STAFF AND TEAM
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Experienced Professionals Committed to Your Well-Being
Our team at Zephyr Behavioral Health & Wellness is composed of experienced professionals who are passionate about mental health. Each member brings unique expertise and a shared commitment to providing exceptional care. We work collaboratively to create a supportive environment where you can feel understood and empowered on your path to wellness. Whether you’re connecting with us virtually or in-person, you can trust our team to be with you every step of the way.
Annmarie Kropp, DNP, BSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Director of Clinical Operations/ Co-Owner
Annmarie is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner based in Denver, Colorado. She received her doctorate degree in family nursing practice from The University of Arizona in 2016. After completing her degree, Annmarie worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in pediatric neurology for over 5 years. Her long-standing interest in psychiatry led her to pursue a postgraduate certificate in psychiatric mental health. She completed her postgraduate certification in 2021 from the University of Cincinnati. Annmarie has experience treating clients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, perinatal/postpartum, infertility and co-morbid medical issues such as headaches/migraines, POTS, hEDS, and MCAS.
Her goal is to provide patient-centered, evidence-based care. She believes in collaborating with her clients to develop a plan together that they feel comfortable with. Throughout treatment, Annmarie provides education, resources, and alternative options that may facilitate patient growth and wellness. She recently obtained her PMH-C through Postpartum Support International. She will be completing a 1 year supervisory program through NCRP in reproductive psychiatry in order to provide evidence based care for women in the perinatal/postpartum period. She is currently pursuing her ketamine and psychedelic assisted therapy certification through IPI.
Emily Sisa, MSN, BSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Director of Clinical Programming/ Co-Owner
Emily graduated from the University of Virginia School of Nursing in 2011, and began her career in the Emergency department in Bermuda. In 2016, she joined Project Hope as a humanitarian aid worker in India, Nepal, Haiti and Cuba. She then moved to Washington, D.C. to pursue her Master’s in Nursing at the George Washington University.
Emily moved to Colorado during the pandemic, where she completed training for advanced practice nursing. As a dual, board certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, she applies a holistic, compassionate approach to patient care.
Emily has completed Psychedelic Assisted Therapy training through the International Psychiatry Institute, enabling us to offer MDMA, Ketamine and psilocybin services once these treatments are approved by the FDA for therapeutic use.
Kristen Keller, MSW, LCSW
Director of Therapeutic Services
Kristen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adolescents and adults seeking healing, growth, and greater self-understanding. She earned her BA in Business from Ramapo College of New Jersey and her MSW from Rutgers University. She also holds a certificate in Violence Against Women & Children, and has completed Principles of Leadership training in healthcare.
Kristen brings experience from a wide range of clinical environments, including hospitals, inpatient psychiatric facilities, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, and outpatient therapy clinics. Her background in inpatient and outpatient care, along with advanced therapeutic training, allows her to support clients through a wide range of challenges and life circumstances.
Her work in mental health is shaped by both personal and professional experience, including supporting loved ones through mental health challenges and learning how to build a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling. Kristen uses a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and evidence-based framework to help clients explore challenges with curiosity, build effective coping skills, and reach their identified therapy goals.
Specialties
- Anxiety & Depression
- Trauma
- Personality Disorders
- Behavioral Changes
- Interpersonal Challenges
- Self-esteem
- Purpose & Meaning
- Psychedelic-assisted Therapy
Therapeutic Approaches
- Strengths-Based Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA)
Jay Miller, MBA
Director of Program Development & Outreach
As the Director of Program Development & Outreach Operations at Zephyr, Jay focuses on building relationships with community and healthcare partners in Centennial and the greater Denver area. He also supports clients in the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Jay holds a BA in Business and an MBA and is a Certified Peer Recovery Coach (CPRC) and a Qualified Behavioral Health Assistant (QBHA). He brings three years of experience in the behavioral health field, including work in substance-use disorder (SUD) detox and residential treatment, as well as mental health and SUD outpatient care.
His dedication to mental health work is deeply rooted in lived experience. After navigating his own substance use disorder and mental health challenges, Jay received the support he needed to heal. That experience shapes his approach today, grounding his work in empathy, understanding, and a commitment to meeting people exactly where they are. He is especially passionate about serving Medicaid populations and individuals with limited support systems. Jay strives to create an environment where clients feel safe and respected as they work toward long-term stability and success.
Kari Envik, MSN, AGACNP
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Kari is a board-certified Adult-Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with more than 16 years of experience in healthcare. She earned her MSN from the University of Northern Colorado and has worked across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, including palliative care, addiction recovery, and psychiatric care.
Kari takes a whole-person approach to care, combining medication management with non-pharmacologic strategies and attention to all aspects of a patient’s well-being. She believes that honest communication is the foundation for trust and healing and strives to create a space where patients feel seen and supported.
