Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic

A healing clinic for recovery from trauma specializing in military and first responders, but open to all.

About Us

The Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic (VHTC) is a specialized clinic that is dedicated to providing support to Veterans, active military members, emergency responders, and their families who are struggling with psychological challenges resulting from traumatic experiences in their line of work. The clinic operates under the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at UCCS, and it offers tailored treatments that aim to aid in the recovery process. The VHTC is committed to helping individuals overcome the effects of trauma, and it provides a safe and supportive environment for those seeking help.

Services Offered

  • Specialized Trauma Recovery: Licensed, experienced clinicians offer specialized treatment for combat and deployment stress, sexual assault, physical or psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress and secondary trauma.
  • Trauma Treatment: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure therapy in addition to other evidence-based interventions are used to help you recover.
  • Flexible Services: Individual, group and couples therapy are available.
  • Art Therapy: By engaging in creative expression, individuals can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhance emotional regulation, and communicate feelings without relying on words. To learn more about the VHTC Art Therapy program, you can download the flyer here

We are an innovative behavioral health care clinic providing specialized services to address the mental health needs of individuals and families in our military and civilian communities.

Our experienced, licensed clinicians are here to create a plan uniquely tailored to meet your needs based on collaborative, family-integrated, and research-informed care. Together with you, your clinician, and your team of providers at the Lane Center, we will determine the best treatment approach to address your specific concerns and ensure you get the quality of care you deserve.

We provide services to survivors of psychological trauma using evidence-based practices in treatment for active duty and retired veterans, family members, survivors of physical trauma or natural disaster, first responders, and behavioral health providers who are suffering from symptoms of trauma spectrum disorders such as combat/deployment stress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), secondary trauma and burnout.

Services include individual trauma treatment for teens and adults, family therapy, group therapy, and technology-based interventions. Our service providers have years of experience providing mental health services to first responders, military members, their families, and civilian adults and children.

At the UCCS Lane Center for Academic Health Sciences, the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience - Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic is uniquely positioned in the community to offer integrated behavioral healthcare.

We work in collaboration with other Lane Center providers and community agencies to help effectively manage stress/anxiety/depression & trauma recovery. We offer:

  • Individual, group, and family psychotherapy services
  • Ages 12 and older
  • Licensed, experienced clinicians
  • Specialized treatment for combat/deployment stress, sexual assault, psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, and secondary trauma  

Our experienced team of professionals will take the time necessary to understand each client's concerns. Together with the client, we will create a plan uniquely tailored to meet each individual's needs.

For trauma treatment, our clinicians are trained to provide cognitive-behavioral and exposure-based treatments including, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy as well as other evidence-based interventions.

Services offered by the Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Group (pdf)
  • Services for Colorado Springs Police Department (PDF)

Are you interested in participating in research studies?

You can make a difference and help us learn more by volunteering to participate in research projects at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at UCCS.

Several UCCS professors and graduate students conduct research on resilience, trauma, and new interventions to aid in trauma recovery through the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at UCCS. This research has been presented at national conferences and published in professional journals. The goal of this research is to expand our knowledge regarding the behavioral and biological effects of a broad range of traumatic stressors and to enhance health and trauma recovery with improved clinical interventions and supports.

Every research project has been reviewed and approved by the UCCS Institutional Review Board to ensure participant safety and confidentiality. Some projects involve payment to participants and others are conducted on a volunteer basis.

Please consider participating and join our list of community members willing to participate in research.  Adding your name does not mean you have to participate in any study.  It is always your choice and we will remove your name at any time at your request:

Trauma Research Registry.

Additional Information

Nicole Weis, MA, LPC, LAC

Nicole Weis is a 2016 graduate of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Master’s in Clinical Psychology program, with an emphasis in trauma, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Addiction Counselor. In her role at the Institute, Nicole oversees the Veteran Health and Trauma Clinic, Milestones Resilience Care Center, and Institute community trainings. These trainings include Peer Support Programs for several organizations in Colorado,  the Trauma Training for Professionals online program,  GRIT Program, and customized workshops. Nicole is skilled in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, community crises and disasters, and resilience and self-efficacy skills.

Lisa L. Decker, MA, LPC

Lisa Decker provides direct clinical services to adolescent and adult trauma survivors at the VHTC, while also providing clinical consultation and grant support services to the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience research team. Since joining the University in 2009, Ms. Decker has held a variety of faculty research and clinical positions, including Interim Clinic Director, Clinical Supervisor, Graduate Student Training Coordinator, and Professional Research Assistant. Having experience in research and clinical operations, program management, and various educational and instructional positions, Ms. Decker brings her clinical and research expertise to promote resilience among trauma survivors utilizing evidenced-based treatments such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques, CBT, EMDR, CPT, DBT, and RO-DBT. Ms. Decker graduated from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and periodically teaches both undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at UCCS.

