Staff Bios

• Julie Randall Executive Director
• Natsumi Minagawa, MA, LPC, CACIII, Clinical Director
• Marti Weiskopf Director of Admissions and Marketing
• Brooks Witter, MA, LPC Senior Therapist
• Leslie Miles, MA, LPC Senior Administrative Manager
• Carl Baccellieri, MA, LPC Parent Liaison/ Program Coordinator
• Jill Roth, MA Therapist
• Ryan Lane, MA Program Manager
• Alex Fuller, MA, LPC Program Manager
• Tyson S Rittenmeyer, MA, LPC, MT-BC Program Manager
• Kimberly Hoffman, MSW, LCSW Program Manager
• Zach Weinzetl, BA Life Skills Counselor
• Jetha Marek, MSW, LCSW Life Skills Counselor
• Danielle Hava, MSW, LSW Life Skills Counselor
• Lea Mangus, MSW Life Skills Counselor
• Kirsten Carlson, MA Life Skills Counselor
• Angie Besel, MS Life Skills Counselor
• Alistair Gale, MS Life Skills Counselor
• Sarah Lowe Program Administrative Assistant
• Lauren Dartt Business Support Assistant
• Alyssa Paylor Administrative Assistant
• Dan Fox, MA, LPC Clinical Supervisor

Julie Randall has over fifteen years of experience supporting executive teams and managing administrative and operational departments. In 2004 she joined Living Well Transitions as the Director of Operations, and helped the company achieve national recognition as one of the top independent-living programs in the United States. A staunch advocate of professional ethics, Julie has worked diligently to ensure business practices and policy development reflects the highest standards in the industry. Prior to joining Living Well Transitions, Julie held the position of Assistant Executive Director of a residential transition program for young adults. In addition, she has managed a strategic business planning firm catering to Fortune 500 companies, she has worked on an executive team with a co-founder of the Celestial Seasonings Tea Company, and she has overseen operations and administration for a highly profitable engineering firm. Julie's extensive business experience, combined with her familiarity with transitional programs, brings a balanced insight to our program. An avid sports fan and enthusiastic golfer, Julie enjoys spending time with her great friends and her teenage son, Kevin.

Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Nina has lived and worked in the US since 1999 and brings a wealth of multi-cultural educational experience to our program. After completing her undergraduate degree at the Japan Women's University in Tokyo, Nina studied English in England and was educated in Spanish Language and Culture in Spain. She earned her Masters of Arts degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology at Naropa University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a level III Certified Addictions Counselor. She also has intensive trainings in Gestalt therapy, DBT, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Her extensive clinical background includes counseling work at the Boulder Safehouse, a local women's shelter, supervising parental visitations for the Safe Exchange Program. In addition to being a member of our clinical team, Nina also provided therapy and crisis intervention to high-risk adolescents at the Broadway Youth Shelter and facilitated drug and alcohol groups at the Addiction Recovery Center in Boulder. Her commitment to working with young adults with energetic enthusiasm and integrity makes her a valued member of our program. She lives with her husband and dog in Boulder, CO. She enjoys high cardio exercise and practices aromatherapy.

Marti moved to the beautiful Colorado Rockies from Arizona after her children left for college in 2007. She had spent ten years as a therapist helping struggling teens and adjudicated youth prior to working as Program Manager of Adolescent Services for the Supreme Court of AZ. In 1992 she worked with a team to develop St. Paul's Academy, a successful and nationally recognized therapeutic boarding school, where she remained a dedicated leader for eighteen years. During her tenure at St. Paul's, Marti became a leader in her field, serving on several boards and committees of national and regional organizations, conducting marketing and leadership trainings, and speaking at a number of national conferences sharing her wisdom and insight about providing therapeutic and educational services to special needs and at-risk youth. Marti is excited to have found her way to Living Well Transitions where she is able to continue to develop her love of marketing and connecting with others in the helping- industry field. Marti loves living in the country where, when she is not catching up with one of her daughters, she and her husband take advantage of the great outdoors by spending quality time with their two labradoodles.

