Our Team
Meet the Owners
Sera Bennett is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She believes each client deserves a therapeutic relationship built on understanding, respect, and compassion; she creates healing based on the unique path that brought each individual into therapy. She has worked with adults, teens, and children for over 15 years to heal the wounds from sexual abuse. She utilizes alternative modalities to talk therapy such as Microcurrent Neurofeedback, EMDR, and IFS. She enjoys consulting with other professionals (colleagues, attorneys, professionals within the criminal justice system) on trauma-informed care. When not in her office, she enjoys exploring the Denver restaurant scene, spending time diving into a juicy fiction novel, or cuddling up on the couch with her therapy dog, Maisy.
Education: Colorado State, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, 2011
Licensure: Colorado MFT #1087, Wyoming MFT #213, Arizona MFT #15900, SOMB Full Operating Provider & Clinical Supervisor
Formal Trainings: EMDR (2007) Neurofeedback (2022), IFS (2023)
Jacque Sumida is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has worked with individuals who have committed sexually-based offenses for over 22 years, she is a victim representative for the Division of Youth Services and Savio House, and she has a private practice where she focuses on trauma therapy. She specializes in working with juveniles and adults, including individuals with intellectual disabilities and individuals who exhibit symptoms related to Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). She also provides support to friends, families, and support systems of those who have offended. Past experience includes: Victim Representative for Rite of Passage, Domestic Violence Victim Advocate, and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
Education: University of Phoenix, MC in School Counseling and Human Services, 2007
Licensure: LPC #6430, SOMB Full Operating Provider
Formal Trainings: EMDR (2007), IFS (2023)
Additional Therapists
Amira Minazzi is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has been working with individuals who have engaged in abusive sexual behaviors since 2016. Amira practices trauma-informed therapy within a systemic approach, and believes that involving support systems can greatly aid to the success of clients' path to change. She has a particular passion for working with couples as they heal and rebuild after sexual abuse was perpetrated (whether inside or outside the relationship). Amira humbly identifies as a Queer Ally.
Education: University of Northern Colorado, Master of Arts in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling Therapy, 2017
Licensure: LPC#16626, SOMB Full Operating Provider
Formal Trainings: Level 1 Trained Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Ashley Charbonneau is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Addiction Counselor. She has worked with this population since 2009. She primarily conducts offense-specific evaluations, and she also teaches at MSU Denver and is writing a book that will be a clinician's guide to healing sexual trauma. Outside of the mental health field, she loves to travel and spend time with her three doggies.
Education: University of Southern California, MSW, 2013; current PhD in Social Work student at Walden University
Licensure: LCSW #CSW.09924270, LAC #ACD.0001517, Approved Clinical Supervisor (2022-present), SOMB Provider & Evaluator (2016-present), SOMB Clinical Supervisor (2023-present)
Formal Trainings: EMDR (2022), IFS (2023)
MSW Interns
Caleb Kapp is an MSW Candidate at the University of Denver. He values each client as the expert of their own life and strives to empower them with practical tools to navigate life’s challenges. Caleb sees therapy as a collaborative process, where his role is to provide frameworks that help clients better understand their emotions and behaviors, ultimately guiding them toward a life that aligns with their values and goals. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling, playing music, and building aquariums.
Education: BA in History from Bridgewater State University, 2019
Supervisor: Ashley
Benjamin Melhorn is an MSW Candidate at the University of Denver. He believes past behaviors do not define who a client is today, and we should hold space and hope for each client's potential for growth.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from CU Boulder, 2010; Juris Doctor from University of Denver, 2014
Supervisor: Ashley
Sydney Sitko is an MSW Candidate at the University of Denver. Sydney’s background in linguistics - the study and science of language - informs her therapeutic approach, recognizing language as a powerful tool for understanding and healing. She is particularly drawn to providing sexual health education to older adults, who tend to experience marginalization and stigma surrounding their sexual behavior. Outside of her work with clients and ongoing studies, Sydney enjoys connecting with her community, drawing, hiking, and spending time at home with her partner and their lively menagerie of furry and scaly pets.
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Linguistic Analysis and Cultural Studies, 2021; Master's in Theoretical Linguistics from Georgetown University, 2023
Supervisor: Ashley
Meet Our Consultant
With over 31 years of dedicated experience in the field of forensics, Kim Oleson brings a wealth of knowledge in areas including sex crimes, domestic violence, general mental health, and victimology. A seasoned guest lecturer at local, state, and national levels, she has also served as a respected expert witness in close to 60 cases throughout northern Colorado.
Education: University of Northern Colorado, Bachelor's and Master's degrees
Admin
Maggie interned at Nova in the Fall of 2024 and loved the work (and the people!) so much that she decided to stick around part-time. She is excited to keep learning and growing alongside such an amazing team. When she is not at work or school, you can usually find her cooking for friends and family, paddleboarding, or out enjoying live music.
Education: BSW student at Metropolitan State University of Denver, graduating in Spring 2026, planning to continue with an MSW
The Nova Dogs
Maisy the Morkie (Maltese/Yorkie) is the official Nova Counseling waiting room greeter. She loves welcoming all clients with a wagging tail and at full speed running down the hall. Say hi to her next time you see her!
Grizz, Desi, and Frank make up the short-legged crew and all love to go to work! Grizz enjoys sitting on the floor, Desi constantly looks for treats to be dropped on the ground by clients, and Frank sits on chairs.
