Get to know the heart of our practice:

Owner, Dr. Sara Metz

For the past twelve years, Dr. Sara Metz has developed a deep passion for working with emergency responders and their families. A licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Metz specializes in crisis intervention, wellness program development, and peer support supervision.

Dr. Metz’s dedication for helping clients and agencies find healthy ways to manage mental health comes from her direct experience as a responder at many critical incidents. Embedded in the emergency responder culture, she understands the intricacies of work/life balance and the unique sense of humor that accompanies the work. She’ll “call it as she sees it” without judgment, in a laid-back, low stakes environment.

Dr. Metz recently created a Masters in Emergency Responder & Military Psychology at CSU Global.  This is the first and only program of its kind that trains future culturally competent counselors to assist responder / military personnel, and their families.  For more information in how you can become a counselor, click on the CSU Global link below.

Meet Sara CSU Global

Memberships, Certifications, & Awards

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology

Peer Support Consultant

Multiple peer support teams along the Front Range

Repeat presenter

International Association of Chiefs of Police

Recipient of the Eileen Gupton Award

Early Career Contributions in Police and Public Safety Psychology in 2016

CSU Global Program Manager

Master of Science degree in Military and Emergency Responder Psychology

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2014 Recipient of the Antarctica Service Medal

National Science Foundation for cumulative service to the United States Antarctic Program

Executive Board Member

Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation

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Contributor

Police Chief Magazine

Media Expert

9News

FOX31 Denver-KDVR

Get to know the heart of our practice:

Chief Operating Officer, Nick Metz

Nick is a 36 year law enforcement veteran who has served two major city police agencies.  Most recently, Nick was Chief of Police for the Aurora (CO) Police Department from which he retired January 1, 2020, after five years of service.  It was in Aurora that he oversaw over 1000 law enforcement personnel in an incredibly diverse population of almost 400,000.  

Prior to becoming Chief in Aurora, Nick spent 31 years with the Seattle Police Department where he worked Patrol and many different specialty assignments and rose to the rank of Deputy Chief (number 2 to the Chief of Police).  As an Assistant Chief, he earned a medal of valor for his role in assisting in the apprehension of an armed suspect who shot a bus driver and attempted to drive off with a bus full of passengers. 

Nick has had a long passion in caring for First Responders where he created full time wellness units in both Seattle and Aurora.  He has assisted in countless programs and training centered around promoting mental health wellness for First Responders and their families.

Contact info: 206-499-7077 (c) or nick.metz@code4counseling.com

Memberships, Certifications, & Awards

Assessment Center Coach

Over the past ten years, Nick has trained 300+ public safety professionals on how to navigate the promotional process for all ranks to include Chief Executive positions.

B.S. General Studies, Public Administration

Peer Support Trained

Completed 40-hrs of Peer Support Training in 2018

Repeat presenter

International Association of Chiefs of Police

Graduate

FBI National Academy & the FBI National Executive Institute

Graduate

Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP)

Graduate

ADL Counter Terrorism Training in Israel

Member

IACP, PERF, NOBLE

Major City Chiefs

Wellness Subcommittee

Founding Board Member

Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation

Founding Board Member

Washington State Behind the Badge Line of Duty Death Response Team

Our Amazing Clinicians

K Kala Bettis, MA, Western Slope Services

Kala Bettis, MA, Western Slope Services

FOR OUR WESTERN SLOPE CLIENTS:  We are happy to welcome Kala to the Code-4 team.  She will primarily serve the Western Slope region of Colorado. Born and raised in Chicago, Kala received her Bachelor's Degree from DePaul University in Psychology of Human Development. After moving to Colorado, Kala spent 10 years in law enforcement working in narcotics interdiction, intelligence analysis and computer forensics investigation, while working for the Vail Police Department.  She then joined the Garfield County Sheriff's Office as their Intelligence Analyst, assigned to the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Seeing gaps in services for those involved in government systems, she switched careers and received dual Master’s Degrees in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling. Kala was a Crisis Counselor for Critical Incident Response and Victim Advocate for Eagle County Sheriff's Office, and a Programs Analyst for the Department of Human Services, where she streamlined resource delivery for Child Protective Services and our Veteran population through the Strategy, Partnerships and Performance division. Kala received her clinical hours at Mind Springs Health, and was a School Counselor at Battle Mountain High School for 3 years. She currently works at Eagle Valley Behavioral Health as their Outreach Operations Manager to continue connection with community partners and stakeholders to promote accessibility to needed care, and integration of clinical program models in a wraparound approach. For leisure, Kala enjoys skiing, cooking, running, and camping with her husband and two stepchildren.