Mental health is a deeply personal calling for Kari. Her commitment is shaped by both clinical experience and a personal understanding of depression, anxiety, and the impact of addiction on families. She has a special interest in supporting older adults and is passionate about addressing the unique mental health challenges that can come with aging. She brings empathy, curiosity, and a patient-centered mindset to every aspect of her care, creating space for open dialogue and individualized treatment.
Matthew Pendergrass, MSN, FNP-C
Community and Family Health Nurse Practitioner
Matthew is a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner with a strong foundation in both critical and primary care. He earned his MSN from the University of Colorado and is currently completing his DNP at Colorado Christian University. He is also in the final stages of completing his Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification through Liberty University.
Matthew delivers patient-centered, trauma-informed care grounded in education, empowerment, and stigma reduction. His approach emphasizes collaboration and holistic treatment, integrating evidence-based medication management with treatment plans that address lifestyle factors, physical health, and overall well-being. He values helping patients better understand their diagnoses while challenging common misconceptions surrounding mental health. Matthew is especially dedicated to supporting LGBTQ populations and underserved communities, including low-income patients, immigrants, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Drawing on his background in primary care and advanced training in psychiatry, Matthew offers comprehensive care that bridges physical and mental health needs to support meaningful and lasting improvements. In addition to accepting psychiatry patients, he provides primary care services and wellness exams through Zephyr’s community-based programs, supporting individuals in restoration programs and sobriety houses.
Amber Teaford, AGACNP
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Amber is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in emergency and behavioral health settings. She earned her MSN from the University of Northern Colorado in 2020.
Amber’s clinical approach is holistic and person-centered, grounded in the belief that emotional and psychological well-being are integral to physical recovery. With a background in acute care, she understands the importance of treating the whole person by considering their mental and physical health along with the broader context of their daily life. She works closely with each patient to develop realistic, individualized plans that reflect their goals and needs.
She is passionate about supporting adults experiencing anxiety and depression, as well as those with a history of substance use and other mental health concerns. Amber brings a deep sense of purpose to her work and is especially committed to ensuring patients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their care journey.
April Pickell, MSN, BSN, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
April is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in perinatal, postpartum, and pediatric mental health. Her psychiatric training includes an MSN from Purdue University, and a completed residency program at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she worked as a psychiatric RN on their inpatient behavioral health unit. During this time, she gained invaluable experience working with hundreds of patients and families with complex mental health needs.
Additionally, April is a clinical herbalist, yoga teacher, massage therapist, and birth and postpartum doula. Her extensive background in health and wellness drives her passion behind her holistic approach to mental health— one that integrates evidence-based psychiatry with comprehensive, whole-person care.
April is currently in the process of completing her certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based and trauma-focused psychotherapy modality. As a trauma-informed provider, April believes that most mental health issues are rooted in trauma and is therefore excited to utilize EMDR to better support her patients beginning late February 2026.
Katie Weimann, MSW, LSW
Katie Weimann is a Licensed Social Worker with over seven years of experience supporting individuals, families, and groups through life’s challenges. She earned her Master’s in Social and Cultural Studies from DePaul University in 2005 and her Master’s in Social Work from Dominican University in 2020. Katie is passionate about empowering clients on their journey toward healing and personal growth.
With a compassionate and client-centered approach, Katie works with individuals facing trauma, grief, chronic illness, life transitions, addiction, and mental health challenges. She tailors her therapy to meet the unique needs of each client, helping them build resilience and navigate difficult emotions with confidence.
Specialties
- Depression & Anxiety
- Trauma & PTSD
- Grief & Loss
- Geriatric & Medical Social Work
- Chronic Pain & Chronic Illness
- Family Systems Therapy
Therapeutic Approaches
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Family Systems Therapy
- Gestalt Therapy
- Somatic & Mindfulness-Based Therapies
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Katie is committed to fostering a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered to create meaningful change.
Cat Simons, MSW, LSW
Cat is a Licensed Social Worker with a background in psychology, crisis intervention, public health, and harm reduction. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and her MSW from the University of Denver, where she specialized in integrative behavioral health.
Her professional journey includes work as a crisis specialist for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a legislative aide to a state senator focused on trauma-informed policymaking, and a chapter leader for DanceSafe, facilitating harm reduction education across the Rocky Mountain region. In every role, Cat brings a grounded, non-judgmental approach rooted in truly meeting people where they are.
Cat supports individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and the impacts of systemic oppression. She is especially attuned to clients who have felt unseen or underserved by traditional systems and is committed to building therapeutic relationships grounded in trust, safety, and collaboration.
She is currently completing advanced training in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy through ATMA-CENA, a global leader in psychedelic healthcare. Her work with holistic and psychedelic therapies is guided by ethical practice, cultural humility, and respect for the communities and traditions from which natural medicines originate.
Therapeutic Approaches
- Harm Reduction & Psychedelic Integration
- Mindfulness-based Practice
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- Experiential Therapy
Cameron Bice, MA, LPCC, NCC
Therapeutic Approaches
- Trauma-informed care
- Integrative, evidence-based modalities
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Brainspotting
- Whole-person (mind, body, spirit) perspective
Maisie Paulson, MA, LPCC
Maisie is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC). She earned her B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and completed her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regis University.
