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  • About Us
    • Our Story
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      • Directors
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    • Join Our Team
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    • Community Programs
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about queer asterisk

our story

In 2014, while studying Somatic Counseling Psychology at Naropa University, Sorin Thomas and two other graduate students envisioned Queer Asterisk. Their idea was to create a different kind of mental health organization; rooted in social justice advocacy, devoted to compassionate counseling and education, and run entirely by queer and transgender professionals.

While we are fortunate to have had many queer and transgender community resources available in Colorado for years, there was yet to exist a mental health organization where the structure and leadership was informed by queer and trans lived experience.

“The vision I hold for myself, this organization, and everyone we touch is to be brilliant; to claim and reclaim, if we have to, our gifts as queer and trans folks and to bring those gifts into the world. Though we will continue to learn and grow throughout our lifetimes, at a certain point we must allow ourselves to be ‘good enough’ and stop letting fear hold us back from putting forth something truly amazing.” -Sorin Thomas (Executive Director)

“A revolution of the heart is emerging and we are witnessing a profound shift in our worldview. Categorization and conformity no longer serve the well-being of individuals with complex and intersecting identities or communities that are expanding the collective consciousness. A brave new culture that embraces ambiguity, vulnerability, and authenticity is taking form; and Queer Asterisk is at the forefront of this inspiring movement.” Diane Israel (Board Chair)

Read our Annual Report (PDF).

View our Newsletter

Check out past editions of our Newsletter here!

our vision

We envision a vibrant community that embraces authentic expression and transformation, where individuals with dynamic and intersecting identities can thrive.

our team

Nervous about receiving therapy or counseling? All of our Therapists, Counselors, and Peer Mentors are queer and trans too!

Directors

Sorin Thomas of Queer Asterisk

Sorin Thomas

Founding & Executive Director

Meet Sorin

Brett Adamek (Freeda Be)

