About Us
COMPASSIONATE MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR EVERY SEASON OF LIFE
At A Willow Bends, we believe that people, like willows, may bend under life’s challenges, but they do not break. Whether you’ve experienced abuse or trauma, lost a loved one through divorce or death, or turned to alcohol or drugs to cope, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out takes courage, and we are here to walk beside you with compassion and care. Our mission is to help you rediscover hope, healing, and the strength you already carry within.
Founded by Executive Director Scheila Watson, A Willow Bends, LLC was created from her belief that mental health care should be rooted in genuine human connection. Through her years of experience, she saw that too many people were treated like case numbers—not people—and she set out to build a practice centered on empathy, honesty, and real therapeutic relationships.
We are proud to serve our Colorado communities with counseling services in Teller and El Paso counties. We have three locations across Woodland Park, Colorado Springs, and Cripple Creek, as well as statewide through secure telehealth. Our team of experienced mental health professionals works with children, teens, and adults, in both individual and group settings. To ensure therapy and counseling are accessible, we accept multiple major health insurance plans and provide affordable self-pay options.
Flexible in scheduling and client-focused in approach, we meet you where you are to work on your goals, at your pace, with support you can trust. Reach out—because you don’t have to do this alone.
Mission Statement
The mission of A Willow Bends LLC is to provide effective and compassionate mental health services to all who seek care, with the goal of alleviating the struggles and symptomology of those in need of assistance. We are committed to supporting individuals on their journey toward healing and well-being, embracing each person's unique story with empathy, respect, and professionalism. Our purpose is to foster hope, promote resilience, and empower our clients to achieve a higher quality of life.
Meet The Team
Scheila Watson MA, LPC, LAC, MAC, PRE
Executive Director - Counselor, Advocate, and Family Enthusiast
Guiding Clients Toward Resilience and Healing Since 2004
Professional Journey and Philosophy
Scheila has been dedicated to the counseling profession since October 2004. Her commitment to helping others led her to earn a Master’s degree in 2006, followed by licensure in 2008 as both a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). Shortly after receiving her credentials, Scheila founded A Willow Bends, LLC, a practice rooted in compassion, support, and personal growth.
Central to Scheila’s approach is her steadfast belief in the innate resiliency of her clients. She recognizes that their strength has served them well in the past and can be harnessed to facilitate meaningful change for a brighter future. Scheila walks alongside her clients, empowering them to discover and embrace their own unique resilience. Through collaborative work, she provides guidance and practical groundwork to help each individual move toward a peaceful, healing, and trauma-free future.
Personal Life and Passions
When Scheila isn’t working, she enjoys spending quality time with her family. You might find her babysitting her grandchildren, exploring the Zoo or The North Pole with her youngest loved ones, or engaging in heartfelt conversations with her adult children. Relaxing at home with her husband and cats is another cherished pastime. Scheila’s hobbies reflect her love for both warmth and adventure. On cold nights, she finds joy in knitting and crocheting, while weekends might involve skiing or, when weather permits, setting sail for new horizons. Her active lifestyle and close-knit family ties enrich her life and fuel her compassionate work with clients.
Christina Palmer MA, LPC, LAC, EMDR
Clinician
Christina Palmer is from Colorado Springs, CO. She attended Pikes Peak Community College (now Pikes Peak State College) before transferring to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies in 2007. She was later accepted into the College of Education’s Community Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, earning her Master of Arts degree in Community Mental Health Counseling in 2010.
During her undergraduate and graduate studies, she worked with the Smart Girl Program, helping young women develop self-esteem, communication skills, and professional development skills in middle school and high school. In graduate school, Ms. Palmer had the opportunity to work with high-risk youth and their families in a residential treatment setting.
Ms. Palmer opened A Willow Bends LLC in Woodland Park with Ms. Watson in 2015. Their philosophy is that trauma is the underlying cause of most substance use, and in treating the underlying trauma, they treat the substance use.
Ms. Palmer is available for both in-person and telehealth appointments.
Colleen Rodriguez MA, LPCC
Clinician
Hello, my name is Colleen Rodriguez, a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s most challenging moments. I specialize in working with clients who are experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, relationship and attachment difficulties, eating disorders, and self-harming behaviors.
My therapeutic approach is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based practices. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) by Dr. John Hartung, a powerful modality that supports healing from trauma and distressing life experiences. I draw from various therapeutic methods to meet each client where they are and tailor treatment to their unique needs and goals.
I work with individuals ages 13 and up, and I value creating a safe, supportive space where my clients can feel heard, understood, and empowered. Whether you're facing a recent life change, struggling with long-standing emotional pain, or seeking to improve your relationships and self-understanding, I’m here to support you on your journey toward healing and growth.
Erin Van Egmond MSW, LCSW
Clinician
Erin Van Egmond, LCSW, has lived in Colorado for most of her life. She attended Woodland Park High School, graduating in 2005, and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. After completing her undergraduate degree, she returned to Teller County to pursue work serving underserved populations. She worked as a life skills worker at Southern Peaks Regional Treatment Center in Cañon City and later as an at-risk student advocate for the Cripple Creek School District.