Her clinical experience spans intensive crisis support with children and adults, community corrections, juvenile youth services, substance use treatment, veteran services, geriatric care settings, and work with neurodivergent children. She is particularly passionate about supporting clients who have experienced trauma.
Maisie felt called to the mental health field to serve her community and provide holistic, whole-person care to individuals navigating life’s challenges. At the heart of her philosophy is the belief that the therapeutic relationship is the foundation for healing. She takes a collaborative approach, supporting and empowering clients as they navigate their stories and move toward growth and resilience.
Therapeutic Approaches
- Trauma-informed care
- Integrative, evidence-based modalities
- Existential Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Interpersonal Approaches
Samantha Burns, MA, LPC
Samantha is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience providing outpatient therapy to adults navigating a range of mental health concerns, including complex trauma, personality disorders, and dissociative disorders. She earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision.
After navigating her own mental health challenges as a teenager, Samantha developed an appreciation for the value of authentic and compassionate care, which ultimately led her to pursue a career in counseling. She is especially thoughtful in supporting individuals who may feel hesitant or discouraged about beginning therapy.
Clients describe Samantha as warm, genuine, and someone who helps therapy feel approachable and meaningful. She strives to foster therapeutic relationships grounded in trust, where clients feel seen as a whole person and supported in their growth.
Therapeutic Approaches
- Trauma-informed care
- Relational, client-centered therapy
- Brainspotting
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Specialties
- Trauma
- Anxiety & Depression
- Dissociative Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Personality Disorders
- ADHD/Autism
Jessica Meagher
Therapy Intern
Jessica is a graduate counseling intern currently pursuing her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of West Alabama. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Florida State University.
Prior to entering the mental health field, Jessica worked in education, teaching students from kindergarten through eighth grade. During that time, she developed the middle school mental health and suicide prevention curriculum for her district. Witnessing the positive impact this work had on students played a key role in her decision to transition into counseling.
Jessica’s path to mental health care was also influenced by personal experiences, including supporting family members through their mental health journeys and navigating postpartum anxiety. The positive impact of counseling on her day-to-day life further inspired her to change careers.
Jessica is passionate about working with perinatal and postpartum individuals, children, adolescents, and those facing life transitions or self-confidence issues. She aims to balance wellness and daily practices with medical interventions through an integrative and collaborative approach. Jessica believes that every person is worthy of a meaningful, fulfilling life, and she strives to help clients feel supported and empowered.
Raeanne Watson, CCMA
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Raeanne has over a decade of experience across diverse healthcare settings, including urgent care, mental health, corrections, and pediatric care for children with special needs. Most recently, she worked for Denver Health Corrections through the Denver Sheriff’s Department, providing medical care at the city and county jails.
She leads every interaction with empathy and ensures that her patients feel heard, especially those who have historically felt overlooked within the healthcare system. She is passionate about creating a safe, respectful space for all individuals and believes in combining skilled healthcare with compassion. She is especially committed to supporting neurodiverse individuals and their families, advocating for care that honors their unique strengths and needs.
Alejandra Saucedo Torres, CMA
Treatment Coordinator/ Certified Medical Assistant
Alejandra is a medical assistant and phlebotomist with experience in urgent care, community health at Clinica Campesina, and with incarcerated patients at Denver Health Corrections. She brings compassion, skill, and sensitivity to her role at Zephyr.
She is deeply empathetic and committed to making individuals feel welcomed and respected. Alejandra speaks both English and Spanish and is especially passionate about supporting those who face language barriers, ensuring they feel understood without relying on a translator. She focuses on building trust and creating a safe space where every patient feels comfortable sharing their needs.
Dr. Alessio Luinetti, MD
Collaborating Physician
Dr. Luinetti supports Zephyr through consultation and collaboration on patient care. He provides clinical expertise and oversight for the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) program and contributes to the Psychedelic Program, helping to advance the integration of innovative, evidence-based treatments.
He is an ABPN Board Certified Psychiatrist who earned his medical degree at the University of Nevada, Reno. He completed his psychiatry residency at the University of Texas, San Antonio Health Science Center. Early in his career, Dr. Luinetti served as an active-duty physician at Brooke Army Medical Center, first as adjunct faculty and later as Chief of the Psychiatry Consultation Service. From there, he became Medical Director of the Mental Health Clinic at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After his military service, he founded Rinnova Psychiatry in Colorado Springs.
Dr. Luinetti values holistic approaches alongside evidence-based care. He is currently training at the Integrative Psychiatry Institute (IPI) for the clinical facilitation of ketamine- and psilocybin-assisted therapy. He also serves pro bono on Colorado’s Natural Medicine Special Advisory Board and advocates locally for veteran mental health and expanded access to natural medicines.
