Grief Training Is Essential
Our Therapists' Credentials
Why Our Therapists’ Credentials Matter
When you’re seeking support during one of the most vulnerable times in your life, it’s important to know who you are trusting with your story.
Listing our therapists’ credentials ensures transparency, professionalism, and confidence in care. Each credential represents years of education, supervised clinical experience, and a commitment to ethical, evidence-based practices. It also confirms that our clinicians meet state licensing requirements and uphold the highest standards of care.
At the Richard Lambert Foundation, we believe healing begins with feeling safe, seen, and supported, and knowing your therapist is qualified is part of that foundation.
Why Specialized Grief Training Is Essential
Grief is not a disorder to fix, it is a deeply personal and complex experience that requires specialized understanding.
Grief support isn’t something that can be fully understood through limited coursework. Many clinical programs offer only brief exposure, often a single semester course or elective on death and dying, which is why ongoing, grief-specific training is essential to truly support those navigating loss.
While many therapists are trained in general mental health, grief-informed care is different. It requires deeper knowledge and continued and advanced education in areas such as but not limited to:
Death, Dying & Bereavement
Understanding Grief & Loss
Comprehensive Bereavement
Companioning Model
Complicated and Prolonged Grief
Traumatic and Sudden Death
Loss of a Child, Spouse, or Significant Relationship
Child and Adolescent Grief
Family Systems and the Impact of Loss
Facilitating Grief
Disenfranchised Loss
Differential Diagnosis (Distinguishing between acute grief and clinical depression or anxiety)
Our therapists are committed to ongoing education so they can meet you with both clinical expertise and genuine understanding, honoring that grief is not something to “move on” from, but something to carry, integrate, and live alongside.
Why It’s Important to Ask About Grief Training
When seeking support, it’s okay, and encouraged, to ask questions.
Not all clinicians receive the same level of grief training, and most graduate programs provide only foundational exposure. Because of this, we encourage individuals and families to ask any therapist: “What additional grief training have you completed beyond your clinical program, and for how long?”
This question helps ensure that the person supporting you has invested in developing the skills, knowledge, and sensitivity needed to truly understand the complexities of grief.
You deserve care from someone who is not only licensed, but also intentionally trained in grief and loss, someone who can sit with your pain without trying to fix it, rush it, or minimize it.
Your Grief Has a Space Here and It Deserves to Be Held by Someone Who Truly Understands It
Rita Coalson, MA, LPC, NCC
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, Regis University
Licensed Professional Counselor, Colorado
National Certified Counselor
Published Author in a chapter from the book “Getting Hit, Getting Up, Moving Beyond
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Certification for ASIST Training (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
Director, Co-Director, Trainer for Volunteers at various Children’s Grief Camps
Workshop Presenter at various Colorado School Districts & Assisted Living/Nursing Homes
Psychodrama Training
Recipient of the Hospice Caregiver Award
Guest Lecturer at various Universities for Masters Counseling Classes for Grief with Children/Teens
Life Coach Certification
Member of the American Counseling Association
Tiffani Garner, MA, LPC, NCC, RPT-S
BS in Psychology with Minor in Criminology, Regis University
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Registered Play Therapist (RPT), Association for Play Therapy
National Certified Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor, Colorado
Ashley Shepherd, LCSW
Bachelors of Social Work, University of North Texas
Masters of Social Work, University of Houston
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Colorado
Certified Pathfinders Provider
Cassidy Zavala, MA, LPC, NCC, PMH-C
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Regis University
BS in Applied Psychology, Regis University
Licensed Professional Counselor, Colorado
National Certified Counselor
Member of American Counseling Association
Member of Postpartum Support International, Certified Perinatal
Mental Health Counselor (PMH-C)
Certified birth and bereavement doula through Stillbirthday
Currently completing coursework to be a CAC II (Certified Addictions Counselor)
Training and experience in crisis intervention and trauma informed care
Rachel Cheatle Seely, MA, LPC
BS in Psychology, Colorado State University
MA in Buddhist Studies, Naropa University
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Naropa University
Licensed Professional Counselor, Colorado
Equine Facilitated Learning & Coaching Certification
EMDR Basic Training & Grief Protocol
Somatic Trauma Training
Self Compassion in Psychotherapy Certification
Psychobiological Approach to Couples Counseling (PACT) Level I & II
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher Training
Ordained Healthcare Chaplain
Postpartum Doula Certification
Certified Pathfinders Provider
“I am deeply honored to work alongside an extraordinary and compassionate team devoted to walking with others through grief. They inspire me every day.” ~ Susan Chavez, Director & Founder
Need Immediate Help?
The Richard Lambert Foundation provides grief support and counseling but does not offer 24-hour emergency or crisis services. If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or experiencing a crisis, please reach out to the resources below for immediate support.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Colorado Crisis Services
Call 1-844-493-8255
Text TALK to 38255
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