ABOUT US

CRISTA STUDER, MS, LPC, RDN, CEDS-S, NCC

As a licensed professional counselor and a registered dietitian nutritionist, I work with clients to help them become self-sufficient and independent in developing healthy behaviors. I am passionate about helping clients identify their feelings, needs, and wants while learning how to effectively process and express these needs. I have over ten years of experience working in a variety of settings from hospitals, eating disorder treatment centers, doctors’ offices, and outpatient counseling.

I earned a bachelor of science in dietetics from The Ohio State University and completed my dietetic internship with an emphasis in pediatrics at Saint Louis University. After working at a treatment center for eating disorders, I recognized the connection between disordered eating behaviors and mental health. For many people, their troubled relationship with food is not the problem, but rather a symptom of deeper emotional issues. To deepen my work in empowering clients to achieve their optimal mental health, I earned a Master’s in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

My love for nature, climbing and adventure is the inspiration behind Peak Serenity. As the pandemic changed the world of medicine and therapy to a Telehealth model, I was encouraged to expand my life and my practice to Colorado. Peak Serenity Counseling & Nutrition was created as a reflection of my personal mantra to living life to the fullest. I look forward to partnering with you as you find your own sense of peak serenity.

LEIGH ROBERTS, MSW, LCSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Work in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I obtained my Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University and have over ten years of experience working in the human services field. I am excited to be a part of the Peak Serenity team and look forward to getting to know you!

I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, attachment disorders, grief and loss, substance use, disordered eating, and the effects of trauma. I am an Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitization (EMDR) therapist, and combine Internal Family Systems (parts) work, and strengths-based, cognitive reframing approaches. I also integrate mindfulness exercises and somatic awareness in my work.

I believe that our early life experiences impact us, much more than we may realize. I am passionate about helping people explore and resolve the effects of traumatic experiences that linger to this day. Depression, anxiety, disordered eating and substance use – these are all symptoms of previous suffering and pain. They do not define you! Every individual is strong, resilient, and possesses the ability to heal. My goal is to help facilitate this process through creating a safe, respectful, and compassionate space for you to be yourself.

AARON VALDES, MA, LPC

I am a bilingual licensed professional counselor, fluent in English and Spanish, with over 25 years of experience as a therapist. As a mental health professional based in Northern Virginia, I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and their families. Every individual and family has the ability to overcome their struggles, no matter how daunting they may seem, and I am honored to be a part of that journey with my clients. Together, we will create a plan individualized for your personal situation in a safe environment to overcome barriers and uncover a more fulfilling life.

After earning my master’s degree in community counseling from George Washington University, I worked with families who emigrated from Latin America. This personal milestone helped me support those families through the trauma that migrating can cause. I work closely with my clients on their journey to help them improve their close relationships and overcome their challenges. It is inspiring for me to see my clients become the best, happiest version of themselves.

I specialize in helping clients who struggle with trauma, depression, and anxiety. I will be right by your side to assist you in creating a healthy sense of attachment among your family unit. I am experienced in supporting parents develop strategies to help their children learn independence and have a healthy connection with their family. Additionally, I can help you develop useful strategies as a parent to best support your child and help them thrive, improve your ability to connect with your pre-teen or teenager, maintain healthy close relationships, and improve trust within relationships in times where it may have been compromised. I am looking forward to working with you and to applying my career practicing as a licensed counselor to meet your specific personal needs!

ERIN CARRIGAN, MA, LPCC, RMHCI

I earned my Bachelor of Science in psychology from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling specializing in Child and Adolescent Development from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Currently, I am pursuing my doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership.

I have worked in a variety of mental health settings from both inpatient and outpatient settings focusing on eating disorders and other psychiatric disorders in many roles from a mental health technician to an Assistant Program Director to Program Director.

I specialize in working with individuals in their struggle with accepting who they are, gaining neutrality with their body image concerns as well as those struggling with eating disorders along with family dynamics. In addition, I have experience with common co-occurring disorders; OCD, Borderline PD, Anxiety and Depression.

In addition, I am Health At Every Size (HAES) informed along with a body trust provider. I have significant experience with exposure work and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) . I love to take therapy outside the four walls and lean into experiential therapy using the outdoors as a healing component.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my French Bulldogs, Molly and Peaches. I love spending time in the great outdoors, exploring new cultures, traveling, attending music concerts, diving into a self-help book on the beach and, of course, laughing.

