Meet The Team

Julie Ratinoff serves as Executive Director of Pennock Center for Counseling, bringing more than two decades of experience in mental health, education, and leadership. Her background as a licensed therapist, clinical art therapist, and educator informs a holistic and inclusive approach to supporting individuals and communities. Prior to joining Pennock, Julie oversaw the Boulder Strong Resource Center, a holistic healing and therapeutic space created to support community recovery following the 2021 Table Mesa/King Soopers tragedy. Bearing witness to the strength, connection, and resilience of that community remains one of the most meaningful and humbling experiences of her career. Julie is deeply rooted in the belief that connection, creativity, and compassion have the power to heal and transform lives. She is passionate about fostering communities where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered. Her leadership is guided by heart, integrity, and a deep respect for each person’s unique story. Outside of her professional role, Julie enjoys writing, creating beautiful spaces through feng shui design, traveling, and taking her cat, Alfredo, for neighborhood walks.

The newest member to the Pennock Center for Counseling team is Rachel Monroe. Rachel currently serves as our Development & Communications Director. She joined the team as a part-time employee in November 2025 and recently transitioned to a full-time team member earlier this month. Rachel holds a degree in Nonprofit Management with a minor in Human Services and brings nearly three decades of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her depth of knowledge and passion for community-centered work make her a strong addition to the organization’s leadership. Rachel has supported Pennock Center for Counseling in a variety of ways over the past decade, making this new role especially meaningful. As Development & Communications Director, she will lead efforts to grow and strengthen the Center’s fundraising and marketing strategies to help ensure continued access to compassionate, affordable mental health services for the community. The organization looks forward to the experience, energy, and commitment she brings, and is excited about the impact this new chapter will have in 2026 and beyond. Outside of her professional work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and her two cats, supporting local musicians by attending live performances, dancing with friends at favorite local dance spots, exploring vintage shops, and hosting gatherings for family and friends in her home.

Karyn Gibson serves as the Operations Manager at Pennock Center for Counseling, bringing more than 30 years of experience in administrative and human resources roles. She began her higher education at Laramie County Community College, where she studied criminal justice, and later continued her education at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Karyn joined the Pennock Center for Counseling team in 2007 after relocating to Brighton with her family. She has a strong history of community involvement, previously serving as a committee chair for the Family Preservation Commission of Adams County and currently serving as a member of Brighton’s Nonprofit Council. Karyn is passionate about community collaboration and is deeply committed to supporting the needs of Pennock Center’s clients. Outside of her professional role, Karyn is a digital restoration artist and photographer. She also enjoys sewing, watching movies, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Please join us in congratulating Alexa on recently acquiring her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) credentials! It is a huge accomplishment that required 2 years and 2,000+ hours of post-degree counseling experience and supervision. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. From her education and training she gained a passion for collaborating with clients to forge their personal goals and is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space where individuals can engage in meaningful, authentic work towards becoming their healthiest selves. Through her use of holistic and humanistic approaches to counseling, and her professional focus in chronic illness counseling, she supports clients facing a wide range of challenges and concerns. Alexa began at Pennock Center for Counseling as an intern counselor through UNC in January of 2023 and, after completing her graduate program, she continued in her commitment to the center and the community when she was offered a position at Pennock Center as a Staff Therapist in January of 2024. Now, in 2026, she is stepping into the Clinical Supervisor role with the help of continued training and guidance from our new Executive Director, Julie Ratinoff, MA, LPC, ATR. Though her role is changing, she will continue to work with her own clients as well as supporting the other therapists in the clinic. She looks forward to helping new therapists by encouraging professional growth and exploration as they embark on their own paths in the counseling world. When she is not in the counseling chair, Alexa focuses on her own self-care by spending time at home with her husband and her cat, playing cribbage with anyone willing to play, collecting trinkets at thrift stores, and connecting with friends as often as possible. She also stays active through traveling, skiing, and hiking - when our Colorado weather allows for it.

Kristen is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) who holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She joined Pennock Center for Counseling in 2024 as an intern and in 2025, transitioned into her current role as a staff therapist. Kristen brings a thoughtful blend of professional training, business experience, and family-life perspective to her work, allowing her to approach therapy in a practical yet deeply compassionate way. She is committed to creating a warm, respectful, and collaborative therapeutic environment where clients feel safe exploring life’s challenges and working toward meaningful change. Kristen works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship concerns. Her therapeutic approach draws from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and humanistic principles to help clients build insight, strengthen resilience, and reconnect with their values. Client-centered and culturally responsive, Kristen believes therapy should be tailored to each individual’s unique strengths, needs, and lived experiences. Whether clients are navigating a specific concern or pursuing personal growth, she is dedicated to supporting them on their journey toward healing and progress.

Noemi Flores serves as a Staff Therapist at Pennock Center for Counseling, where she is dedicated to expanding access to mental health services in the Brighton community. Having lived and worked in the area for many years, she has witnessed firsthand the growing need for affordable and accessible care and is honored to serve alongside a team deeply committed to this mission. Noemi holds a Master of Social Work from Metropolitan State University and is certified through the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). She brings extensive experience working with youth and young adults, as well as individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, and depression. As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, Noemi is committed to providing culturally responsive care that meets clients where they are. Her therapeutic approach is collaborative and strengths-based, incorporating cognitive and behavioral techniques while fostering a safe, empathetic environment. Noemi supports clients in breaking unhelpful cycles and building practical tools they can carry with them beyond their time in therapy. Outside of her work, Noemi enjoys paddleboarding, hiking, exploring new foods, and traveling. She looks forward to continuing her involvement in and connection to the Brighton community.

Emily is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Transpersonal Art Therapy at Naropa University, where she is developing an integrative approach that combines expressive arts with traditional therapeutic practices to support healing and personal growth. Emily's clinical experience includes providing both talk therapy and art therapy to children and adults. Most recently, she completed an internship supporting adults in addiction recovery, helping clients explore healing, resilience, and personal growth through both individual and group therapy. Her professional background also includes working with a wide variety of populations, including older adults in memory care, children on the autism spectrum, and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Emily believes that integrating art therapy with traditional counseling creates meaningful opportunities for self-expression, self-discovery, and emotional healing. Her therapeutic approach is holistic and person-centered, emphasizing the importance of meeting each individual where they are while building on their unique strengths, goals, and needs. She also incorporates mindfulness-based practices to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. When she's not counseling or studying, Emily enjoys creating art, hiking, and spending time outdoors. We are excited to have Emily join the Pennock Center for Counseling team and look forward to the compassion, creativity, and care she will bring to our clients and community.

Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Northern Colorado, Hannah earned a bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Colorado Boulder. These academic experiences continue to inspire a passion for understanding human behavior and helping individuals navigate life's challenges with purpose and resilience. Prior to joining Pennock, she worked in community mental health, supporting adults with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders as a Certified Addiction Technician. This experience has strengthened a compassionate, client-centered approach to counseling. Hannah believes meaningful change begins with collaboration, trust, and a strong therapeutic relationship. Her counseling approach is grounded in person-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based practices, with a focus on creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and respected. She enjoys working with individuals experiencing anxiety, exploring identity, navigating life transitions, and pursuing recovery, helping clients build insight and move toward meaningful personal growth. Outside of the counseling office, Hannah enjoys playing trading card games, video games, and watching movies. These hobbies reflect an appreciation for creativity, strategy, and connection, qualities that also shape her approach to building authentic relationships with clients.