Michael has worked in the mental health field for over 25 years, primarily focused on addiction, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. Prior to cofounding VL and DCC, Mr. Dinneen served hundreds of patients at CeDAR for over a decade and was responsible for designing and implementing key parts of the clinical programming, including the 30 day Primary Program, the 60 day Extended Care Program, the 71 day Professionals Program, and the Intimacy Disorder track. Mr. Dinneen is an author, an international trainer and mentor for substance abuse counselors, and regularly presents at industry conferences across the U.S. Mr. Dinneen earned a B.A. in education at Boston College, and a Masters of Social Work at the University of Denver. Michael is married to Jill for 20 years, and a father of two high school aged children. He loves outdoor adventure, travel, and spiritual development.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Formation Program for Spiritual Directors, Vincentian Spirituality Institute, 1998
• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker #992263), 1999
• CACIII (Certified Addictions Counselor, State of CO), 1997
• CSAT (Certified Sexual Addiction Counselor) #2009C-0850, 2011
• CMAT (Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist) Work and Financial Disorders #2009C-8050, 2014
• EFT trained
• IFS Level III trained

Michael Simms has worked in the substance use disorder and mental health field since 2013. He has provided treatment in a wide variety of settings including detox, residential, outpatient and sober living services. Michael believes in the importance of the full continuum of care as individuals work to build a meaningful, fulfilling, and sustainable life in recovery. His passion is supporting and working with individuals as they address core issues and continue to grow into their recovery.

Michael received his master’s degree in social work from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a concentration in individual and family clinical social work. He is currently a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed addiction counselor (LAC) and is certified as an Acudetox Specialist (ADS). He has been trained in internal family systems (IFS), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and in treating co-occurring substance use and complex trauma.

Scott graduated from the University of Colorado in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental, population, and organismic biology (EPOB). He also received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from CU Denver in 2017, graduating magna cum laude. Scott is a certified addiction registered nurse and a certified addiction counselor in the state of Colorado.

Malissa Fantanarosa is the Wellness Director at Valiant Living. She has worked in the areas of wellness, fitness, and mindfulness for more than 20 years. Malissa is both a practitioner and a teacher of various forms of yoga. Believing that embodying the practice is a way to live a more meaningful life, she employs these skills to create programs that lead clients on their path to freedom, self-discovery, purpose, passion, and potential. When she’s not leading weekly groups or working with clients to cultivate their spiritual practices, Malissa is moving in the great outdoors. She thrives on developing wellness, yoga, and experiential programs utilizing the beauty of Colorado and nature as a way to help clients reconnect more intentionally to their authentic nature. Malissa is passionate about nature and the future of our planet.

Stephen is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (CSAT) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addictions Professionals (IITAP). He specializes in working with both those struggling with addiction as well as their partners and spouses impacted by the very real and often devastated effects of betrayal trauma. Stephen is also trained in the EMDR model of trauma therapy and incorporates this highly effective therapeutic tool into his work with individuals.

Dr. Laura F. Martin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Duke University in 1992. She studied medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, graduating in 1997. She pursued residency training in psychiatry and a research fellowship at the University of Colorado and the Denver Veterans Medical Center until 2005. She was employed with University Of Colorado School of Medicine (UCSOM) full-time until starting her own private practice, Professional Wellness, and joining CPHP in 2019. She is currently an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCSOM and is Board Certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. She has published numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts in both general and addiction psychiatry. Her professional roles have included serving as the Medical Director of the Center for Dependence, Addiction and Rehabilitation (CeDAR), Medical Director for the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, Associate Program Director of the General Psychiatry Residency Training Program at UCSOM, Program Director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at UCSOM, as President of the Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, and as Co-chair for the Treatment Workgroup of the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention. As a reflection of her commitment to her work, she has been recognized as a member of the American College of Psychiatrists, a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

JR Gallegos is the Director of Case Management Services at Valiant Living. JR’s focus is to ensure our clients have a smooth transition from active addiction, through our program, and to sustained recovery. JR works directly with the CSAT clinical team and our intimacy disorder clients. JR also works one-on-one with partners to help ensure safety and accountability while the client is in our care. JR is a Certified Addiction Technician in Colorado and has currently been accepted into the Master of Social Work program at Metropolitan State University- Denver and hopes to have his MSW soon. JR will also soon be starting his Certified Sex Addiction Therapist training and hopes to become a CSAT. JR is a native of the beautiful state of New Mexico and has a strong passion for the family systems work necessary to achieve healing from addiction and mental health.

