Our Providers and staff
Dina M. Mark, med, lpc
Executive Director and Therapist
*Dina is not currently accepting new clients.
Dina's passion has always been to empower children and teens to live their best life.
Dina is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado and a Nationally Board Certified (NCC) counselor. She is a former school counselor and teacher with over twenty years of experience working with children and families in a broad range of academic, professional, and volunteer settings.
Dina is an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) and a Certified Child & Adolescent Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP-CA). Dina works from a strengths based, person-centered approach and utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Bibliotherapy, and Play Therapy in her practice. She specializes in social-emotional learning for children and teens as well as workshops for parents. Areas of focus include stress management, anxiety reduction, social skills, emotional regulation, executive functioning, personal strength and empowerment, self-esteem, positive body image, growth mindset, mindfulness and meditation, impulse control, and more.
Dina earned her B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education in 1997, M.Ed. degree in Elementary Education in 2001, and her M.A. degree in Counseling and Human Services in 2013.
Dina is paneled with United Healthcare, Aetna, and Tricare insurances.
To contact Dina please call 719-358-7437 or email dina@heartspace-kids.org.
Cinthia brown, ms, lpc
Director of Resource & Program Development
and Therapist
Cinthia is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado. She also holds a Level 1 Yoga & Mindfulness Certification under Little Flower Yoga.
Cinthia's primary focus as a counselor is establishing a meaningful connection with her clients. She creates a trusting and safe environment where her clients feel supported and and understood, while creating space for personal growth and introspection. Cinthia has experience helping young people work through anxiety, depression, self-harm, emotional regulation, family conflict, and trauma. While she frequently draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness techniques, she also aims to individualize the therapeutic process for each client using a client-centered approach. Cinthia enjoys working with young people ages 9-18.
Cinthia received her B.S. in Nonprofit Management from Arizona State University in 2014, M.S. in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University in 2018.
Cinthia is paneled with United Healthcare and Aetna insurances.
To contact Cinthia directly, please call 970-680-3326 or email cinthia@heartspace-kids.org.
becca bleeker, lpc, ncc
Therapist
*Becca is not accepting new clients. Becca is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). She received her B.S in Psychology with a minor in Family Services from Eastern Illinois University, and her M.S in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in children and adolescents.
Becca has always had a passion for working with children, and being in the helping profession. She has a desire to assist children and adolescents who are struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, foster and adoption, and emotional regulation. Becca strives to create a safe and caring environment for her clients while they are navigating challenging times. She enjoys working with children ages 5 to 18.
Becca’s ability to connect with her clients allows her to tailor their services to meet their individual needs. She utilizes Client-Centered play therapy, Non-Directive play therapy, Theraplay, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy, as well as Cognitive Behavioral therapy.
Becca is paneled with United Healthcare, Aetna, and Tricare insurances.
To contact Becca directly, please call 719-445-8285 or email rebecca@heartspacekids.com.
EDITH R. COOPER, LCSW
Therapist
Edith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is passionate about providing therapy to clients in need. She received her MSW with a specialization in youth and families from Saint Louis University in 2016.
For the past six years she has provided therapy to youth seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma related issues. Edith is also a native Spanish speaker and is experienced in working with Spanish speaking clients. She specializes in working with pre-teens, adolescents, and young adults.
Edith believes in meeting her clients where they are in life and utilizes a person-centered and strengths-based approach to help them feel heard, understood, safe, and empowered. In 2018 Edith completed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) basic training through EMDRIA. Additionally, Edith has helped her clients through Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), traditional CBT, and utilizes mindfulness and somatic based interventions.
Edith is paneled with United Healthcare, Aetna, and Tricare insurances.
To contact Edith directly, please call 719-301-5576 or email edith@heartspacekids.com.
LAURA SHANK, MSW INTERN
Therapist Intern
Laura is a Master’s level intern, and will obtain her Master of Social Work (MSW) in the Spring of 2023. She received her B.S. in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University in 2020. Laura has experience in school social work, as well as providing ABA therapy to children as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).
Laura has always had a passion for working with children, and believes in meeting clients where they are by utilizing a strengths-based approach. She specializes in working with children and adolescents of all ages struggling with depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, behavioral concerns, and trauma. Laura strives to create a safe space for children to be exactly who they are and is experienced working with diverse populations, especially LGBTQ+. Laura utilizes an eclectic approach to counseling by incorporating traditional CBT, Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Client-Centered therapy, mindfulness approaches, and behavioral modification.
Laura is currently under the supervision of Edith Cooper, LCSW.
To contact Laura directly, please call 719-362-0454 or email laura@heartspacekids.com.
Allyssa WASKEWICZ, LCSW
Therapist
Allyssa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Colorado. She has over 10 years of experience working with children and families in the areas of mental health, child welfare, foster care, and adoption.
Allyssa believes in a client-centered approach and meeting clients where they are. She specializes in working with children and adolescents struggling with trauma, depression, and anxiety. She also has experience with adoption and foster care related issues. Allyssa utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness techniques.
Allyssa received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Colorado in 2012 and her Master of Social Work degree from Newman University in 2016.
To contact Allyssa directly, please call 719-358-7437.
DANICA ALTER, MED, ET/A
Educational Therapist
Danica is an Educational Therapist and seasoned, masters level educator with 20 years of teaching experience. She has taught multiple grade levels, including both general education and special education in elementary, middle and high school. She loves helping students with a wide range of learning differences. As a teacher and a mother, Danica believes in developing authentic relationships with kids to help them attain their academic and social-emotional goals. She meets her students right where they are, and helps them set goals through conversations and observations, building personalized plans that include direct instruction, coaching, and mindfulness techniques.
Danica works cooperatively with her students’ families, teachers, and school administrators to align curriculum and learning strategies to help close academic gaps, and provide support outside of the classroom. She assists in the development of IEPs, researches and creates customized educational therapy plans, and helps her students improve executive functioning skills, building their confidence and a love of learning. Danica’s primary role as an Educational Therapist is to bring positive change into the lives of each of her students.
Danica received her BA in History at Metropolitan State University of Denver in 1999 and her M.Ed. in Special Education from Columbus State University in 2002.
To contact Danica directly, please call 434-284-1604 or email danica@heartspacekids.com.
Lelia Davis, RN, BSN, MFA
Client Care Coordinator - Kids First Fund
Lelia is a Registered Nurse with twenty-three years of experience in the areas of pediatrics, adults, psychiatry, addiction, research, nutrition and art therapy. She is an active member of the National Psychiatric Nurses Association, local Mental Health and Wellness Committee, and supporter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness.
Lelia is also an educator for clients navigating substance abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression and mood disorders, as well as a trainer for professionals in the field. Her primary focus is working with families to provide access to mental healthcare and resources. She is an advocate in the community and beyond, educating all age groups about the importance of caring for our mental health.
Along with her husband, children and four dogs, Lelia has enjoyed living in Colorado Springs since 2007.
To contact Lelia directly, please call 719-338-4137 or email lelia@heartspace-kids.org.
Lindsi miller
Office Manager
Lindsi is a native of Southern Colorado and joined the Heartspace Kids team as Office Manager in the fall of 2022. She is responsible for a broad range of services/resources that allow our organization to operate efficiently. Lindsi obtained her B.A in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2012 and has always been driven by a passion to help others. She is generally the first person to greet clients and welcomes them in with her friendly demeanor and positive attitude. Lindsi has an active interest in the growth and well-being of Heartspace Kids!
To contact Lindsi directly, please call 719-358-7437 or email lindsi@heartspacekids.com.