Psychotherapy Team
Amanda Pena, M.A., LPC
In addition to being the owner and director of Spectrum Services, Amanda is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a wealth of experience in applying Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other therapeutic tools to the needs of neurodivergent people (Asperger Syndrome, Autistic/Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and related social communication challenges). Amanda’s understanding of anxiety and emotion dysregulation and the impact those can have on relational, vocational and educational outcomes make her the ideal therapist for people seeking to manage their anxiety and sensory needs that impair their daily activities, ability to work and ability to successfully pursue education goals. As a parent herself, to two great kids (one neurodivergent), Amanda is also passionate about supporting parents, through parent coaching; helping them to understand, “show up” for and guide their children in all life stages.
Cindy Spencer, LPC, BCBA, CTRS
Clinical Director, Psychotherapist, Behavior Therapist – Spectrum in Lakewood, CO
Cindy is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPC-Colorado and Texas), a Board Certified Behavior
Analyst (BCBA) and a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Cindy graduated with a Bachelor’s
degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Counseling, a Master’s degree in Counseling from Old
Dominion University, and a Graduate Certificate from the University of New Mexico in Applied Behavior
Analysis.
Cindy provides both psychotherapy and behavior therapy services to support individuals in reducing
maladaptive behavior, managing symptoms of anxiety and depression and building skills towards improving
and maintaining their health, safety and quality of life. Cindy has extensive experience in working with
individuals diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, ADHD and neurodiverse individuals as well as supporting
caregivers by providing therapy, training and consultation. Cindy utilizes tools derived from Cognitive Behavior
Therapy (CBT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical
Behavior Therapy (DBT) as well as other tools to provide individualized and collaborative supports.
Cindy has provided services and supports in a variety of settings that include working as a recreation therapist
in both inpatient, outpatient and community therapeutic recreation settings in Virginia, as a behavior therapist
and psychotherapist for children and adults on the Developmental Disabilities Waiver and through private
insurance in New Mexico for over 16 years, as a behavior analyst for an applied behavior analysis program in
Austin, Texas and is now the Clinical Director of Spectrum in Lakewood, Colorado. Cindy is a psychotherapist
and behavior therapist providing services in-person and virtually for Spectrum in Lakewood, Colorado and
virtually in Austin, Texas. Additionally, Cindy has 8 years of experience working as a risk management
consultant for Pendulum, LLC providing consultation for various behavioral health service providers across the
country.
Education:
Bachelor of Science – Recreation Therapy, minor in Counseling, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
Master of Science – Counseling, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
Graduate Certificate – Applied Behavior Analysis, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Licenses:
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
Chasey Packer, LPC, NCC
Chasey worked with, and, as an advocate for children, both professionally, and, as a volunteer for most of her early adulthood before deciding to continue her education. She achieved her Masters in Professional Counseling in Spring 2016, and, joined Spectrum in the Fall where she completed her internship. Early on in her studies, Chasey discovered an affinity for working with folks challenged by atypical cognitive development; her research and personal work focused on learning, and, helping in neuro-diverse communities. During her clinical work in school, Chasey gained experience working directly with adults, adolescents, and, young children. Chasey has passion for a person’s unique story, and, sets out to meet clients, and, families in their present circumstances, providing emotional support while using creative, and, practical tools through the therapeutic lens of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Kristen Trocin, Psy.D
Kristen is a Licensed Psychologist in Texas. Dr. Trocin has specialized experience providing evidence-based therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Trocin also has extensive experience with caregiver-mediated intervention, believing that caregivers are an essential resource in encouraging their child’s development of key skills and abilities. Moreover, Dr. Trocin specializes in implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies in both individual and group settings. These approaches are useful in improving emotional regulation, developing coping skills, and encouraging social thinking.
