Sharon Griffin, MA, MPA, Certified MRT Counselor
Executive Director
Sharon Griffin has been the Executive Director of Running Creek Counseling since October 2000. Sharon received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Creighton University. She also earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Sharon is currently a Certified MRT Counselor and is earning her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix and Addiction Specialist certification. Sharon has experience in facilitating MRT groups and parenting education groups.
Sandra Merrow, LPC, LAC, DV Approved Provider
CLINICAL SUPERVISOR AND COUNSELOR
Sandra Merrow graduated from Capella University with a Master of Mental Health Counseling, after obtaining a Master of Education from Marymount University, working as an educator and raising two daughters. Sandra is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a License Addictions Counselor (LAC) and an approved provider for Domestic Violence Offender Treatment.
Within the mental health field, Sandra has experience facilitating groups and working with individuals for mental health concerns, substance abuse/relapse prevention, DUI groups and Domestic Violence offender treatment. With her experience and training in DBT and EMDR protocol, Sandra counsels individuals to better manage anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, stress and relapse prevention skills. In addition, she has facilitated Anger management/Cognitive Restructuring groups, as well as leading parenting psycho-education groups.
Elizabeth Faragher, LPC, CAS, DV Approved Supervisor
THERAPIST
Walt Hestor is a Certified Addiction Specialist. He earned his bachelor degree in journalism from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He earned his Certified Addiction Specialist Certification in 2018. Walt has experience facilitating Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and group facilitation including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), angermanagement, substance use, and relapse prevention. Walt is also experienced in working with individuals on a variety of issues. Walt is currently working on earning his Domestic Violence Approval through the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board.
Walt is a holistic treatment provider dedicated to treating the whole person. Walt has expertise with clients who have a history of substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, anxiety, and depression. He also has engaged in military cultural competence and has expertise in working with active duty and veterans and first responders.
Monica Mikkelson
INTERN
Monica is a therapist intern at Running Creek Counseling, currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Northern Colorado. During her undergraduate studies she double majored in International Affairs and Asian Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, then worked as a translator in the tech field in Los Angeles, California, before going back to school to pursue her dream of becoming a therapist. She grew up in Denmark with an American mother and Danish father, spending a good portion of her life in the US. During her upbringing she developed an interest in studying cultures and languages, which has helped her gain a deeper understanding of various cultural experiences and challenges, as well as a great desire to understand people at all levels.
Her goal is to provide a warm, compassionate, and supportive environment for all people, as they work towards radical self-acceptance and understanding. She believes by learning to work with ourselves and embracing our innate human qualities, we will become stronger and many of our qualities will show up as strengths, rather than what can feel like broken parts.
As a therapist she likes to meet clients in their unique struggles, tailoring each session out from their individual qualities. Her passion lies in supporting individuals who face anxiety, depression, trauma, loneliness, self-esteem struggles, loss and grief, as well as relational issues. She also enjoys working with ADHD and autistic individuals through a neurodiversity affirming lens, embracing neurological differences as a natural and valuable variance, rather than something that needs to be changed or fixed. Monica works with adults in group and individual sessions, as well as in couples counseling. Through various modalities such as CBT, person-centered therapy, DBT, emotion focused therapy (EFT), and strength-based therapy, she explores tools with clients to support them in making their lives easier to navigate.
Wanda Schrader, CAS, DV Provider Approval
COUNSELOR
Wanda was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico. Her family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area during her teen years where she remained into adulthood. She completed her MBA and her undergraduate degree at Indiana Wesleyan University with her Bachelor Degree in Corrections/Addictions Counseling and earned a minor in Criminal Justice.
Wanda has experience working with individuals involved with the criminal Justice system and Therapeutic Communities within the Department of Corrections. Wanda’s experience includes advocating for Low Income Families, Children of Parents Struggling with Substance Use, Individuals living with a Mental Health condition and Addiction, and Women and Children coming out of Domestic Violence situations. After Hurricane Maria, Wanda managed logistics and resources from several Universities and private citizens to bring needed supplies to school children and low-income families in Puerto Rico.
Wanda has facilitated group therapy sessions among incarcerated men, supervised dorm programming, and was chosen to bring a turnaround for an inpatient recovery housing unit with over 200 clients/offenders allowing for full compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; successfully bringing adherence and program compliance.
Her areas of interests include substance use disorders, providing care to the Spanish speaking community, counseling using Christian values, and helping individuals on their way to a brighter tomorrow.
Wanda Schrader is an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), Certified Addiction and Drug Abuse Consultant II (CADAC II), and a Certified Peer Addiction Recovery Coach (CAPR I).