Meet Our Clinicians
Cathryn Derman, LPC, LMFT, ACS – Founder
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I’m Cathryn Derman, founder of Movement Counseling + Wellness. After years of working in a variety of clinical settings, in 2019 I launched a therapy practice. I aim to offer a multi-faceted approach to wellness from a team of like-minded and creative individuals. When providing care, I ask the question “Where have you been and what have you experienced?” instead of “What is wrong with you?". Each client is tasked with setting personal therapy goals so that we can work together in a specific direction.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a trained EMDR clinician specializing in a holistic, whole-body approach to diagnosis and treatment. As an avid animal lover, I frequently incorporate animals into my work. My dogs, Luke and Lucy, are trained therapy dogs who share time in the office.
In 2013, I received a Master of Science degree in Marriage, Child and Family Therapy. I started my therapeutic career working with adolescents in a substance abuse treatment program and in community mental health. I have been in private practice since 2014. In addition, I served as a clinical supervisor with the WINGS Foundation.
Although I love Colorado, I am a proud New Englander. I am from south of Boston and received my BA in Music from Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT. I am a devoted fan of all Boston sports teams. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my animals and my friends, and listening to true crime podcasts.
In addition to my Colorado licenses, I am a Vermont Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). I can provide telehealth to Florida residents, and I maintain a Florida Telehealth Provider registration.
Welcome to Movement Counseling + Wellness! We’re so glad you’re here.
Sierra Smith, LPCC
Hi! My name is Sierra and I am a wellness enthusiast. There are many components of holistic health and it is my passion to help others connect with themselves emotionally, physically, and mentally. I am also a personal trainer and find such value and intention in the way we move our bodies. Exercising and nourishing our bodies is not only amazing for our physical health, but there are arguably more reasons why it is even better for your mental health.
Therapy is not bound to a couch and four walls; the healing benefits of therapy can take place in nature, through music, and experienced through various movements like dance, lifting, spin class, yoga, hiking, etc. As a therapist and personal trainer, it is of most importance that I take a unique approach with every person I work with. I love working with client-created goals, fostering accountability, and motivating my clients to be the best versions of themselves. However, what I value most about therapy is developing a safe and unique relationship with each one of my clients.
Therapy is a guide for examining our past to explain our present challenges, and this allows us to make plans for a more fulfilling future. Therapy is also an invitation to cultivate a deep awareness and love for self. Therapy offers space. A space to break barriers of shame, addiction, intrusive thoughts, depression, anxiety, and all other things that prevent us from living our most authentic life. I empathize deeply with pain and loss, as it has shaped who I am today. However, I have found that it is often in our sorrows and times of suffering that we can connect more authentically with ourselves, the world, and the people around us. There is empowerment, strength, wisdom, and resilience on the other side of pain and suffering. And the cool thing is, you don’t have to do it alone.
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Shea Amick, LSW
Shea graduated from the University of Denver in 2021 with her Master's in Social Work. Before Shea joined the MC+W team she worked as a therapist in a residential treatment facility working with at-risk youth. Shea is passionate about working with children and adolescents and strives to provide a therapeutic environment that allows them to explore emotions, build relationships, and have a safe space to call theirs. Shea utilizes a strengths-based approach, along with trauma-informed practices and child-centered play therapy.
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Tammie Petrone, LPC, MFTC
In 2010, Tammie received her Master’s Degree in Mental Health and School Counseling from Long Island University, New York. She has practiced in both hospital and school settings but has spent most of her time serving children and youth ages 5-13. In addition to Movement Counseling & Wellness, Tammie is a Mental Health Provider for Littleton Public Schools where she facilitates group counseling, individual counseling, and positive behavior intervention support for students, teachers, and parents.
Tammie is excited that in September 2022, she will begin her training to get certified as an EMDR therapist. In the meantime, she loves and values Emotionally Focused and Solution-Focused therapies, and she relies heavily on transgenerational therapy, experiential therapy, and attachment theory to guide her when supporting her clients.
At the end of the day, Tammie believes that a consistent, safe, and supportive relationship is the key to healing. She works to create that relationship with her clients so they can gain trust, connection, and the challenge they need to grow, heal, and thrive.
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Dunnavin McMunigal, LPCC
Dunnavin graduated from Regis University in 2023 with his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Dunnavin is passionate about working with kids and teens through the use of creative interventions and play therapy. He believes in giving his clients practical tools that they can use immediately in their everyday lives in order to make a change in their behavior and emotional states for the better. He approaches each client with a natural curiosity to learn all about them and to accompany them on their journey to become the best version of themselves.
Dunnavin loves to use Reality Therapy as well as Child-Centered play therapy in his work with kids and teens. Through these theories, he allows his clients to have control over their experience in therapy while also providing meaningful ways for them to make the change they want to see in themselves.
Dunnavin is originally from Sioux Falls South Dakota and moved to Colorado in order to be close to the mountains. He spends his winters snowboarding at his favorite mountains like Winter Park and Steamboat, and his summers hiking and finding new areas to explore! In his relaxation time, Dunnavin enjoys playing videogames with his friends or by himself, he appreciates the stories and the challenge they can bring!
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Michael Risdon, LPCC
Michael is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC), having earned his Master’s Degree in School Counseling from the University of Phoenix, Colorado. In addition, he has received an MA in Mid/Mod Special Education Teacher and an MA in School Administration. He continues his work in public education within Douglas County Schools and has been in the counseling field since 2015 while working with adolescents, teens, and families.
