Turning Point Counselors and Therapists

Our experienced, caring staff of counselors and therapists specialize in helping youth and families work through substance use issues, mental health issues, behavior concerns, family conflict, and many other issues that affect youth and their relationships with family members and others.

Christy Malara – DUI program counselor and IOP Substance Use Treatment Counselor

I am the substance use treatment specialist for IOP groups. I also am one of the facilitators for the DUI/DWAI education and therapy classes. I have my BA, Certification in Impaired Driver Education, and am a CAC II. I am a straightforward, down-to-earth person, and that is how I teach. I use different techniques in my groups, such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I have been a substance use counselor since 2008 and have been with the DUI/DWAI program at Turning Point since 2016.

Ernie Baca – Crisis Intervention Counselor

I have worked at Turning Point for eleven years as a Crisis Intervention Counselor helping young people and their families overcome mental and substance use issues. I have a background in Bilingual Educational Counseling and have a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. I have worked as an Alternative High School teacher and Counselor, as well as a Bilingual Elementary School Counselor in the Loveland and Fort Collins area for over 40 years. I also have Hispanic Leadership, Conflict Resolution, and Drug and Alcohol training throughout the state of Colorado. I am married and I have two boys, and I currently live in the Loveland area. When I’m not helping young people, I like to garden and restore old classic cars.

Jamie Cline- Outpatient Therapist

My name is Jamie Cline MA.,LPC. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. I have been with Turning Point Youth and Family Development for approximately one year. I have an established private practice in addition to other areas of clinical focus. I have vast experience in the field of mental health working with children, teens, adults, families, couples, residential care, foster care, and mandated clients who have been in the criminal justice system. I have a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a minor in psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. I have experience with intensive mental health diagnoses from depression to schizophrenia. In my experience I have completed psycho-sexual and mental health evaluations for the courts to aid in establishing diagnoses, treatment planning, and treatment implementation for clients. Clinically, I stem from electic modalities that can support healing and reintegration. My focus areas include trauma work, cognitive restructuring, neurointegration, and practical implementation to support personal and familial growth. My conceptualization allows me to aid in addictions, trauma focused therapies, sobriety, and life development. I love being a therapist who can support and foster growth and change in my client’s life. I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, and being with family.

Jamie McQuarrie -DUI Program Coordinator

Jamie’s role includes facilitating DUI education level II and therapy classes, substance evaluation, and individual therapy. His education is Bachelor in Art in History from Colorado State University in 1998, Bachelor in Social Work from Colorado State University in 2002, and Masters in Social Work from Colorado State University in 2012. Jamie’s licenses/certifications include CAS #6850. Jamie utilizes Evidence-Based Practices: Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). He has been with Turning Point since 2001, a Certified Addiction Specialist since 2009, and DUI Program Coordinator since 2011. He is experienced working with systems: clients, families, community resources, and interagency and referral sources. Referral sources include Probations, Contract Probations (Recovery Monitoring Systems (RMS) and Intervention), Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Youth Services (DYS), and Youthful Offender System (YOS). When not working, Jamie enjoys spending time with his family, riding his bike, reading, watching movies, and most things geeky.

Amelia Blanchette - Greeley Lead Clinician

Bio coming soon

Tomi Castillon MS, LPCC - Outpatient Therapist and IOP therapist

My name is Tomi Castillon, and I am an outpatient therapist and a licensed professional counselor candidate. I received a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in psychology from the University of Wyoming in 2019 and a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wyoming in 2022. Before my work as a therapist, I taught preschool and worked as a care professional at a residential facility. Upon graduating, I chose to work at Turning Point because I am passionate about helping adolescents. Having been considered an “at-risk teen” myself, I understand that adolescence is a critical developmental period that is as exciting as it is challenging. In addition to enjoying working with youth, I am driven to create a safe and equitable environment for my clients. My goal as a counselor is to help my clients achieve social and emotional well-being and to restore peace in their relationships with their loved ones. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with family.

Angelica Smith - IOP Case Manager

I have been with Turning Point for over a year as the Referral Coordinator for Residential and Outpatient services. I am excited to switch gears to fulfill my new role as the Case Manager for our new IOP program. I hold my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Philosophy from St. John’s University and my Masters in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. I am passionate about working with at-risk youth and families and am most interested in trauma, the mind-body connection, depression, existentialism, resilience, creativity, and positive psychology interventions. My professional experiences include direct care roles in residential and psychiatric facilities, teaching, and serving in AmeriCorps programs with youth. I hope to return to school in the future to earn my doctorate in Clinical Psychology and aspire to one day be a Clinical Director of a mental health organization.