capabilities and create high-performing teams. He is always working on finding new and creative ways to make the world a better place, and his passion for business and self-growth is a great addition to the Equinox family.

Nathan holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Virginia Military Institute as well as an Executive Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University. He continues to pursue higher education and is currently working on an additional master’s degree in Financial Management from Boston University.  

Nathan, who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, spent the majority of his youth camping and teaching at summer camps where he gained a passion for the outdoors.  He combines his love of wilderness and spending time outside, with his professional and personal experiences to advance the life-changing work Equinox Counseling and Wellness Center does for youth, young adults, their families and their communities.

Nathan has lived in Colorado since 2007 and enjoys all that it has to offer.  When he is not helping to further the mission of Equinox, he can be found spending time with his wife and four children, finding new craft brews, and training for triathlons.  


What do you love about working at Equinox?

Seeing families grow and overcome the obstacles in their relationships.  When you can see the relief in a parents eyes when their kid has been transformed, there is nothing like that.

 

What is most fulfilling in your work?
Being part of a team that changes the course of a family for the better.  
 
Advice for kids.
Be open with your parents and the other kids in the program. You are not alone.
 
Advice for parents.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Trust and the process, we have seen the success of many families, and they started were where you are now.  It is possible.
  
Personal Quote 

  Enjoy the moment, do not worry about the future or the past.  If you focus on what’s in front of you, the future will take care of itself.

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Director of Administrative Services

Jen Lindstrom

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Director of Administrative Services

Jen Lindstrom

Jennifer has been with Equinox since it was founded in 2009.  She began working in a part-time capacity in accounts receivable and as the company grew, took on more and more responsibilities to include all of HR,  AR and AP.  Jennifer takes great pride in caring for our staff, and minding the “business of the business” so that our outstanding treatment teams can focus on providing excellent care to our families. She believes supporting the life-changing work Equinox Counseling and Wellness Center provides for youth, young adults, and their families is truly an honor.

Prior to coming to Equinox, Jennifer worked in brain injury rehabilitation and coached softball at the private, high school, and collegiate levels. Jennifer continues to coach part-time giving private pitching lessons to Denver area girls ages 9-22.  Her mission to build confidence is always at the heart of her work.

When not working, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, working on projects around the house, playing guitar and singing, and relaxing in the Colorado mountains or anywhere there is a beach.


What do you love about working at Equinox? 

Walking into our milieu and seeing kids laughing, connecting, learning and changing. Knowing that most of our patients have struggled to find and keep friends makes Equinox's milieu such a desperately needed place for these kiddos.  

What is most fulfilling in your work?  
When I hear the stories of life changing success families experience at Equinox, when they have found no results anywhere else, I know I am where I need to be.  Knowing that I support our staff to do this important work is extremely fulfilling.
 
Advice for kids. I know entering treatment can be scary or anxiety provoking, please know you are not doing this alone.  You and your parents will have hard work to do and you have the best team of helpers to lead the way. 
 
Advice for parents. 
There is hope for your child and your family here at Equinox. Your treatment team is exceptionally skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate.  They will guide, support, and yes, push you to make progress the likes of which you have not experienced before. 
 

Personal Quote- "You always pass failure on your way to success." - Micky Rooney

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Human Resource Assistant

Alessandra Clarke

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Human Resource Assistant

Alessandra Clarke

Alessandra first visited Colorado in 2017 then later made the decision to permanently reside in Colorado after completing undergraduate studies in 2018. She holds a BS in Finance and Economics from the University of the West Indies, Mona and is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Colorado, Denver. Alessandra has several years of administrative experience in a variety of industries including hospitality, accounting, and property management.

In her free time, Alessandra primarily enjoys reading, creative writing and binge-watching historical dramas. Alessandra has a passion for travel and a loaded vision board of places to visit. She believes experiences gained from traveling are invaluable and enjoys a good solo travel trip when the opportunity arises. Alessandra grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and it will probably always be her favorite place to travel to.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I appreciate working in an environment where everyone holds a similar value system where holistic health and wellness are concerned.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

The opportunity to leave a mark whether directly or indirectly on someone’s day.

Advice for kids:

Learning and growth are lifelong processes. Just keep trying to be a better you than you were the day before.

Advice for parents:

Foster an environment of open and honest communication. Listen to your children. Their future selves will thank you for the transparency.

Personal Quote:

“Be intentional. Live with purpose.”

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

Riley is a purebred Silver Labrador.  He's been a certified therapy dog for 9 years.  His original handler was a man named Dan, who experienced mental health issues and needed help emotionally as well as with daily tasks.  Riley was an integral part of Dan's life for several years, helping him feel safe, comfortable and well taken care of.  

When we first adopted Riley, all we really knew was he had an exceptional nature to him, was emotionally intuitive, and within seconds could find the person in the room who needed him most.  What we did not know was that he also, as part of his service responsibilities, could open doors and let himself in and out, even if the door was locked.  He opens the refrigerator and freezer doors, and helps himself to tasty treats when hungry.  He also has specific ways of communicating his needs to his human companions, one of which is getting into the pantry and grabbling a package of Top Ramen to carry around.

Riley is a loving companion to all the kids and young adult in the program.  When you come to the program he'll be sure to greet you with his gentle nature and a wagging tail.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love being at work everyday!  I know that I make the kids in the program feel calm, settled and unconditionally loved. Don't tell anyone, but they make me feel the same way.  Lucky me!

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Comforting the kids and young adults in the program.  Knowing that everyday I go to work I make everyone feel good.  

Advice for kids?

I'm a 70 pound gentle Silver Lab.  If your feeling sad, having a hard day or just need a little love, I'll lick you tears away, put my head on your lap, or be there to comfort you for as long as you need.

 Advice for parents?

It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our lives that matters.

Personal quote:

"The best therapist has fur and four legs." - Riley

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Admissions Director

Eve Boyd

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Admissions Director

Eve Boyd

Eve’s variety of experience ranges from working for Tony Robbins in San Diego to managing marketing initiatives for Elements Massage and OrangeTheory Fitness. Eve is grateful and passionate about bringing awareness to Equinox’s family-level of care and healing to the community. She especially loves Equinox’s model of incorporating adventure, wilderness, and art and experiential therapy into programming. Experiential and art therapy played an integral part in her own personal healing process, and her main goal is to be a psychodrama therapist helping people through past traumas with expressive art therapy.

Having lost 150 pounds and maintaining her journey for more than 10 years, she has been featured in Shape magazine, Huffington Post, Huffpost Live, PETA, Mind Body Green and was on the show The Doctors. She has been published in three books including “Organized Obstacles: A Collection of Weight Loss Stories From Those Who Laughed In Impossible’s Face.” Her biggest passion revolves around mental health and the emotional resilience it takes to transform your life. Eve is currently finishing her undergrad at MSU Denver studying Psychology and Theatre. 

When Eve is not studying or reading a textbook, she loves to work out, sing, write, dress up in costumes, and paddleboard with her fiancé Chris. When they are not on the water, you can find them playing “Top Chef” in the kitchen, singing karaoke, or relaxing with their beloved dog, Chef. (Yes, he has his own Instagram page.)


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The fact that I work for a company that found a gap in the continuum of care and created the solution.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Supporting those towards mental wellness can truly change the world and we do that every day.
 
Advice for kids?
Remember that the journey of 1,000 miles starts with one step.
 
Advice for parents?
This part of your journey doesn't have to be walked alone any longer.
 
Personal quote:

"All change is hard at first, messy in the middles, and gorgeous at the end."-Robin Sharma

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

Riley is a purebred Silver Labrador.  He's been a certified therapy dog for 9 years.  His original handler was a man named Dan, who experienced mental health issues and needed help emotionally as well as with daily tasks.  Riley was an integral part of Dan's life for several years, helping him feel safe, comfortable and well taken care of.  