Tim Doenges, Ph.D.

Dr. Tim Doenges first became interested in working in the mental health field while volunteering at a transitional home for people coming out of prison in South Bend, Indiana. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Program of Liberal Studies University of Notre Dame in 2001 and began working in the field of mental health. He served in AmeriCorps at a psychiatric hospital for children, facilitated family psychoeducational groups, and has worked with therapeutic wilderness programs. He earned a master's degree in Community Counseling from Western Carolina University in 2005 and then worked as the Bereavement Coordinator for a hospice program for several years. Tim then earned his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University, completing his predoctoral internship at the Denver VA Medical Center. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in primary care-mental health integration with the Colorado Health Foundation. He comes to the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience after working with active-duty military service members and military veterans for 8 years. His primary clinical interests are in health psychology and integrated care.

Shannon Everett, MA, LPC

Shannon Everett is a Clinical Therapist at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience - Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic. She brings over 15 years of experience working in the mental health field including in inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospital (PHP) settings with children, adolescents, and adults. She is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Play Therapy, CBT, DBT skills, and Family Systems. She is passionate about serving those who have mood and trauma spectrum disorders including issues related to combat trauma, developmental trauma, and complex trauma. Ms. Everett holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver.

Erin Fowler, MA, LPC

Erin Fowler serves at the Strategic Alliances Liaison, Student Training Supervisor, and a Clinical Therapist at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience - Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic. She has been a practicing psychotherapist since 2003. While direct clinical work has always been at the forefront for her, Ms. Fowler has branched out as a clinical supervisor, case manager, and media consultant/community educator regarding mental health and PTSD. She served a variety of populations along the Front Range through her work with AspenPointe, TESSA, and Urban Peak, prior to joining the team at the Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic in 2014. Ms. Fowler specializes in treating complex posttraumatic stress disorder and dissociation in a variety of populations including those with extensive combat history and those in law enforcement. Alongside her clinical duties, Ms. Fowler coordinates Strategic Alliances for the Clinic and provides training and supervision to students in the UCCS PhD in Psychology Program (Trauma Track). Ms. Fowler is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and holds a Disaster Behavioral Health Field Response Certification (MRC). She has special expertise in both Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and EMDR. Additionally, Ms. Fowler is passionate about the intersection of creativity and healing. Currently, she helps facilitate a weekly writing class for veterans with esteemed local writers and continues to work within the arts community to train and design new interventions. Ms. Fowler earned her Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado.

Amy Huntington Hollis

Amy Huntington is the office coordinator at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience - Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic and is responsible for the front office operations of the clinic. In her role, Huntington works with clinic staff, student employees, and the public, coordinating front desk operations. She has previous experience working in several capacities in other clinical administration roles. Ms. Huntington is proud to be serving Veterans, first responders, and their families, and is grateful to be part of the UCCS family.

Jodi Savino

Jodi Savino is the billing and authorization coordinator at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience - Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic. She is responsible for client accounts and all payment authorizations for care in the clinic. Savino works with clinicians, insurance payers, the Veterans Administration, and clients to ensure this process runs smoothly. She has worked for over twenty years in the financial end of the healthcare industry and holds a degree in business administration.

Miranda Shaw, Psy.D.

Dr. Miranda Shaw is a Staff Psychologist at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience - Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic. She has been a practicing psychologist in the community since 2013, serving as a clinical supervisor, therapist, and community trainer. She has served various populations ranging in age from 2-102, specializing in trauma, aging, chronic illness, caregiving, depression, and anxiety. She is trained in EMDR, CBT, DBT, Person-Centered Therapy, Geropsychology, Animal Assisted Therapy, and Caregiver Family Therapy. She is passionate about helping people learn strategies for dealing with their world more effectively and meeting people where they are, without judgment. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, with a specialty in Early Childhood Trauma from the University of Denver.

Interested in being considered for research opportunities? Join our research registry! Click this link to be enrolled: https://resilience.uccs.edu/call-for-participants/trauma-registry

Contact Us

About Us

Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience - Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic 
Lane Center for Academic Health Sciences Building
Third Floor, Suite 380
4863 North Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80918

719-255-8003
719-255-8075
vhtc@uccs.edu

Clinical Director:
Tom Caughlan, MSW, LCSW

Insurance Accepted

  • Tricare West
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Medicare
  • Rocky Mountain Health Care

Other Payment Options

  • VA Benefits (with referral)
  • Headstrong Project
  • Self-pay options are available

Hours of Operation

Monday through Thursday
7:30am – 4:30pm

Friday
7:00am – 4:00pm

Closed daily for lunch from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm.

We abide by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) holidays, closures, and cancellations.