SAM KIM, MSW, CSAC, MAC

I enjoy helping people identify and find clarity about what is going on, where they want to be, and the obstacles that might be keeping them stuck. I work collaboratively with my clients to explore what they are experiencing in the present while exploring the past and gaining insight into thoughts and behavior patterns that have shaped feelings and harmful beliefs. This insight is vital, but it is just the foundation for healing and growth. I use an evidence-based, integrative approach to understand your unique personal, subjective experience, supporting your journey toward mental and emotional health. As a therapist, I rely on several approaches including Cognitive-Behavioral (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Poly Vagal Theory.

Sometimes we don’t know what it is that is keeping us from reaching our goals, feeling better or even how to get there, but the answer is often within us and completely attainable through honest exploration, discovery, and diligent practice. I enjoy supporting holistic health, life balance, and positive habits. I work with men, women, and teens on anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and addictions. Therapy really does help you find your best self.

I am a Supervisee in Social Work working toward the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in Virginia. I received my Master of Social Work degree from the University of New Hampshire and began my career in counseling in 1992.

SKYE HARRIS, MS, RDN

I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who is passionate about helping those struggling with disordered eating and eating disorders heal their relationship with food, movement, and themselves. I practice with an ‘All Foods Fit’ nutrition model and use a Health at Every Size® approach while incorporating intuitive eating principles with clients when they are ready. I enjoy helping clients understand complicated evidence-based science in an easy to understand way, and help them apply what they learn in their everyday life. I believe in meeting clients where they are, and ensuring they feel safe and never judged.

I completed my Bachelor of Science in Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Biology from Christopher Newport University and my Master of Science in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). In addition, I completed the Dietitian Education Program and my dietetic internship through UAB. I have experience working with eating disorders at the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient (PHP/IOP) levels of care. In my free time, I love trying a new restaurant, exploring outdoors, or relaxing with my two cats.

Jess Godfrey MA, LPC, NCC

I enjoy working with people on their journey of healing, self-discovery, and personal growth. I view therapy as a collaborative process and work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I believe compassion, understanding, and the therapeutic relationship are valuable as the framework for change.

I earned my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regis University in Denver, CO. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I am passionate about the work that I do and practice primarily from a client-centered and integrative approach.

I have over fifteen years of experience working in a variety of mental health settings including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care. I have experience working with clients who struggle with symptoms of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, personality disorders, eating disorders, and trauma.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time outside with my dog, Mitch, gardening, and relaxing with a good book.

AMANDA GHIGHI, MS, RDN

I’m not a regular dietitian, I’m a cool dietitian… All jokes aside, I’m a Registered Dietitian who believes in food freedom, mindfulness, and intuitive eating. I have found my passion helping people who are struggling with disordered eating and eating disorders heal their relationship with food and their body. I have struggled with disordered eating in the past which gives me a unique perspective on the challenges that come along the road to recovery. I strive to create an empathetic, nonjudgmental, collaborative environment where you feel listened to and empowered.
I completed my dietetic internship and earned my master’s degree in nutrition, specializing in nutrition education, from Eastern Illinois University. I have worked at all levels of care with adults and adolescents, from inpatient to intensive outpatient treatment (IP/RES/PHP/IOP). Within the last 3 years, my husband’s military service has moved us from our hometown of Peoria, Illinois to South Dakota and finally to beautiful Colorado. We have gained two furry friends along the way and love all things fall, going to the movies, yoga, and playing with the pups!

Chloe Callard, RDN

I am a “non-diet” Registered Dietitian and I practice within a health at every size (HAES) and weight inclusive framework. I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating but strongly believe in a non diet/weight inclusive approach for all areas of nutrition therapy. As a dietitian my main values include acceptance, flexibility, freedom, and enjoyment with food and my goal is to support clients to be able to improve their relationship with food, movement, and their body, and work towards these values, in a way that feels individualized to meet their specific needs. We all have unique lived experiences and I believe that listening, indepthly and empathetically, to each person’s story is key to providing the best nutrition care possible.

I completed my Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition through the University of Alabama and my Dietetic Internship through the University of Northern Colorado. I have experience treating eating disorders at multiple levels of care including inpatient, residential, and partial hospitalization. I have worked with both adult and child/adolescent populations, providing support for those struggling with eating disorders, as well as for the families and caregivers impacted by them. Through my varied experience I have built a strong foundation of knowledge around the complexities of eating disorders and eating disorder treatment. I am truly passionate about this area of nutrition and find so much fulfillment in being able to help others in meaningful ways.

In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with my energetic and fairly rambunctious pup, Colby.