Respark is proud to announce that we have a non-profit arm called Respark Foundation.
Respark Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to provide all-inclusive, holistic, and educational care to survivors of sexual harm through therapy, training, retreats, and workshops. Therapists that treat sexual trauma or abuse often do not have adequate training in sexual health. We fill that need for survivors of sexual harm or trauma, dating trauma, and sexual exploitation. The Respark Foundation offers the perfect intersection of trauma-informed and sexual health-focused therapy. Our therapists are trained in how to treat trauma as well as sexual health and intimacy issues and are able to do so at a cost that is affordable to those who are in need. In order to completely address the impact of trauma on the whole person, adult survivors of sexual harm need providers well-versed in a variety of interventions so that their skills, day-to-day functioning, identity, and relationships may recover. Click here to find out more information and schedule a session.
What is sexual harm?
- Unwanted sexual tension or pressure,
- Any form of nonconsensual sexual interaction,
- Unwanted sexual advances,
- Being shamed by others for sexual expression,
- Sexual trauma,
- Sexual abuse,
- Dating trauma,
- Sexual exploitation,
- Rape,
- Sexual assault,
- Sexual harassment,
- Sex trafficking,
- Revenge porn
Meet Our Respark Foundation Team:
To view the most up-to-date information on our current Respark Foundation team. Visit the "Our Team" page on Respark foundation.
Amanda Jepson, LPC
(she/her) is one of the co-founders of Respark Foundation and provides both therapy services and supervision for the nonprofit. She also works as a Contract Clinical Therapist at the UCCS Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Amanda has been working with survivors of trauma for 10 years. Her prior experience includes a community-based nonprofit in Minneapolis, Minnesota that served survivors of sexual violence and as a Program Director with a Partial Hospitalization Program in Colorado Springs focused on providing crisis stabilization and trauma processing in a fast-paced, short-term setting. She utilizes a variety of eclectic interventions, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), mindfulness, CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), Narrative Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to assist her adult clients. Her specific areas of experience include working with individual and couples who have mood and trauma spectrum disorder, experienced combat trauma, childhood physical or sexual abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, or vicarious trauma. Amanda also specializes in working from a sex-positive perspective to address sex, sexuality, and diverse gender issues, as well as empowering those reclaiming their identity in the aftermath of trauma. She is knowledgeable in and affirming of LGBTQ+ identification, polyamory and open relationships, and kink.
Heather McPherson, MA, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST
is one of the co-founders of Respark Foundation, working as a supervisor for the nonprofit. She is the founder of a group practice (respark.co) that serves Denver, Colorado, Austin, Texas, and beyond specializing in Relationships. In 2015, Heather founded The Sexual Health Alliance, which provides much needed education and certification training programs to therapists, doctors and healthcare providers. She is published in Playboy Magazine as well as Playboy Online, and has been featured on CNN, Parent Harald and TeenSafe websites. Heather McPherson has lectured at prestigious Universities including University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, University of Colorado and Governors State University in Chicago. She is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Supervisor (LMFT-S) and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S). She has appeared on several podcasts and was invited to speak at NerdNite in Austin on relationships and sexuality. Heather helps clients gain confidence, rebuild trust, increase playfulness, and find passion and meaning in their relationships. Heather graduated from Texas State University with an MA in Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy; a CACREP Accredited Program.
Laurin Lewis, MA, LPC-A
Laurin is a lifelong Texan who has never fit many of the stereotypes associated with being a Texan. Laurin is an LPC-Associate supervised by Heather McPherson MA, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST-S. She believes authenticity to be the most important trait a person can bring into a counseling relationship. She views all clients from a humanistic, trauma-informed, and holistic perspective that allows her to truly see the client as they are. She is passionate about recovery from religious and sexual trauma, grief and loss, non-monogamy, and providing a brave space for clients to explore their personhood. She graduated with her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Texas State University in December 2021. Prior to that, she graduated from Austin Community College with a Business Administration AS and University of Houston with a Psychology BS.
She is currently working toward her Sex Therapist certification through Sexual Health Alliance. She has also attended conferences covering such topics as problem sexual behavior, keeping the spark in long-term relationships, grief counseling, and various antiracist and social justice topics. Laurin lives in Austin with her partner and daughter. She likes to enjoy the outdoors (weather permitting) and reading. Through therapy, we can work to become our own relationship role models.
Utkala (Kala) Maringanti- LPC-A
I am Utkala. You can call me UT or Kala. I believe that life begins at the edge of our comfort zone and when it is explored with compassion and honoring our experiences and fears, we open the door to our dreams and goals.
Freedom is a true gift. Freedom to choose what is fulfilling to us, freedom to express yourself through authentic connections and fearlessly show up as our true selves in relationships. As a therapist, I hope to guide you towards what you desire from life. We often try to suppress our expression or desires to fit into others molds, losing our uniqueness. My desire is to shine light on your strengths and enable you to take your power back, moving towards fulfilling personal and relationship goals.