Creative Director

Meet Freeda

RP Whitmore-Bard

Program Director

Meet RP
Chris Aguilar Garcia

Chris Aguilar Garcia

Operations Director

Meet Chris

Clinical Team

Alan Hale

Counseling Intern

Meet Alan
Queer Asterisk favicon

Alisa Cohen

Supervisor

Meet Alisa

B Palm

Counselor

Meet B

Basil Argento

Counseling Intern

Meet Basil

Basil Ross

Counselor

Meet Basil

Beka Davis

Practicum Student

Meet Beka

Bennett Urian

Practicum Student

Meet Bennett

Caroline Matthes

Counselor

Meet Caroline

Chloe Jacobson

Counseling Intern

Meet Chloe

Claire Critchlow

Counselor & Supervisor

Meet Claire
Danny Sturtevant

Danny Sturtevant

Counselor

Meet Danny
Eric Hansen

Eric Hansen

Counseling Extern

Meet Eric

Hannah Sallmann

Practicum Student

Meet Hannah
Heather Newhouse

Heather Newhouse

Peer Mentor

Meet Heather

Jack Dickey

Counseling Extern

Meet Jack

Jake Booth

Counseling Intern

Meet Jake
Queer Asterisk favicon

Jaxx Alutalica

Supervisor

Meet Jaxx

Jennifer (Jen) Elswick

Practicum Student

Meet Jen

John Stennes

Practicum Student

Meet John
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Jona Fine

Writing Group Facilitator

Meet Jona

Joy Wishtun

Counselor

Meet Joy

Juan Pablo Escarcega

Counseling Intern

Meet Juan Pablo

Luka Broszkiewicz

Counseling Intern

Meet Luka
Queer Asterisk favicon

Matt Paschich

Yoga Instructor

Meet Matt

Michelle Saltis

Clinical Manager

Meet Michelle

Rafi Daugherty

Counselor

Meet Rafi

Sam Ardoin

Counseling Intern

Meet Sam

Shanae Adams

Counselor

Meet Shanae

Shen Hollcraft

Counselor

Meet Shen
Queer Asterisk favicon

Sierra Ackerman

Practicum Student

Meet Sierra

Sophie Ernstrom

Practicum Student

Meet Sophie
Queer Asterisk favicon

Spencer/Whoda Bowie

Peer Mentor

Meet Spencer/Whoda

Steve Touré

Practicum Student

Meet Steve
Queer Asterisk favicon

Unnati Upadhyay

Counseling Intern

Meet Unnati

Xavier Bird

Counseling Intern

Meet Xavier

Administrative Team

Ellen Best

Administrative Intern

Meet Ellen

Judith Blair

Non-Profit Consultant

Meet Judith

Ren Rojas

QTBIPOC Outreach & Operations Coordinator

Meet Ren

Board

Diane Israel

Board Co-Chair

Meet Diane
Shira of Queer Asterisk

Shira Barchilon Frank

Board Co-Chair

Meet Shira
Anne Marie

Anne Marie DiGiacomo

Board Member

Meet Anne Marie
Robyn of Queer Asterisk

Robyn Chauvin

Board Member

Meet Robyn
Connect With Us
Sorin Thomas of Queer Asterisk

"When I founded this organization, I wanted to create a sense of home for everyone who knows the pain of looking and not finding themselves reflected in community."

Sorin Thomas, Executive Director

join our team

Are you interested in joining our team?

We are always accepting applications! Click below to find out how to get involved.

Join Our Team

Boulder Office

4535 N Broadway
Suite 101
Boulder, CO 80304

(720) 507-6161

Denver Office

1155 Sherman St,
Suite 311
Denver, CO 80203

  (720) 507-6161

Longmont Office

1823 Sunset Place
Suite F
Longmont, CO 80501

(720) 507-6161

Fort Collins Office

23 Old Town Square
Suite 250E
Fort Collins, CO 80524

(720) 507-6161

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Copyright 2021 - Site design by Novel Website Design
Sorin Thomas of Queer Asterisk

Sorin Thomas

Founding & Executive Director

xe/xyr/xem

Sorin L. Thomas, MA, LPC, LAC, CGP, Founding and Executive Director of Queer Asterisk Therapeutic Services, is a queer and transgender Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Addictions Counselor, and Certified Group Psychotherapist with over a decade of professional experience in the field of psychology serving queer and transgender individuals and their families. Sorin has a Masters in Somatic Counseling Psychology from Naropa University and post-graduate experience in wilderness therapy, addiction recovery, adolescent and adult residential treatment, community based services, emergency psychiatric services, and hospital settings. In addition to offering queer-affirming counseling and clinical supervision, Sorin offers consultation and diversity, equity, and inclusivity trainings through a queer lens to mental health organizations, addiction recovery centers, social service agencies, hospitals, and schools.

Brett Adamek (Freeda Be)​​

Creative Director

all pronouns

Brett Adamek (Freeda Be), MA, LPC is a queer/non-binary transpersonal somatic counselor and embodiment mentor. Freeda received a Master’s in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University and is a co-founder of Queer Asterisk. Freeda supports clients in finding freedom, empowerment and authentic self-expression through increased present-moment awareness of the body and mind. He is passionate about supporting clients of diverse identities and life experiences in discovering liberation in the midst of difficult life circumstances, not in spite of them. As an Asian-American adoptee, Freeda uses his own personal journey of otherness and belonging to support clients in finding home wherever they are.

RP Whitmore-Bard​

Program Director

he/they

RP Whitmore-Bard (Program Director) is a queer/trans psychoanalytic psychotherapist and group facilitator. RP earned their Master’s degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy & Buddhist Psychology at Naropa University, and has been involved at Queer Asterisk since its founding in 2016. RP is passionate about creating supportive environments for people to connect authentically with themselves and others. They have worked as a direct care provider with many social services agencies, including Jewish Family Services, Safe Passage Domestic Violence Services, Eating Recovery Center, and Denver County Human Services. As a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, and a person in recovery, RP believes that being in touch with legacies of personal and ancestral suffering is a powerful tool for waking up to the transformative healing potential of every moment. RP grew up in New York City, Southern California and Chicago, and loves listening to music, dancing, and spending time in nature.

Chris Aguilar Garcia

Chris Aguilar Garcia​

Operations Director

they/them

Chris Aguilar Garcia is a Queer Chicanx writer and editor with an extensive career in community minded organizations and national LGBTQ nonprofit organizations. They hold a BA from Antioch University Los Angeles in Liberal Studies with a minor in Queer Studies. As Director of Operations, Chris oversees the day-to-day operations of QA, including human resources, facilities, grant management, and fund development. Outside of QA, Chris is a noted scholar of Prince, currently writing a book on the Queerness of Prince, and also serves on the board of The W. They are interested in intersectional identities and BIPOC representation, and obsessed with Frida Kahlo, Madonna, and Almodovar.

