Meet our Team
Beth Manzanares, M.S., CCC-SLP
Beth Manzanares is the Founder and Executive Director of Gather and Grow Therapy Services and our sister organization, Inclusion on Purpose. She has been working in service of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities since 2009 and has intentionally cultivated expertise in autism and related neurodivergence. Her passion is teaming with and empowering people across the spectrum.
As a speech-language pathologist, Beth understands the intricately woven relationship that binds communication, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and behavior. She uses systematic analysis and continuous assessment to uncover unique learning style. Treating symptoms is ineffective. Investigating and supporting root cause is life-changing.
Beth founded Gather and Grow Therapy Services as a passion project stemming from a gap in high-quality service delivery across the age span. Beth currently spends most of her time in operations, but most enjoys program development, adventure-based therapy, and providing education on topics of neurodivergence and the intersection of language processing and emotional regulation.
As an avid outdoors enthusiast, Beth and her husband, Dillon, spend as much time in the mountains as possible. Beth finds that nature and movement are some of the best teachers and particularly enjoys the challenge and lessons taught by rock climbing and yoga. She also loves relaxing with her family, snuggling her pup, Winnie, and carving out time for play and laughter.
Experience and Training
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Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, RYT-200
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Training in methodologies including comprehensive ASD models of SCERTS and ESDM, PROMPT for complex articulation disorders, and Visualizing/Verbalizing for language comprehension
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Expertise in unique adolescent through adult issues with experience in middle, high school, and transition programs
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Specialized AAC training through the Children's Hospital of Colorado's Talking with Technology program
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JFK Partners/LEND Postgraduate Fellowship with training and implementation of Facing Your Fears, ASD diagnostic team experience, and administration of the ADOS & ADI-R for SEED
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Presentation of peer-mediated intervention research for children with ASD at 2013 national ASHA convention
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Project ASSET federal grant recipient with training in FGRBI
Sarah Randow, M.A., CCC-SLP
My enthusiasm for working with children with autism and different communicative needs began when I spent time volunteering in a kindergarten classroom as a teenager. After saying goodbye to my home in California, I moved to the Pacific Northwest to study psychology and work in research at the University of Washington Autism Center. My experience there led me to identify a true passion for communication, so I came to Colorado to obtain a master’s degree in speech and language pathology.
As a speech-language pathologist, I have experience supporting toddlers, children, and adolescents with communication needs in home, clinic, and school settings. To better serve my clients, I have completed advanced training in the Early Start Denver Model and PROMPT treatment methods. I regularly seek continued education opportunities in a variety of areas, including apraxia, stuttering, literacy, play, AAC, and family- and relationship-centered approaches. I strongly believe that the therapeutic approach should be individualized and collaborative. For me, it is crucial to consider the input of the individual, family, and other providers in order to establish meaningful goals for purpose-driven outcomes. I love building relationships with my clients and their families, and it is a privilege to watch them grow and learn over time! I feel so fortunate to have found a path so fulfilling and rewarding.
As a mother of two young children, no time is exactly “spare”! My family loves to camp in our old pop-up trailer, explore different parts of Colorado and beyond, and cook big meals together. When I find some alone time, I love to read novels, spend time with friends, and dabble in different craft and home-improvement projects.
Jessie Gortsema, M.S., CCC-SLP
Before becoming an SLP, I worked at a group home for neurodiverse adults with complex communication needs. It was there that I developed a passion for supporting individuals in becoming more independent by being able to advocate for themselves, express their needs, and actively participate in their community.
At Florida State University, I studied under a federal grant geared toward research and training in autism and related diagnoses. My experience there led me to working with children and families in the community, volunteering at local transition programs, and working alongside job coaches to promote language and regulation skills in workplace settings.
The past two years, I have worked in Utah as an SLP at a K-12 school designed to support neurodiverse students. I served on the Utah Assistive Technology Team, where I helped to support students using communication systems and a variety of assistive technology. I am passionate about making therapy functional and using client strengths to help individuals reach their fullest potential.
In my free time, I can likely be found reading a book, watching Harry Potter, or taking my dog hiking and camping with me throughout Colorado.
Molly Anderson, M.S., OTR/L
As an Occupational Therapist (OT) and disability advocate, I want individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be able to (if they choose/desire to) attend college, be employed, increase independence, socialize and network with others, gain life skills, and most importantly feel like they aren’t limited because of their disability.
