Our Team

Shyll Bowen is the director of Hopelight Behavioral Health.  She holds a master’s degree in special education and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Shyll has worked with children, both typically developing and with special developmental needs, for over 30 years. She has taught and served as a behavioral specialist for children in preschool through high school in both private and public settings in the various locations in the United States and abroad. Shyll provides professional development for teachers and parent training courses. She is also the coordinator of behavioral support groups, and health coaching for Hopelight Medical Clinic.

Kendra Billen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and has worked in the public school system for the past 10 years, specifically working with students with behavior challenges in the school setting. She was a self-contained teacher for for six years, followed by a district-wide Behavior Specialist for two years prior to moving to Colorado. Kendra has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Special Education from Texas Christian University; a master's degree in Educational Administration from Dallas Baptist University. She believes that, as educators and analysts, we possess great power when it comes to creating behavioral changes in our clients, large and small. With those changes, clients are able to more successfully and more appropriately navigate ever-changing situations in ways that prepare them for their future as adults in our community.

Sarah is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and was Hopelight's very first Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) when Hopelight Behavioral Health was first founded.  Sarah completed her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on education, psychology and Bible with a minor in International Studies and also completed her Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.  Sarah is a native of Colorado and has found her calling in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.  She loves her work with children who experience behavioral challenges and their families.

Heather Schmitt's bio will be coming soon!

Heather Hensley moved to Longmont from Fort Worth, Texas in 2018. She graduated from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught elementary school for the past 13 years. Heather is currently working on her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and is excited to work with Hopelight. When Heather is not working, she loves to read, bake, and spend time with her family.

Sydney graduated with her Masters in the Science of Applied Behavior Analysis. She has been in the field for almost 6 years now, providing care and support for all her clients. Sydney is currently working toward her supervision hours to sit for the board certification exam. When Sydney is not working, she enjoys relaxing evenings working on Disney puzzles and playing sudoku, with her cat Riley. She is extremely excited to be part of the Hopelight family and continue her experience here.

Originally from San Jose, CA, Trevor moved to Longmont in 2005. He graduated from Longmont Christian and continued his education at Central Christian College of KS. He was a resident adviser for 3 years while in college and during that time, created a fund-raiser to help raise money for adoptive parents. Prior to coming to work at Hopelight, he spent a year as a Christian camp intern, learning about the outdoors, education and ministry.

Diva was born and raised in Saltillo, Mexico. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Nebraska and received her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Diva has 10 years of experience working with typical and special needs children and adults as an educator and in the human services field. She began her career as a high school Spanish teacher in Denver, then moved on to teach in a Spanish immersion program as a first-grade teacher. After her teaching experience Diva and her husband moved to Cozumel, Mexico to run an orphanage. Diva’s work at the orphanage as the Education Coordinator, among other administrative and childcare duties, is what inspired her to pursue the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Diva and her family moved back to the United States in 2019. She is passionate in working with children and adults and is looking forward to growing both professionally and personally as she begins her work at Hopelight.

Jessica moved to Colorado 4 years ago after completing her B.A. in Anthropology at Northern Arizona University and a Masters in Sustainable Solutions at Arizona State University. Upon graduation she began working as a Museum Educator for the CU South Denver Museum, where she fully realized her love for working with children. Motivated by the successful interventions her autistic brother received at a young age, she wanted to have a positive influence on children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and began working as a Behavior Technician in Glenwood Springs, CO. New to the Longmont area, she is excited to work with children and families in need in her community. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking with her dogs and getting out on the water.

Kim is a Colorado Native who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Northern Colorado. She has been working with this community for two years and is passionate to see the growth our clients make. She is currently pursuing her BCaBA certificate with Florida Institute of Technology in order to better serve the children and families within the Hopelight community.

Debby is a Licensed Professional Counselor who enjoys working with children, teens, and adults.  Debby has worked with children and families her entire professional life, first as a Registered Nurse and now as a Counselor.  Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, CBT, Solution Focused Counseling, and EMDR are some of the methods Debby uses with individuals to help resolve issues such as anxiety, depression, behavior problems, inattention, grief, or anger management.  Debby's philosophy is that "We all have bumps in the road and need another caring individual to give us support and she feels honored to be invited into her clients' life to walk along beside them for a time."

Michelle is a pediatric occupational therapist with 20 years of experience working with children and their families. She has a passion for working with kids and enjoys building relationships with the families she works with and supporting the child’s development. She has a special interest and expertise in the areas of ADHD, sensory integration, handwriting, coordination difficulties, fine motor skills and social skills. Michelle is a Colorado native and lives in Lyons with her husband and two daughters. 