Alan Hale

Counseling Intern

he/him/his

Alan Hale is a master’s candidate and psychotherapist in training from the University of Colorado, Denver, in the couples/relationships (track) graduate counseling program. Alan serves as a clinical intern for Queer Asterisk, working with queer individuals, relationships, and families. Alan identifies as cis-male, gay, millennial, Vietnamese American, and grew up in Los Angeles. In most Eastern cultures, mental health is considered taboo and ultimately viewed as signs of weakness. As a result, many people and different cultures suffer silently, including Alan and his own family. The lack of support and culturally responsive resources inspired Alan to enter the mental health field. Through their queerness, Alan discovered they are passionate about becoming an additional resource for the queer community. Alan recognizes the significance of managing their mental health and uses their own lived experiences to empathize with his client(s) personally. Alan utilizes humor and integrates different theoretical approaches in his counseling such as the use of narrative therapy, existential therapy, person-centered therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help the client(s) with topics regarding mental health, trauma, grief, culture, identity, sexuality, privilege, oppression, relationships, and family systems.

Queer Asterisk favicon

Coming Soon!

B Palm

Counselor

she/they

B is a therapist who has been serving Colorado youth and families since 2012. B received a Master’s degree in Social Work and has worked in a wide variety of settings, including day treatment, residential, schools, substance abuse, group work, and office/community based individual therapy. B takes a holistic approach to treatment, pulling from a wide variety of theoretical frameworks, with the goal of specializing treatment for each individual. B specializes in working with children, youth, and families, but she relishes any opportunity to help people better understand themselves and the world around them.

Basil Argento

Counseling Intern

he/him/his

Basil Argento is a counseling intern in his final year of Adams State University’s clinical mental health counseling masters program. Basil is a humanistic and social justice oriented counselor who sees himself as an advocate for his clients and as a collaborator in improving their lives. Basil believes that frank, nonjudgmental support– along with mindfulness and self-acceptance– can help ease the process of unlearning past behavior and replacing it with more skillful, successful behavior. Issues of gender identity, sexuality, self-esteem, anxiety, substance abuse and living authentically are close to his heart. Basil is a queer Italian-American transgender man who resides in Denver with his beloved husband and houseful of animals.

Beka Davis

Practicum Student

she/her

I hold a Master’s of Divinity from Naropa University, and Certified Addiction Counselor III. I am currently working on a Master’s in Clinical Counseling from Adams State University. I come from a contemplative perspective. I believe that our bodies, minds, and environments are intricately connected. The capacity to heal from trauma is within each of us. Mindfulness/awareness and compassion support to trust an innate knowing and trust of who we are.

Bennett Urian

Practicum Student

he/him

Bennett is a masters candidate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Denver. Prior to this, he received his Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Theatre at Muhlenberg College in 2020. He utilizes a humanistic and psychodynamic approach to mental health counseling with a focus on empathic understanding and radical self-compassion. He values the transformative healing power of the therapeutic alliance and creating a space with clients that allows for safe, open, and non-judgmental exploration to process interpersonal and internal obstacles. Prior to this, he served as the Health Outreach Intern for the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown PA, and later completed his Senior Thesis on Queer Identity Development and Belongingness in College Students for completion of his BA in Psychology. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, skateboarding, and playing video games.

Caroline Matthes

Counselor

she/her

Caroline Matthes is a Licensed Social Worker and graduate of the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. She works from a queer, anti-racist, gender affirming, social justice, and body positive framework and specializes in identity development, building healthy relationships, boundary setting, life transitions, and honoring grief. Her approach is informed by attachment theory, existentialism, mindfulness and critical theory. Caroline uses genuine curiosity, direct feedback, and humor to deepen self-awareness and strives to build a space in which you feel safe and supported being your full, authentic self.

