Animal Assisted Counseling of Colorado

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Animal Assisted Counseling of Colorado

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Clinicians

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Carri King-Bussard, MA, LPC

Carri King-Bussard, MA, LPC

Carri King-Bussard, MA, LPC

  Carri earned her Master’s degree in Counseling from Webster University in Albuquerque, NM in 1998. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado, earning her undergraduate degree in Science from Saint Mary’s College in Winona, MN in 1991. She earned a Certificate in Animals and Human Health: Animal As

  Carri earned her Master’s degree in Counseling from Webster University in Albuquerque, NM in 1998. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado, earning her undergraduate degree in Science from Saint Mary’s College in Winona, MN in 1991. She earned a Certificate in Animals and Human Health: Animal Assisted Therapy and Learning from Denver University’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) in 2007, and is an adjunct professor in GSSW's Animal-Assisted Social Work certificate. 

 

She has almost 25 years of clinical experience working within the systems of child protection/welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and the public school system. In her work, she has utilized the strength of the human-animal bond while working with a variety of people in a variety of settings. She has extensive experience working in the community with high-risk youth and their families. Carri is trained and utilizes evidenced based practices to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing and principals of Multi-Systemic Therapy. Carri is also trained in the Anicare-child treatment model that addresses the assessment and treatment of animal abuse. She also co-founded another business, Professional Therapy Dogs of Colorado, in which she trains mental health professionals who are interested in integrating animal-assisted practice into their work.

She is the proud mother of one cat (Smokey Bear), three canines (Hope, Ranger, and Noah), three guinea pigs (Snickers, Nugget, and Kiera), four rats (Einstein, Edison, Forrest, and Acorn), and two mice (Lavern and Shirley).​ Carri also fosters three rats (Waffles, Niblet, and Pascal).

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Amanda Malone, MSW, LCSW

Carri King-Bussard, MA, LPC

Carri King-Bussard, MA, LPC

 Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Cornell University in 2009 and Masters of Social Work from University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2015. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Colorado and is currently taking courses to become a Certified Animal Assisted Psychotherapist with Animal Assisted 

 Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Cornell University in 2009 and Masters of Social Work from University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2015. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Colorado and is currently taking courses to become a Certified Animal Assisted Psychotherapist with Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado. Amanda moved to Colorado in 2018 from Baltimore, Maryland.

  

Amanda has been trained in play and art-based interventions, mindfulness, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, social-emotional skill-building, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Social-Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (SEFEL). She has experience working with children, teenagers, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds in home, outpatient, school, community-based, and multi-disciplinary settings. Amanda has worked within the child welfare and non-profit systems, and her most recent job was as a therapist for children and teenagers with dual diagnoses of mental health and Intellectual Disability or Autism. Through evidence-based interventions, creativity, and relationship-building, Amanda helps individuals tap into their unique strengths and learn new skills to enrich their lives.

  

Amanda has been an animal lover her entire life and is currently a proud mother of two cats (Maggie and Remi), three dogs (Loki, Dakota, and Puma), eight chickens (Fluff Nugget, Cocoa Puff, Lemon Drop, Dumpling, Waffles, Ivy, Spunky, and Big Momma), and a rabbit (Batman). 

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Rachelle Matossian, MAEd, MASC

Rachelle Matossian, MAEd, MASC

Rachelle Matossian, MAEd, MASC

Rachelle is a Colorado Native and loves spending time with her dogs outdoors. Her education resume includes a Bachelor’s in Psychology, K-6 Teaching license, a Master’s in Education-Curriculum and Instruction, Master’s in School Counseling (K-12), and a Master’s in Business Administration. She also earned her ECE certificate through Wildw

Rachelle is a Colorado Native and loves spending time with her dogs outdoors. Her education resume includes a Bachelor’s in Psychology, K-6 Teaching license, a Master’s in Education-Curriculum and Instruction, Master’s in School Counseling (K-12), and a Master’s in Business Administration. She also earned her ECE certificate through Wildwood. 


She has worked to develop PBIS systems in three schools which helped improve behaviors and recognize positive choices. She has aided students with diverse backgrounds and various needs. Rachelle loves working with kids, helping build belief, teaching problem-solving and coping skills, building leadership skills as well as promoting self-development using various resources which helps with persevering through challenges. Rachelle is well versed in the mind-body-health connection and utilizes some of these interventions in her practice. During her Master's internship, Rachelle ran Divorce Support, Grievance, Anger Management groups as well as facilitating groups to help others exhibit compassion and kindness.

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Katie Leiter

Rachelle Matossian, MAEd, MASC

Rachelle Matossian, MAEd, MASC

Katie earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Montana State University in 2014. She is currently in her last year of graduate school where she will graduate in May 2021 with a Master of Social Work degree and an Animal-Assisted Social Work certificate from the University of Denver.

Katie’s focus in school has been on mental heal

Katie earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Montana State University in 2014. She is currently in her last year of graduate school where she will graduate in May 2021 with a Master of Social Work degree and an Animal-Assisted Social Work certificate from the University of Denver.

Katie’s focus in school has been on mental health, having taken classes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan and Trauma-Informed Assessment accompanied by specific animal-assisted therapy classes. Katie has a background in working with teenagers, young adults, and older adults with a focus on trauma-informed, inclusive evidence-based practices and offering a non-judgmental space where individuals are free to express themselves and come as they are. Katie will be focusing on earning her EMDR certification, and Trauma Certificate in Spring 2021 with a focus on group therapy practice post-graduation.

In her free time, Katie can be found adventuring through the Rocky Mountains via mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and camping, always making sure her furry companion Wren is in tow. 

Animal Assisted Counseling of Colorado

499 Vaughn Street, Aurora, CO 80011

720.933.3910

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