When we first adopted Riley, all we really knew was he had an exceptional nature to him, was emotionally intuitive, and within seconds could find the person in the room who needed him most.  What we did not know was that he also, as part of his service responsibilities, could open doors and let himself in and out, even if the door was locked.  He opens the refrigerator and freezer doors, and helps himself to tasty treats when hungry.  He also has specific ways of communicating his needs to his human companions, one of which is getting into the pantry and grabbling a package of Top Ramen to carry around.

Riley is a loving companion to all the kids and young adult in the program.  When you come to the program he'll be sure to greet you with his gentle nature and a wagging tail.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love being at work everyday!  I know that I make the kids in the program feel calm, settled and unconditionally loved. Don't tell anyone, but they make me feel the same way.  Lucky me!

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Comforting the kids and young adults in the program.  Knowing that everyday I go to work I make everyone feel good.  

Advice for kids?

I'm a 70 pound gentle Silver Lab.  If your feeling sad, having a hard day or just need a little love, I'll lick you tears away, put my head on your lap, or be there to comfort you for as long as you need.

Advice for parents?

It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our lives that matters.

Personal quote:

"The best therapist has fur and four legs." - Riley

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

neuroleadershipinstitutelogov4American_Counseling_Association_logov3

As the founder and CEO of Equinox, Mary brings extensive insight, knowledge and experience with each of the various levels of treatment care available to parents seeking help for the complex mental health challenges their children are facing. More than 30 years of experience in the mental health field has led her to examine the treatment path that not only separates youth from their parents and family system but is also so readily recommended by many mental health professionals. Mary cares deeply about young people and their families facing complex mental health challenges and has dedicated herself to ensuring youth in need of intensive treatment experience safety, kindness, and compassion by a clinical team and system of care that delivers results.

Mary has become a prominent voice within the professional treatment community on the importance of parent and family involvement in the treatment process.  Her work centers on helping parents achieve a deep understanding that families that growlearn and change togetherheal together.   As a result, she has ensured that youth and their parents have another option; no longer do families have to move from provider to provider, be separated by treatment in wilderness or residential settings, or be in and out of psychiatric hospital settings to get the help they are seeking. In 2009, after 22 years in the mental health networks of Colorado, Nevada, and North Carolina, Mary developed an out-patient intensive level of care that combines the best of residential treatment, wilderness therapy and hospital settings to help keep youth and families together on the path towards healing. 

Additionally, Mary is the co-founder of the Parent Leadership Academy which is an integrated component of the Equinox program.  The Parent Leadership Academy has helped thousands of parents learn to parent with confidence, love, warmth, and compassion, while at the same time holding important boundaries necessary to improve their child’s functioning.  The Parent Leadership Academy teaches parents that alignment with family values and parenting a child with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health issues no longer are mutually exclusive of one another. 

Mary received her bachelor’s degree in business management and therapeutic recreation from Mesa State College and attended the University of Northern Colorado and Lesley College for master’s coursework in clinical psychology. She has over 30 years of experience in developing and delivering programs to youth and families struggling with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health challenges. With skillful expertise, Mary has developed specialized programming for youth who often present with combined complexities of anxiety, depression, OCD, mood disorders, ADHD, and executive functioning disorder.  This programming deals with the reality that these complexities create significant difficulty across a broad spectrum in their lives, parent relationships and overall functioning.  Utilizing her extensive background in developing and running residential treatment and wilderness therapy programs, she has successfully implemented intensive programming that allows these youth to remain in their home environment. 

Mary is a national trainer, speaker and clinical program evaluator. She speaks and trains on topics that include the following: Sexual Safety for Children; Developing Competent, Confident Children; How to Raise Responsible Teens; The Dangers of Using Rewards and Consequence Behavior Modification Systems. Additionally, Mary has been featured on the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and ABC’s Nightline for her work with military youth and families experiencing significant challenges as a result of their parent’s multiple military deployments.


“If you are at sea, and you’re in a raft, and the swells of the sea are huge, when you are lifted to the top of the wave, you can see for an eternity. When you come down into the belly of the wave, you cannot see anything. Gratitude is not about denying the fact that you are in the belly of the wave and that wave may crash on you, but to never lose site of the horizon even though in this moment you are not seeing it.”-unknown

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Chief Operations Officer, Executive MBA

Nathan Gabor

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Chief Operations Officer, Executive MBA

Nathan Gabor

Nathan, who has 20 years’ experience in operations and sales, has worked in varied organizations from start-up level to Fortune 500 corporations in retail, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, healthcare and early childhood education. His experience has provided him immense perspective and leadership skills which allow him to refine operational capabilities and create high-performing teams. He is always working on finding new and creative ways to make the world a better place, and his passion for business and self-growth is a great addition to the Equinox family.

Nathan holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Virginia Military Institute as well as an Executive Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University. He continues to pursue higher education and is currently working on an additional master’s degree in Financial Management from Boston University.  

Nathan, who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, spent the majority of his youth camping and teaching at summer camps where he gained a passion for the outdoors.  He combines his love of wilderness and spending time outside, with his professional and personal experiences to advance the life-changing work Equinox Counseling and Wellness Center does for youth, young adults, their families and their communities.

Nathan has lived in Colorado since 2007 and enjoys all that it has to offer.  When he is not helping to further the mission of Equinox, he can be found spending time with his wife and four children, finding new craft brews, and training for triathlons.  


What do you love about working at Equinox?

Seeing families grow and overcome the obstacles in their relationships.  When you can see the relief in a parents eyes when their kid has been transformed, there is nothing like that.

 

What is most fulfilling in your work?
Being part of a team that changes the course of a family for the better.  
 
Advice for kids.
Be open with your parents and the other kids in the program. You are not alone.
 
Advice for parents.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Trust and the process, we have seen the success of many families, and they started were where you are now.  It is possible.
  
Personal Quote 

 Enjoy the moment, do not worry about the future or the past.  If you focus on what’s in front of you, the future will take care of itself.

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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

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As managing partner and Chief Clinical Officer, Eileen provides oversight of all clinical/program services and processes, ensuring the highest standard of care is utilized to attain sustainable client outcomes.  She believes that each family comes to Equinox with their own story to tell, unique strengths and complex challenges, that deserve a compassionate and skilled approach to their clinical care. As CCO, Eileen oversees a system of care focused on integrating all aspects of Equinox therapeutic programming into the client's home, community, and day-to-day relationships. Most importantly, each professional interaction, clinical intervention, and treatment decision occurs with integrity and from evidence-based practice.

Eileen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She then received a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology, with specialization in marriage, family, and child counseling from Pepperdine University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the states of Colorado and California, and has provided therapeutic services to individuals, couples, families, high-risk adolescents, and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder for the past 30 years.

Eileen worked as a family therapist with family systems impacted by trauma, behavioral disorders, mental health issues, and chronic stressors that significantly disrupted family relationships. As a Parent Coach with Equinox, Eileen utilizes her skills and knowledge of complex family systems to work closely with parents who have faced unpredictable and difficult challenges raising adolescents and helping their young adults launch into independence.  Eileen teaches parents that they are an essential catalyst for the change they are wanting to see in their family, and even more importantly she provides the necessary guidance to get there. Parent Leadership Principles integrated within the Equinox System of Care is a sequenced learning method that develops skills for effective parent leadership while enhancing the connection between the parent(s)/child that is commonly disrupted as a result of the chronic distress.  

Eileen’s expertise includes guiding parents of young adults to effectively support the transition to independent living despite existing challenges that contribute to a failure to launch.  She understands the unique dynamics that exist in this stage of development within the parent/child relationship and common barriers that impact our young adults in this process.  She enjoys both the individual coaching process and the weekly parent group that combines psycho-education and therapeutic support. 

Eileen loves traveling with her husband and teenage son, has three beloved dogs, and relaxes through gardening, time outdoors, and cooking.


