Counseling Center Staff
Meet Our Team
Clinical Staff
Matthew Heermann, Psy.D.
Pronouns: he, him, his
Director
Dr. Heermann is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and has nearly 1.5 decades of experience at two University counseling centers. He recently comes from a leadership role at the University of Colorado (CU), Boulder, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS). His previous roles include strong experience with multidisciplinary teams, embedded within complex healthcare systems. As such, he has worked to innovate mental healthcare on college campuses, working to deliver cutting edge programming. Clinically, he has had the privilege of providing counseling across a variety of settings with a broad array of clients, including residential, veteran, and gifted populations. He has a notable background as an assessment psychologist, and documented hundreds of college students with ADHD, autism, and learning disorders. Dr. Heermann has a strong history serving the LGBTQIA population. Matt is a Colorado native, loves to travel, and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. In his free time, he is typically found hiking or cross-country skiing in the Colorado mountains.
Amber Johnston, MA, LPC
Pronouns: she, her, hers Interim Assistant Director and Crisis Services Manager
Amber serves as the Crisis Coordinator and clinician at the counseling center. She received her MA in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University in Alamosa Colorado, and BA in Psychology from CU Denver. Amber is a licensed professional counselor. She has experience working in a variety of settings which range from acute inpatient mental health, walk in crisis centers and outpatient community mental health programs. She is practiced in supporting individuals who are impacted by their mental health, including concerns of anxiety, depression, PTSD , emotional regulation, trauma, and self-esteem.
Amity Allen, MA, LPCC
Pronouns: she, her, hers Outreach Counselor Fellow
Amity is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate who earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at CU Denver. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from MSU Denver and has worked with students on campus for years in roles at the scholarship office and as an intern in the counseling center. Amity is passionate about helping individuals uncover their strengths and values in a collaborative environment that honors each individual's unique identity and history. In her outreach counselor role, Amity also works to educate CU Denver students, faculty, and staff about mental health and the mental health resources available on campus.
Avary Lin-Ye, MSEd, LPC, NCC
Pronouns: she, her, hers Clinical Counselor
Avary is a full-time licensed professional counselor, specializing in multicultural concerns throughout life transitions, such as adolescence, migration, education, family roles, illness, and loss. Avary earned her master’s degree in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Columbia University Barnard College. She is also a National Certified Counselor. Her counseling background ranges from healthcare to private practice, serving both domestic and international populations of diverse cultural identities. Avary provides services to CU Denver students in both English and Mandarin Chinese depending on client preference.
Joseph Maes, MSW, SWC
Pronouns: he, him, his Crisis Counseling Fellow
Joseph is a Social Work Candidate who earned his Master of Social Work in 2024 and Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Sciences from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Joseph’s professional experience includes youth residential treatment, TANF casework, Child Welfare, clinical private practice, and teaching English abroad. Grounded in the principles of cultural humility and intersectionality, Joseph recognizes that every person’s story is shaped by unique layers of identity and experience. He is deeply committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and authentic space where individuals can feel seen, heard, and supported. In his free time, Joseph enjoys cooking, traveling, discovering new music, and exploring the Colorado outdoors with his dog.
Lora Vaughan
Pronouns: she, her, hers Counseling Intern
Lora is a graduate-level intern currently completing her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at CU Denver. Her previous experience includes working at the CU Denver Counseling Center and in intensive outpatient. Lora believes in the importance of compassion, curiosity, and cultural humility as she helps people work towards the life they want to build. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her two dachshunds, reading, cooking, and eating what she has cooked.
Michael Casimiro, MA, LPC
Pronouns: he, him, his Crisis Clinician
Michael is a Licensed Professional Counselor and graduated with his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May of 2024, at CU Denver. Prior to that, he attended CU Denver and received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Michael's work background includes residential treatment, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, community mentorship, and case management within the school system. Michael has a strong passion for providing empathy, guidance, and education to those who are struggling with their mental health. In his free time, Michael enjoys golfing, gaming, cooking, traveling, and going for walks with his two dogs.
Rachel Goold, MS, MSSW, LCSW
Pronouns: she, her, hers Intake Counselor
Rachel serves as the Intake Counselor at the counseling center. She earned her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Science in Student Affairs from Colorado State University. Rachel’s therapeutic practice is grounded in anti-oppressive, human-centered, and trauma-responsive frameworks that acknowledge the ways structural and systemic inequities impact individual and collective wellbeing. She enjoys working with the many different concerns college students may face and is passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ students, as well as concerns related to anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and identity development.
Turner Rollins, MA, LPCC
Pronouns: he, him, his Group Counselor Fellow
Turner is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate with a background in group facilitation, individual, and relational therapy. He received his Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University and his undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from Miami University. Turner has worked in private practice with families, couples, and individuals, and in intensive outpatient settings as a group counselor supporting people through substance use concerns, trauma, and neurodivergence. He begins every relationship with a focus on shared respect and understanding and often draws on Internal Family Systems, CBT, and mindfulness-based practices to support clients through change. He is especially passionate about building groups and workshop programming that helps people connect with others facing similar challenges and heal in community. When Turner is not at work, he's likely playing guitar (poorly), reading sci-fi and philosophy, playing video games, or hiking in the mountains.
