Stefan Bate, MA, LAC, began his professional journey in addiction treatment as a graduate of Jaywalker Lodge, an experience that profoundly shaped his commitment to the field and to helping others pursue sustainable recovery. Originally from Northern Iowa, Stefan relocated to Colorado to study psychology at the University of Denver. Following early professional experience in the banking sector, he entered recovery in 2007—an inflection point that redirected his career toward behavioral health and addiction treatment. Stefan earned a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology from Regis University and is a Licensed Addiction Counselor in the state of Colorado. Over the course of his career, he has served in a range of clinical and leadership roles, including recovery coach, primary therapist, and program director. His expertise includes program development, clinical supervision, systems design, and the implementation of treatment models that integrate community-based, relational, and evidence-informed approaches. He has been particularly instrumental in advancing open community and integrated care frameworks that emphasize connection, accountability, and meaningful engagement in recovery. A recognized leader and speaker in the addiction treatment field, Stefan frequently presents on attachment-informed care, community-based recovery models, and organizational leadership within behavioral health systems. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Stefan values time with his wife and two children and enjoys the restorative benefits of Colorado’s outdoor environment, particularly in the Rocky Mountains.

Kara Morrissey, MS, LPC, ATR-BC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, certified in Brainspotting, and a graduate of The University of Georgia and Florida State University who specializes in working with clients who have received multiple levels of treatment, high risk behavior, clients coping with critical incidents, grief, and substance abuse. Her non-traditional therapeutic work is less about identifying dysfunction and carrying the burden of pathology and more about entering a space that is ripe with support, experiential and working knowledge, as well as collaborative, compassionate, existential work. Kara has spent the last decade working in a range of settings including acute psychiatric care on the community and state hospital levels, forensic mental health, juvenile justice, substance misuse & recovery, family & parent counseling, and residential rehabilitation. Kara is passionate about therapeutic work that is active, person-centered, and believes that no experience goes to waste.