The process of change might sometimes feel daunting and uncomfortable but through a deeper understanding and trust we can work together to move through this to achieve your goals joyfully.
I work with people who are bold and determined to define their lives in their terms and are looking for authentic connections, whether they are monogamous, non monogamous or are just in the process of finding their relational identity. I welcome everyone who is in the pursuit of self discovery and will show up for themselves. I will be there as your trusted partner in this journey of yours.
Lisa Samuels, MA, LPC-A
Lisa provides a warm, non-judgmental, and safe space for clients. She believes that all people have the power to grow and change and that making the choice to come to therapy is a bold and brave one. Her goal is to be a partner in therapeutic relationships with her clients to support their process of development and exploration.
Lisa follows a Person-Centered approach while viewing individuals, couples, and experiences through a relational and attachment-focused lens. She believes that people develop their behaviors, wants, and needs from the connections made throughout their lives. Lisa also utilizes Solution-Focused techniques to help her clients take action as part of reaching their therapeutic goals.
Lisa works with various types of clients and presenting concerns. Some areas of interest and research include non-monogamy, desire discrepancy, asexuality, and aromanticism. She has experience using trauma-informed approaches with individuals and couples who have experienced trauma through sexual harm from her time with the Respark Foundation. Prior to working in the counseling field, Lisa worked with Neuro-diverse individuals for over a decade. She holds a firm belief that all people should be able to acknowledge and appreciate their sexuality in whatever way they find meaningful and enjoys working with all people at various stages of life.
Lisa Samuels, MA, LPC-Associate, is a therapist providing client care in Texas, supervised by Heather McPherson, MA, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST. She is part of the Sexual Health Alliance certification program on her way to earning certification as a Sex Therapist.
Shaun Telepak - MSW, LMSW
Well, hello there; I'm Shaun, supervised by Abbey Pelosi, LCSW-S, CST!
Finding an open-minded therapist to help you cope with a mental health condition that supports your non-traditional lifestyle/relationship choice is difficult. I am committed to helping individuals and couples explore their sexuality, erotic fantasies, and deepest desires without judgment or shame. With a unique blend of knowledge, skill, insight, and understanding of human sexuality, I provide a safe space for people to express their authenticity, explore their boundaries, discover new pleasures, and build stronger relationships. Whether you're looking to spice up your sex life with some kinky fun, deepen your connection through honest communication about sexual needs, or face past trauma—I’m available.
My approach is rooted in respect, understanding, open communication, and mutual negotiation—all vital components in any successful relationship. I enjoy working with everyone but LOVE working with poly-curious couples (newbies). No matter your background or relationship status, if you're ready to take the plunge into the exciting world of sexual pleasure or kink, I would be honored to guide you on your journey. Let's get started!
Ya-Shi Duhon
Hi! I'm Ya-Shi. I believe that relationships are the cornerstone of human life. Whether that relationship is with family, friends, lovers, or yourself; healthy relationships are important. With that in mind, my goal is to create a safe space to explore intimacy, relationships, and your truth. As a therapist, it is my job to help remove the stigma around sex, intimacy, and pleasure. As your therapist, I hope to guide you through the therapeutic process to explore these things and much more. Whether you are seeking clarity in your singleness or deeper connection in your relationships, I want to be there to support you. LGBTQIA+, kink, and non-monogamous clients are my target audience and I welcome all clients from all walks of life. I am here for you.
Casandra M. Jones - MPH, MA, LPC-A
Hello! and let me say congrats! on getting this far in the process of choosing a clinician. I am a LPC-Associate(under supervision of Dr. Melisa Fleming, LPC-S) with my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas A&M-San Antonio, working towards my sex therapy certification through the Sexual Health Alliance.
I specialize in working with sexually/relationally diverse individuals struggling with long-term mental health disorders or chronic health issues. While I can talk all day with you about your consensual non-monogamy, polyamory, kink, fetish or LGBTQ+ identity/orientation, I also understand that those aspects of you are only part of the mosaic of you. If you desire to work with someone who gets that intersectional life(both on a professional and personal level), then I would be honored to help you on your journey of healing/growth.
Clinically, I bring my background in public health science to my passion for healing on an individual/relationship level. I have worked in community health organizations for over 10 years and now that I am in the role of counselor I still hold that we are all very affected by the world around us. Those with long-term health struggles and minority status suffer more than they deserve, and I want to help alleviate some of that undue burden, by treating the sexual/relationship side of you as a strength in the fight with your everyday battles. I focus on using Neuro-Narrative, emotion-focused theories, with a heavy dash of systems thinking and attachment theory, to help people find contentment in life and move through trauma in a way that empowers.
Ready to start your healing journey with Respark Foundation? Click the button below to be redirected to Respark Foundations main page & schedule your first session.