You are not your circumstances. You are your possibilities. If you know that, you can do anything.”
Oprah Winfrey

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Partner, System of Care Officer, Parent Coach

Tim Burke

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Partner, System of Care Officer, Parent Coach

Tim Burke

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Tim is a Partner and the System of Care Officer at Equinox.   Working in this role is a natural fit for Tim after spending 25 years working in a variety of environments with an array of populations and families. He is passionate about the seamless integration of clinical, milieu, community, wilderness and parent coaching to produce the results families need and deserve.

Tim grew up in Western New York and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Niagara University. His passion for the outdoors brought him to Colorado in 1996 and he’s been combining the outdoors and behavioral healthcare ever since. He began his work with at-risk-teens in residential treatment and leading wilderness therapy trips as a field guide for 6-years before bridging experiential modalities with therapeutic milieu and community-based treatment in 2002.         

Since the inception of Equinox in 2009, Tim has developed a passion for, as well as an intimate understanding of, the unique system of care that exists at Equinox. His primary role is to ensure that the Equinox treatment teams have the skills, knowledge and operational understanding of how to effectively deliver services under our distinctive system of care. Tim’s expertise in milieu management, combined with his experience guiding the efforts of multi-disciplinary and clinical teams, make him a uniquely qualified leader, mentor and trainer at Equinox.

Tim is also a valued member of the parent coaching team. He has a particular interest in, and talent for, helping parents emerge as nurturing leaders in their family while assisting them in bridging the gaps that often exist in the parent–child relationship. Tim takes a principally based approach to leading his weekly parent coaching workshops as well as providing individual coaching. It’s no surprise that Tim has created Equinox’s “In Home Family Retreats” where he draws heavily from his experiential roots to facilitate a 3-day experience focused heavily on parent leadership in the home.

Tim also overseas all of the adventure and wilderness programming at Equinox and enjoys the training and mentoring aspects of his job. While Tim is growing up a new generation of outdoor behavioral health professionals at Equinox, he still loves his time in the field. Team spends countless hours in the field with his guides and when time allows, he still loves leading groups and families on therapeutic adventures. Tim enjoys the continuing education and maintains professional certifications including American Mountain Guide Association–Certified Single-Pitch Instructor, Association for Challenge Course Technology–Level II facilitator, The Climbing Wall Association-Lead Climbing Wall Instructor, American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education–Pro-1; and Wilderness Medicine Institute–Wilderness First Responder.

When not working, Tim enjoys rock and ice climbing, skiing, fly fishing, mountain biking and traveling adventures with his wife, Tanya, in their little camper.


Follow your PASSION, It knows where you should go.

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Director of Administrative Services

Jen Lindstrom

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Director of Administrative Services

Jen Lindstrom

Jennifer has been with Equinox since it was founded in 2009.  She began working in a part-time capacity in accounts receivable and as the company grew, took on more and more responsibilities to include all of HR,  AR and AP.  Jennifer takes great pride in caring for our staff, and minding the “business of the business” so that our outstanding treatment teams can focus on providing excellent care to our families. She believes supporting the life-changing work Equinox Counseling and Wellness Center provides for youth, young adults, and their families is truly an honor.

Prior to coming to Equinox, Jennifer worked in brain injury rehabilitation and coached softball at the private, high school, and collegiate levels. Jennifer continues to coach part-time giving private pitching lessons to Denver area girls ages 9-22.  Her mission to build confidence is always at the heart of her work.

When not working, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, working on projects around the house, playing guitar and singing, and relaxing in the Colorado mountains or anywhere there is a beach.


What do you love about working at Equinox? 

Walking into our milieu and seeing kids laughing, connecting, learning and changing. Knowing that most of our patients have struggled to find and keep friends makes Equinox's milieu such a desperately needed place for these kiddos.  

What is most fulfilling in your work?  
When I hear the stories of life changing success families experience at Equinox, when they have found no results anywhere else, I know I am where I need to be.  Knowing that I support our staff to do this important work is extremely fulfilling.
 
Advice for kids. I know entering treatment can be scary or anxiety provoking, please know you are not doing this alone.  You and your parents will have hard work to do and you have the best team of helpers to lead the way. 
 
Advice for parents. 
There is hope for your child and your family here at Equinox. Your treatment team is exceptionally skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate.  They will guide, support, and yes, push you to make progress the likes of which you have not experienced before. 
 

Personal Quote- "You always pass failure on your way to success." - Micky Rooney

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Clinical Director, MA, LPC, Clinician, Family Therapist

Kristy Barr

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Clinical Director, MA, LPC, Clinician, Family Therapist

Kristy Barr

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Kristy is the Clinical Director at Equinox and has been a valuable team member for over 5 years. Previously, she has held positions within Equinox including, Therapeutic Care Specialist, Clinician, Assistant Clinical Director, and Program Director. This experience gives Kristy unique perspective, exceptional knowledge, and clinical skill to lead our team working within the Equinox system of care. Kristy has a wealth of knowledge and love of the outdoors, with a variety of experiences in community mental health and residential treatment. Kristy holds a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Harding University and also brings five years of experience with rock climbing, yoga, somatic experiences, and facilitation of experience-based therapy. 

Having experienced the power of rock climbing for her own personal growth, Kristy continues to seek opportunities to share this therapy with youth and families at Equinox. Kristy brings her passion of rock climbing into the Strong Confident Girls Group which focuses on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills in a local Denver indoor rock-climbing gym. Through this program, Kristy has seen rock climbing transform and guide teen girls in managing their emotions, increasing their distress tolerance, and working together with peers in the group to set and accomplish goals. 

Kristy and her husband can be found in the mountains hiking, rock climbing, and camping in their pop-up camper on the weekends. Together they also enjoy kayaking in lakes and rivers in the summer seasons. Kristy is a work-out enthusiast and practices her own daily and weekly routines of exercise and yoga. 


What do you love about working at Equinox?

Fast paced & challenging work, getting off the couch and getting outside.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Client growth and the "ah" moments. Sustainable family change, team approach and always having support and ability to use one another.
 
Advice for kids?
Vulnerability will help you get to where you want to be. Trusting the people and process will give you more than you can imagine.
 
Advice for parents?
Sometimes it is just about listening and reflecting the experience of your child.
 
Personal quote:

"I've loved where I've been, but is my heart's where I'm going."- Anberlin

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Admissions Director

Eve Boyd

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Admissions Director

Eve Boyd

Eve’s variety of experience ranges from working for Tony Robbins in San Diego to managing marketing initiatives for Elements Massage and OrangeTheory Fitness. Eve is grateful and passionate about bringing awareness to Equinox’s family-level of care and healing to the community. She especially loves Equinox’s model of incorporating adventure, wilderness, and art and experiential therapy into programming. Experiential and art therapy played an integral part in her own personal healing process, and her main goal is to be a psychodrama therapist helping people through past traumas with expressive art therapy.

Having lost 150 pounds and maintaining her journey for more than 10 years, she has been featured in Shape magazine, Huffington Post, Huffpost Live, PETA, Mind Body Green and was on the show The Doctors. She has been published in three books including “Organized Obstacles: A Collection of Weight Loss Stories From Those Who Laughed In Impossible’s Face.” Her biggest passion revolves around mental health and the emotional resilience it takes to transform your life. Eve is currently finishing her undergrad at MSU Denver studying Psychology and Theatre. 

When Eve is not studying or reading a textbook, she loves to work out, sing, write, dress up in costumes, and paddleboard with her fiancé Chris. When they are not on the water, you can find them playing “Top Chef” in the kitchen, singing karaoke, or relaxing with their beloved dog, Chef. (Yes, he has his own Instagram page.)


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The fact that I work for a company that found a gap in the continuum of care and created the solution.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Supporting those towards mental wellness can truly change the world and we do that every day.
 
Advice for kids?
Remember that the journey of 1,000 miles starts with one step.
 
Advice for parents?
This part of your journey doesn't have to be walked alone any longer.
 
Personal quote:

"All change is hard at first, messy in the middles, and gorgeous at the end."-Robin Sharma

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Program Director, MA

Martha Allen

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Program Director, MA

Martha Allen

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An East Coast native, Martha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Human Services from Old Dominion University and a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Virginia. She has experience working in psychiatric in-patient hospitals, private practice, and summer programs for neurodiverse youth. 

As a mental health professional, Martha has extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and a background integrating art, music, and nature into a therapeutic setting. Martha deeply believes that every person deserves to know, tell, and understand their story, and believes that this can best happen in a holistic treatment environment like the one at Equinox Counseling & Wellness Center. 

When not working, Martha, her husband, and their goldendoodle puppy enjoy all that Colorado has to offer by way of camping, hiking, playing tennis, and rock climbing. 


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The variety of activities we do every day! Workouts, outside experientials, nature, etc.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Seeing clients succeed and learning new skills. Also, watching the clients form friendships in the program.
 
Advice for kids?
If you can fully open yourself up to the process. Your progress will be unstoppable.
 
Advice for parents?
Take some deep breaths, Equinox is here to help and support your family like no other!
 
Personal quote:

"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable."- Mary Oliver

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National Outreach Manager

Kat Slater

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National Outreach Manager

Kat Slater

Prior to coming to Equinox, Kat worked in a variety of human service roles. These roles ranged from teaching assistant to behavioral health technician in an in-patient psychiatric hospital setting. At the age of 19, Kat founded an international non-profit, working to provide tools for sustainability to women running orphanages in Africa. Fueled by her passion for working in mental health, as well as her 14 years of experience as executive director of her non-profit, Kat is excited to be part of the Equinox team and sharing our mission of family level healing.

Kat grew up in Northern California and moved to Colorado in 2011. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Non-Profit Enterprise from Metropolitan State University in Denver, CO. She is passionate about meeting clients where they’re at and treating the whole individual. After working in a hospital setting with a one-size-fits-all approach to care, Kat is thrilled to be a part of an organization focused on individualized family care that achieves lasting and meaningful results.

Kat has a passion for family, the outdoors, nutrition, and fitness. She loves to spend time with her son and visit her family in California. Kat loves anything outdoors and spends most of her free time hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and working out!


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The passion of the people who work here. This team of individuals work so well together to create sustainable results for their clients.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Providing family-level, individual care that meets a new standard in mental health.

Advice for kids?

If you want to see change in your life, you will.

Advice for parents?

In the difficult times, remember that lasting change comes with peaks and valleys; when you’re in the valleys look up and know a peak is coming.

Personal quote:

"Mental Health is not a destination but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going." -Noam Shpancer

 
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Marketing Manger

Alana Yeager

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Marketing Manger

Alana Yeager

With a background in tourism and hospitality, Alana brings years of diverse marketing experience to the Equinox team. Alana passionately stands behind our values and mission here at Equinox. With our focus on family-level healing, she finds our program's progress and achievable success incredibly encouraging and inspirational.
Alana received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Art History and History from the University of Colorado. With a deep passion for arts & culture, she is fascinated by holism in anthropology and the creative, expressive ways individuals work through external factors' impact on their lives and communities. Furthermore, as a seasoned Colorado resident of 25+ years, she's passionate about aligning herself with local institutions - like the Scientific and Cultural Facilities Dis­trict (SCFD) organizations, that actively seek to improve the lives of their communities, patrons, and team members.
 
Outside of work, Alana finds inspiration by spending time at any one of Denver's phenomenal cultural hubs - including the Denver Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Arts, Museum of Nature and Science, or the Botanic Gardens, to name a few! When in need of recharging or a refreshed perspective, you'll find her out in nature, enjoying Colorado's extensive year-round offerings of outdoor adventure to be had. In addition to her deep love for nature and exploring our majestic mountains, Alana is an avid gardener with years spent cultivating both cutting (flower) and vegetable gardens.

What do you love about working at Equinox?

What I love most about working at Equinox is the shared passion and dedication of our talented EQ team members. This - paired with the truly unique, specialized Equinox program, creates a palpable feeling of optimism around our center.

 

What is most fulfilling in your work?

The most fulfilling aspect is seeing the sense of hope and community we provide for children and their families in need. Witnessing the powerful growth and improvement our families experience with Equinox after years of struggling and exhaustive efforts. 

 

Advice for kids?

Know that you are never alone.

Learn to celebrate your differences and never stop exploring what makes you happy! 

 

Personal quote

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.

 

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

Riley is a purebred Silver Labrador.  He's been a certified therapy dog for 9 years.  His original handler was a man named Dan, who experienced mental health issues and needed help emotionally as well as with daily tasks.  Riley was an integral part of Dan's life for several years, helping him feel safe, comfortable and well taken care of.  

When we first adopted Riley, all we really knew was he had an exceptional nature to him, was emotionally intuitive, and within seconds could find the person in the room who needed him most.  What we did not know was that he also, as part of his service responsibilities, could open doors and let himself in and out, even if the door was locked.  He opens the refrigerator and freezer doors, and helps himself to tasty treats when hungry.  He also has specific ways of communicating his needs to his human companions, one of which is getting into the pantry and grabbling a package of Top Ramen to carry around.

Riley is a loving companion to all the kids and young adult in the program.  When you come to the program he'll be sure to greet you with his gentle nature and a wagging tail.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love being at work everyday!  I know that I make the kids in the program feel calm, settled and unconditionally loved. Don't tell anyone, but they make me feel the same way.  Lucky me!

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Comforting the kids and young adults in the program.  Knowing that everyday I go to work I make everyone feel good.  

Advice for kids?

I'm a 70 pound gentle Silver Lab.  If your feeling sad, having a hard day or just need a little love, I'll lick you tears away, put my head on your lap, or be there to comfort you for as long as you need.

Advice for parents?

It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our lives that matters.

Personal quote:

"The best therapist has fur and four legs." - Riley

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

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As the founder and CEO of Equinox, Mary brings extensive insight, knowledge and experience with each of the various levels of treatment care available to parents seeking help for the complex mental health challenges their children are facing. More than 30 years of experience in the mental health field has led her to examine the treatment path that not only separates youth from their parents and family system but is also so readily recommended by many mental health professionals. Mary cares deeply about young people and their families facing complex mental health challenges and has dedicated herself to ensuring youth in need of intensive treatment experience safety, kindness, and compassion by a clinical team and system of care that delivers results.

Mary has become a prominent voice within the professional treatment community on the importance of parent and family involvement in the treatment process.  Her work centers on helping parents achieve a deep understanding that families that growlearn and change togetherheal together.   As a result, she has ensured that youth and their parents have another option; no longer do families have to move from provider to provider, be separated by treatment in wilderness or residential settings, or be in and out of psychiatric hospital settings to get the help they are seeking. In 2009, after 22 years in the mental health networks of Colorado, Nevada, and North Carolina, Mary developed an out-patient intensive level of care that combines the best of residential treatment, wilderness therapy and hospital settings to help keep youth and families together on the path towards healing. 

Additionally, Mary is the co-founder of the Parent Leadership Academy which is an integrated component of the Equinox program.  The Parent Leadership Academy has helped thousands of parents learn to parent with confidence, love, warmth, and compassion, while at the same time holding important boundaries necessary to improve their child’s functioning.  The Parent Leadership Academy teaches parents that alignment with family values and parenting a child with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health issues no longer are mutually exclusive of one another. 

Mary received her bachelor’s degree in business management and therapeutic recreation from Mesa State College and attended the University of Northern Colorado and Lesley College for master’s coursework in clinical psychology. She has over 30 years of experience in developing and delivering programs to youth and families struggling with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health challenges. With skillful expertise, Mary has developed specialized programming for youth who often present with combined complexities of anxiety, depression, OCD, mood disorders, ADHD, and executive functioning disorder.  This programming deals with the reality that these complexities create significant difficulty across a broad spectrum in their lives, parent relationships and overall functioning.  Utilizing her extensive background in developing and running residential treatment and wilderness therapy programs, she has successfully implemented intensive programming that allows these youth to remain in their home environment. 

