Who we are

Maria Droste Counseling Center is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that provides affordable therapy to the community and prepares clinicians to deliver high-quality, anti-oppressive mental health care across Colorado. 

Our work is rooted in the idea that mental health needs exist everywhere, but access to care does not. Access gaps are created by financial barriers, workforce shortages, stigma, and care systems that don’t consistently meet people where they are. Expanding access requires stronger community partnerships and a robust behavioral health workforce - not simply asking individuals and families to overcome those barriers without support. When mental health care is accessible, culturally responsive, and community-centered, more people can access the support they need to heal, grow, and thrive. 

MDCC was founded in 1989 to serve diverse working individuals and families who were falling through the cracks of the community mental health system. We soon began placing counselors in schools, and later expanded into telehealth and other community locations. Along the way, we learned that expanding access requires both bringing care closer to people and preparing more clinicians to serve diverse communities well. That is why direct care and clinical training have become two connected parts of our work. 

We offer individual, couple/relationship, family, and group counseling at our Denver office, through telehealth, and at community partner sites, with options for clients to utilize their insurance, receive services on a very low sliding scale, and/or tap into our Mental Health Access Fund, if eligible. On a given day, a child might meet with a counselor at school, an adult client might attend a virtual therapy session, an intern might receive supervision regarding a complex case, and an experienced clinician might deliver an online continuing education training. 

At the end of the day, MDCC is focused on making sure people can receive excellent mental health services regardless of their income, location, or ability to navigate a complicated system. By serving people now while preparing more capable, resilient clinicians, we help individuals get the care they need while strengthening Colorado’s mental health workforce for the future. 

Our Mission

Our mission is to make exceptional mental health care accessible to all while building a stronger, more responsive behavioral health workforce for Colorado’s future.

Our Vision

A Colorado where everyone can access exceptional mental health care and where a diverse, well-supported, sustainable behavioral health workforce is equipped to meet the needs of every community.

Laura Ferguson, LPC, LMFT

Executive Director

Melissa Weiler-Cabral, LPC, MBA

Clinical Director

Luke r. waldron

Development Director

Kate Trewartha, LCSW

Senior Compliance Manager

Maresa hubbard, dsw, lcsw, lac

Clinical Manager

lynn ross

Billing Manager

Charles Rasmussen

Accounting Manager

Giulia (GiGi) Gurevitz

Sadia Saleem, LCSW

Clinical Coordinator