Skip to main content
Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies

20 Years Together

On September 10, 2001, the day before the historic 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City, Wil Franz and Pete Kuiper opened the doors of Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies. The following day, Bev Spomer joined the team as Office Manager for Crossroads ever since. Both Wil and Pete were experienced in the intensive model of therapy and familiar with the exceptional effectiveness. They also knew that Buena Vista, Colorado was just the setting needed to create a safe refuge where hearts could heal.

Since its humble beginnings in downtown Buena Vista, Crossroads has moved to its own suite of offices in the Buffalo Peaks Center off of County Road 317 on the south side of town. It is now one of the largest mental health counseling agency in the Arkansas Valley adding three therapists and an office assistant. Crossroads has served clients from all over the U.S.A. and around the world. The staff has held conferences and retreats in California, Oregon, New Hampshire, Virginia and Toronto.

Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies
Buena Vista, CO

​Statement of Faith

We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the divinely inspired and only authoritative Word of God; supreme and final in its authority in matters of faith and practice.

We believe that there is one true God subsisting in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the same in essence and equal in power and glory.

We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, that He is co-equal with the Father. We believe the Bible record of His virgin birth, sinless life, words, works, vicarious death, bodily resurrection and ascension and promise of His personal return.

We believe that God the Holy Spirit as revealed in the Bible is a person co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father, and God the Son. The Holy Spirit brings an awareness of guilt, brings about the new birth, and indwells the believer that he or she may lead a godly life. The Holy Spirit strengthens faith, brings comfort and peace in time of sorrow and distress, and enlightens our hearts and minds to understand and apply the truth in Christ and the Bible.

We believe that mankind was created innocent and in the image of God but that he/she sinned and thereby brought upon himself/herself and all his/her posterity not only physical death but also spiritual death, which results in eternal separation from the presence of God.

We believe that the eternal salvation of lost and sinful mankind comes only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit, which is the result of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the whole world and in whom we have redemption through His blood.

We believe that the Christian life is lived by trust in Christ and fellowship with Him. The Christian life manifests itself in service to God and service to fellow men and women. It is summed up in the two great commandments: to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

We believe that eternal life begins here in this world when one comes into a transforming, saving relationship with God through regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and that at death the souls of the regenerated enter into the presence of Christ, there to await the resurrection of the body.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return bodily, visibly and personally to establish His millennial Kingdom. He will judge the living and the dead, and will effect a final separation of the redeemed and the lost, assigning unbelievers to eternal punishment and believers to eternal joy.

At the Crossroads by Peter Kuiper

At The Crossroads Book

If you ever struggle with feelings that you will never be good enough, or that you are unlovable or worthless, the teachings in Pete Kuiper's book At The Crossroads will be eye-opening and life-giving for you. Applying this material will enable you to live in the freedom you've been longing for. Order At The Crossroads from the website WWW.ATTHECROSSROADS.STORE.

 Our Team

All the therapists at Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies are licensed by the State of Colorado and have extensive experience working with couples, individuals, teens and families in a variety of mental health settings. Our office staff are long-time residents of Buena Vista and members of the Crossroads team.

Pete Kuiper, LCSW

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!).

Terrie Lenzini Russell, LPC

Terrie Lenzini Russell, LPC

Clinical Therapist, 

Licensed Professional Counselor

Intensive and traditional counseling specializing in life issues for individuals of all ages.

Terrie joined Crossroads Counseling in 2005. She received her Masters Degree in Counseling from Adams State University, where she also received her bachelor's degree.

Before coming to Crossroads, Terrie worked at another private practice in Southern Colorado. When she landed at Crossroads, she found this to be an excellent place to work out of her heart. Terry loves her job.

Terrie's goals are to help clients to define and face wounds of their hearts. Solutions are sought through introducing tools along with Godly principles and practices. Then the necessary changes can happen to bring recovery and eventual healing.

In Crossroads's intensive counseling program, Terrie specializes in working with families, adolescents, children, young adults, women and men. She finds every age group amazing, but especially enjoys working with women in their 20s and 30s. Terrie has special training in adoption and foster care, and understands their unique issues.  She believes her 12 years of practice in intensive counseling has broadened the scope of her skills and training and has developed a broad base of experience regarding life issues.

Although she was born elsewhere, Terrie sees herself as a native of Colorado. She is married and has three adult children. Terrie loves art and living close to the mountains for hiking, camping, and fishing.

Melissa Litwiller, LPC

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

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.


Deb Wade

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.


Deb Wade

Mary Lou Sentz

Office Manager

Mary Lou Sentz is the Office Manager at Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies. She is passionate about hospitality in the workplace and creating a safe place for healing and restoration. Mary Lou and her husband Jack have been married for 5 years and enjoy being part of a community that values togetherness and recreation.