Our Team

Our team is a unique blend of military veterans and civilian therapists. Our staff includes psychologists, professional counselors, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and a licensed clinical social worker. Along with our amazing office staff, we work to provide you with the best care possible.

Dr. Erica Adkins, Ph.D., ABPP

(She/HER)

Dr. Erica Adkins is a licensed psychologist in the State of Colorado (#3843) and the State of Ohio (#6786). She graduated from Michigan State University in 2002 with a Master of Arts in Counseling, and in 2009 from the University of Oregon with a PhD in Counseling Psychology. She is Board Certified with the American Board of Professional Psychology as a Counseling Psychologist. She has provided treatment and assessment in a variety of settings to include a women's center, a college counseling center, a 24 hour crisis center, inpatient psychiatric hospital, a child and family center, several correctional facilities, the United States Air Force Academy, and is currently an AMEDD Officer in the United States Army Reserves 1835th MED DET Combat Operational Stress Control Unit.

She specializes in all substance use disorders and addictions, mood disorders, and dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis is when you struggle with both a substance use disorder and another disorder such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. She also specializes in pregnancy/infant loss and postpartum depression.

She works from a strengths based perspective, meaning we identify your strengths and use them to help alleviate the problems or difficulties that brought you to therapy. She uses a variety of therapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and EMDR.

Alisa Bartel, Ph.D. (SHE/HER)

Clinical Director

I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology - Trauma emphasis from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. I specialize in PTSD and trauma, anxiety, and attachment/relationships. Clinical treatment experience includes the Veterans Health Trauma Clinic, Colorado Springs VA Medical Center, Iron Horse Family Medicine Clinic on Fort Carson, and AspenPointe/Diversus Health. In addition to this training, I am a combat veteran spouse, mother, stepmother, and disaster responder, allowing me to merge evidence-based practice with a “field-based” and realistic approach to mental health.

I specialize in PTSD and trauma, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and attachment/relationships using EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

I have often felt in over my head, but two qualities have helped get me through: curiosity and grit. If you’re reading this, you’ve already got both.

Jillian Bailey (She/Her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

It takes a lot of courage to recognize that you might be needing some additional support in your life. If you are looking to just be real and sift through the hard stuff to create change, I’m here for it! It’s a tough process, but it can absolutely be done - sometimes you just need another person to help along the way. I invite you to be YOU, in every sense of the word!

I am here to support you in being your own best expert. I also don’t beat around the bush - if you just want to “hear it like it is”, that’s my style! I help individuals with reworking their foundation so they can navigate whatever life may throw their way. I work with kids through adults with a variety of backgrounds and difficulties.

If you ever thought “I’m too far gone” or “I’m too much”, let me be the first to tell you it’s not true. My life has taught me that you can move alongside the difficulties and find a way to manage - it’s never too late to do things differently. I’m here to help you think outside of the box and support you in tackling whatever is standing in your way.

Rachel Cimino (SHE/HER)

Certified Art Therapist

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Art therapy is for anyone who is seeking help, support and growth, but sometimes finds that words fail. People who can benefit from art therapy don’t need prior art experience, or even need to think of themselves as “good” at art.

I am most practiced working with adult individuals, but I am also happy to see a range of ages from school-aged kids up to older adults or geriatric. I also have experience working with developmentally disabled people in a variety of age groups.

I am board-certified Art Therapist, which is my preferred modality for working with clients.

Marissa Foster
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)

It is my passion to partner with people as they share their stories. My hope is to offer compassionate and perceptive support to my clients as they become aware of the beliefs, feelings, and emotions that drive their thoughts, actions and relationships. Seeking support takes courage, and having support through the difficult times provides a new perspective and improves interpersonal skills that can have a remarkable impact on how you overcome the issues of life. Life is a journey and it is my goal to equip and inspire with an infusion of hope and a renewed sense of self.

I work with individuals, couples, and families of varying ages: children, pre-teens, young adults and mature adults, with anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, PTSD, sexual abuse, emotional and physical trauma, self-image issues, and have been successful to relieve troublesome symptoms by providing interactive and perceptive support.

I work from an emotionally intelligent and reality-based perspective, exploring current issues, behaviors, and symptoms to understand the cause of issues, what emotions are fueling a situation to improve communication and interpersonal skills, through employing EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness and Motivation.

Lauren Foy (She/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)

Sometimes we may compare life to hiking a mountain with a 100lb pack, in the rain, with mud up to our shins. We are weighed down, can't see far in front of us, and footing is slippery. Other times, we may find ourselves constantly on the go and when we lay down at night our minds buzz with the events of the day, our to-do list for tomorrow, and the worries of life. Whether you struggle with sleep, burnout, "stupid" people, depression, anxiety, or life, in general, you are not alone. My areas of focus include PTSD, Moral Injury, Anxiety, Depression, Grief/Loss, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The clientele in which I specialize includes community first responders (law enforcement, fire-rescue, emergency medical), military (active duty, retired, veterans), women and men of all ages, and adolescents.