Mackenzie Gilchrist, LPC – Student Intern
Mackenzie is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Student Intern here at Spectrum Social Services. She is in the process of finishing her Master’s Degree at St. Edward’s University and will graduate this upcoming summer. Mackenzie gained previous field experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults at the Austin Grief and Loss Center and St. Edwards’s Community Clinic. Working in these environments has cemented Mackenzie’s penchant to meet clients where they are and promote unconditional positive regard. From her family experience, Mackenzie has a unique view on what it means to be an advocate and ally for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and neurodivergent individuals. Mackenzie has a passion for building strong rapport with her clients and using creativity, humor, and practical interventions through the lens of Solution Focused-Brief Therapy (SBFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Sarah White, LCSW
Sarah White is an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) who graduated from the University of Houston Graduate College of social work. She has worked at multiple inpatient psychiatric hospitals as well as PHP and IOP programs. She has been specialized in treating technology addiction and borderline personality disorder for the past 3 years with adolescents and adults in a PHP and IOP setting, providing individual and group therapy. Sarah is experienced in clinical practice with youth, young adults and the elderly and is educated in evidence based theoretical frameworks of psychology and clinical Social Work. She is trained to provide CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy), TF-CBT (trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy), motivational interviewing, and acute crisis intervention. Sarah is an ally for the LGBTQ+ community and has a compassionate approach to the unique needs of neurodiverse individuals.
Sonya Macfarlane, LPC Associate
Coming from a family background high in neuro-diversity, and being neuro-diverse herself, Sonya has had a long time passion and devotion to understanding, and strengthening the neuro-diverse community. Sonya earned her bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in theater from Texas State University and completed her master’s degree in counseling at St. Edward’s University. Her professional experience includes teaching (preschool, elementary, and special education) as well as facilitating support groups for the Austin Area Birthing Center and Austin Grief and Loss. Sonya completed her student internships at The Northwest Counseling and Wellness Center and at Spectrum Services. With a focus on whole-person wellness, Sonya emphasizes the mind-body connection and the interaction of the person with their environment. Approaching therapy from a systemic perspective, Sonya also emphasizes the role of the family or other systems in the individual’s life and offers family and couple sessions in addition to individual therapy.
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Pronouns are she/her
Teale Janysek, MA, CTRS
Teale joined the Spectrum as a CTRS in 2018, working with clients in the community, while working towards her LPC. Teale’s heart for people and the helping profession began at a young age and she found her passion in her Undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She fell in love with the brain and how it works during her time at Oklahoma State and knew she wanted to be a counselor. She became certified as a CTRS, (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist), in 2012 and has worked in a variety of settings, including Memory Care, Community Based Physical Rehabilitation, Inpatient Psychiatric and Outpatient Med-Psych. Here she gained a strong knowledge base in a variety of populations from ages 4 to 94, as well as, gaining great exposure to a variety of diagnoses. She graduated with her Masters in Human Relations, with an emphasis in counseling, in 2016 from the University of Oklahoma. Teale transitioned to full time therapy work at Spectrum in 2019 to complete her counseling internship and became a fully licensed therapist in the Fall of 2021. She brings a strong understanding of family systems and the emotional and social challenges that we all face in life. She loves assisting clients in breaking down the barriers in their own lives and walking with clients through transitions. She is passionate about learning peoples’ stories, and strives to meet people where they are and come along side them to be a part of their journey. Teale’s goal is to build a trusting relationship with her clients where they feel safe to explore and build on their own strengths to achieve their goals.
Victoria Gutierrez-Jasek, LMSW
Victoria(Tori) is an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) from Round Rock, gaining her Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in children and families from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her experience is in evidence-based counseling, behavior therapy as an RBT, and case management. She is supervised by an LCSW and hopes to become an LCSW herself in a couple years. She has experience working with children from the ages of 5 up to 18, families from all backgrounds and adults with a variety of diagnosis.. She has experience utilizing CBT, TBRI and motivational interviewing. She is passionate about her work and displays empathy and cultural competence in all the work that she does.