Our Team
At Laramie Family Counseling our highly skilled board certified providers stride to meet the mental health needs of the Laramie Wyoming community thanks to telehealth to the Wyoming community at large.
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We understand getting help to meet your individual mental health needs, help for your child, and your family can be challenging and overwhelming. Here at Laramie Family counseling we hope to make it as easy and comfortable for you and your family.
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Please feel free to read more below on each of our providers and reach out for free consultation! We will be happy to address any questions you may have.
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Brittany Bares
Mental Health Counselor
Ava Wood
Counseling Intern
Fatima Valdivia
Counseling Intern
Noah Raish
Counseling Intern
Lexie Whitmann
Counseling Intern
Meet Our Providers
Who We Are
Dystaney Nordberg
MS, LPC, NCC, Registered Play Therapist, Supervisor and Practice Owner
Dystaney Nordberg is the founder and owner of Laramie Family Counseling LLC. She is also the supervisor of all the the therapists on the Laramie Family Counseling team.
Dystaney was born and raised in Laramie. She is a University of Wyoming alumni where she was a cheerleader for the Wyoming Cowgirls and Cowboys. She loves raising her three amazing children in the Laramie community with her husband. Dystaney has been providing counseling services in Laramie since she graduated with her Masters of Science in Counseling in 2010. She started Laramie Family Counseling in 2014. Dystaney is excited for the opportunity to grow her practice by adding more mental health providers that can help serve the Laramie community's mental health needs.
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"My goal as a therapist is to put all of my clients at ease with the counseling process. I believe in creating a therapeutic relationship that allows us to work together to help my clients achieve progress on their counseling goals and that counseling is most effective when you find a counselor that is the best fit for you and your family.
I have experience and training working with children, adolescents, families, individuals, and couples. I am passionate about all my work as a counselor, especially the work I do with children and their families."
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If you have any questions or concerns regarding the counseling process contact me for a free consultation.
(307)760-6889
Brittany Kirchhoefer
MA, LPC, NCC, Supervisor, Co-Director
Hello! I am so glad you are here! I am Brittany and I was born and raised in the midwest, moved to Wyoming for college, and quickly decided I could never leave. In my free time I love reading, hiking, hanging out with my dogs, and going on adventures. I invite you to come sit on the world's comfiest couch for a free consultation!
Everyone goes through hardships in their lives, and many face challenges that require some outside support and aid. While friends and family are a great resource, some parts of life are too personal or overwhelming to share with these people. Reaching out for help can be intimidating and I strive to provide a safe and supportive space that allows you to attain the support and aid you need.
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​ I believe that therapy is most effective when it is collaborative and holistic (mind, body, and soul). I utilize many different evidence based counseling theories in order to best serve you in your specific journey. I believe each client is different, there is no one size fits all. ​​
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The best counseling outcomes begin with the relationship formed between counselor and client, so I encourage you to set up a consultation session so you can decide if I am the right fit for you!
(307)228-7095
Brandon Funk
MA, PPC, NCC
*Telehealth only
I am a recent Liberty University graduate, and I am working toward a play therapy certificate at the University of Wyoming. Before starting my graduate education, I was a combat medic with the 101st Airborne. I like to spend a lot of time outside hiking, running, and camping, and I am a proud husband and father.
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Life is full of difficult transitions and hardships that can be overwhelming when you do not have someone to talk to. Therapy can be intimidating, but I strive to create a relaxed, safe place where you can bring whatever is on your mind to the table. Together, we can work toward achieving your goals. Developing a meaningful, empathetic relationship is the most important and effective part of therapy. I strive to foster genuine, caring relationships with my clients to make them feel comfortable and to facilitate healing.
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I believe that it is important that therapy is holistic, including physical, emotional, and spiritual health. I pull from various counseling techniques and theories to meet your specific needs. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, children’s behavior issues, and more. I also have specific training in play therapy for children, trauma, PTSD, and combat-related stress. If you are considering seeing a therapist, I encourage you to set up a consultation and see how you can take your first step to achieving emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
(307)314-9303
Jaime Grunstra
MS, PPC, NCC
Are you noticing you have lost touch with yourself? Whether due to your season of life, current job, relationships, hormonal and physical changes, postpartum difficulties, or the ever-changing world, I am here for you. There is an aspect of human nature that craves a trusted community. You or someone that you love may be experiencing or have experienced overwhelm, anxiety, depression, grief, shame, guilt, isolation, emptiness, or trauma and the impacts that it has had on wellbeing and relationships. This is a challenging journey to take by yourself or to watch another go on.
