Our Team

Dr. Katy Barrs completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Professional Psychology in 2007. She is currently an Associate Clinical Professor in the Military Psychology specialty. She returned to the University of Denver six years ago to start and serve as the Clinic Director of the Sturm Center, a training clinic for Veterans, Servicemembers and their families.  Dr. Barrs has worked with Veterans and Servicemembers at the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center, the Boston V.A. Healthcare System, and the Denver Vet Center where she served in the role of Military Sexual Trauma Treatment Coordinator. Dr. Barrs oversees the Sturm Center, provides clinical education to multiple students within the clinic, and provides licensed community clinicians with education and consulting about these populations. She has been featured in the documentary Acronym, a timely expose about the nature of PTSD from combat. Dr. Barrs is also the 2016 recipient of the American Psychological Association's Society for Military Psychology (Division 19) Arthur W. Melton Early Achievement Award. She was also won the VFW Post 1 Citizen of the Year Award in 2019.  She feels honored to give back to those who have served our country. 

Dr. John Holmberg gained a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Baylor University prior to completing a clinical fellowship at the Yale University Child Study Center. John was research faculty on several evidence-based preventive intervention programs at the University of Colorado, Denver prior to becoming a research associate professor at GSPP. He focuses on clinical instruction, mentorship, and the development of research and clinical programs to address mental health issues in parents and children. 

Dr. Colby Rogers has a history of working in a myriad of mental health settings over the course of the past 20 years. Along with joining the GSPP at the University of Denver as the Clinic Manager of the Sturm Center, Dr. Rogers works as a partner and Licensed Professional Counselor at a private practice in the Denver metro area that specializes in PTSD working with a range of clients including, but not limited to Child Protective Service cases, childhood trauma, veterans and active military, and survivors of domestic violence. Prior to joining the University of Denver in June, he has also spent the past five years as a full-time faculty at Colorado Christian Universities’ Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Program and serving as a clinical consultant for a homeless transitional housing complex. Colby has also historically worked in various mental health settings including the Department of Youth Corrections, psychiatric hospitalization, detox and substance abuse facilities, and residential treatment facilities. Colby looks forward to all the opportunities available with the GSPP and the Sturm Center and is excited for the opportunity to assist and serve the students, veterans, active military, and their families. 

Dr. Erica Adkins is the Faculty Director of the Military Psychology Specialty at the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology. She is a Licensed Psychologist in Colorado and Ohio. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon in September 2009. She completed her predoctoral internship at Federal Correctional Institute Fort Worth, TX then spent the next 5 years as a psychologist with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. She currently owns and operates Stages of Change Psychotherapy, PLLC, a group practice in Colorado Springs, CO. Her private practice focuses on traumatic stress injuries, PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders. In addition, she is an Officer in the United States Army Reserve. She has extensive clinical experience working with crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment and intervention, incarcerated populations, and military populations both stateside and overseas. Her interests include Psychology of Women in the Military, Suicide Prevention and Intervention, and Multiculturalism, Inclusion, and Diversity in Military Populations. 

Dr. Elliott is an Assistant Research Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. Dr. Elliott is a developmental psychologist and received her Ph.D. and a master's degree with a specialization in Children, Families, and Cultures from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Dr. Elliott holds a second master’s degree in Counseling Psychology Clinical Mental Health from the DU. Prior to Dr. Elliott's faculty appointment, Dr. Elliott completed a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in infant/early childhood mental health program evaluation research at DU. Dr. Elliott joins DU following her Research Associate position at Georgetown University’s Center for Child Development in the Early Childhood Division. At Georgetown, Dr. Elliott was involved in numerous federally funded applied programmatic projects aimed to support maternal and infant/early childhood social-emotional development.

Learn More About Dr. Elliott

Hannah is a board-certified music therapist as well as a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology. She is in the Military Psychology Specialty, and currently provides psychotherapy for emergency responders and their families at Code-4 Counseling, neuropsychological assessment at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health located on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and music therapy at the Sturm Center as part of the Strengthening Bridges of Care Project supported by Caring for Denver. Her areas of clinical interests include military/first responder mental health, trauma, health psychology, substance use, and co-occurring diagnoses in adults. She is focusing current scholarship and research efforts on integrating music therapy and evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD such as prolonged exposure, as well as reducing healthcare provider burnout and secondary trauma through community arts interventions. Prior to doctoral training, she provided music therapy services for active-duty military populations with combat injuries on military installations in Southern California, Northern Virginia, and Central Texas. Hannah has held positions with Resounding Joy Inc. in San Diego California as well as Creative Forces: The National Endowment for the Arts Military Healing Arts Network. As part of the Creative Forces initiative, she published research, engaged in clinical program development, and collaborated on outreach to community arts organizations.   

Jasmyn is our current Project Manager for GSPP’s COST and Caring for Denver grants. Prior to joining the University of Denver, Ms. Younger worked as a project manager for oncology clinical trials as well as a clinical research coordinator for neurological disorders. 

Brittany Costa is a music therapist working with the Sturm Center at Denver University. She is a trauma informed care giver who specializes in working with military service members, veterans, and their families. Brittany is completing her Master of Music Therapy degree at Augsburg University, she earned a Master of Science in arts administration at Boston University in 2014, and a Bachelor of Music in clarinet performance at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell in 2011. In addition to her civilian education and career, Brittany has also served in the U.S. Army since 2006. She currently holds the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSG). In the military, Brittany has served in musical, marketing, health, mental health, financial, and leadership capacities. It is due to her varied experiences that she has done significant research on the active military and veteran populations, developed music therapy programs for military service members and veterans, and shared outcomes through publishing a chapter in Music Therapy with Military and Veteran Populations (edited by Rebecca Vaudreuil, 2021) and presenting at several conferences.   

Mario Flores is a second year PsyD student who will commission through the United States Navy on July 31, 2023, and will enter as a full-time clinical psychologist in 2027. Mario previously served as an enlisted Naval Aviation Structural Mechanic from 2010 to 2014. He has also worked as a middle school teacher and instructor and program manager in higher education. Mario's current clinical practicum is with the Sturm Center and the Caring for You and Baby (CUB) Clinic crossover where he combines his interests by working with military populations and families. Mario was previously with Mile High 360, an after school non-profit working with teens and their families. His next practicum will be with Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at the University of Colorado. Mario is passionate about working with marginalized communities, military populations, dads, families, and teens. 

Katie Skowronski is currently pursuing her psychology doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. She is in the Military Psychology Specialty and provides psychotherapy and assessment services at the Sturm Center and the Professional Psychology Clinic. She previously provided psychotherapy services at Mt. Carmel Veteran Service Center. She also serves as the Marketing, Data, and Research Assistant for the Sturm Center and the APA Division 19 Campus Representative. Ms. Skowronski was commissioned into the United States Army in 2022 as part of the two-year Health Professions Scholarship Program and will continue in an active-duty clinical psychologist role following graduation. Prior to doctoral training, Ms. Skowronski completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Regis University. She has a passion for providing holistic and culturally informed care to those who selflessly serve.