Chloe Jacobson

Counseling Intern

she/her/hers

Chloe is a third year Transpersonal Art Therapy graduate student. She deeply believes in the healing power of present, experiential, creative expression. While utilizing the art process, she brings a somatic and relational approach all while holding each person’s individual story within a social justice informed container. She utilizes queer and feminist theory and is passionate about working with the LGBTQ+ community. She believes in the ability of art to articulate better than language, and radically hold each individual’s relative experience and story. In the rest of her life, she can be found working on various craft or kitchen projects in her cabin in the Rockies, or exploring the natural world outside of it.

Claire Critchlow

Counselor & Supervisor

she/her/hers

Claire is a queer Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor for Queer Asterisk. She is also currently finishing up her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. Claire believes the counselor-client relationship is the most important aspect of counseling. In order to provide a space in which client’s feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings, Claire remains genuine, nonjudgmental, and empathetic throughout the counseling process. As a counselor, Claire’s job is to empower you and assist you in your journey to self-exploration, while also challenging you and considering the impact of culture and identity on your experience. Over the course of her career Claire has worked with a variety of populations and presenting concerns, though she especially feels fulfilled working with adult individual clients who are womxn and or queer/gender expansive.
Danny Sturtevant

Danny Sturtevant​

Counselor

he/him

Danny Sturtevant is a licensed professional counselor candidate and a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado where he obtained his masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In addition to working with adults, Danny has a passion for working with youth and adolescents using a variety of play therapy based approaches. Danny has experience working in community mental health, family systems, integrated care, youth groups, and individual therapy. He has completed training in couples counseling, play therapy, and mindfulness-based practices and works with a variety of presenting concerns. Danny uses a collaborative approach when working with clients, integrating a number of theories and methods with an underlying client-centered perspective to best fit a client’s needs.

Eric Hansen

Eric Hansen

Counseling Extern

he/him/his

Eric Hansen is an extern who specializes in non-traditional relationships, queer communities, and identity development. Eric’s practice is holistic and integrative, person-centered and strengths-based, focusing on self-determination and empowerment. We will collaborate on developing stronger relationships and creating a personal mythology using skills from internal family systems. Some areas I offer support around include navigating non-monogamy, exposure therapy around uncomfortable emotions, and connecting with romantic identity. I offer a trained perspective, practical skills, and a safe, welcoming space to work through challenging feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Whatever your reasons are for seeking therapy, you are welcome here.

Hannah Sallmann

Practicum Student

she/they

Hannah is a queer and nonbinary Transpersonal Art Therapy graduate student at Naropa University. She uses the art process to contain and connect the full spectrum of human emotion, spirit, relationships, and identity. Hannah has experience using art in community settings with diverse ages and social locations, and works from a person-centered and multicultural lens. As a mixed-media artist, Hannah’s practice centers identity exploration through dream imagery, animal symbolism, and creative self-expression. The transformative qualities of clay, plants, and animal metamorphosis inspires her belief in post-traumatic growth and innate resilience.
Heather Newhouse

Heather Newhouse

Peer Mentor

they/she

Heather (Raquel) is a queer sex educator and writer with a background in Sociology and in personal growth/transformational healing. She has worked with Planned Parenthood and sex toy company, Vibrant. Raquel loves normalizing open-minded conversations about sex and all that the topic brings up. A student of somatic sex education, she holds a deep sense of awe for body wisdom and believes that exploring sexuality and gender opens opportunities for creativity and empowerment. Raquel brings awareness of social justice issues and a commitment to understanding how identities and power dynamics influence experience. She stands for sexual health and body autonomy as innate human rights. She is available to support embodiment practices, consent/boundaries work, and pleasure-positive sex ed. Raquel also loves to hoop dance and hang out in nature.

Jack Dickey

Counseling Extern

he/him/his

Jack is a therapist from Naropa University’s training program in counseling. He recognizes that engaging in therapy can be difficult and rewarding work, and that the foundation of this work is the counseling relationship. Jack will work with you to create a healing relationship that is oriented around you and your experience. Jack’s counseling relationships are defined by warmth, genuineness, open communication, consent, and compassion. He recognizes that almost any experiences we are challenged by in our day-to-day lives will arise in therapy as well. Jack works in partnership with his clients to leverage the warmth of the therapeutic relationship to make changes in the patterns which are no longer serving us as they arise in therapy. Jack believes that all human behaviors and emotions have their origin in attempts to take care of ourselves and others, even the ones which challenge us. Jack brings over a decade of mindfulness practice into your therapy, allowing him to accompany your journey with curiosity and compassion, regardless of how frightening, difficult, or confusing your experience might be. He enjoys working with clients identifying as Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs), empaths, clients experiencing anxiety and concerns around spirituality and spiritual development, and clients in the process of healing past traumas. He is very excited about his work with Queer Asterisk, having personally benefitted so much from his own therapy as a Queer person. When Jack is not practicing therapy, he enjoys spending time with friends, camping, hiking, and playing video games.

Jake Booth

Counseling Intern

he/him

Jake Booth is a clinical intern from the Marriage & Family Therapy Program at Regis University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Minor in Philosophy from Azusa Pacific University. He is originally from the Los Angeles area, and identifies as a queer cisgender man. Jake has many years of improv experience as well as his formal education, and is driven to utilize experiential and person-centered modes of therapy alongside psychodrama and game therapy to facilitate lasting change in exciting new ways.

Jen Elswick

Practicum Student

she/her

I received my bachelors degree from San Francisco State University with a major in Psychology and a minor in History. I am currently at the University of Denver earning my masters in Clinical Counseling. I have more of an integrative approach and like to incorporate aspects of CBT, psychoanalytic, humanistic and multicultural psychology. I believe in tailoring my approach to each client and doing what works best for them. My background is in behavioral psychology, person centered therapy and fertility counseling.

John Stennes

Practicum Student

he/him they/them

John received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Biology and English from the University of North Dakota in 2018. He is currently working to obtain his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Denver specializing in Adolescent Counseling, as well as Diversity and Social Justice Counseling. He hopes to one day work with adolescents and young adults seeking treatment for mood and anxiety disorders. He also plans to work with those in the LGBTQIA2s+ community and other marginalized groups as they face more non-traditional hardships, and are in need of more resources to help overcome adversity. When it comes to therapy approaches, he is interested in a psychodynamic and integrative approach to help clients with whatever may come up for them.

Joy Wishtun

Counselor

she/her/hers

Joy Wishtun is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary with a Master’s degree in Counseling. Joy is also certified in Synergetic Play Therapy and is endorsed through the Colorado Association for Infant Mental Health as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health specialist. With her clients, Joy focuses on integrating experiences, beliefs, and actions within their identities and relationships. Joy enjoys working with children and their caregivers, as well as individuals of any age in their process of healing and growth. Joy utilizes evidence-based treatments from multiple theories as appropriate for each client, leaning particularly into attachment theory and emotionally-focused therapy within a nervous-system regulation lens, and holding in mind multiple systems that impact an individual or families’ lived experience. Firmly believing in the gift that is allowing a therapist to know your story, Joy strives to offer authenticity and create a felt sense of safety in each session.

Juan Pablo Escarcega

Counseling Intern

they/them/theirs

Juan Pablo Escarcega, BA, NLC, is a queer/genderqueer/chicanx counselor in training from the University of Northern Colorado, where they are pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Juan Pablo is passionate about working with individuals who experience marginalization for who they are. They strive to build growth-fostering relationships with clients that are both collaborative and supportive, from a multicultural and social justice lens. Juan Pablo hopes to provide healing that is culturally responsive, holistic, and affirming. They have experience working in residential crisis services and serving underrepresented populations including American Indian/Alaska Native college students, college students of color, and trans/gender expansive individuals. Aside from their involvement at Queer Asterisk, they are currently interning at the Transgender Center of the Rockies. Juan Pablo was born in West Texas and grew up in Northern Colorado. In their spare time, they enjoy spending quality time with loved ones and friends, listening to music, and cooking.

Michelle Saltis

Clinical Manager

they/them

M. Saltis. I am a queer and nonbinary counselor, supervisor and the clinical manager for Queer Asterisk. I am a Registered Play Therapist and EMDR therapist. My clients find me fun, creative, relaxed, safe, and easy to talk to. I love being able to help children, teens, adults, couples and families tap into their inner courage and strength to navigate through their journeys in this life. I primarily work within the queer and trans communities helping people of all ages who have experienced trauma, are struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, divorce, interpersonal violence and many additional things. I am kink and poly friendly and respect people from all cultures, identities, and backgrounds. I try my best to be kind and supportive in helping you reach your goals. I love being a counselor and witnessing peoples’ strengths and courage every day.

