About Us
Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies has been dedicated to healing hearts and transforming lives for over 20 years. Utilizing a unique holistic approach, we combine clinical techniques with spiritual practices to provide intensive counseling sessions for individuals and couples in crisis
Our Mission
At Crossroads Counseling, our mission is to facilitate emotional and spiritual growth by integrating biblical principles with evidence-based treatment methods. We offer a focused and concentrated format to provide deep understanding of issues and effective tools for lasting change
Our Vision
Our vision at Crossroads Counseling is to be a leading Christian intensive counseling center in the United States, helping individuals and couples make significant progress in their healing journey through our holistic approach and private counseling sessions
Program Overview
The extraordinary healing program developed by Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies is based on the philosophy that our destructive behaviors are rooted in hurtful experiences that influence us to develop false belief systems. Retreating to a natural and safe environment away from the struggles and distractions of day-to-day living helps clients consider more fully these false beliefs. Crossroads's distinctly Christian perspective along with sound psychological training brings healing to the wounds and truth to deeply held beliefs about self and surroundings. The result is a deep "heart shift" that provides new direction and healing that lasts.
Crossroads's BRIEF INTENSIVE COUNSELING is for individuals, couples, or families in need of help working through a crisis, getting back on track, or healing from deep issues. We offer a casual, country setting that our clients find conducive to healing. During your pre-assessment time via telephone, a professional counselor will help you explore what options will provide the concentrated help you need.
Statement of Faith
Statement of Faith
Pete is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 40 years of experience in the Christian Mental Health field, including experience as a special education teacher, therapist, and administrator. Pete received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College and his Master's in Social Work from Western Michigan University. In addition to a variety of outpatient settings, Pete was a program director in several inpatient psychiatric hospitals, both for Rapha Treatment Centers as well as New Life Clinics. It was in the inpatient setting where Pete developed his passion for an intensive approach to therapy. He has seen first-hand the potential of powerful breakthroughs and lasting results in utilizing this modality of treatment. For the past 15 years he has been doing Brief Intensive Counseling in the beautiful mountain town of Buena Vista, Colorado. It was there that he co-founded Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies.
In addition to his full-time therapist role, he also teaches a daily cognitive therapy group. Pete frequently receives feedback from clients saying his material is helpful because it is practical rather than just theoretical, and that his examples and illustrations make it easy for them to make personal application.
He and his wife, Marty, have been married for over 40 years and have two married sons and seven precious grandchildren (pictures available upon request!).
Our Team
Melissa Litwiller, LPC
Clinical Director, Therapist,
Licensed Professional Counselor
Melissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years experience working in Mental Health professions from a Christian perspective. She has worked as a therapist, director, minister, counselor educator, and wilderness guide. Melissa obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Furman University and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Denver Seminary. She has experience in both in-patient and outpatient settings, utilizing a variety of research-based and Bible-based interventions. She is trained in the use of EMDR, DBT, and Emotion-Focused Couples Counseling, to name a few. It is her great honor to walk with people in this beautiful Colorado setting as they experience deep healing and restoration. She has a passion for helping individuals engage their personal story in a way that unveils the meaning and power of the broader story God is telling through every human life. She has seen God heal the deepest wounds and release individuals to live out their unique gifting.
Melissa and her husband Jonathan have been married for more than 13 years and have 4 beautiful children. They have been blessed to call many wonderful places home, increasing their understanding of both urban and rural cultures throughout the U.S.
Joe Chambers
Spiritual Director
Joe Chambers is the pastor of Mountain Heights Church in Buena Vista, Colorado, and spiritual director for Crossroads Christian Counseling of the Rockies. He studied at Oklahoma Baptist University and completed a two-year certification program in Soul Care from the Potter’s Inn Soul Care Institute and Fuller Seminary. He founded Sacred Journey Retreats and wrote Walking Ancient Paths: A Liturgy for the Sacred Journey and Field Notes on the Jesus Way. He lives with his wife Lynette at the base of Mt. Princeton. Joe is an avid reader and writer who loves to tell stories and spend time in the wilderness.