Brooks Witter is a graduate of Naropa University, where he completed his Master's Degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy. Brooks joined Living Well in 2004 after serving as a mentor in a residential transition program for young adults. Brooks' therapeutic background is complemented by his passion for the outdoors, being a wilderness adventure guide in Yosemite, and his experience performing and teaching improve comedy in Boulder and Denver. In addition to his clinical work at Living Well, Brooks served for 6 years on the Board of Trustees of Naropa University, and is Secretary and Board Member for the Colorado Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. When not working, Brooks enjoys riding his bikes, exploring mountains, cooking, and spending time with his amazing wife and three dogs.

Leslie has worked extensively as a therapist with children, adolescents, young adults and families. Prior to joining Living Well Transitions, Leslie worked as a school-based clinician in Colorado and Vermont, where she provided individual, group and family therapies. Adding to her comprehensive work experience, Leslie has volunteered in counseling, teaching and advocacy roles for a variety of organizations, and she spent two years with the United States Peace Corps in the Czech Republic teaching English as a Second Language to high school students. Leslie feels particularly enthusiastic about LWT's ability to help clients tolerate aloneness and trust their own resources. She is especially proud of the staff at LWT, having hired many of them in her administrative human resources capacity. Leslie is a big proponent of acupuncture for health & well being and loves to cook. Leslie cherishes the time she has with her husband and son and loves being the mom to her very active, funny and compassionate toddler.

Carl Baccellieri completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy at Drew University, and his Master's Degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy at Naropa University. Carl worked with at-risk and adjudicated youth through the Florida Sheriff's Youth Camps to re-pattern harmful behaviors while opening to genuine human relationship. He also provided psychotherapy and career exploration to youth transitioning out of foster care into independent living through Synthesis CPA in Denver, CO. Along the way, Carl has spent over 10 years as an artist and entrepreneur, using both business and life as a laboratory for his studies in life design, personal productivity and intentional living. Carl is especially passionate about uncovering clients' authentic motivations and translating them into inspired life direction. Carl loves being in the wild, practicing yoga and meditation, flying stunt kites with his daughter, and playing his penny whistle, though rarely all at the same time.

After completing her Bachelor's Degree at the University of Delaware and spending four years as a social worker in Philadelphia, Jill moved to Boulder and earned her Masters of Arts in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University. She has worked with young adults in a variety of supportive roles, providing individual and group therapy in a university counseling center as well as case management services in non-profit agencies. With her compassionate and centered presence, Jill cultivates authentic, healing relationships with clients. Jill's passion for yoga and hiking also helps her bring a body-centered perspective to our clients' natural process of self-discovery and positive transformation.

Ryan was born in Nashville, TN and was raised in southeast Kansas. While working towards his BA in Psychology at the University of Kansas, Ryan volunteered and trained others in doing crisis and suicide intervention work. Ryan went on to earn a Master's in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University in 2007. Since graduating, Ryan has worked extensively with individuals suffering from addiction and psychosis, and has supported many clients in navigating periods of major life transition. In addition to his work at Living Well, Ryan also serves as adjunct professor at Naropa University, and teaches a contemplative form of martial arts to students of all ages and abilities. In all his pursuits, Ryan's work is rooted in an approach of utilizing the authentic relationships with clients and students to promote the realization of one's inherent clarity and strength. His loves are many and include: creating art, movement in the form of dance and martial arts, science fiction, music, and world religions. He currently lives in Lafayette with his lovely wife.

Born and raised in eastern Iowa, Alex completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Religion at the University of Iowa. He then moved to Boulder to attend Naropa University where he received a Master's of Arts degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology. Alex has over 15 years of experience working therapeutically in the mental health field with adults, children, and families. He has worked with adults with chronic mental illness, children experiencing grief and loss, and families in crisis as an in-home family therapist. He also maintains a private practice in Louisville and Boulder, and is a Meditation Instructor at Naropa University. He is passionate about supporting individuals in increasing their capacity for self-regulation and empathy. Alex is particularly inspired by working with young adults, and supporting them on the journey of waking up to their vitality and finding their true voice. Alex loves cycling, film, music and spending time with his wife, Jessica, and son, Quentin.

Tyson grew up in west-central Illinois and moved to Colorado in 1997. Tyson has a BA in Psychology from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and earned his Master's Degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Music Therapy from Naropa University. Immediately after graduate school Tyson began working at Living well Transitions as a life skills counselor from 2007 to 2008 and afterwards left to pursue a position as an outpatient therapist in the community mental health system in Fort Collins, Colorado. Tyson has worked in several different clinical settings from the California Department of Corrections to serving as a residential counselor for people with developmental disabilities. Tyson has found his therapeutic stride working from a mindfullness based approach that weaves narrative, creative arts, and dialectical behavioral therapies. Tyson's experience with creative arts therapy and knowledge of Music Therapy allows for natural pathways into the lives of youth in transition.