Mary is a national trainer, speaker and clinical program evaluator. She speaks and trains on topics that include the following: Sexual Safety for Children; Developing Competent, Confident Children; How to Raise Responsible Teens; The Dangers of Using Rewards and Consequence Behavior Modification Systems. Additionally, Mary has been featured on the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and ABC’s Nightline for her work with military youth and families experiencing significant challenges as a result of their parent’s multiple military deployments


“If you are at sea, and you’re in a raft, and the swells of the sea are huge, when you are lifted to the top of the wave, you can see for an eternity. When you come down into the belly of the wave, you cannot see anything. Gratitude is not about denying the fact that you are in the belly of the wave and that wave may crash on you, but to never lose site of the horizon even though in this moment you are not seeing it.”-unknown

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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

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As managing partner and Chief Clinical Officer, Eileen provides oversight of all clinical/program services and processes, ensuring the highest standard of care is utilized to attain sustainable client outcomes.  She believes that each family comes to Equinox with their own story to tell, unique strengths and complex challenges, that deserve a compassionate and skilled approach to their clinical care. As CCO, Eileen oversees a system of care focused on integrating all aspects of Equinox therapeutic programming into the client's home, community, and day-to-day relationships. Most importantly, each professional interaction, clinical intervention, and treatment decision occurs with integrity and from evidence-based practice.

Eileen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She then received a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology, with specialization in marriage, family, and child counseling from Pepperdine University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the states of Colorado and California, and has provided therapeutic services to individuals, couples, families, high-risk adolescents, and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder for the past 30 years.

Eileen worked as a family therapist with family systems impacted by trauma, behavioral disorders, mental health issues, and chronic stressors that significantly disrupted family relationships. As a Parent Coach with Equinox, Eileen utilizes her skills and knowledge of complex family systems to work closely with parents who have faced unpredictable and difficult challenges raising adolescents and helping their young adults launch into independence.  Eileen teaches parents that they are an essential catalyst for the change they are wanting to see in their family, and even more importantly she provides the necessary guidance to get there. Parent Leadership Principles integrated within the Equinox System of Care is a sequenced learning method that develops skills for effective parent leadership while enhancing the connection between the parent(s)/child that is commonly disrupted as a result of the chronic distress.  

Eileen’s expertise includes guiding parents of young adults to effectively support the transition to independent living despite existing challenges that contribute to a failure to launch.  She understands the unique dynamics that exist in this stage of development within the parent/child relationship and common barriers that impact our young adults in this process.  She enjoys both the individual coaching process and the weekly parent group that combines psycho-education and therapeutic support. 

Eileen loves traveling with her husband and teenage son, has three beloved dogs, and relaxes through gardening, time outdoors, and cooking.


You are not your circumstances. You are your possibilities. If you know that, you can do anything.”
Oprah Winfrey

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Clinical Director, MA, LPC, Clinician, Family Therapist

Kristy Barr

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Clinical Director, MA, LPC, Clinician, Family Therapist

Kristy Barr

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Kristy is the Program Director at Equinox and has been a valuable team member with the Equinox Team. Kristy has a wealth of knowledge and love of the outdoors, with a variety of experiences in community mental health and residential treatment. Kristy holds a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Harding University and also brings five years of experience with rock climbing, yoga, somatic experiences, and facilitation of experience-based therapy. 

Having experienced the power of rock climbing for her own personal growth, Kristy continues to seek opportunities to share this therapy with youth and families at Equinox. Kristy brings her passion of rock climbing into the Strong Confident Girls Group which focuses on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills in a local Denver indoor rock-climbing gym. Through this program, Kristy has seen rock climbing transform and guide teen girls in managing their emotions, increasing their distress tolerance, and working together with peers in the group to set and accomplish goals. 

Kristy and her husband can be found in the mountains hiking, rock climbing, and camping in their pop-up camper on the weekends. Together they also enjoy kayaking in lakes and rivers in the summer seasons. Kristy is a work-out enthusiast and practices her own daily and weekly routines of exercise and yoga. 


What do you love about working at Equinox?

Fast paced & challenging work, getting off the couch and getting outside.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Client growth and the "ah" moments. Sustainable family change, team approach and always having support and ability to use one another.
 
Advice for kids?
Vulnerability will help you get to where you want to be. Trusting the people and process will give you more than you can imagine.
 
Advice for parents?
Sometimes it is just about listening and reflecting the experience of your child.
 
Personal quote:

"I've loved where I've been, but is my heart's where I'm going."- Anberlin

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CLINICIAN, MSW

Grant Aaron

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CLINICIAN, MSW

Grant Aaron

Grant brings to Equinox his experience in attachment issues, various levels of trauma, and neurodiverse conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. He has worked with children and young adults in a variety of settings over the past seven years in the Denver area including young men in residential placement battling substance abuse, foster children with developmental disabilities, as well as individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Through crisis management, group therapy, assessment and mentoring, Grant has worked to encourage positive change in these environments and is a huge proponent of providing trauma-informed care. 

Grant earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Wyoming and promptly made his way to Colorado to begin his professional journey. He acquired a Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University and has since been enamored with the social work values and ideals. Grant was initially attracted to Equinox for its reputation as a holistic agency that provides services to families from every angle, unlike any he has encountered. He has been ecstatic to share his skills and perspective with the Equinox team and families. 

Colorado has proven to be a perfect home for Grant as he has expounded on his passion for the outdoors, including hiking, skiing, running, road-tripping, and frisbee days in the park. He has come to appreciate the residents of Colorado, valuing the connections he continues to make and the inspiring, warm sense of community.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

At Equinox I love that I can see so many pieces at work in every client's life.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Establishing and strengthing a network of clinicians, coaches, family, and other supporters for each client.
 
Advice for kids?
Balance-it's difficult to achieve but important that you always strive for it. Set boundaries, exercise your willpower, and always practice compassion.
 
Advice for parents?
Be consistent. Don't allow your kids to power struggle.
 
Personal quote:

"Just because your path is different doesn't mean you're lost."

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Clinician, MSW, LCSW

Kayla Bogs

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Clinician, MSW, LCSW

Kayla Bogs

Kayla comes to Equinox with an enthusiastic desire to help individuals and families overcome obstacles utilizing family systems theory, experiential and adventure methods, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and strengths-based methods. She has experience primarily with adolescents and families in residential and partial hospitalization levels of care who experience neurodivergent disorders, mood disorders, and trauma. She is currently working towards her Adventure Therapy certification, believing that nature, relationship, and connection are powerful tools in healing.

In 2011, Kayla graduated from Southwestern University with a B.A in Psychology and a B.A. in Communication Studies, then immediately began working directly with adolescents in residential care. She received her Master of Social Work in 2016 at Texas State University. Prior to her move to Colorado, Kayla was licensed in Texas and is thrilled to be a part of a new community in a beautiful place.

What do you love about working at EQ?

I love the relational approach we take in our treatment, especially in the milieu. We value connection most, and I believe our kids feel that.

What is most fulfilling about your work?

It is very fulfilling to hear about families connecting or reconnecting with their kids after time of significant struggle.

Advice for kids?

You are so much more than what brings you to treatment. It’s worth the work to make you feel more YOU!

Advice for parents?

We do our best with what we know. When we know better, we do better!

Personal Quote

Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we will ever do. - Brene Brown

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Clinician, MA, LPCC

Julie Garczynski Lewis

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Clinician, MA, LPCC

Julie Garczynski Lewis

Julie believes in a whole mind-body-spirit integration and values that each person comes to awareness in a variety of ways. She utilizes EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, talk-therapy, skill building, movement, breath work and meditation to explore emotions and self awareness while developing physical, emotional and cognitive strength.

