by Tyler | May 8, 2016 | Uncategorized
By: Paolo del Vecchio, M.S.W., Director, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration This May, we are marking the observance of National Mental Health Awareness Month with a series of blogs. This is the first. As First...
Business Owner | Drug Free Workplace Services
Gené is a native of Kansas where she graduated High School in 1975. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Science in 1979, and a Master Degree of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from the Emporia State University in 1980, followed by a Masters of Art in 2009 from North Central University. She is also a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Masters Addiction Counselor (MAC), and a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). Her specialty is chemical dependency, rules and regulations regarding federal standards.
Gené Henderson began her career in 1979, as Director of Youth Services at Riverhill’s Treatment Ranch in Arkansas City, Kansas. She relocated to Colorado Springs in 1987, and became employed at Penrose Hospital, which is a part of Centura Health at Profile EAP. Gené dedicated nineteen years of hard work to Profile EAP, a full service Employee Assistance Program. During this time she developed and implemented drug free programs for numerous organizations, including Colorado Springs Utilities, Penrose Hospital, Academy School District twenty, Faricy Boys Dealerships, and other businesses, schools, and organizations. In 1999, she was awarded the State of Colorado Drug Testing contract and maintained it for a period over six years. In 2001, the Colorado Springs Business Journal voted her ‘Dynamic Woman of the Year’.
Finally in 2006, Mrs. Henderson founded her very own business and opened the doors of this company in January, 2007. Gené has a remarkable sum of 30 years experience in the substance abuse arena and mental health field. Mrs. Henderson participated, prepared, and supervised the development of drug and alcohol policies throughout the State of Colorado. Gené Henderson also implemented procedures, training, and testing for local businesses; including Penrose St. Francis Health Services, the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities, Academy School District Twenty, and Pepsi Lane Sales. A significant part of these responsibilities included performing Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) services in conjunction with professional counseling through respective EAP Programs.
Cheif Operations Officer
Aaron holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. Aaron recently completed his doctoral coursework for a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, also from the University of Northern Colorado.
Prior to joining the Henderson Consulting and EAP Services team he spent six years counseling at-risk adults and juveniles around the state of Colorado. Aaron served as Executive Vice President and Part Owner of the Perklen Center for Psychotherapy in Greeley, Colorado. In addition to his work with at-risk populations, Aaron has extensive experience in working with individuals, groups, couples, adolescents, and adults who seek counseling for various presenting concerns.
Throughout the process of counseling and building relationships Aaron often draws from his experience in participation in athletics to create metaphors and connect with clients. When asked about working with clients Aaron adds
As the great Muhammad Ali once stated, "Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on Earth." I believe I was put on this Earth to support and enhance the lives of others. Henderson Consulting provides a platform for me to do so while granting me the opportunity to learn and grow from each interaction with clients. Watching clients succeed and conquer various obstacles is one of my greatest joys. If I'm not working, you'll find me on a golf course, pumping iron, watching football, singing, or dancing. Spending time with family and friends fuels my soul and I'm blessed to have both in close proximity.
In addition to counseling, Aaron is a teacher, coach, public speaker, and researcher. He enjoys attending conferences and taking part in experiential learning activities that focus on various aspects of social justice.
Mental Health Therapist
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Marilyn Reese was raised in a military family, is a veteran of the Air Force and is a retired military spouse. Her life experiences related to living abroad and in the continental U.S. has prepared her to being culturally sensitive with her clients and their issues. After her military service she completed her BS in Social Psychology from Park University. Marilyn’s desire to be a counselor, motivated her to complete a Masters in Arts in Counseling degree from Colorado Christian University.
She has experience counseling women, men, couples, active-duty and veterans. She has helped many people to achieve their counseling goals by providing a safe environment for the process of therapy. She believes in being present with you and helping you to better understand yourself, to improve your well-being and to assist you in your relationships with others.
LPC, NCC
Lois Butler received her B.A. in Psychology in 2015 and her M.A. in Counseling in 2017 from Colorado Christian University, Lakewood Colorado.
Before pursuing her counseling degree and internship at Henderson Consulting & EAP Services, Lois retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of honorable service. Since retiring, Lois has worked as a sales associate and manager in retail. Additionally, she has lead grief support recovery groups for over 11 years. It was through all the interactions she had in the military, retail and grief recovery that inspired Lois to pursue a career in counseling. She enjoys helping others communicate better in order to resolve interpersonal conflict in their lives. She is also passionate about helping people discover and develop practical solutions, with a holistic perspective, to the problems they encounter in life.
Outside of school and work, Lois enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching movies, shopping, and preparing and eating great food.
Business Manager
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University.
Before joining the team at Henderson Consulting and EAP Services, Nicole dedicated 20 years to her work as Property Manager of local apartment communities in Colorado Springs. She was awarded “Manager of the Year” in 2018 and 2020 by the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado and is excited to be growing her managerial expertise in Mental Health Care, Employee Assistance, and Drug Free Workplace programming.
Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time camping, hiking, riding bikes, shopping, playing volleyball, and traveling with her husband, their two children, and their dog, Cooper. She is excited to be a part of the Henderson team providing professional, confidential, and friendly services to our clients.
Give yourself the same care & attention that you give to others and watch yourself bloom." -Unknown
Office Coordinator
Rose is the Office Coordinator at Henderson Consulting & EAP Services; providing front desk reception, scheduling of clients, and providing administrative support for the Henderson Consulting & EAP Services owner and staff.
Rose has held various Office Support, Safety, and Configuration Management positions over the last 20 years. Her experience includes front desk reception, scheduling, data management, and employee development. She knows the importance of confidentiality and providing compassionate customer service. She strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment for each client as they arrive for their session.
Mental Health Therapist
Deja strongly admires all that social work represents. From relationship building, self-determination, skill-strengthening (empowerment), to cultivating agency and self-advocacy among individuals and communities. Highlighting the importance of putting systems theory into practice. Deja applies this concept and takes into consideration the biological, psychological, and social environmental influences on clients and the community. Deja also recognizes and applies the framework of intersectionality as it relates to her clients. Emphasizing her trauma informed and anti-oppressive lens while engaging in her work. Deja works directly with children, adolescents, and adults.
Deja graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Colorado Mesa University in 2019. She then graduated from Colorado State University with a master’s degree in social work in 2021. She is currently working towards obtaining her licensure in social work.
Deja has spent time in the mental health field working with a variety of populations. Before starting at HCEAP, she worked under the VA at the Colorado Springs Vet Center. Providing counseling services to veterans, active-duty services members, and their families. She also spent some time engaging in advocacy work and research within the Colorado Springs community regarding maternal health outcomes.
During her down time, Deja enjoys spending quality time with her family. listening to podcasts, reading books, and cooking delicious foods.
“What we do is more important than what we say or what we say we believe.” -bell hooks
Mental Health Therapist
Chelsea (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor (#14279) with a Bachelor’s degree in English (2009) and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2015).
Chelsea uses holistic approaches when treating clients, especially valuing the client’s trust in their own body and emotions and their attunement to themselves. She seeks to facilitate change rather than direct it and uses a person-centered approach to that end. Other modalities that she incorporates regularly are DBT and EMDR. She also utilizes self-compassion and mindfulness techniques in session. Chelsea specializes in religious trauma, postpartum and parenthood issues, depression, anxiety, and other traumas. She is a sex-positive LGBTQ+ ally and is HAES aligned.
When she’s not counseling, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her husband, two young children, and friends. She feels complete in the outdoors and thrives when camping, hiking, and even just walking around her neighborhood. She also likes cooking good food, sleeping in, and listening to podcasts and audiobooks.
“You either walk inside your story and own it, or you stand outside your story and hustle for worthiness” -Brene Brown
Koen Pull
Mental Health Therapist
Koen graduated from Colorado State University in August 2016 with a Bachelors of Science in General Psychology. He has since worked in various areas of the mental health field, including inpatient services, emergency psychiatric services, neurofeedback treatment services, and family preservation. In 2017, Koen began pursuing his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. He is currently completing his clinical internship with Henderson Consulting & EAP Services and specializes in working with trauma-related disorders, depression, generalized anxiety, and others. He is expecting to finish his Master’s degree in August of 2020. Outside of work, Koen is an avid guitarist who has been playing music for the past 10 years. He enjoys going on long hikes, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. He is a firm believer that a balanced lifestyle is key to maintaining one’s physical and psychological wellbeing.
Ericka Hendricks
Mental Health Therapist
Ericka Hendricks is a current graduate student at Adams State University and is a Registered Psychotherapist. She will graduate in May 2020 with her master’s degree in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Ericka obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado in 2016. Before entering the counseling field, Ericka worked for Child Protection Services for two years. She continues to work with this population to assist in the reunification and preservation of families. Ericka’s passion is working individually with children and adults to address a variety of barriers such as parenting, anxiety, depression, self-image, adjustment, emotional, and behavioral issues. Ericka is not only passionate about mental health but also physical wellness. In Ericka’s spare time, she enjoys engaging in a variety of athletic activities to promote personal mental and physical health, such as snowboarding, high-intensity interval training, and skydiving.
Mental Health Therapist Intern
Clint graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. In the fall of 2016, Clint began his clinical counseling journey at Denver Seminary in Littleton, CO. He is grateful to be an intern with Henderson Consulting and EAP Services to grow in the art of counseling with this caring, competent, and supportive team of seasoned professionals.
Early in Clint’s employment history, he worked for several professional arts and faith-based non-profit organizations. Over the last twenty years, he has been employed with a large corporation performing in the various Human Resource disciplines of staffing, employee and labor relations, training, and career development from an operational to a policy/corporate level. He is passionate about helping organizations work through the complexities of business, process management, and relationships. The pursuit of healing the whole person has been a personal draw for Clint. He loves to be a part of the process of helping people find their way to living their best authentic life. He is relational, empathetic, and caring in his approach by supporting the client as they seek resolution.