Rafi Daugherty

Counselor

he/him

Rafi Daugherty is a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor Candidate and a graduate of the University of Colorado, Denver. Rafi also holds a masters degree in Crisis and Trauma Studies from the University of Tel Aviv, Israel. As a couples and family therapist, Rafi has been trained to view even individuals as a part of a system and understands that people need to be seen as the whole of who they are and where they come from. Rafi enjoys working with individuals of all ages who are at any stage in the process of acknowledging, accepting, and living in their identities. Rafi utilizes relevant treatments from multiple theories but leans strongly into attachment theory and internal family systems theory. Being transparent with clients is an important aspect of the therapeutic relationship to him and thus encourages clients to stand in their truth when it does not align with his words.

Sam Ardoin

Counseling Intern

they/she

Samantha Ardoin is a clinical intern at Queer Asterisk, where they serve as a mindfulness-based psychotherapist who invites awareness of the mind and heart into each session. Sam is in the final year of their program at Naropa University, where they are seeking a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Mindfulness-based Transpersonal Counseling. Transpersonal psychology takes into account phenomena “beyond the personal” including ancestral trauma, altered states of consciousness, Jungian dream work, spirituality, and more. Sam is passionate about sharing transpersonal practices, including mindful meditation and journaling practices, with their clients. As a queer, genderfluid individual, Sam is especially grateful to be at Queer Asterisk as they feel encouraged to show up as their full self, modeling self-love and self-empowerment to their clients. Passionate about group therapy, Sam is also the student board member at the Four Corners Group Psychotherapy Society.

Shanae Adams

Counselor

she/they

I am Shanae Adams, a graduate of Adams State University with a Masters of Arts in Clinical Counseling. I have been a sexuality educator, providing comprehensive sex-positive sexuality education to my communities, universities, and abroad for the past 10 years. As an educator, I bring a willingness to learn, an openness to the experiences of others, and a desire to provide resources to my participants. As a therapist, I bring those same qualities and allow them to drive my therapeutic mindset. I enjoy working with millennials to help them become their idealized version of themselves. For some, this means confronting negative thinking, exploring sexuality and trauma concerns, and managing anxiety and depression. I use Integrative Gestalt and Somatic techniques, among others, to help my clients deepen understandings and learn from their wisdom of their bodies and experiences.

Sophie Ernstrom

Practicum Student

she/her

Sophie is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Program at The University of Denver. She believes in the power each of us holds within ourselves to heal and self-actualize. Inspired by the natural world around her, she sees similarities between people and seeds, in that each has the potential to grow and flourish in a safe and healthy environment. She values warmly accepting every aspect of her clients’ experiences and encouraging personal and communal empowerment through building a secure therapeutic relationship to process experience. Her work is informed by continued learning about social justice, systemic oppression, and self-reflection. She is dedicated to acknowledging her role as an oppressor and constantly queering her relationship with herself and the world to promote healing within herself and others. She loves walking with her dog, Delilah, and shaking away stress with a more-than-occasional dance party.

Steve Touré

Practicum Student

he/him/they/them

Steve Touré is a masters student at the University of Denver. Steve has a passion for working with Queer and trans BIPOC folx especially when it comes to working with or through intergenerational and/ or inherited traumas. The love working with adolescents, young adults and other people during transitionary periods of their lives. They utilize a holistic and integrative approach to counseling.

Xavier Bird

Counseling Intern

they/their/them

Xavier Bird is a current graduate student at the University of Denver. Inspired by a drive to rectify the injustices of a health system that routinely puts minority groups at a disadvantage, they are strongly committed to the ideals of racial and social justice. Always putting their best foot forward, Xavier is staunchly devoted to expanding their therapeutic knowledge to better serve those who need it most. When not focused on their graduate studies, Xavier enjoys finding new ways to get familiar with their community, attending local events and small gatherings to see just what else they can pick up from real world experiences.

Ellen Best

Undergraduate Intern

she/her

Ellen is a current undergraduate student at Colorado State University working towards her Bachelor’s in Social Work. Eventually, she would like to have her Master’s and clinical licensure in Social Work so she can provide queer and trauma informed therapy and counseling. She is especially interested in services surrounding PTSD, interpersonal violence, addiction, and working with teens. She strongly believes in using multiple frameworks and perspectives in therapy in order to see the bigger picture. In her free time, Ellen loves reading, hiking, cooking, and listening to music.