S Stephanie Pinch, MA, M.Ed

Stephanie Pinch, MA, M.Ed

Stephanie is currently a third-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of Denver. Prior to coming to Denver, she taught special education for 5 years and earned a master in education. She specializes in infant and early childhood mental health. In addition to her work with Code-4 Counseling, Stephanie provides therapeutic services to families, couples, perinatal and postpartum moms, and children at the Aurora Mental Health Center Early Childhood and Family Center. Previously, she worked at the “Caring for yoU and Baby” (CUB) Clinic. She has extensive experience in psychological assessment and enjoys helping families bridge the gap between diagnosis and school accommodations. Her clinical goal is to continue to provide services to families through an attachment lens to better help dyads of parents and children connect and attach. When not working with families, she is watching anything Boston sports related.

D Dana Rae Vessio, MA, MFA

Dana Rae Vessio, MA, MFA

Dana Rae Vessio received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the City College of New York.  She is now working on her doctorate degree in the PsyD program at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Professional Psychology specializing in military psychology and the research and treatment of suicide. She is currently involved in several suicide prevention focused research projects: 1) examining the relationship between TBI, suicidality, and criminal justice, 2) a crisis center project working to support crisis workers, and 3) using machine learning within a community mental health sample. In her clinical work, Dana Rae works from a trauma-informed, person-centered lens and employs evidence-based practices such as Gottman-oriented couples' therapy, Emotion-focused therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She believes genuineness, mutual trust, and a healthy sense of humor is important to create a therapeutic environment that is safe and nonjudgmental.

M Mel Kraker, MA, LPC

Mel Kraker, MA, LPC

Mel was born and raised in Colorado. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology and English from Cornell College in Iowa in 2014. In 2017, she earned her Master of Arts (MA) degree in Forensic Psychology from the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver in Colorado. During her graduate program, she explored different realms of the judicial system through work as a Deputy Probation Officer with the 17th Judicial District in Commerce City, CO as well as an Analyst in the Investigations Unit at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Ms. Kraker has worked with court-ordered individuals in offense specific treatment for the past 3 years in addressing behaviors, thoughts, and coping skills. She also continues to serve as an Analyst in the Investigations Unit at CBI.  Mel comes from a law enforcement family herself, which makes joining Code-4 Counseling, LLC to work with first responders and their families even more special.

L Lindsey Torres, MA, EMDR

Lindsey Torres, MA, EMDR

I received my Bachelors in Legal Studies and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have worked solely as a trauma therapist with military and first responders while in graduate school and since graduation. I have a great personal and professional passion for serving those that serve us, and I have a deep understanding of the challenges that first responders and their families face as I am both a military spouse and daughter. First responder and veteran life is a culture of its own that faces unique hardships. I take a trauma-focused approach, working with military and first responders that have experienced line-of-duty trauma, substance abuse, suicidality, childhood trauma, grief and family conflict. I use evidenced-based practices such as EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy); and cognitive approaches such as cognitive processing and behavioral therapy. I believe in the therapeutic alliance and building a trusting relationship with my client that fosters resiliency and support, for long-lasting therapeutic outcomes.

C Cari Cornish, PsyD

Cari Cornish, PsyD

Dr. Cornish is a licensed psychologist who has fifteen years clinical experience. Her warm, irreverent, “keep it real,” pragmatic, “do what works” approach promotes a culture of safety, empowerment and effective living. She is solidly grounded in behavioral principles and her clinical expertise focuses on creating a short-term action plan addressing longer-term treatment goals. She is accessible, intuitive and responsive to her clients’ needs including risk reduction, stress management and overall wellness. Her deep respect and gratitude for first responders fuels an unending commitment to care for those who protect her and her community. 

M Melissa Branchaud, Psy.D.

Melissa Branchaud, Psy.D.

Dr. Melissa Branchaud is a clinical psychologist joining the Code-4 Counseling Crew from Texas.  Her education and professional experience has centered on assisting individuals, couples, families, and groups reach their full potential and gain the tools to facilitate healthy functioning and wellbeing.  Her background includes counseling and volunteering with emergency responders.  She has participated in Citizen's Police and Fire Academies and studied Police Psychology during her graduate education.  She is also a volunteer at the West Coast Post-trauma Retreat (WCPR).  She has immersed herself in the responder culture and understands the unique demands, dynamics, and sense of humor.  Melissa is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

W Whit Ryan, MA

MA, Sport and Performance Psychology

Whit Ryan, MA

MA, Sport and Performance Psychology

Born in Denver and raised in Cleveland, Whit is excited to be bringing his passions for high performance and mental health to Code-4 Counseling.  Whit holds a Masters in Sport and Performance Psychology and is a doctoral student at the University of Denver.  As a lifelong athlete, former chef, and semi-professional field hockey umpire, he loves combining those experiences with mental health practice in order to understand and advocate for his clients and their families.  Whit practices from an affirming, client-centered worldview.  He is trained in biofeedback.  Code-4 Counseling is excited to now offer Performance Psychology focused counseling and biofeedback to our responders!

Why Our Clients Choose Code-4

Code-4 Counseling offers specialized support for the people who keep our communities safe. We love working with emergency first responders and their families, and they love working with us.

Reach out to Dr. Metz