Karl Shackelford, M.DiV, BCCC

Karl is a Board Certified Clinical Chaplain, CPSP Counselor who specializes in grief counseling. Karl has partnered with the Richard Lambert Foundation since 2014, by leading the center’s grief workshops, seminars, and monthly support groups and seeing new clients for grief counseling. Karl worked for the Denver Hospice for over 10 years and has a passion for helping people through their grief journey. He will address your loss with sensitivity and compassion. Karl has been counseling teens and adults for over 30 years in his private practice and is highly experienced in grief, loss, relationship issues, and individual and couples therapy. Credentials

Rita Coalson, MA, LPC, NCC

Rita is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in Bereavement Counseling.  Rita joined Richard Lambert Foundation in 2016 where she leads various grief support groups and self-care workshops for adults. When one’s grieving process can benefit from personalized support, Rita is available for individual counseling for both children and adults. Rita creates a safe place in which individuals can process and express grief whether from the loss of a loved one or another major life-changing event. Rita’s years of experience as a grief counselor in palliative care and hospice services give her the compassion and understanding to support and walk alongside others during such a painful journey. Credentials

Cassidy Zavala, MA, LPC, NCC, PMH-C

Cassidy is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in bereavement counseling. Cassidy joined the Richard Lambert Foundation in 2020. She is a certified birth and bereavement doula and has completed specialized training to support individuals through every stage of perinatal loss. Cassidy started volunteering with RLF's youth programs in 2017 and, in 2018, served as secretary on the Board of Directors. She has counseled all age groups in the hospice and palliative care setting and community mental health. Cassidy leads the center's grief support groups and is available for individual counseling for teens and adults. Cassidy believes the most essential aspect of the therapeutic relationship is meeting the client where they are and building a safe, genuine relationship that allows space for healing and growth. Every client is the expert in their own story, and Cassidy strives to be a companion on their individual journey through grief and loss. Credentials

Tiffani Garner, MA, LPC, NCC, RPT

Tiffani is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist who specialized in grief counseling for children, teens, and adults. Tiffani joined Richard Lambert Foundation in 2021 where she leads various grief support groups and self-care workshops for adults. She has experience working with hospice as a counselor for families who have lost a loved one to terminal illness. As a former Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), she has experience in crisis and high stress situations. Tiffani believes that grief is different for everyone and that no two experiences look the same. She values the therapeutic relationship, which consists of providing a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment to process through grief and loss. Tiffani is a Colorado native and enjoys spending her down time with her husband, reading, hanging with her dogs, and finding the next vacation destination. Credentials

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