Jamie is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist with over 25 years of experience. Jamie has worked with children in early intervention programs, in the schools, and in outpatient clinics, as well as working with adults in skilled nursing facilities and in the hospital setting. She has experience with children on all ends of the developmental spectrum; from typically developing children with articulation concerns to children with more severe developmental and communication needs. Jamie graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Communicative Disorders and from The University of the District of Columbia with an MS in Speech-Language Pathology. She is married with 3 children and lives in Broomfield, CO.

Dee and her husband moved to Colorado in August of 2012. She graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Speech Language and Hearing sciences.  She became a licensed speech language pathology assistant in 2018. Dee has worked with children and adults in the autism spectrum, articulation, learning impairments, language delay, early intervention, and other communication needs. She has also provided services within different settings such as in-home, day programs, clinical and schools.  Dee enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and exploring nature as well as exercising, drawing, and spending time with her family.

Spenser received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology before becoming a Behavior Technician. The focus of his studies were primarily centered around youth counseling and working with at-risk youth. Spenser has also devoted many hours to studies and research at the University of Colorado in Boulder and various types of volunteer work both local and abroad. He has also spent multiple years working with both children and adults with developmental disabilities. Spenser makes it his goal to practice compassion and empathy in all things, while maintaining a passion for travel and keeping an open mind. He is hoping to broaden his horizons and make a difference at Hopelight Behavioral Health.

Miranda Sadar is a Colorado native. She is married with two young boys. Miranda obtained her undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts at Regis University in 2015.  In 2016 she began her Masters in Special Education and will graduate in May of 2020. Miranda has a passion for working with children and the community. Her career goals are to take more extensive course work for Applied Behavior Analysis, and to give back to the surrounding communities.

Jon originally grew up down in Florida and got his bachelor’s degree in Criminal justice from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2017. After college he moved out to Colorado and spent the last two years working for a non-profit helping rehabilitate felons back into society, but his true passion has always been working with children. Which is one reason Jon is excited to be coming aboard the Hopelight Behavioral health team as a Behavioral Technician.  When he’s not working, Jon likes to spend his free time up in the mountains with his dog Darla hiking and camping, and if he’s not in the mountains he’s at church where he enjoys teaching in the children and student ministries.

Arielle is currently studying Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she has spent time pursuing research involving childhood behavior and the basis for motivation. Her passion has always been working with children and she has spent time both at home and abroad teaching, as well as founded her own music/art-oriented program for children. Arielle hopes to complete her degree and pursue further studies in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Jessica is originally from Michigan but moved to Colorado after graduating from Hope College in 2014 with a bachelor’s in Psychology.  She is currently attending the University of Northern Colorado for a Master’s in Special education.  She is passionate about education, behavior analysis, and working with children in schools and one on one for behavior therapy. In her spare time Jessica enjoys hiking, running, and reading.  She one day hopes to run a marathon.  Jessica loves being a part of the Hopelight team!

Jaryd received his Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Clinical Psychology from Colorado State University. In college, he volunteered with after school programs for children, and he currently works as a Youth Development Specialist for the Boys and Girls Club. In his spare time, he enjoys being outside, reading, and music. He is very excited to join Hopelight to continue to make a positive impact in the lives of youth!

Maiga received her Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Studies with a pre-health concentration from Colorado State University. She loves to travel, hike in the mountains, and spend time with family and friends. She is excited to be a part of the Hopelight team and make a difference for clients and their families!

Chloe recently graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Special Education. She has taught in the preschool setting for 6 years. Outside of work she enjoys hiking, painting, and spending time with her friends and family.  She is excited to be a part of the Hopelight team!

Virginia is a Colorado native and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Leadership Studies. She was also a part of the President's Leadership Program during her time at UNC. Virginia plans on continuing her education in a Master’s program for Social Work. During her free time, Virginia likes to read books and spend time with her family and friends. She is very excited to join the Hopelight team.

Daniel Morrissey carries two bachelor's degrees from Harding University--one in English Literature and one in Vocational Ministry. He has a diverse professional background which includes 18 months of student-facing experience, including one school year as a special education para-educator. Just prior to joining Hopelight, Daniel spent five years working for OtterBox in a variety of customer service capacities. He has been married since 2013, and together, they have a young boy they adore. Daniel enjoys almost any kind of game, whether athletic, electronic, or of the tabletop variety. He also dabbles in writing and world-building--both for stories and for games, and loves finding ways to incorporate games, writing, and literature into his sessions with his clients.

