TEAM ELK
Compassionate - Enduring - Connection​s
Mita M Johnson
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Ed.D, NCC, LPC, LMFT, LAC, ACS, MAC, LFMT-S, SAP, CATP, BCTHP
Dr. Mita M Johnson, Elk Meadow's Executive Director, brings 35 years of clinical experience working in behavioral health as a clinician, supervisor, curriculum developer, consultant, trainer, consultant, and mentor. She specializes in working with military members, men with complex trauma, addictions, pain management, and co-occurring disorders. She does evaluations & assessments routinely, alongside treatment & resource navigation.
Tammy Pope
Program Director
MS, LAC, ICGCII, BACC, ICOGS, EMDR-Trained
Tammy L. Pope, Elk Meadow's Program Director, brings 32 years of clinical experience working with adults and youth struggling with co-occurring mental health and addiction-related disorders. She specializes in gambling addiction, working with forensic cases, justice involved needs, case management, and re-entry logistics. Tammy uses her experience to work collaboratively with the client, ensuring that their stated needs are being addressed.
Mike Esplin, APNP
Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse
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Mike brings over a decade of experience in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and medication management, developed through work in community mental health and diverse clinical settings. He is dedicated to serving underserved and marginalized populations, providing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals experiencing mental health disorders including opioid and other SUDs, mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and ADHD. Committed to a patient-centered approach and informed by the latest best practices, Mike partners with each client to support their unique journey toward mental health and recovery. Mike is able to provide bilingual Spanish and English services.
Kelly Murphy
BA; MA Intern: Clinical Mental Health Counseling & SUD
Kelly has a warm, compassionate, welcoming counseling presence that offers meaningful, nonjudgmental connection and compassionate support to her clients. She values genuineness, transparency and humor in all her relationships. She leans into evidence-based treatment modalities including but not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, narrative therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, existential therapy, and emotionally-focused therapy. Kelly loves working with clients with diverse identities and experiences including clients struggling with substance use disorders, those who have justice system involvement, those who have diverse identities, and those who have endured significant exposure to traumatic events. Kelly has education in faith-based counseling and willingly incorporates faith and spiritiuality into her sessions when a client welcomes that in their work with her.
Amazing Therapists
Master's Level Counselors/Therapists; Faith Based Counselors; Counselors who work with LGBTQAI+; Counselors who work with couples
Elk considers it to be a privilege to work with amazing specialized counselors/therapists in our communities. We have worked with them for many years and they offer therapeutic interventions that are both timely, practical, and appropriate for each client's unique situation. In addition, we consider it an honor to work with the next generation of counselors workig towards licensure - knowing that they will work with many unique individuals during their time at Elk. We are proud to have interns from Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, and Colorado Christian University. All of our therapists offer in-person and virtual individual and group sessions.
Chris Weber
Resource Navigator
Care Coordinator - Community Liaison
Chris - who earned his Associate's Degree, is a CAT, and a Recovery Coach - serves as a Resource Navigator/Care Coordinator for Elk, bringing a strong foundation of lived experience and long-term recovery. In addition to professional training, he is actively involved in support groups, which only strengthens his commitment to recovery and helping others. His recovery journey alongside professional expertise allows him to connect with clients, providing them with meaningful care coordination support (access to treatment, housing, employment, social connection, and other resources). Dedicated to advocacy and client-centered care, Chris empowers Elk's clients to achieve stability, resilience, and long-term wellness.
Abby Monohan
Resource Navigator
Care Coordinator - Operations
Abby - who earned her Associate's Degree and is working on her Peer Mentor certification and Bachelor's degree - serves as a Resource Navigator/Care Coordinator for Elk, bringing a strong foundation of lived experience growing through trauma, mental health concerns, and toxic relationships. In addition to education and training, she is actively involved in the community, which only strengthens her commitment to recovery and helping others. Her MH recovery journey alongside professional expertise allows her to connect with clients, providing them with meaningful care coordination/resource navigation support (access to treatment, housing, employment, social connection, and other resources). Dedicated to advocacy and client-centered care, Abby empowers Elk's clients to achieve stability, resilience, and functional wellness.
Community Partners
Client-Centered - Addressing Complex Needs with Specialized Care
Community Partners
Client-Centered - Addressing Complex Needs with Specialized Care
Elk works with approved providers in the community who specialize in the following areas:
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Peer mentors/recovery coaches: CIH
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Art & Experiential Therapies
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Christian Counseling - Faith Based Counseling
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Complex Trauma - Moral Injury
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Play Therapy
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Shadow Work (Jungian based)
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Working with First Responders​ & Military members