Julie’s therapeutic practice centers around creating a healing-centered space for both adolescents and their families, working to decrease negative patterns and strengthen the family system. Over the years, Julie has worked closely with young adults and their families, helping them bridge the gap of communication to rebuild hope and strength within the family system. She holds a Master of Art degree in Counseling Psychology. She is also a certified yoga instructor with 15+ years teaching experience. She recently earned a certification in Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy.

Outside of work, Julie is a competitive ballroom dancer; traveling around the country for events. She also enjoys practicing yoga, biking, water & snow skiing, reading and spending time with family. In addition to working with teenagers at Equinox, she has raised two of her own.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love that EQ combines the best components of therapy to keep your child in the home - where they belong.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Witnessing growth in a family system. We all come together with the common goal of increasing wellness within the student and their family environment.

Advice for kids?

Step outside of your comfort zone. You will be fully supported here on your journey towards peace.

Advice for parents?

Be patient. Take care of yourself. Read! Get your hands on a few books. We have an incredible list of recommended reading. Trust the process.

Personal quote

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.” - Susan Jeffers

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TCS/Neurofeedback Technician

Isabelle Linkous

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TCS/Neurofeedback Technician

Isabelle Linkous

Belle began her career in mental health as a recovery coach in an adolescent residential eating disorder facility. Working in a milieu environment learning the benefits of a multifaceted therapeutic environment. Most recently she has a behavioral therapist with children who have different developmental delays. Belle is excited to continue her journey in mental health as a neurofeedback technician and therapeutic care specialist at Equinox.

Belle was raised in Washington before moving to Oregon for school where she graduated from the University of Portland with a Bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in sociology.

In her free time, she can be found watching the Portland Trailblazers play basketball, painting, playing board and card games, and listening to live music. Belle also enjoys spending time with her kitten and her bearded dragon.

Anna Belle has lived in several states and came to Denver in 2022. She holds a BA in English from Indiana University and a Master of Jurisprudence degree from Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law. She enjoys mountain views and trail walks, yoga, and wildlife and nature photography. You can find her on the front range, scoping out spots to encounter and photograph the beautiful flora and fauna of the region.

In 2011, Kayla graduated from Southwestern University with a B.A in Psychology and a B.A. in Communication Studies, then immediately began working directly with adolescents in residential care. She received her Master of Social Work in 2016 at Texas State University. Prior to her move to Colorado, Kayla was licensed in Texas and is thrilled to be a part of a new community in a beautiful place.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

What I love most about working at Equinox is the sense of community and collaboration. It is an honor to be a part of a team that is so dedicated to helping our clients grow.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

The most fulfilling aspect is seeing the connections the clients make with each other. Watching them use these connections to engage more deeply with their peers and their therapeutic activities makes my work deeply meaningful.

Advice for kids?

Give things time and trust the process. We are all here to support you on your personal journeys.

Advice for parents?

Take a deep breath. You are doing what you can to support your child right now and that is enough.

Personal quote

When you have a bad day, a really bad day, try and treat the world better than it treated you.- Patrick Stump

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

Riley is a purebred Silver Labrador.  He's been a certified therapy dog for 9 years.  His original handler was a man named Dan, who experienced mental health issues and needed help emotionally as well as with daily tasks.  Riley was an integral part of Dan's life for several years, helping him feel safe, comfortable and well taken care of.  

When we first adopted Riley, all we really knew was he had an exceptional nature to him, was emotionally intuitive, and within seconds could find the person in the room who needed him most.  What we did not know was that he also, as part of his service responsibilities, could open doors and let himself in and out, even if the door was locked.  He opens the refrigerator and freezer doors, and helps himself to tasty treats when hungry.  He also has specific ways of communicating his needs to his human companions, one of which is getting into the pantry and grabbling a package of Top Ramen to carry around.

Riley is a loving companion to all the kids and young adult in the program.  When you come to the program he'll be sure to greet you with his gentle nature and a wagging tail.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love being at work everyday!  I know that I make the kids in the program feel calm, settled and unconditionally loved. Don't tell anyone, but they make me feel the same way.  Lucky me!

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Comforting the kids and young adults in the program.  Knowing that everyday I go to work I make everyone feel good.  

Advice for kids?

I'm a 70 pound gentle Silver Lab.  If your feeling sad, having a hard day or just need a little love, I'll lick you tears away, put my head on your lap, or be there to comfort you for as long as you need.

Advice for parents?

It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our lives that matters.

Personal quote:

"The best therapist has fur and four legs." - Riley

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

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Founder, CEO, Parent Coach, Family Therapist

Mary Marcantonio

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As the founder and CEO of Equinox, Mary brings extensive insight, knowledge and experience with each of the various levels of treatment care available to parents seeking help for the complex mental health challenges their children are facing. More than 30 years of experience in the mental health field has led her to examine the treatment path that not only separates youth from their parents and family system but is also so readily recommended by many mental health professionals. Mary cares deeply about young people and their families facing complex mental health challenges and has dedicated herself to ensuring youth in need of intensive treatment experience safety, kindness, and compassion by a clinical team and system of care that delivers results.

Mary has become a prominent voice within the professional treatment community on the importance of parent and family involvement in the treatment process.  Her work centers on helping parents achieve a deep understanding that families that growlearn and change togetherheal together.   As a result, she has ensured that youth and their parents have another option; no longer do families have to move from provider to provider, be separated by treatment in wilderness or residential settings, or be in and out of psychiatric hospital settings to get the help they are seeking. In 2009, after 22 years in the mental health networks of Colorado, Nevada, and North Carolina, Mary developed an out-patient intensive level of care that combines the best of residential treatment, wilderness therapy and hospital settings to help keep youth and families together on the path towards healing. 

Additionally, Mary is the co-founder of the Parent Leadership Academy which is an integrated component of the Equinox program.  The Parent Leadership Academy has helped thousands of parents learn to parent with confidence, love, warmth, and compassion, while at the same time holding important boundaries necessary to improve their child’s functioning.  The Parent Leadership Academy teaches parents that alignment with family values and parenting a child with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health issues no longer are mutually exclusive of one another. 

Mary received her bachelor’s degree in business management and therapeutic recreation from Mesa State College and attended the University of Northern Colorado and Lesley College for master’s coursework in clinical psychology. She has over 30 years of experience in developing and delivering programs to youth and families struggling with complex mental, emotional and behavioral health challenges. With skillful expertise, Mary has developed specialized programming for youth who often present with combined complexities of anxiety, depression, OCD, mood disorders, ADHD, and executive functioning disorder.  This programming deals with the reality that these complexities create significant difficulty across a broad spectrum in their lives, parent relationships and overall functioning.  Utilizing her extensive background in developing and running residential treatment and wilderness therapy programs, she has successfully implemented intensive programming that allows these youth to remain in their home environment. 

Mary is a national trainer, speaker and clinical program evaluator. She speaks and trains on topics that include the following: Sexual Safety for Children; Developing Competent, Confident Children; How to Raise Responsible Teens; The Dangers of Using Rewards and Consequence Behavior Modification Systems. Additionally, Mary has been featured on the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and ABC’s Nightline for her work with military youth and families experiencing significant challenges as a result of their parent’s multiple military deployments


“If you are at sea, and you’re in a raft, and the swells of the sea are huge, when you are lifted to the top of the wave, you can see for an eternity. When you come down into the belly of the wave, you cannot see anything. Gratitude is not about denying the fact that you are in the belly of the wave and that wave may crash on you, but to never lose site of the horizon even though in this moment you are not seeing it.”-unknown

 
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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

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Partner, Chief Clinical Officer, MA, LMFT, Parent Coach

Eileen Scheibe

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As managing partner and Chief Clinical Officer, Eileen provides oversight of all clinical/program services and processes, ensuring the highest standard of care is utilized to attain sustainable client outcomes.  She believes that each family comes to Equinox with their own story to tell, unique strengths and complex challenges, that deserve a compassionate and skilled approach to their clinical care. As CCO, Eileen oversees a system of care focused on integrating all aspects of Equinox therapeutic programming into the client's home, community, and day-to-day relationships. Most importantly, each professional interaction, clinical intervention, and treatment decision occurs with integrity and from evidence-based practice.