Kaleigh earned her BA in Human Services from Bethel University.  She recently moved back to Colorado after too many years away! Her passion has been to have a positive impact on kids since her first babysitting job as a teenager.  Since then, she has worked with kids from a variety of backgrounds and is excited to be a part of the Hopelight team! In her time off, Kaleigh loves to bake, play the piano, and spend time with her 2 dogs, Kinzie and Emma.

Aubree is from Southern Colorado and is currently pursuing a dual degree in elementary education and special education k-12 through Western Governors University. Aubree is extremely passionate about working with kids and has been working in the significant support needs special education program as a Paraprofessional/Health Technician at Highland High School for the past three years. Aubree aspires to become a significant support needs special education teacher once she earns her degree. In her free time, she enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with her family. Aubree is excited to be a part of the Hopelight team!

Brian grew up on a farm in rural Oklahoma with his parents and four brothers. He moved to Colorado in 2003 to be able to enjoy the outdoor activities the mountains offer including mountain biking, hiking, camping, hunting, climbing, snowboarding, and rafting. Now married with 2 young children, the adventures that he enjoys have taken on a new focus. Brian and his family are passionate to serve the children that need love the most. The passion to serve led the Coffin family to volunteer at local children’s homes, organize international mission trips, and they recently returned from living 6 years in the South of Mexico where Brian served as Director of Operations in an orphanage. Brian holds a degree in Organizational Management from Colorado Christian University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.  Brian and his wife dream to someday open an ABA clinic in Mexico, or some other country that struggles to address the needs of families with special needs children.

Toni completed her master’s degree in elementary education at the University of Northern Colorado in the spring of 2014 and has taught varied elementary grade levels from kindergarten to 3rd grade. She is so excited to work one-on-one with kids and help them meet their goals and help them to celebrate their strengths.  Toni has lived in Colorado all her life and grew up west of Denver in Lakewood. She lives on the north side of Denver now, and she loves visiting family and going up to the mountains on the weekends.  She feels truly fortunate for the opportunity to work with amazing children every day! Toni is happy to join the Hopelight community and looks forward to getting to know our families.

Alex grew up in southeast Michigan, and then went to school at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. He has worked with kids at summer camps, libraries, and day care centers. His mission is to help kids develop skills through engaging their unique passions and learning styles. He loves to garden, cook, play guitar, and spend time outside. He is excited to get to know Colorado and the families at Hopelight!

Haylee is originally from Hawaii and moved to Colorado to attend University of Northern Colorado where she attained her bachelor's degree in psychology.  Haylee has vast experience in working with children with autism and enjoys engaging with children to help them learn new ways to engage in social situations.  Haylee enjoys working with clients and their families at Hopelight!

Joanne originally moved from London to California in 1989, before finally settling in Colorado in 1998. In 2014, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in US History and Psychology. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s Program for Applied Behavior Analysis with a specialization in Autism. Joanne spent 16 years working as a full time homeschool Mom, multiple years working in Children’s ministry, and has over 29 years of experience working in the field of Autism. Joanne thrives on assisting her clients reach their highest potential, knowing that this is achieved one step at a time.  In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family, shops at thrift stores, and appreciates anything connected to the arts and creativity.

Eli joins us from North Carolina where he has recently graduated with his BA in psychology. He has worked as a mentor in both children’s summer camps and with the Cub Scouts and is excited to be joining the Hopelight team! When not working, Eli enjoys spending time outdoors with his two dogs, who joined him for his cross-country move, and meeting new people.

Hello, my name is Rick. I received my Psychology BA degree from University of Northern Colorado. I have always wanted to work with children, and I planned originally on being a youth and family counselor. I decided to seek out experience working with kiddos and Hopelight has provided that opportunity. I like snowboarding, hiking 14ers, and exploring the Rocky Mountains!

Melody is originally from Austin, Texas and moved to Colorado in June of 2014. With a history of several years in social work field with emphasis on Supported Employment, she has pivoted her focus and is a Psychology student pursuing her career in ABA (and a Host Home Provider for adults with disability)! In her free time, she loves playing her instrument (Auto Harp), doing yoga, cooking, and relaxing with her husband and friends. Melody is passionate about the Psychology/ABA field and enjoys working with others.