Travis operates as the Director of Recovery Housing at Valiant Living and is also the Safety Officer. He has performed several roles at the company as a Behavioral Health Tech, Case Manager, and Maintenance Supervisor. Having experienced his own recovery journey, Travis is passionate about the 12 steps and helping others find their recovery. As a part of the Valiant team, Travis works to ensure our program participants have a safe and structured environment in which they can begin their recovery and build meaningful connections with their peers. Outside of work Travis enjoys spending time outdoors and working on cars. "

Jill completed Addiction Counseling courses as well as Marriage and Family Therapy courses at the Colorado School of Family Therapy. She is a licensed addiction counselor (LAC) as well as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and is currently working on completing the required hours needed to obtain her marriage and family therapy licensure as well as obtaining her CSAT Certification. Once she has received licensure in marriage and family therapy Jill plans on becoming trained in AAMFT Supervision.

Jill has past medical knowledge as well as crisis intervention training and is skilled in performing specialized assessments, addressing complex psychiatric, mental health, and substance use disorders utilizing a diverse range of research-based models and clinical interventions. She is a multifaceted counselor who enjoys practicing from a multimodal approach recognizing that everyone’s recovery is unique and deserves a treatment plan that focuses on specific needs tailored to their personal journey. She also feels that self-appreciation, forgiveness, and love are important in recovery, and enjoys helping clients find these important attributes within themselves.

“I prefer to envision us as pieces of shattered stained glass. As we heal from our addictions and soothe our mental health, we begin to pick up our beautifully broken pieces and glue them back together. The pieces fit differently once they have fractured, allowing us to create a new version of ourselves. A self who is stronger, more resilient, and beautifully mended; allowing our light to shine through our cracks, and lead others to the path of recovery.” – Jill

Colt has come to us to pursue what he hopes to be a long career in the field of addiction treatment and recovery. He is in recovery himself and celebrates his newfound life by helping others find freedom from addiction. He is passionate about 12-Step programs and is an active member in the Mile High Area of Narcotics Anonymous. Colt is currently attending the Community College of Denver’s transfer program, pursuing degrees in both General Psychology and Behavioral Health.

Andy brings a rich background of professional training and personal life experience into the therapeutic relationship. Andy received a B.S. in Psychology at the University of North Texas and subsequently attained an additional degree in Nursing. After working as an RN in healthcare for nearly 10 years, Andy completed graduate level training at Naropa University, completing an M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology through the Contemplative Psychotherapy training program. Andy is licensed as a professional counselor (L.P.C.) with additional training and licensure in the field of addictions (L.A.C.). Andy has worked in the behavioral health field for over a decade across the full continuum of care, including serving as Clinical Director of co-occurring (mental health/substance abuse) treatment centers.

Brett’s life-long mission has simply been to help people thrive. He draws on his extensive experience as a classroom teacher and independent school executive, as well as his training and experience as a therapist to help clients realize their goals. At Valiant, he specializes in working with intimacy and family issues. His warm and compassionate demeanor gives clients the space to collaboratively explore the things that may be blocking them from becoming their truest and best selves while helping them move forward with hope and healing.

Brett holds an undergraduate degree in clinical psychology and two master’s degrees, an MA in education and a MA in counseling with an emphasis in clinical mental health. He has completed extensive post-graduate training in Marriage and Family Therapy at Denver Family Institute and draws on a variety of therapeutic techniques in his work with individuals, couples and families. Additionally, Brett is a Level I Certified Clinician in the Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT).

Payton is a Colorado native. Payton has lived experience of substance use disorder and recovery. He is outgoing about his experience and has passion to show people do recover. He understands that while the 12 steps are important and a part of his journey, Payton is an advocate for any path of recovery. He hopes to help clients individualize their recovery for themselves.

Bridget earned her Master's in Counseling from Regis University in 2013. She has worked with a variety of populations including women within the correctional system, addiction treatment, community mental health, and group private practice. Bridget is duly licensed in counseling and addiction work, is a certified Daring Way facilitator, and is also trained in EMDR. Her empathy, authenticity, and sense of humor alongside her personal experience with addiction and recovery help foster a strong therapeutic relationship.

Heather is the Community Outreach Liaison at Valiant Living and Valiant Detox and Assessment Center. She has worked in the field of addiction recovery and behavioral health for 15 years in roles including outreach, admissions, intake, case management, discharge planning, philanthropy, fund development, and alumni. She is passionate about the relational and educational aspects of her roles, and about connecting people with the appropriate resources for those in need. Building and maintaining relationships with others who are providing needed services is something she cares deeply about, as well as being a part of the incredible professional and personal recovery community. Supporting one another and striving to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by addiction, trauma, mental illness, and in helping people find the solutions she did is something she is very grateful to do.