Judith Blair

Nonprofit Consultant

she/her

Judith Blair volunteers with Engender as a community member and consults with Queer Asterisk on Human Resources, Education & Training, grants and donor development and strategy. “I’ve worked for 62 years in different careers and engaging with Queer Asterisk in these ways is the most fun I have EVER had with any group.”

Ren Rojas

QTBIPOC Outreach & Operations Coordinator

she/her

Ren Rojas is a queer indigenous Peruvian that has been part of LGBTQPIA organizations and groups since 2009. She received a B.A. in Psychology from CU-Boulder. She has over two years of experience providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) intervention to family and children. Her identities help her navigate and provide a safe space and outreach to underrepresented communities. Ren has a passion for radical self-love, empowerment and healing. She is the mommy of a spoiled husky pup named Kylo and on weekends, she spoils her partner and other pup, Oliver.

Diane Isreal of Queer Asterisk

Diane Israel

Board Co-Chair

she/her

Diane Israel brings her wisdom, compassion and awake heart to the Queer Asterisk board and is a renowned psychotherapist and professor at Naropa University. Diane inspires authentic relationship in all aspects of life and recognizes the importance of vulnerability inherent in being human. Diane helped found the Transpersonal Counseling Program at Naropa University and been involved with developing heart-centered organizations for many years. She is passionate about creating awake queer community and is inspired by Queer Asterisk’s mission and service to the whole.

Shira of Queer Asterisk

Shira Barchilon Frank

Board Co-Chair

she/her

Shira brings over 15 years of work in politics, social change, and fundraising to the board of Queer Asterisk. She currently serves as Co-Founder of Maiden, a company devoted to building a more intelligent economy by launching the first industry-backed lab for universal blockchain education and research. Shira spent seven years as a Deputy Director for J Street—the single-largest pro-Israel PAC in the US—working to transform the way Congress and the Executive branch engage in the Middle East and to promote the creation of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. During Shira’s tenure, J Street partnered with the Obama Administration to successfully push the Iran-Nuclear deal through Congress and prevent a war with Iran. Shira holds a degree in Government and Political Theory from Smith College. She hails from the Redwood Coast of Arcata, CA and after spending eight years in our nation’s capital, she recently found her heart back in the wild west. Out as Queer since age 12, Shira identifies as female, as well as passionately Jewish. As a Transfeminist, she believes that transcending gender binaries is at the core of all transformational social change. As a board member, Shira hopes to support Queer Asterisk’s growth through radically increased financial resources.

Anne Marie

Anne-Marie DiGiacomo

Board Member

they/them

Anne Marie DiGiacomo, MSW, LCSW is a Co-Owner of Windhorse Community Services in Boulder, CO. She is presently Co-Admission Administrator and a Senior Clinician. Anne Marie received her MSW from the University of Denver. She spent the first 18 years of her career working in both community mental health and nonprofit settings with children, adolescents and families. In 1996, she relocated to Northampton, MA and began her work with Windhorse Associates. Ms. DiGiacomo served as the Clinical Director from 2001-05 as well as the interim Co-Executive Director from 2002-03. She returned to WCS, Inc. in 2006 as a senior clinician, and became Director of Admissions in fall 2007. From 2011-2019, she was a Windhorse Co-Director/Owner, retiring as a Director in March, 2019. Anne Marie was an adjunct faculty member from 2006-2013 for the MA contemplative Psychology Program at Naropa University and has co-authored a book chapter describing the Windhorse approach
Robyn of Queer Asterisk

Robyn Chauvin, MA, LPC

Board Member

she/her

Robyn identifies as a queer transwoman and has been part of the queer community in the Boulder/Denver area since 2001, at which time she served on the Board of Directors for Out Boulder. She has lectured on topics related to gender identity at Naropa University, Regis, and DU. Robyn currently teaches Applied Existential Psychotherapy at the Boulder Psychotherapy Institute, and is a psychotherapist in private practice. Passionate about music, gardening, hiking, cooking, and friendships, Robyn also loves engaging in long philosophical discussions. She is excited to use her skills and experience to support the Queer Asterisk mission and vision!

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