Eileen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She then received a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology, with specialization in marriage, family, and child counseling from Pepperdine University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the states of Colorado and California, and has provided therapeutic services to individuals, couples, families, high-risk adolescents, and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder for the past 30 years.

Eileen worked as a family therapist with family systems impacted by trauma, behavioral disorders, mental health issues, and chronic stressors that significantly disrupted family relationships. As a Parent Coach with Equinox, Eileen utilizes her skills and knowledge of complex family systems to work closely with parents who have faced unpredictable and difficult challenges raising adolescents and helping their young adults launch into independence.  Eileen teaches parents that they are an essential catalyst for the change they are wanting to see in their family, and even more importantly she provides the necessary guidance to get there. Parent Leadership Principles integrated within the Equinox System of Care is a sequenced learning method that develops skills for effective parent leadership while enhancing the connection between the parent(s)/child that is commonly disrupted as a result of the chronic distress.  

Eileen’s expertise includes guiding parents of young adults to effectively support the transition to independent living despite existing challenges that contribute to a failure to launch.  She understands the unique dynamics that exist in this stage of development within the parent/child relationship and common barriers that impact our young adults in this process.  She enjoys both the individual coaching process and the weekly parent group that combines psycho-education and therapeutic support. 

Eileen loves traveling with her husband and teenage son, has three beloved dogs, and relaxes through gardening, time outdoors, and cooking.


You are not your circumstances. You are your possibilities. If you know that, you can do anything.”
Oprah Winfrey

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Partner, System of Care Officer, Parent Coach

Tim Burke

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Partner, System of Care Officer, Parent Coach

Tim Burke

AIARE AMGA_LOGO-smallv2Wilderness-first-responderinstructor_CWI_B&Winstructor_SPI_B&W

Tim is a Partner and the System of Care Officer at Equinox.   Working in this role is a natural fit for Tim after spending 25 years working in a variety of environments with an array of populations and families. He is passionate about the seamless integration of clinical, milieu, community, wilderness and parent coaching to produce the results families need and deserve.

Tim grew up in Western New York and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Niagara University. His passion for the outdoors brought him to Colorado in 1996 and he’s been combining the outdoors and behavioral healthcare ever since. He began his work with at-risk-teens in residential treatment and leading wilderness therapy trips as a field guide for 6-years before bridging experiential modalities with therapeutic milieu and community-based treatment in 2002.         

Since the inception of Equinox in 2009, Tim has developed a passion for, as well as an intimate understanding of, the unique system of care that exists at Equinox. His primary role is to ensure that the Equinox treatment teams have the skills, knowledge and operational understanding of how to effectively deliver services under our distinctive system of care. Tim’s expertise in milieu management, combined with his experience guiding the efforts of multi-disciplinary and clinical teams, make him a uniquely qualified leader, mentor and trainer at Equinox.

Tim is also a valued member of the parent coaching team. He has a particular interest in, and talent for, helping parents emerge as nurturing leaders in their family while assisting them in bridging the gaps that often exist in the parent–child relationship. Tim takes a principally based approach to leading his weekly parent coaching workshops as well as providing individual coaching. It’s no surprise that Tim has created Equinox’s “In Home Family Retreats” where he draws heavily from his experiential roots to facilitate a 3-day experience focused heavily on parent leadership in the home.

Tim also overseas all of the adventure and wilderness programming at Equinox and enjoys the training and mentoring aspects of his job. While Tim is growing up a new generation of outdoor behavioral health professionals at Equinox, he still loves his time in the field. Team spends countless hours in the field with his guides and when time allows, he still loves leading groups and families on therapeutic adventures. Tim enjoys the continuing education and maintains professional certifications including American Mountain Guide Association–Certified Single-Pitch Instructor, Association for Challenge Course Technology–Level II facilitator, The Climbing Wall Association-Lead Climbing Wall Instructor, American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education–Pro-1; and Wilderness Medicine Institute–Wilderness First Responder.

When not working, Tim enjoys rock and ice climbing, skiing, fly fishing, mountain biking and traveling adventures with his wife, Tanya, in their little camper.


"Follow your PASSION, It knows where you should go."

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CLINICIAN, MA, LPCC

Julie Garczynski Lewis

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CLINICIAN, MA, LPCC

Julie Garczynski Lewis

Julie believes in a whole mind-body-spirit integration and values that each person comes to awareness in a variety of ways. She utilizes EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, talk-therapy, skill building, movement, breath work and meditation to explore emotions and self awareness while developing physical, emotional and cognitive strength.

Julie’s therapeutic practice centers around creating a healing-centered space for both adolescents and their families, working to decrease negative patterns and strengthen the family system. Over the years, Julie has worked closely with young adults and their families, helping them bridge the gap of communication to rebuild hope and strength within the family system. She holds a Master of Art degree in Counseling Psychology. She is also a certified yoga instructor with 15+ years teaching experience. She recently earned a certification in Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy.

Outside of work, Julie is a competitive ballroom dancer; traveling around the country for events. She also enjoys practicing yoga, biking, water & snow skiing, reading and spending time with family. In addition to working with teenagers at Equinox, she has raised two of her own.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love that EQ combines the best components of therapy to keep your child in the home - where they belong.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Witnessing growth in a family system. We all come together with the common goal of increasing wellness within the student and their family environment.

Advice for kids?

Step outside of your comfort zone. You will be fully supported here on your journey towards peace.

Advice for parents?

Be patient. Take care of yourself. Read! Get your hands on a few books. We have an incredible list of recommended reading. Trust the process.

Personal quote

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.” - Susan Jeffers

Member Photo
Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

Riley is a purebred Silver Labrador.  He's been a certified therapy dog for 9 years.  His original handler was a man named Dan, who experienced mental health issues and needed help emotionally as well as with daily tasks.  Riley was an integral part of Dan's life for several years, helping him feel safe, comfortable and well taken care of.  

When we first adopted Riley, all we really knew was he had an exceptional nature to him, was emotionally intuitive, and within seconds could find the person in the room who needed him most.  What we did not know was that he also, as part of his service responsibilities, could open doors and let himself in and out, even if the door was locked.  He opens the refrigerator and freezer doors, and helps himself to tasty treats when hungry.  He also has specific ways of communicating his needs to his human companions, one of which is getting into the pantry and grabbling a package of Top Ramen to carry around.

Riley is a loving companion to all the kids and young adult in the program.  When you come to the program he'll be sure to greet you with his gentle nature and a wagging tail.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love being at work everyday!  I know that I make the kids in the program feel calm, settled and unconditionally loved. Don't tell anyone, but they make me feel the same way.  Lucky me!

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Comforting the kids and young adults in the program.  Knowing that everyday I go to work I make everyone feel good.  

Advice for kids?

I'm a 70 pound gentle Silver Lab.  If your feeling sad, having a hard day or just need a little love, I'll lick you tears away, put my head on your lap, or be there to comfort you for as long as you need.

Advice for parents?

It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our lives that matters.

Personal quote:

"The best therapist has fur and four legs." - Riley

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Program Director, MA

Martha Allen

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Program Director, MA

Martha Allen

instructor_CWI_B&W

An East Coast native, Martha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Human Services from Old Dominion University and a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Virginia. She has experience working in psychiatric in-patient hospitals, private practice, and summer programs for neurodiverse youth. 

As a mental health professional, Martha has extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and a background integrating art, music, and nature into a therapeutic setting. Martha deeply believes that every person deserves to know, tell, and understand their story, and believes that this can best happen in a holistic treatment environment like the one at Equinox Counseling & Wellness Center. 

When not working, Martha, her husband, and their goldendoodle puppy enjoy all that Colorado has to offer by way of camping, hiking, playing tennis, and rock climbing. 