William Bryant
Pronouns: he, him, his Counseling Intern
William Bryant is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern completing his Graduate Degree at CU Denver. Prior to CU Denver, Will completed his Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology at the University of Central Florida and his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music & Theatre from Western Carolina University. Will has experience in the mental health field from working as an in-home trauma systems therapy clinician with Jefferson County to working with neurodivergent populations supporting the development of executive function skills.
Valuing humanistic therapies and client strengths, Will approaches change collaboratively and utilizes therapy to support individuals in achieving a deeper connection with themselves in the here-and-now to promote healing, growth, and autonomy.
Will is deeply interested in the intersection of mental health, art, and entertainment as well as in developing and providing counseling practices that can improve the access and quality of mental health to the people of Colorado. Outside of counseling, Will enjoys spending time with his family, creating and experiencing art, and listening to music. No matter who you are or where you’re at in your journey through life, Will would be honored to work with you and looks forward to the possibility of working together.
Zach Carandang
Pronouns: he, him, his Counseling Intern
Zach is a Counseling Intern completing his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Colorado Denver. He earned his B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University and began his career in community mental health, spending six years working in emergency services and inpatient settings with individuals experiencing acute crises and chronic and persistent mental illness. After transitioning into Human Resources, Zach found his way back to the mental health field and is now completing his graduate training at CU Denver. He was recently admitted to a doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision, where he hopes to pursue a career in higher education focused on counselor education, research, teaching, and the professional development of future counselors. His clinical and professional interests include crisis intervention and high-risk care, grief and loss, play therapy, LGBTQIA+ affirming counseling, multicultural counseling, group counseling, religious exploration, sexual identity development, and supporting individuals experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious or secondary trauma.
Administrative Staff
LeThi
Pronouns: she, her, hers Program Administrator
LeThi has been at the CU Denver Student and Community Counseling Center for 17 years and at CU Denver for over 22 years. She received her BA in Sociology from Colorado State University and a certificate in Deaf studies from Vista Community College in the bay area. She can be found biking, swimming and not running during her free time. She and her dog, Jake, are advocates for mental health and enjoy working together at the counseling center.
Patrick Ewell, MGM
Pronouns: he, him, his Operations Coordinator
Patrick is originally from the southwest, having lived in New Mexico, Arizona, and, most recently, Colorado. He earned his Master of Global Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona, and previously completed his undergraduate studies in Spanish at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Patrick is enthusiastic about working in higher education and supporting the success of students and the campus community. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, traveling, and hiking.
Allie
Pronouns: she, her, hers Front Desk Graduate Assistant
Allie is a current student at CU Denver pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Prior to that, she attended Montana State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science. Her work background includes psychiatric emergency services, outpatient care, and mental health group homes. In her free time, she can be found reading, swimming, skiing, and enjoying time in the mountains with friends and family. Allie is thrilled to be the graduate assistant at the Counseling Center.
Madison
Pronouns: she, her, hers Front Desk Graduate Assistant
Madison is a current graduate student in CU Denver's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She grew up in rural Appalachia but has lived in Denver for over five years. Her professional interests include mental health, religious and spiritual exploration, and queer identity development. In her free time she enjoys reading, gardening, and cooking meals to share with loved ones.
Sophia
Pronouns: she, her, hers Front Desk Graduate Assistant
Sophia is a graduate student pursuing her Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy at CU Denver. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a double minor in Elementary Education and Business, from the University of Colorado Boulder. Sophia brings client-facing and advocacy experience, including work as a Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Intern, and as a Clinical Psychology Intern in Valencia, Spain, where she assisted with client assessments and culturally sensitive treatment planning. As Director of Mental Health for her sorority chapter of 550 members, Sophia designed educational workshops and initiatives to reduce stigma and promote well-being. In her role at the Counseling Center, Sophia supports the front desk, scheduling, and outreach efforts, helping create a welcoming environment for students seeking care. In her free time, Sophia enjoys running half marathons with her mom and is pursuing her yoga sculpt teaching certification this fall.
Counseling Center Practicum Students
The Student and Community Counseling Center partners with the School of Education and Human Development to provide training to future mental health practitioners. All practicum students are supervised by a team of licensed faculty and staff who observe sessions and are immediately available to support the trainee in giving you high quality care. Our practicum students rotate on a semesterly basis and are not listed on our website. If you choose to work with a trainee, you will be provided with the name of the trainee, the supervisor, and relevant contact information. Our current faculty practicum coordinators are Troyann Gentile PhD and Chelynn Randolph PhD.