Elise Drexler
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Elise is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 18 years of diverse experience working with individuals to facilitate growth and healing in a variety of settings. She has served as therapist, school counselor, children and families ministry coordinator, and mentor program coordinator. Elise obtained a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Gordon College and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from The Catholic University of America. She is trained in EMDR, DBT, CBT, and is certified in Child Centered Play Therapy.
Elise is inspired by the individuals that she has walked alongside as they journey towards hope and healing. Her work in both urban and rural settings with people from varied backgrounds has fostered a love of bridge-building. Core to her work is the belief that through God’s grace, healthy relationships are accessible to everyone, and it is in that context that people experience lasting transformation. Elise and her husband Josh have been married 18 years and enjoy raising three sons together. She remains grateful for the adventure of marriage and motherhood, which humbles and encourages her on a daily basis.
Dr. J. Timothy Smith, LPC
Clinical Therapist,
Licensed Professional Counselor
Tim is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 35 years of experience in the mental health field, including experience in Christian hospital psychology units, group homes, prison chaplaincy, missionary care, assessments, and leadership. Tim earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wheaton College, his master’s degree in counseling from Denver Seminary, and his doctorate in psychology from Grand Canyon University. He did his doctoral dissertation on resilience in cross-cultural workers.
Tim developed a passion for the intensive approach to therapy when he was using it with missionaries in crisis who would visit his counseling center in Vienna, Austria. In addition to his role with Crossroads, Tim has a private practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His consulting firm, Smith & Salter, helps mission organizations improve their quality of missionary care and candidate assessments.
Tim and his wife, Deanna, have been married for over 35 years. They have two adult sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Although they have lived in Chicago and Austria, they keep coming back to Colorado because they love living there! They enjoy mountain activities such as hiking, skiing, camping, mountain biking, and reading good books in interesting coffee shops.
Pete Kuiper, LCSW
Founder, Clinical Therapist,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Pete is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 40 years of experience in the Christian Mental Health field, including experience as a special education teacher, therapist, and administrator. Pete received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College and his Master's in Social Work from Western Michigan University. In addition to a variety of outpatient settings, Pete was a program director in several inpatient psychiatric hospitals, both for Rapha Treatment Centers as well as New Life Clinics. It was in the inpatient setting where Pete developed his passion for an intensive approach to therapy. He has seen first-hand the potential of powerful breakthroughs and lasting results in utilizing this modality of treatment. For the past 15 years he has been doing Brief Intensive Counseling in the beautiful mountain town of Buena Vista, Colorado. It was there that he co-founded Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies.
In addition to his full-time therapist role, he also teaches a daily cognitive therapy group. Pete frequently receives feedback from clients saying his material is helpful because it is practical rather than just theoretical, and that his examples and illustrations make it easy for them to make personal application.
He and his wife, Marty, have been married for over 40 years and have two married sons and seven precious grandchildren (pictures available upon request!).
Jase Mayton, LPCC
Clinical Therapist
Prior to coming to Crossroads, Jase spent 25 years in ministry serving in a variety of roles in churches in Colorado and Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Howard Payne University in 1997, a Master of Arts from Denver seminary in 2002, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health from Adams State University in 2024.
Jase loves the opportunity Crossroads provides to integrate his past experience in church ministry with his counseling skills. In working with pastors and those in ministry, Jase personally understands the struggles that come with ministry on both the pastor and their families.
He is trained in Neurocounseling and Emotion Focused Couples Therapy and loves working with individuals and couples. In addition to his work at Crossroads, Jase leads a monthly brain injury support group.
Jase and Tabitha have been married for 25 years and have three children. They have lived in Buena Vista since 2011 and love calling the Arkansas Valley home.