My related experience is in teaching middle school adolescents with learning and behavior issues (9 yrs), facilitating female sex addiction groups and women's self-discovery groups (8 yrs), behavior therapy (2 yrs), volunteering with equine-facilitated psychotherapy groups (2.5yrs), counseling law enforcement/first responders/emergency medical (1.5yrs).

Birgitta Kieckhaben

LICensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC)

I use an integrative approach of various modalities, focusing on the individual client’s needs. Modalities include Equine Assisted Mental Health (EAMH), Somatic Therapy, Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (CBT, DBT), Mindfulness, and Experiential Therapy.

I have a nursing background in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy experience for twenty plus years with neurological, mental, and geriatric disorders. I have a keen interest in Native American studies, Genocide, intergenerational trauma and healing, and addiction. My approach is trauma and social justice informed.

DR. KIMBERLY KOESSELL (SHE/HER)
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (PHD)

Dr. Kimberly Koessel is a licensed psychologist in the states of Colorado and Washington. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Western Michigan University. During graduate school, she studied topics ranging from spirituality and religion to the cognitive components of prejudice and racism.

Dr. Koessel completed her predoctoral internship at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI where she worked with active duty personnel from all branches of the military and their dependents. She has served in the military for over a decade, including several years on active duty and a deployment to Afghanistan. Before joining our team, Dr. Koessel was practicing at a local military installation where she continued her work with active duty Service Members.

Dr. Koessel is trained to provide psychotherapy and psychological assessment for a variety of concerns. She works with individuals experiencing a range of difficulties including anxiety, trauma, depression, bipolar disorders, anger, relationship problems, and occupational issues. Dr. Koessel has a unique understanding of the challenges faced by the military community and specializes in working with Service Members, Veterans, and their families.

Jessica Mamula (She/Her)

APRN, PMHNP-BC

I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 10 years of experience working in mental health (emergency psychiatry, addiction, and oncology support). I obtained my BSN in 2011 at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and worked as a nurse in areas of emergency psychiatry, emergency medicine, MAT for addiction, and dialysis. I obtained my MSN specializing in psychiatric nursing in 2018 at Western Kentucky University. My first 3 years of my career working as a PMHNP-BC was with cancer patients and their loved ones. I made the move to Colorado in late 2021 and have since been working in private practice at Stages of Change Psychotherapy, PLLC.

I am passionate about helping others and listen carefully to my patients’ feelings and concerns. I take an extensive medical and psychiatric history, complete a full psychiatric evaluation, and utilize an individualized plan of care to best treat my patients. I strongly believe in reducing the stigma of mental illness and embracing people for who they are. I work to build a strong therapeutic relationship and treat my patients with a holistic approach. I enjoy collaborating with therapists, other members of the mental health care team, and medical providers as needed to ensure good quality and continuity of care. I recommend both medication and non-medication therapies based on the most up-to-date evidence and best practice.

My work is primarily with people ages 10 and up. I have a broad range of expertise and am up for a challenge. I am LGBTQ+ friendly. Specific psychiatric specialties include: depression, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, addiction, chronic illness, cancer, end-of-life care, ADHD, emergency psychiatry, and more.

Some hobbies I enjoy include, spending quality time with loved ones and my dog (Tali), dancing, baton twirling, art, hiking, mountain biking, camping, cooking, riding motorcycles, and listening to and watching various forms of comedy.

I look forward to meeting you and hope to make a positive difference in your life!

Alexis Adelsberger (They/Them)

Office Manager

Alexis moved to Colorado Springs in August 2022 from Philadelphia.Their favorite thing about their work at Stages of Change is helping new clients get paired with a clinician. Alexis is passionate about equitable resource access, harm reduction, and building alternatives to incarceration. They hold a BA in Anthropology and are currently earning their MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UCCS. They hope to work with LGBTQIA+ teens and adults using trauma informed somatic practices. In their free time, they like to make weird art, read about the benefits of psychedelic assisted therapy, and dabble in herbalism.

Jordan Cross (He/Him)

Administrative Assistant

Jordan is a born and raised Colorado Springs native. Their favorite thing about their work at Stages of Change is all the help he gets to provide to all of the patients. Be it pairing them with a clinician, giving them extra resources, or just providing a friendly ear to bend, he's there for you. Jordan is passionate about art, philosophy, and alternative medicines. Jordan may not have a degree, but he is no stranger to therapy or its inner workings! He has backgrounds in the world of art, philosophy, alternative medicine, and gaming psychology and he wishes to use all of this knowledge to pursue a career in normal and substance abuse counseling. In their free time, they enjoy photography, video games, watching anime, and learning about philosophy and the benefits of alternative medicines.