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The variety of activities we do every day! Workouts, outside experientials, nature, etc.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Seeing clients succeed and learning new skills. Also, watching the clients form friendships in the program.
 
Advice for kids?
If you can fully open yourself up to the process. Your progress will be unstoppable.
 
Advice for parents?
Take some deep breaths, Equinox is here to help and support your family like no other!
 
Personal quote:

"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable."- Mary Oliver

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Experiential & Adventure Programming Coordinator, MA

Alexander Traugott

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Experiential & Adventure Programming Coordinator, MA

Alexander Traugott

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Alexander brings a unique combination of outdoor adventure experiences and an education in Holistic Counseling Psychology.  His primary focus and passion are the healing and learning available—and inherent—in experiential wilderness immersions.  Alexander holds a Master of Arts in Holistic Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, combining all of the foundations of traditional psychology, with authentic transformative spiritual practice, mindfulness, Jungian depth psychology, indigenous wilderness vision-quests, trauma-focused psychotherapy, and somatic practices.  

Alexander’s attraction to Equinox’s overarching mission, is its underlying focus on experiential adventures in natural wilderness settings.  His primary avenues for wellness and healing is a culmination of over 25 years of skiing, eight years of traditional rock climbing, 20 years of mountain biking, and a lifetime of swimming, camping, and hiking in the natural settings including: New England, the Swiss Alps, the Sierra Nevada, and now in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.  Alexander recently completed the American Mountain Guide Association’s Single Pitch Instructor Course in Colorado’s South Platte wilderness and continues to be an amateur student of fitness, physical therapy, and yogic practices.

Outside of wilderness adventures and his clinical work, Alexander can be found attending jazz, funk, and world music concerts with his fiancée, enjoying stand-up comedy, and practicing improvisational electric guitar at home with his two cats.  


What do you love about working at Equinox?

Mentorship, team culture, variety, adventure outings, client relationships, career development, mountain therapy.
 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
Being impactful with clients success and struggles, support of teammates and mentors.
 
Advice for kids?
This is your path, join us in helping you own and author your journey.
 
Advice for parents?
Trust the process, let go of the outcomes, set clear expectations, invite & encourage.
 
Personal quote:

"The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek."- Joseph Campbell

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Young Adult Program Coordinator

Julianna Miller

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Young Adult Program Coordinator

Julianna Miller

Julianna brings to Equinox more than 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in an education setting and mental health capacity. Julianna believes that all people deserve safety, happiness, and positive development. She is committed to working in service of others and measures her successes by the positive impact she has on them. 

 

Julianna completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Binghamton University before working as an educator with Teach for America.   During her tenure, Julianna led her students to achieving the highest standardized test scores in aptitude and growth margins in her school. This feat was a demonstration of expertise in supporting neurodiverse youth with executive functioning skills to aid in academic and individual success. While teaching, Julianna worked as a Program Manager for an educational non-profit music program where students learned music theory and how to play different instruments to express themselves and learn together in a safe  space. Through these experiences, she realized that mental health support and psychoeducation had to come first for students to achieve their goals and reach their potential. Thus, Julianna is currently pursuing a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at St. Bonaventure University.

 

When not at work, Julianna enjoys cooking, painting, kickboxing, hiking, kayaking, and many more activities that allow her to express herself mentally and physically. 


What do you love about working at Equinox?

My favorite thing about working at Equinox is the sense of community. We are super collaborative and always trying to improve our communication and systems to impact our clients as positively as possible. 

 
What is most fulfilling in your work?
The most fulfilling part of my work is seeing the progress in our clients and being able to support them through their journey. They're all incredible and deserving of the utmost safety and happiness.
 
Advice for kids?

Slow down, take a deep breath, and try trust. We are here for you.

 
Advice for parents?

Lead your family with a heart of peace and remember your support system here is always bigger than you think.

 
Personal quote:

"The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching." - John Wooden

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Therapeutic Care Specialist

Aidan Kernan

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Therapeutic Care Specialist

Aidan Kernan

Aidan has a background of working with a diverse range of clients, from youth and adolescents to adults with severe mental health disabilities. He spent most of his time working with at risk youth, which was the most fulfilling to him. He loves developing a healthy rapport with clients and seeing them grow. Aidan believes that nature is one of the most powerful healing tools and loves being outdoors. Aidan takes pride in seeing each client as their own person and matches his style to each individual.

Aidan is a Denver native and has his BA in Psychology from Metropolitan State University of Denver, with a minor in Human Services. His goal is to eventually obtain his MA in Counseling.

Outside of work, Aidan loves making music, playing basketball and getting into the mountains whenever he can.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

The outdoor adventures are what I love most about working here, Nature is a powerful therapeutic tool.

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Seeing the change in our clients, when what they have been working on starts to blossom.

Advice for kids?

Take it one day at a time, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Advice for parents?

Believe in yourself, and your kids. That belief alone will be something that makes a difference.

Personal quote

Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard.

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Therapeutic Care Specialist

Eve Castro

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Therapeutic Care Specialist

Eve Castro

Eve has acquired many years of experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing behavioral and/or mental health challenges, with levels of care ranging from mild to severe; in educational, in-home, clinic, and community-based settings. Eve is passionate about advocating for clients to receive the right treatment to fit their complex individual needs. She believes in meeting people where they're at with empathy and acceptance while encouraging them to be the best version of themselves that they can be by meeting their goals on a personal and family-level.

Eve graduated from Eastern Washington University with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is planning to obtain her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.


In her free time, Eve enjoys taking her dog on hikes or to the park, yoga, getting crafty with different art projects, skiing, rollerblading, and spending quality time with loved ones. Exploring her new home here in Denver has been a blast and she looks forward to integrating more into the community.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

One of the many things I love about working at Equinox is the strong support system and community, including staff, clients, and their families. I also love how well-rounded our program is and the dedication of everyone involved. 

 

What is most fulfilling in your work?

The most fulfilling part about my work is the moment in treatment when a breakthrough happens for the client and seeing how hard they worked to get there. 

 

Advice for kids? 

My advice for kids is to come in with an open mind every day. With an open mind, anything is possible.  

 

Advice for parents? 

My advice for parents is to use one of our tools: try trust. We appreciate you taking this leap for your child and they are in the best hands with Equinox staff. 

 

Personal quote

“There is hope even when your brain tells you there isn’t."

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

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Program Service & Therapy Dog, Certified Service Dog

Riley

Riley is a purebred Silver Labrador.  He's been a certified therapy dog for 9 years.  His original handler was a man named Dan, who experienced mental health issues and needed help emotionally as well as with daily tasks.  Riley was an integral part of Dan's life for several years, helping him feel safe, comfortable and well taken care of.  

When we first adopted Riley, all we really knew was he had an exceptional nature to him, was emotionally intuitive, and within seconds could find the person in the room who needed him most.  What we did not know was that he also, as part of his service responsibilities, could open doors and let himself in and out, even if the door was locked.  He opens the refrigerator and freezer doors, and helps himself to tasty treats when hungry.  He also has specific ways of communicating his needs to his human companions, one of which is getting into the pantry and grabbling a package of Top Ramen to carry around.

Riley is a loving companion to all the kids and young adult in the program.  When you come to the program he'll be sure to greet you with his gentle nature and a wagging tail.


What do you love about working at Equinox?

I love being at work everyday!  I know that I make the kids in the program feel calm, settled and unconditionally loved. Don't tell anyone, but they make me feel the same way.  Lucky me!

What is most fulfilling in your work?

Comforting the kids and young adults in the program.  Knowing that everyday I go to work I make everyone feel good.  

Advice for kids?

I'm a 70 pound gentle Silver Lab.  If your feeling sad, having a hard day or just need a little love, I'll lick you tears away, put my head on your lap, or be there to comfort you for as long as you need.

Advice for parents?

It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our lives that matters.

Personal quote:

"The best therapist has fur and four legs." - Riley

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