Kimberly has over 15 years experience working with adolescents, young adults and their families in residential treatment centers, private practice and the juvenile justice system. Kimberly has worked as a psychotherapist and as a consultant in the juvenile justice system assessing adolescents and young adults with mental health issues. Her experience with youth in the juvenile justice system has helped her to understand the dynamics of being young and the struggles and challenges faced in growing up in today's world. This insight gives Kimberly the expertise with helping her clients use their strengths and resources to empower themselves. Kimberly is also on the board for The Center for Juvenile Justice, an organization employing a holistic approach to legal representation of youth. Kimberly loves to travel, hike, yoga and cooking all while raising her energetic son.

Prior to joining Living Well Transitions in 2008, Zach worked extensively with teens and families in both wilderness and residential programs supporting clients' individual and family therapies. Through this experience Zach saw the importance of continued support for families and clients after transitioning out of primary care programs. Zach graduated from Naropa University with Bachelor of Arts degree in Contemplative Psychology with a focus on Health and Healing and Transpersonal Psychology. Zach uses his personal connection with and appreciation of nature to help clients engage with their larger world. An avid fly-fisherman, horseback rider, kayaker and rock climber, Zach personally embodies a contemplative approach of integrating mind and body to connect more deeply with people and the environment. Zach has a beautiful daughter that fills his world with joy and occupies most of his free time.

Raised in New York City, Jetha earned a Master's in Social Work from Hunter College. Her social work background includes advocacy and case management services in the juvenile justice system, and individual/group counseling with youth in community centers and residential treatment. She has had experience with youth struggling with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, grief/loss issues and trauma. Prior to joining Living Well Transitions, Jetha was the therapist at Broadway House, an emergency placement and short-term group home for at-risk adolescents. Jetha is passionate about supporting clients to empower themselves and find joy through engagement with their world. In addition to her work with Living Well, Jetha is a volunteer with Prison Dharma Network, where she provides contemplative support to male youth imprisoned in a maximum-security correctional facility. She is currently completing a jewelry-making apprenticeship, enjoys yoga, loves coffee-shop culture and the big, bright blue sky of Colorado.

Danielle made the move to Boulder from New York City and joined Living Well Transitions in 2010. After earning her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Madison, she went back to Manhattan to complete her Masters Degree in Social Work at Columbia University. Danielle's passion for working with and relating to adolescents and young adults has been the primary influence in her choice of pursuing the counseling profession. Her social work experience includes working with children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and behavioral. Throughout her graduate training she provided psychodynamic treatment with young adults addressing a wide range of behavioral and emotional problems including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, grief and bereavement. While working on her Masters degree, Danielle assisted with the planning and development of project curriculum for the development of a psychoeducational, multiple family group intervention for teenage mothers in the foster care system. Although she might one day return to the Big Apple, Danielle is very much enjoying her new Colorado lifestyle by hiking, camping, skiing, rock climbing, and going to see live music.

After completing her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at the University of Hawaii, Lea moved to Montana and worked for 2 years as a Therapeutic Youth Care worker at a group home for high-risk youth. That work galvanized her commitment to support adolescents and young adults, and led her to Denver to earn her Master's Degree in Social Work at the University of Denver, as well as an Animal Assisted Therapy Certificate. During her studies at DU, Lea worked as a victim's advocate in the courts helping battered women remain safe and resourced through the justice system. She also worked as a therapist in a residential treatment center providing youth with individual, family, and group therapy. Lea's passion for integrating the natural world into the therapeutic process allows her to provide youth with many opportunities to connect with animals and nature as a means of self-discovery.