Counseling’s goal is to create a safe place to share your journey. Offering a place for you to feel included, seen, heard, and known. Counseling can equip you with tools to tame your anxiety, put your depression in remission, experience healing and relief from your traumas, clarity and fullness in your relationships.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Drawing from a variety of counseling approaches and techniques I tailor my services to your unique needs and situations. Through sharing your memories, thoughts, fears, and stresses, you can experience connection and no longer feel alone. I will walk with you on the journey towards better health, incorporating mind, body, spirit, and soul. Journeying with me may be the step in the right direction, to bring you more joy, peace, and fullness of life. Connection is the heart and soul of counseling, so let’s connect. Please reach out for a free consultation where we can see if we are a good fit!
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If you have any questions or concerns regarding the counseling process contact me for a free consultation.
(307)302-0350
Brittany Bares
MA, PPC, NCC
Taking the first step toward healing is incredibly brave, and I’m honored that you're exploring this journey. My name is Brittany Bares, and I’m a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor committed to walking alongside individuals of all ages as they navigate challenges, reconnect with themselves, and grow into their fullest potential.
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My counseling style is grounded in a person-centered, trauma-informed approach. I deeply value the therapeutic relationship and strive to create a warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel truly heard and supported. I take an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from evidence-based modalities like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and mindfulness-based practices. I believe each person holds the capacity to heal and grow, and my role is to help uncover that inner strength, work through roadblocks, and support lasting change.
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I work across the lifespan—supporting children, teens, adults, and families — with a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. I’m naturally attuned to others’ emotions and experiences, and I bring a deep sense of care and attunement into every session. My goal is always to tailor our work to your unique needs, goals, and strengths.
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I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Wyoming in 2016 and my Master of Education in Professional School Counseling from Bowling Green State University in 2020. As a provisionally licensed counselor, I engage in regular clinical supervision and continuing education to ensure I’m providing the highest quality care.
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Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy being artistic, spending time with my pets, and attending University of Wyoming sporting events with my family. I consider it a true privilege to be part of someone’s healing process and am honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward greater well-being.
(307)399-1733
Ava Wood
Counseling Intern, MS Student
Hi! My name is Ava Wood. I am in the process of pursuing my Master’s degree for Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wyoming. I love seeing people grow in a space where they feel safe to explore themselves and can experience collaboration. I always want my clients to understand that I am not here to judge.
I am here to allow vulnerability and support throughout their journey. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity to help others navigate their journey at Laramie Family Counseling .
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While completing her Internship and Master's degree, Ava is offering free counseling services to the Laramie community and Wyoming as a whole. For more information on this, please feel free to reach out to Ava directly or put in a general appointment request.
Fatima Valdivia
Counseling Intern, MS Student
Hello! My name is Fatima Valdivia and I am currently pursuing my Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wyoming. I am passionate about supporting individuals through healing, growth, and self discovery. My approach to therapy is grounded in collaboration, empathy, and empowerment. I understand that beginning therapy can feel vulnerable, which is why I strive to create a safe, inclusive space where clients feel genuinely heard and supported.
As a bilingual (English/Spanish) counselor with a background in advocacy work, I am deeply committed to honoring each client’s unique story and cultural identity. I’m honored to be part of the Laramie Family Counseling team and look forward to walking alongside clients on their healing journey.
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While completing her Internship and Master's degree, Fatima is offering free counseling services to the Laramie community and Wyoming as a whole. For more information on this, please feel free to reach out to Fatima directly or put in a general appointment request.
Noah Raish
Counseling Intern, MS Student
I am a student at the University of Wyoming in the Mental Health Counseling program. Outside my time as a student, I love to spend time with my family, and in the great outdoors, whether I am fishing, hiking, or snowboarding. I enjoy working with my hands, and plants and landscaping have a particularly special place in my heart. I am also very passionate about healthy relationships, and happy, cohesive families. I believe that families are the bedrock of our society.
I am eager to help you and your loved ones work through any of the daily challenges and burdens that add up to more than one person can carry. I am honored to be part of your safe space and healing process.
Lexie Whitmann
Counseling Intern, MS Student
Hi, I’m Lexie Whitman, a practicum student currently earning my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Colorado Christian University. I’m on the path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Wyoming, interning with Laramie Family Counseling.
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I truly believe that no one is meant to go through life’s hardest moments alone. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just not quite yourself, counseling can be a place to find clarity, healing, and forward movement. Sometimes the ways we’ve learned to cope no longer serve us, and facing those patterns can feel intimidating—but that’s where the work begins, and you don’t have to do it alone.
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My goal is to offer a supportive, compassionate space where we can sort through challenges together. I’ll meet you where you are, and together we’ll work toward greater emotional, mental, and relational well-being.