Clint loves living in Colorado and enjoys the incredible people and environment. He lives an active life and enjoys cross fit, hiking, gardening, cooking, and traveling. He is from a large family and loves spending time with them and his many friends.
“Life is like a book. Some chapters are sad, some are happy, and some are exciting. But if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter holds.” Author Unknown
Deidre Green
Billing and Insurance Specialist
Deidre is HCEAP’s Billing and Insurance Specialist. She works diligently to support our therapists, clients, and community partners in all billing processes.
Deidre brings over 27 years of Customer Service experience. She worked at University of Colorado for 18 years, where she had many roles as Administrative Assistant, Program Assistant, Office Manager, and Student Engagement and Scholarship Coordinator. Deidre also worked at the Air Force Academy where she planned events and weddings. In 2018, she started her own company, Green Action Transactions, as a Real Estate Coordinator.
When Deidre is not working, she likes to play bingo, swim, and sing Karaoke. In June 2020, she adopted her dog, Bootzie, who makes every day interesting!
Theresa M Swanson
Mental Health Therapist
Theresa has a passion for social work and helping individuals and families gain an understanding of how the brain, body, and emotions are all connected. She works with children, adolescents, and adults. She began her professional career working in Early Childhood Education in a variety of positions, then moved into the field of Social Work, working as a school social worker with children ranging in ages from kindergarten to high school age. She is a certified Nurturing Parenting Facilitator instructing classes at the local military instillation since 2018. She has worked with adults in a therapeutic setting, and as a sexual assault victim advocate. She is well-versed in military and veteran related trauma, military sexual trauma, and is credential as a Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate and credentialed with the National Organization for Victims Assistance as a National Advocate.
Theresa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Dominican University in 2004. In 2011 she graduated from Washburn University with a Master of Social Work degree. She completed independent licensure requirements in 2019.
Theresa and her husband have been married for 16 years and have four children. She is the spouse of an active-duty Soldier and has lived in a variety of locations from Alaska to New York and many places in between. She enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the variety of tourists sights in Colorado and throughout the west, as well as listening to audio books, and volunteering in several capacities at Ft. Carson.
Christopher Marquez
Mental Health Therapist
Christopher (he/him) is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2018) and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Services (2020) from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Chris believes in everyone’s capacity to change their path and better their life and works alongside clients as they navigate towards the best versions of themselves. His goal as a counselor is to help empower clients in finding solutions that are best for them and that are in alignment with their values and what they want in life.
He draws from a variety of modalities including DBT, CBT, and EMDR therapy to tailor sessions to each client’s goals. He has a wide variety of therapeutic experience including: anxiety, depression, substance abuse, stress, and trauma.
Jennifer Boxley
Front Office Coordinator
Jennifer finds great satisfaction in helping people and strives every day to provide exceptional customer service. Her professional background includes more than 20 years in financial, non- profit, and healthcare office environments. Substitute teaching and volunteer work with children and adults round out her career experience.
Jennifer and her husband have 4 children and 3 very special grandchildren. She has lived on three continents and enjoys traveling. Long walks, listening to music, decorating her home, and Mexican food are some of her favorite things.
Kristen Morrison
Front Office Coordinator
Kristen joined the Henderson Consulting in 2021 as the Drug Screen Coordinator working alongside Gene’ with the Drug Free Workplace Program (DFWP). She works with our DFWP companies coordinating drug and alcohol testing, scheduling trainings, and making the process easy and efficient while also offering excellence in customer service and communication. Her strengths of positivity and adaptability make her easy-going and always looking for the bright side of a situation: strengths that serve her well in this role.
As a mom of 3 kids, Kristen has found herself managing schedules (and personalities) for the last 18 years. Her previous work experience coordinating volunteers for a large church, mentoring young professionals for a local non-profit, and running a small creative business all of which strengthen her customer service excellence.
Kristen and her husband have been married for almost 20 years and are on this wild ride alongside their three teenage children. She loves a good laugh, a long hike, and in her spare time Kristen can be found listening to a good audio book behind her sewing machine.
Henry comes to Henderson Consulting after retiring from Colorado Springs Utilities in April 2018 after 21 years of service. His 38-year career centered on the pricing of regulated utility products and services. His educational background is in law and business administration.
Henry was happily retired when his wife, HCEAP owner Gene’ Henderson requested his assistance in the office when administrative support staff shortages developed during COVID-19. What started out as a temporary situation has now spanned a few years. Henry does special reports as well as assisting with other administrative duties for the company.
Outside of work, Henry exercises his passion for golf as often as he can. He has in the past several years turned Gene’ into an avid professional football and basketball fan and they enjoy spending time together watching games. He is also very active with the work of his church. His true pride and joy are his three grandchildren, with him often saying that being their Papa is the “best job ever”.