Born in Wisconsin, Kirsten moved to Colorado after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Psychology and Zoology. She planned to attend veterinary school, but became inspired while working as a veterinary technician in the process of helping people cope with grief when losing a pet. This inspiration led her to complete the Master of Arts in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program at Naropa University from which she graduated in 2009. She trained in Equine-assisted psychotherapy and Wilderness Therapy, enjoying the grounding connection animals and nature bring to the therapeutic process. She worked in private-practice in Boulder as well as in Denver with high-risk adolescents who were part of the Treatment Alternatives for a Safer Community (TASC) program before joining the Living Well Transitions team. She is certified in Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy, the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach substance-abuse treatment model, as an Outdoor Educator with the National Outdoor Leadership School, and a Wilderness First Responder. Her passions include animals, wilderness, counseling and teaching. When she is not working, she enjoys horseback riding, rock climbing, hiking, and playing with her beloved dogs.

Angie moved to Colorado from Iowa for graduate school after completing her Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology at Iowa State University. She earned her Master's of Science degree from Colorado State University in Human Development and Family Studies with a Marriage and Family Therapy specialty. Angie's experience includes working with individuals and families in a medical setting, adolescents and their families in the juvenile justice system, and individuals, couples, and families in a private practice. Throughout her experience, Angie most enjoyed working with young adults and helping them through the challenges of transition into adulthood. Angie loves to incorporate humor and fun into her interactions with clients as well as her love for being active and in the outdoors. In her free time, Angie enjoys skiing, hiking, running, biking, ultimate Frisbee, spending time with her husband, and playing with her two crazy dogs.

Alistair was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and has lived in the Boulder, Colorado area for 20 years. Prior to joining Living Well Transitions in 2011, he spent ten years living in a monastic retreat setting practicing and teaching meditation. He facilitated annual Yogi's in Recovery retreats, mindfulness meditation groups in chemical dependency treatment facilities and provided spiritual lifestyle counseling to seekers from around the world. Alistair has a BS in Criminal Justice Administration and an MS in Counseling from Phoenix University and began Doctoral studies in Counseling Psychology at Argosy University. While earning his Master's degree he served as a middle school counselor working with youth suffering from depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse. Alistair employs a contemplative approach to counseling emphasizing mindfulness, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral techniques, allowing youth in transition to integrate mind and body and explore their life's purpose. Alistair is a contributing author to Sacred Journey: A Guide to Meditation in the Shambhava School of Yoga. He is formerly lead guitarist for Shiva's Garden and enjoys Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.

Sarah is a Colorado native who moved to Boulder to attend the University of Colorado. She graduated in 2006 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Sociology and Art History. With diploma in hand, Sarah went on to travel and teach English in South America. She has resided in Costa Rica, Chile, and Italy and is intent on continuing to fulfill her passion for exploration with a trip to Southeast Asia on the horizon. Sarah's natural ability to connect with people through kindness, humor and curiosity make her the ideal person to serve as the voice of Living Well Transitions. When Sarah is not at work you may find her enjoying a live concert, connecting with nature, or developing her skills as a painter. She hopes to one day merge her passion for healthy living and her love of art into a career as an Art Therapist.

Lauren was born and raised in Colorado and, happily, has known no other home. With a degree in visual arts and a real knack for honest communication, Lauren brings just the right amount of professionalism and quirk to Living Well Transitions. Living in Boulder as a compulsive painter and professional has afforded Lauren a wide, diverse circle of friends from thespians and farmers to business owners and church leaders. In her free time she joyfully undertakes commissions for paintings and is currently proud to have her work represented as the postcard image for an upcoming local theater production. Lauren is so, so grateful for her wonderful husband, fuzzy cats, awesome friends, and the supportive atmosphere at Living Well Transitions.

Alyssa is a native Coloradoan and moved to Boulder to attend the University of Colorado. She graduated in 2011 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Anthropology and Political Science. In her free time, Alyssa volunteers with a community restorative justice program, is an avid reader, and loves to try out new recipes and food on her close friends and family. With a love of learning about and exploring of other cultures, Alyssa hopes to one day teach English and travel throughout Southeast Asia, and eventually return to school to pursue a graduate degree in Anthropology.

Dan Fox has over fifteen years of experience working with teenagers, young adults, and their families. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, Dan has been a school counselor, an adjunct faculty member of Naropa University, and founder of Fox Psychotherapy Services. A former high school teacher, Dan served for five years as the principal of September High School, a program that fosters individual development and reawakens the love of learning. In addition, Dan has designed and presented workshops on adolescent development and therapeutic relationships. Dan loves the outdoors and spending time with his wife, Rachel, and their three children.