In 2009, Erin met her husband, Jacob Van Egmond, and the two married in 2014. They purchased a home in Guffey, Colorado, where they enjoy outdoor activities such as horseback riding, four-wheeling, and camping. They raised two children, Havannah and Jeremiah Van Egmond, both of whom have graduated high school and begun their own careers. Erin’s family has raised buckskin quarter horses for most of her life, so it was only fitting that she married into a ranching family. Throughout much of the year, she assists her in-laws in maintaining their herd while focusing on family life.
In 2014, Erin enrolled in a master’s program at Walden University, graduating with her MSW in 2018. She earned her LCSW in 2022 and maintains ongoing education in substance abuse and trauma-focused care. Erin continues to serve high-risk populations in Teller County as an LCSW with A Willow Bends.
Blake Bradley MA, LPCC
Clinician
In this age of fortitude, where new evolving experiences are accompanied by stress and anxieties of the world, resiliency and perseverance are true necessities of life. Obstacles and adverse experiences truly shape individual traits of excellence that reveal a commitment to and dedication for personal growth. We all have a choice or a role to play when overcoming these challenges of life. Individuals need a positive support system to walk with them in the face of these challenges. When these individuals commit to this self-care, accompanied by a mental health clinician, life changing work can begin.
My inpatient and in-school-based experiences have shaped my approach and interventions. I am most familiar with working with adolescents and families because of these experiences and use specific modalities geared towards these populations. The most common modalities I use are Trauma-Focused CBT, DBT, and EMDR.
My journey to becoming a mental health therapist has been driven by a passion for helping others and a commitment to personal and professional growth. I am eager to bring my skills, experience, and compassionate approach to this rewarding field, making a positive impact on the lives of those I have the privilege to work with.
Alicia Oxborrow MA, LPCC
Clinician
I truly enjoy helping clients make positive and lasting changes in their lives. Connecting with my clients to build a trusting, safe, and respectful relationship is my goal. I am here to support you on your journey toward growth and healing. My integrative approach is warm, collaborative, and person-centered. As we work together, I hope to provide a safe space for you to explore your emotions, examine limiting beliefs, and, if needed, process and integrate past trauma. If you are dealing with anxiety, life or faith transitions, trauma, caregiver stress, or grief and loss, we can navigate these together.
Is the past a heavy weight you’ve been carrying around? If you are struggling with the effects of trauma, EMDR can be an effective tool for processing and healing from these emotional wounds. Using the Life Trajectory approach, we will explore the present, past, and future so you can better understand the larger story playing out in your life and identify your desired goals.
Having experienced firsthand the healing power of counseling, I get it. Therapy can be a scary first step, and growth can be challenging and painful at times. Identifying limiting patterns of thinking and behavior can provide the insight needed to create positive change. Learning and integrating new coping skills can help build resilience as we work together.
Christine Dennin-Clair
Administrator & Supervised Visitation Specialist
Christine has been a valued member of our administrative team for nine years, serving in a variety of administrative roles, including supporting the clinic’s billing operations. She also plays a vital role in our Supervised Visitation Program, where she helps create a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment for parents and their children to connect.
Christine has been married to her husband, Kenny, for nine years, and together they are raising three beautiful children and seven beloved fur-babies. Outside of work, you’ll often find this Colorado native cheering on her kiddos at soccer games, crafting, or relaxing with a good book.
Clint Taravella
Sobriety Monitoring Manager & DUI Facilitator
My name is Clint Taravella. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) in 2012.
I have spent the past two decades working primarily as an educator. Over the years, I have served as a teacher’s aide, a math and reading tutor, a science teacher, and a teacher at an after-school program in Japan. I recently transitioned into the mental health field to further my passion for helping others.
Nicholas “Nico” Ross
Clinician Intern
Hi, I’m Nico — a counselor intern passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where you can share your story and feel truly seen.
I specialize in working with teens, adults, and older adults navigating trauma, dual diagnosis, and depression. My approach is rooted in compassion and collaboration, helping clients unpack difficult experiences while building resilience and healthier patterns. I draw from Narrative Therapy, CBT, and DBT modalities to tailor each session to meet you where you are.
As a trauma-informed clinician, I understand how deeply our past can shape our present — and I believe healing happens within relationships grounded in trust, safety, and authenticity. Whether you’re struggling with overwhelming emotions, substance use, or simply trying to make sense of things, I’m here to walk alongside you.
I welcome individuals from all walks of life, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community. You’re not alone, and your healing journey matters.
(Please note: all sessions with me will include Nutmeg or Dolly, unless you prefer not to have dogs present during your sessions.)
KC Montravadi MFT-C, LPCC
Clinician
With a master’s degree and 25 years of marriage, I’ve navigated merging two cultures, military life, and raising children into adulthood. I hope to use my knowledge and experiences to help you as an individual, couple, or family as you learn tools for better communication, conflict resolution, decreased anxiety, life skills, and connection-building.
I begin counseling with the question, “What makes you, you?” Understanding where we come from and how that influences our relationships is essential. Together, we will work toward your individualized goals to provide you with the tools you need to flourish on your own.
I specialize in couples and family therapy. I believe there is hope for every family willing to do the work, and I want to fight alongside you to reach your potential together. I’m good with "messy”, and I’m willing to get in the mud with you so you can grow and heal, individually and as a couple or family.
I love to hear your stories! I want to help you discover who you are and where you want to go. From there, you can take control of your story, and together we’ll work on the changes necessary to help you become your best self. I would love it if you would allow me to walk with you on this journey, through your life, marriage, family, and relationships.