Lexi Hempstead is a Colorado native although she just moved to Longmont this past June. Lexi graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2018 with a Bachelors degree in Anthropology. Upon, graduating, Lexi was offered a full-time job in the social work field. Although she dreamed of being a coroner, Lexi soon realized that social work was her true passion. Lexi is so excited to be a part of the Hopelight family!

Anne is a Colorado native with a passion for her home community! She has been married for 6 years and has a little boy in first grade. Anne graduated from Colorado State University in May of 2014 with a bachelor’s in history and a minor in English. Learning excites her and she is a fan of museums, artifacts, and exploring new places.  Her family loves playing games: card games and monopoly being two favorites.  A 15-year veteran of the food service industry, Anne was most recently with the St. Vrain Valley School District as a kitchen manager. Her passion for building relationships with students of all ages helped lead her to the incredible family at Hopelight! Anne looks forward to the opportunity to grow with this team.

Lucas was born and raised in Illinois before he moved with his family out to Colorado. He recently graduated from the University of Alabama with a major in biology. During college, Lucas recognized his desire to work with children through various volunteering commitments, such as tutoring ESL students, coaching a Special Olympics football team, and becoming an after-school mentor for elementary students. He aspires to eventually study medicine. Lucas spends his free time working out, playing basketball, playing video games, and hanging out with his dog. He is elated to join the Hopelight team and make a positive impact on the community.

Sydney is a Colorado native.  She is currently attending University of Northern Colorado for her degree in Criminal Justice and looks forward to graduating this year.  She plans to pursue a master's degree in Neuropsychology to delve deeper into behavioral studies.  Sydney loves kids and has a history working with autism and other behavioral disorders.  In her spare time she enjoys hiking and playing video games.  Sydney is excited to work with the clients at Hopelight.

Douglas received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bridgewater State University before becoming a behavior technician. During school, Doug focused his studies and internships with at-risk youth. After studying psychology in Boston MA, he moved to Colorado to further his career and be with his family. Doug looks forward to studying and pursuing a further education in the psychology field to do family therapy in the future. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, snowboarding, and spending time with his family. Doug feels blessed to have a job where he can make a difference in the community and help others.

Jennifer is a Colorado Native. She is currently attending Metropolitan State University of Denver for her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She hopes on completing her degree by Spring 2021. After obtaining her degree, Jennifer plans on continuing her education by obtaining her Master’s in school counseling. One of her biggest passions is to work with children. Her main priority is to help children meet their goals as well as help children be the best versions of themselves. Aside from working, Jennifer loves to spend time with her family and friends. She also loves to travel, and she loves to capture a lot of special moments through photography! Jennifer feels blessed to be part of Hopelight and her growing experience as a behavioral technician.

Marin is a Colorado native with a love for the outdoors and spending quality time with her friends and family. She earned a bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Education from Bryn Athyn College in Pennsylvania. Marin is planning on furthering her education by pursuing a master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has worked with children in different settings for most of her professional life and is excited to be part of the Hopelight team!

Patrick was born and raised in Texas with a few years spent in rural South Dakota. He graduated from Kingwood High School in 2004. He spent a few years working with special-needs children in after school care programs and has continued to volunteer off and on ever since. He is a devoted and fun-loving father and committed husband. He plans to continue his work and grow his career with the amazing group at Hopelight!

Lauren was born and raised in Colorado. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in the Spring of 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Services. She is currently continuing her education; working for her master’s degree in the Professional Counseling program on the school counseling track at UNC. Lauren hopes to dedicate her life serving her community and working with children to make a positive impact on their futures.

Allie was born and raised in Ohio. She graduated from Ohio University with a BA in Psychology and Sociology/Criminology in 2018. After graduation, Allie worked as a case manager in inner city Cincinnati for adults with mental health diagnoses. She then moved to Asheville, North Carolina and worked as a wilderness field instructor with students aged 10-17 who exhibit behavioral concerns. Allie recognized her passion for working with children and hopes to combine her experience to make a difference at Hopelight. When not working, Allie enjoys exploring, playing games, taking pictures, and cuddling with her 2 cats. She is excited to learn more about Longmont and the Hopelight community!

Tyler has lived in a variety of states throughout his years growing up but had his longest stay in Georgia before moving to Colorado 4 years ago upon starting College. Tyler graduated from Colorado State University with a BS in Psychology.  His previous work with children involved being a coach for children’s sports camps. Some of his interests include golfing, playing video games, going on bike rides, and listening to music. He is excited to be a part of the Hopelight team and hopes to be able to make a difference in the lives of the children he works with.

John graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish.  He grew up in Colorado Springs and has lived across the front range and loves living in Colorado.  John and his wife just relocated from Estes Park to Longmont about two and a half years ago and they love it here. He loves sports, working out, watching movies, learning languages and enjoying everything that Colorado has to offer. John’s dream is to become a clinical neuropsychologist someday.

Zoe moved to Colorado at the end of 2020 from Boston, where she attended Lesley University for her degree in psychology.  She learned about ABA therapy while working in Boston as a caregiver for a child with special needs.  It was from this experience that she decided to work in the field of ABA therapy to help children reach their maximum potential.  Before living in Boston, Zoe traveled through Africa and eventually settled in South Africa for three years. There, she volunteered with numerous orphanages and schools eventually being hired into a permanent position with the volunteer organization. Zoe has always had a passion for working with children with diverse abilities for as long as she can remember and is so excited to be part of the Hopelight!

Luisauny is originally from Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic. But she recently graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Harding University. During her undergraduate career, Luisauny worked with children at a family counseling center, was head of multiple student-led organizations, and conducted two independent research studies with the McNair Scholarship Program. Luisauny hopes to get accepted into a PhD or PsyD program for Clinical Psychology and continue her academic career.

Rachel is originally from Long Island, New York and is currently pursuing a double degree in Psychology and Art with a minor in Biology at CU Boulder. Rachel has worked with individuals with disabilities for 5 years in schools, camps, volunteering, and clubs. She is deeply passionate about helping others and plans to devote her life doing so. She loves to draw, painting, play sports, reading, and spend time with friends and family. Rachel is excited to be a part of the Hopelight team!

Erin recently graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minors in both sociology and education. She is excited to be jumping into the field of ABA therapy with Hopelight, as she is passionate about behavioral psychology and working with children. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Anders grew up in Littleton, Colorado before moving to Wisconsin for high school and college.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse majoring in archaeology and minoring in anthropology.  Anders played soccer competitively his entire life and through college and has coached for a few summers.  He loves to travel and has been to countries in Europe, Africa, and South America.

Most recently, he worked in a residential home for children with cognitive or behavioral disabilities ages 7 to 21.  He returned to Colorado at the start of 2021 with the goal to continue working with children, to continue learning, and to further increase his knowledge and ability to be able to help people.  On his time off he likes to volunteer at a wolf sanctuary and to spend his time around animals.

Leslie was born in Florida but moved to Colorado when she was 9 years old. She has been here ever since so she considers herself a Colorado Native. She started her career working with children in 2013 and has realized she has a passion working in this field. Through this time, she has developed many strategies in interacting with the diverse needs of children. In 2018 she earned her certificate as an Assistant Early Childhood Teacher from Front Range Community College. She has also worked as a care provider for adults with physical limitations.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son, hiking, and being a part of her church community. She volunteers in her church's Children's ministry in their Preschool department.  Her favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11 and she believes this opportunity at Hopelight gives her a hope to be a greater light to all those she encounters in her future.

Sadie Cunningham moved to Colorado in 2021 after graduating from Western Michigan University with a major in Interdisciplinary Health Services and a minor in American Sign Language. Sadie has been passionate about working with people with disabilities since high school and enjoys baking in her free time. She loves to hike in the mountains, enjoys live music, and going for walks with her dog, Nova. Sadie is excited to become a part of the Hopelight team!

Coming Soon!

Britni is from Louisiana. She moved to Colorado in 2015 and started working with adults with special needs. She is passionate and enjoys helping others. She is excited to grown in her career at Hopelight.

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Camden is originally from Missouri, but after he received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Harding University in Searcy, AR, he decided it was time to move out west to pursue his dream of working as a Sport Psychologist.  Camden aspires to continue his education and work towards a Master’s degree. After his graduate work, he then wishes to work at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO and help fellow athletes become the best versions of themselves. Camden enjoys playing guitar, running, hiking, snowboarding, and art projects. Camden has experience in working with children through late adulthood with varying developmental disabilities and looks forward to joining our team!

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Steve serves as the Medical Director of Hopelight Medical Clinic.  He is a Board Certified pediatrician and family medicine provider.  Steve is also the medical director for Philmont Boy Scouts Camp.  Steve oversees a dedicated staff of providers at Hopelight that gives individualized care and takes the time to listen to their patients.