Family therapy and counseling in Aurora, CO

Melissa Muggli, LPC, is prior service turned mental health professional. She served in the army as a combat medic from 2009-2012, with one tour in Iraq that led to her medical retirement. After her service, she worked as a medical assistant and psychiatric nurse assistant while attending university. She has an associate’s of health science, a bachelor’s of psychology focusing on addictions, a master’s of clinical mental health counseling and a master’s of addiction counseling. Melissa has been a practicing counselor since 2019 and is constantly pursuing higher education. She is a certified EAGALA provider.

Healing begins when people are given the opportunity to explore all parts of themselves, including the parts that are difficult to face or that we feel ashamed of. I am an empathic Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a professional background in family conflict and chronic illness. My focus is providing a compassionate and supportive therapeutic space where people can feel safe being fully themselves without fear of judgment. Through thoughtful self-exploration, I help clients build self-awareness, empowerment, and greater self-compassion.

As a Missouri Ozarks native, nature and the outdoors have always played a huge part in my healing journey and mental health. Growing up, I was outside any chance I got; riding bikes, riding horses, climbing trees, bird watching, rock collecting, camping, hiking, floating, boating, spelunking, exploring creeks, and enjoying campfires. Nature immersion, movement in nature, outdoor recreation, and horsemanship remain part of my daily practice; and I incorporate these into my therapeutic work wherever possible.

Hi, I’m Emily. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) specializing in relationships, family systems, substance use, and co-occurring mental health challenges. I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, ADHD, identity exploration, grief, chronic illness, and end-of-life concerns.

Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by emotional ups and downs, struggling with relationship conflict, managing substance use concerns, or coping with co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression alongside addiction. You may feel stuck in repeating family patterns, battling intrusive thoughts, experiencing mood instability, panic attacks, impulsivity, or feeling disconnected from yourself and others.

With experience in inpatient treatment settings and diverse cultural environments, I bring a deep appreciation for the complexity of the human experience. I am LGBTQ+ affirming and culturally responsive, and I approach each client with curiosity, compassion, and respect for their lived experience.

Stimulants, Suboxone and Benzodiazepines are prescribed in this practice with DEA guidelines. Dr. Padilla is a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the New York tri-state area and has over 30 years of experience in healthcare. He treats children from 6 years old through adulthood, focusing on psychiatric medication management. He specializes in mental health and has extensive experience in the field of psychiatry. Dr. Padilla takes a “start low and go slow” approach to prescribing, paying special attention to medication potency and potential interactions with other medications prescribed by other providers. Dr. Padilla earned his Doctorate in Clinical Practice Nursing from Rutgers University–New Brunswick. He also holds bachelor’s degrees from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the University of Miami, as well as an associate’s degree from Bergen Community College.

If you've been told your anxiety, exhaustion, or emotional shifts are "just stress" or "just aging" — and something in you knows it's more than that — you're in the right place. I'm Kristal, a licensed therapist with over 15 years of experience supporting people through life's most challenging transitions. That career — rooted in crisis intervention, child welfare, and working alongside people experiencing homelessness — built in me a deep capacity to sit with complexity, pain, and change without flinching. That foundation now drives my specialized work with women navigating perimenopause and menopause. I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience to this work. I've walked this road myself — which means when you show up, you will be genuinely seen and heard, perhaps in a way you haven't been in a long time.

Check me out on the Grit to Growth Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTvAK4pRlkM

Allison L Schulte, LSCSW, is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker who offers therapeutic services to adults, adolescents, and children experiencing depression, anxiety, cognitive impairments such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, personality disorders, grief and loss, significant stress, relationship difficulties, and other social or emotional concerns. She holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees in social work from Wichita State University.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience, who believes therapy should feel like a safe, collaborative space where you can explore challenges, build insight, and create meaningful change. I work with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and stress related to school/work or family life. I have extensive experience in integrated behavioral health and understand how mental health intersects with physical health, and daily stressors. Whether you’re navigating a difficult season or looking for deeper personal growth, my goal is to help you feel supported, understood, and empowered.

I work primarily with teens, young adults, parents, and adults navigating life transitions and complex family dynamics - especially around anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation, trauma, and changes like divorce or blended families. I know these experiences can feel messy and heavy, and my goal is to help you make sense of what’s going on while finding a path forward that actually feels manageable.

I especially enjoy working with clients who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. I tend to connect well with teens who might be more guarded or unsure about therapy. You don’t have to have it all figured out to start.

Above all, I strive to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself, truly understood, and supported as you move toward meaningful change.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I specialize in working with teens and adults who are navigating challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. I am passionate about helping clients recognize their strengths, overcome obstacles, and develop a stronger sense of identity.

As a lifelong Missouri resident and educator, I am very familiar with the specifics that come with living in this area.