Steamboat Mental Health

407 South Lincoln Avenue
Office 970.879.2141
24/7 Crisis Line  888.207.4004
Office Hours:  8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday & by appointment

Detox 970.879.2141

Psychiatry available in office and through Colorado West’s
TeleHealth Network

INTEGRATED CARE & SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Integrated therapy and case management are located in three primary care practices and all three Steamboat school districts.  Additionally,

DETOX A non-medical program to meet the immediate detoxification needs of Routt County citizens and visitors who are at risk to themselves or others due to alcohol or drug intoxication. The program is a partnership with the City of Steamboat Springs, Routt County, and the Yampa Valley Medical Center.

DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM  This is an exciting collaborative effort between B.O.C.E.S., The Department of Human Services, all three Steamboat school districts and Colorado West. The Day Treatment Program provides intensive family therapy, school assistance, and consultation with school staff to treat at-risk youths and their families. Services are provided at the school, in the home and at our office, making it one of the most intensive programs in Routt County.

INTENSIVE FAMILY TREATMENT TEAM A collaboration between the Department of Human Services and Colorado West to provide intensive therapy and case management for the families whose children are most at risk for out-of-home placement.

EARLY CHILDHOOD Early intervention for very young children (0 to 8 yrs) suffering from behavioral or emotional issues and their families.  The SEED coordinator spends a great deal of time in daycare centers and preschools consulting with staff and parents as well as doing individual work with identified children and their families.

STAFF
Program Director     Gina Toothaker, LPC CAC III
While earning her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education at the University of Colorado/Denver in 1994, Gina worked as an intern at both our Craig and Steamboat offices. She then became a clinician, program coordinator and clinical supervisor before being named Program Director.  As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Addictions Counselor level III, she directs the operations of Craig Mental Health.  She actively participates on a number of community teams and committees including the Community Evaluation Team Executive Board, Connections 4 Kids and the Interagency Oversight Group.  Gina also sees a small caseload of clients ranging from adolescents to adults.  She is the mother of two teenagers and her passions include health and fitness, reading, dance, and spending time with her family.

Psychiatrist     Richard Berkley, MD
Dr. Berkley is a senior Psychiatrist who works part time and sees multiple clients in Routt County and other clients via TeleHealth.  He stays current on how medications affect the brain and concentrates on adult clients.  He is avid biker who enjoys photography and international travel.

Licensed Clinical Supervisor     Carla Portigal, LCSW
Carla began with the company in 1978.  Since then she has served  in multiple positions within Colorado West, including clinician, program director, head of quality assurance and training coordinator.  She is currently ¾ time in Steamboat as a senior clinician and clinical supervisor

Licensed Clinician & Detox Supervisor   Erika Schmitz, LCSW, CACIII
Erika is a New Orleans, Louisiana native who has been with Colorado West since 2001. Erika obtained her Master of Social Work at Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!). Erika is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, but as a CAC III, she specializes in addictions. Erika supervises the Steamboat Springs social Detox, as well as several other staff members who provide substance abuse services. Erika enjoys hiking in high-mountain desert, travelling, and spending time with her family, all of whom have transplanted to Colorado from Louisiana.

Licensed Clinician     David Reed, LCSW
David has been a clinician with Colorado West for twenty-one years.  He graduated from San Diego State University with at Master of Social Work in 1990 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the State of Colorado in 1993.  He is experienced with a variety of clinical presentations and works with individuals, couples and families.  David is also an adjunct professor at Colorado Mountain College.

Licensed Clinician     Leah Hemeyer, LPC
Leah is an Integrated Behavioral Health Clinician. She works within the primary care setting, screening patients for depression and discussing  behavioral and mental health issues. She helps patients identify ways to manage stress, improve sleep, and reduce or quit tobacco, alcohol or drug use.  She is able to consult with patients while they are in for their doctor visit and helps to connect patients to the appropriate services and resources in the community.

Licensed Clinician     Jennifer Latrimurti, LCSW
Jennifer has her Master’s degree in Social Work is fairly new to our organization and recently transferred  from Hawaii.  Jennifer has experience with crisis, addictions and provides individual therapy in all age groups.

Licensed Clinician     Susie Clark, LCSW
Susie specializes in early childhood mental health.  Relationships, rather than individuals, are a focus of intervention as young children’s psychological functioning unfolds within the context of their relationships.  Consultation with other caregivers and early childhood care settings is another important intervention for young children who are struggling.   Because this is a time of rapid growth and development, developmental evaluation is also a significant consideration in treating young children and their families.

Licensed Clinician     Ellen McGuinness, LPC
Ellen started working as a therapist in 2006.  She works with couples, families, and individuals on a variety of issues with the goal of creating positive change in their lives.  Ellen has a warm, gentle, nonjudgmental manner that creates a safe place for clients to explore the layers of their problems and develop new ways of coping.  She uses mindfulness based cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy.

Clinician     Sara Ross, MA
Sara has held many positions at Colorado West during her 8 years with us.  Her clinical career started as the Emergency Services Coordinator for Steamboat Mental Health while she completed her Master’s degree in Social Work.  Sara enjoys working in multidisciplinary teams and meeting with students and their families in the Soroco and Steamboat School Districts through the in-school therapy programs.  Sara works on the Intensive Family Treatment team as a therapist serving some of the most high risk families in the community through this joint effort between DHS and CWRMHC.   Working in rural mental health, Sara enjoys the diversity of client populations and eclectic modalities that can be practiced.

Clinician     Jody Ginger
Jodi has her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling.  She worked as an Emergency Services Clinician for the past two years.  Jodi excels at connecting with clients and getting them into the services they need.  Jodi has a diverse background and has provided therapy to women in abusive and domestic violence situations.

Integrated Care Coordinator     Ashley Prescott, MA
Ashley obtained a Master’s in Counseling from Doane College in Lincoln, NE.  Coming from Wyoming, Ashley moved to Steamboat in 2010 and began working as part of the crisis team at Colorado West.  In April of 2012, Ashley began a new position working with clients with both physical and behavioral health needs.  Ashley has a love of animals (mainly dogs and horses) and has trained with The Equine Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Business Services     Erik Foster
Erik has been a Steamboat Resident since 2007.  He has two beautiful little boys and an amazing wife who runs a State Park. Erik has a Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in Social Sciences and has studied for his M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration.