Sarah has her degree in social work from Metropolitan State University with an emphasis in child and adolescent mental health.

She has worked for Denver Department of Human Services Child Welfare for over 3 years as an ongoing social caseworker and currently holds a senior caseworker position in placement navigation. She has worked as a counselor at a residential treatment program for youth corrections, as a counselor for dual diagnosis adult men at a halfway house, and an independent living specialist for the disabled community/outreach specialist for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Sarah writes:

In my spare time, I spend most of my time with my two teenage daughters. I am a huge advocate for social justice issues which I spend a lot of my time supporting through peaceful protests, education, volunteer work, etc. I love camping, crafting, karaoke, road trip adventures, and dancing in my living room. My favorite place in the entire world is the Mojave Desert.

Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker is a licensed psychologist, international/transracial adoptee of color, and an adoptive parent. She specializes in providing mental health support focused on adoption, trauma, and racial identity work through her private practice based in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent speaker and trainer at adoption agencies, camps, and conferences throughout the US, and the creator of the National Adoptee-Therapist Directory. She is also the author of “The Adoptee Self-Reflection Journal,” “The Adoptive Parent Self-Reflection Journal,” and the “Adoptees Like Me” illustrated series for elementary readers.

Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker is a licensed psychologist, international/transracial adoptee of color, and an adoptive parent. She specializes in providing mental health support focused on adoption, trauma, and racial identity work through her private practice based in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent speaker and trainer at adoption agencies, camps, and conferences throughout the US, and the creator of the National Adoptee-Therapist Directory. She is also the author of “The Adoptee Self-Reflection Journal,” “The Adoptive Parent Self-Reflection Journal,” and the “Adoptees Like Me” illustrated series for elementary readers.

Amber Lopez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with an educational background in human development and family studies. Her passion lies at the intersection of trauma-informed care and behavior supports for individuals with disabilities, which led her to further explore the field of child welfare and foster care when she began providing behavior supports to children and teens in out-of-home placements. Amber is the Director of Youth Services at Envoi Associates, a child placement agency in Northern Colorado licensed for treatment and therapeutic foster care. As a BCBA, she has focused her professional development and continuing education on trauma-informed interventions, caregiver and support staff training, and the dissemination of behavior analysis beyond traditional ABA settings. She has a deep love for lifelong learning and actively seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge in behavior analysis, child welfare, and improving the lives of the individuals and families she works alongside.

Justin Carroll is a testament to the power of transformation. From his roots as a farm kid to becoming a fitness professional, his journey is one of dedication and passion. After honing his skills in sales within the agriculture industry, Justin made a bold move in 2019, relocating his family to Texas to pursue his dream of building a thriving training business.

Since then, Justin has made a significant impact by coaching over 100 clients, both in-person and online, on their health and fitness journey. His approach goes beyond physical training; he is committed to helping individuals cultivate a balanced lifestyle that encompasses both the mentality and internal health that is needed to attain optimal health.

Now, Justin is embarking on his next chapter, driven by his desire to empower others to be their own health advocate. He is adopting a hybrid functional nutrition approach that combines the nutritional science needs to support the body’s systems with the mental tools needed overcome self-limiting behaviors. Through his innovative methods, Justin aims to help people not only transform their bodies but also find peace of mind and fulfillment in their lives.

With Justin Carroll as your guide, you can expect a journey that challenges and inspires you to reach new heights of physical and mental well-being.--

Stacey Hansen is a dynamic speaker with a powerful story of resilience and triumph. As an adoptive parent to six children, three of whom came through Foster Care, she intimately understands the challenges of navigating trauma and adversity. Stacey has firsthand experience dealing with PTSD, RAD, and Autism within her family, and she's dedicated to sharing her insights and strategies for overcoming these obstacles.

With a background in Health Coaching, specializing in Trauma-Informed Care, Nutrition, and Yoga, Stacey empowers individuals to take charge of their well-being.

 She's passionate about helping people break free from old patterns, whether physical or mental, and create positive changes in their lives.

Stacey's workshops and coaching are highly practical and impactful. She works with various groups, including foster families, adoptive families, veterans, first responders, human trafficking survivors, and athletes, teaching techniques to release stored emotions and trauma through breath, movement, mindset, and nutrition.

Stacey Hansen brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise to her speaking engagements, leaving audiences inspired and equipped to navigate their own journey towards healing and growth.

Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker is a licensed psychologist, international/transracial adoptee of color, and an adoptive parent. She specializes in providing mental health support focused on adoption, trauma, and racial identity work through her private practice based in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent speaker and trainer at adoption agencies, camps, and conferences throughout the US, and the creator of the National Adoptee-Therapist Directory. She is also the author of “The Adoptee Self-Reflection Journal,” “The Adoptive Parent Self-Reflection Journal,” and the “Adoptees Like Me” illustrated series for elementary readers.

Shari has a 30-year career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been the Executive Director of several mental health facilities, is currently an adjunct professor, has a private practice, and is a consultant for treatment providers looking to implement evidence-based practices and trauma ingrained care. She is grateful for the opportunity to share expertise on mental health, epigenetics and trauma alongside her mother.

Since a young age, Shari has studied resiliency and the enduring self-sabotaging thoughts that are often the result of trauma. She is co-author of Which Way?, a memoir and psychological handbook on trauma for survivors, clinicians, and anyone who wants to understand and celebrate just how resilient the human spirit is.

Originally born in Paris, France, raised in the Washington, DC-suburbs, and now an NYC-resident, I have spent the majority of my life navigating the hustle-and-bustle of high-pressure cities. I have seen first-hand how pressure from our environments can create a cycle of self-doubt, anxiety, and unhelpful behaviors that impact one’s self-esteem, relationships, and work. I also know how past stressful experiences, such as complicated family dynamics, toxic relationships, or “Big T” traumas can stick with us and unexpectedly emerge in seemingly unrelated situations. My work is committed to helping ambitious individuals overcome the mental health challenges that arise from, or are exacerbated by, past and present high-stress environments.

I received my master’s in counseling from Columbia University, and I have since been working in private practice with individuals of various ages, races, gender and sexuality spectrums, and religions. Some of the most common presenting concerns I work with are anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, perfectionism, body-image concerns, and relationship issues. I have particular specialty working with survivors of sexual and attachment-based trauma, as well as adult “glass children.”

Prior to private practice, I worked in college counseling centers, community mental health clinics, and with an organization focused on supporting loved ones of those with Borderline Personality Disorder. I completed my post-graduate training at Behavioral Associates, where I received extensive training in cognitive behavioral therapies. I am EMDR trained by the EMDR Institute, and I am currently pursuing EMDR Certification.

Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker is a licensed psychologist, international/transracial adoptee of color, and an adoptive parent. She specializes in providing mental health support focused on adoption, trauma, and racial identity work through her private practice based in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent speaker and trainer at adoption agencies, camps, and conferences throughout the US, and the creator of the National Adoptee-Therapist Directory. She is also the author of “The Adoptee Self-Reflection Journal,” “The Adoptive Parent Self-Reflection Journal,” and the “Adoptees Like Me” illustrated series for elementary readers.