Michael’s prior experience includes working in the public education system for 32 years.He has worked with a variety of students at various levels and disabilities ranging from autism through affective needs. He has held an administrative position as an assistant principal at the elementary level. Michael continues his work as a middle school counselor while working with students and families from diverse populations and backgrounds. He has experience supporting young adolescents and teens who struggle with depression, anxiety, ADHD, bullying, divorce, neglect, peer pressure, boundary setting, self-esteem, anger management, grief/loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, sexual and gender identify, and academic challenges. In addition, he has worked with families and outside agencies focused on wrapping appropriate/necessary support around each child. Michael incorporates a variety of counseling techniques to best support his clients to include Mindfulness-Based Counseling, Sand-Tray Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT informed), Traditional Talk Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.
Michael is dedicated to cultivating an environment that facilitates personal growth in a holistic manner. He believes the body, mind, and soul are intertwined as part of each individual. He trusts that each human has the power, creativity, and accountability in managing their individual responses to external stimuli. Michael believes there is a purpose to each life and the experiences that cross our path are the building blocks in creating something special and unique. Establishing a working relationship built around trust and respect enhances the lives that we touch.
Providing a safe environment and an empathetic approach are building blocks towards establishing a positive working relationship with clients. Gaining an understanding of one’s self is a vital component to the therapeutic process. Michael is committed to fostering a safe, supportive space where he and his clients can establish a working relationship with the intent of creating a positive change for the future
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Stephanie Jaramillo
Stephanie earned her Master of Sciences in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Phoenix and is an experienced clinician working in Colorado since 2013. Stephanie is passionate about working with individuals and couples who are experiencing troubles with addiction, codependency, incarceration, reintegration, trauma, infidelity, chronic pain, and navigating a new diagnosis within the family and parents of children with disabilities and the complexities that brings.
Stephanie is a Colorado native as well as a wife, a mother of twins and a special needs child. Stephanie brings her own unique experiences and perspective into the sessions. Stephanie is a nationally recognized volunteer for the Children’s Tumor Foundation and enjoys outdoor activities especially hiking and visiting the mountains.
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Maya Owens, Clinical Coordinator
Maya is currently attending Regis University working towards her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is passionate about mental health and is excited to be learning and growing in her graduate program. She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2022 with two Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Musical Theatre. Maya was born and raised in Colorado, and enjoys spending time in the mountains, live music, singing, hiking, vegetarian cooking and spending time with her family and dogs!
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Noelle Weinert, Practicum Student/Intern
Noelle is a dedicated clinical mental health graduate-level intern from British Columbia, Canada. With a passion for guiding individuals through life's challenges, she has spent many years as an educator, working closely with adolescents and understanding the complexities of their emotional journeys. Her educational journey includes several degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, a Post-Baccalaureate in Education, a Master of Education, and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health coming spring 2024.
Her counseling approach is as diverse as the individuals she works with. Drawing from various therapeutic theories, she believes in creating a personalized path to healing for each client. Noelle is deeply committed to fostering a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. With a strong foundation in empathy and active listening, she aims to help clients unearth their strengths and navigate life challenges.
Her varied experiences and interactions, both as a parent of three and as someone who has overcome many challenges, have helped her to cultivate empathy and understanding. This and Noelle's professional training enable her to effectively support those seeking positive change.
Noelle deeply respects her clients' diverse backgrounds and cultures and is dedicated to fostering a culturally sensitive and inclusive therapeutic space. Whether grappling with trauma, anxiety, relationship issues, or simply seeking personal growth, Noelle believes everyone can thrive with the proper guidance and support.
Noelle encourages you to reach out if you're ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, growth, and positive change.
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Emily Kassowitz, Marketing and Social Media Manager
Emily graduated from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs with her Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in American Sign Language. During her time in undergrad she got the opportunity to manage social media platforms for her university's tutoring center. This opened her eyes to the world of social media and marketing. Because of her degree in psychology she wanted to adjust her marketing focus to the mental health field as she understands how visibility impacts accessibility. She is incredibly passionate about making mental health services, models, and concepts accessible to everyone. When she is not slouched over her computer on Canva you can find her working as a supportive counselor at an eating disorder treatment center, moving her body at the gym, doing yoga, writing, painting, listening to music, or cuddling up with her cat!
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Meet Our Acupuncturists
Brianna Kraus
A proud Colorado native, Brianna was born in Steamboat Springs and grew up in the Littleton/Centennial area. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Drake University and her Master’s of Science in Acupuncture from Southwest Acupuncture College.
Brianna first started receiving acupuncture treatments at the age of 16, after a strong flu-like illness left her anxious, depressed, and chronically exhausted. Although all Western tests came back normal, these results left Brianna feeling frustrated by a lack of effective solutions. However, through acupuncture, Brianna not only felt happier and more energetic, but she also felt heard and validated by her acupuncturist. Later in life, these positive early experiences inspired Brianna to pursue a career in acupuncture. She now specializes in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, women’s health (including cycle regulation, fertility, prenatal/postnatal care, and menopause), and musculoskeletal pain. She strives to educate, support, and validate her patients, and, above all, make them feel better. To schedule a session with Brianna, please visit our Acupuncture page at this link.