I am passionate about collaborating with these individuals to determine ways to create opportunities to participate in meaningful occupations.
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At the University of Missouri, I was a graduate assistant at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. There, I was a member of a clinical assessment team that provided recommendations for families and determined low risk signs of autism in children and adolescents. I also assisted with a life skills group, picky eaters as well as individual treatments for children with various diagnoses. I began to realize that there was a gap in services provided during post secondary transition. I quickly became passionate about figuring out ways to bridge that gap and change how society views these individuals through creativity, collaboration, and advocacy.
I was born and raised in a suburb of Chicago but my love for the outdoors and photography brought me to Colorado. In my free time you can find me outside whether that’s skiing, hiking, boating, walking my dog, playing games or traveling.
Laurie Finnegan, MSW, LSW
Laurie believes that safety, abundance, authentic expression, and belonging are foundational to mental wellness. Laurie partners with clients to harness their inherent wisdom and power to lead a fulfilling life that is aligned with their values.
In addition to personal experience as a neurodivergent individual, Laurie has over 10 years of professional experience supporting members of the neurodiverse community, ranging from job coaching and training to school social work. Laurie earned her Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees from Loyola University Chicago, with a specialization in Leadership Development and Nonprofit Management. Laurie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and School Social Worker. In her free time, Laurie enjoys spending time in nature with friends and family, including her dog Buddy and cat Zora, and playing games and guitar. Read more about Laurie’s therapeutic perspectives below:
As a Neurodiversity-Affirming provider, Laurie maintains that thoughts, emotions, sensations, and behaviors are natural adaptive responses to an individual’s environment or social context, rather than disorders resulting from internal deficits or chemical imbalances. Following a non-pathologizing, strengths-based approach, Laurie challenges the traditional medical model that views client issues as deficits that require intensive intervention, and instead views them as unique differences to be celebrated or survival responses to be accommodated. Laurie values the importance of a holistic approach, pairing modification of the social context and environment with therapeutic and behavioral intervention.
As a Social Worker, Laurie utilizes a systems perspective to carefully analyze the impacts of the social context at all levels of influence, and collaborates with clients to identify and address barriers to meaningful accessibility and inclusion. She partners with clients to explore impacts of power, privilege, oppression, scarcity, and ableism using a disability justice lens.
As a Trauma-Informed therapist, Laurie believes that unaddressed trauma and a lack of nervous system attunement can perpetuate illness and unease. After studying the various ways in which trauma affects the body and nervous system, Laurie partners with clients to discover and attend to their bodies’ unique needs, and lessen the impacts of trauma, scarcity, and the cycle of harm.
Nathan Mutchnick, M.S., CCC-SLP
My interest in speech-language pathology began when I was a child. I was diagnosed with Dyslexia at a young age and realized I did not learn along the same lines as my peers. Written information seemed to elude me, and I quickly felt isolated and “different”. I worked with an SLP who helped me use my strengths in creativity and problem solving to support my reading and writing challenges. It amazed me how this person was able to explain things in such a way that I would understand and then structure a task I could complete that enhanced my literacy abilities. I wanted to do the same for other individuals who diverge from the instructional
paradigm in schools.
I graduated from Florida State University in 2014 with my M.S. in speech-language pathology. I began working with neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders in the inpatient and home health settings but realized my true passion was working with kids. I obtained a position in Detroit Public Schools and was employed from 2017-2022. My caseload consisted of children 1-26 years old who were neurodivergent or cognitively impaired. I had the privilege of supporting individuals and their families from the first years of life through graduating high school and attending a transition center focused on vocational instruction. There, we worked
closely with companies in the area to provide internships, on the job training and skills necessary to achieve their goals.
I have training and experience in FGRBI, early intervention, ASD, stuttering, play-based therapy and learning disabilities. I have a passion for knowledge and continued growth. I moved to Colorado in February of 2022 with my wife and two young children. We love being outdoors and hiking as much as we can. When I have some free time, I enjoy trail running, playing with my kids, and backpacking.
Julia Nofsinger, M.S., CF-SLP
Profile Coming Soon!
Winnie, Professional Smile-Giver
Winnie is Beth's sweet, snuggly old pup who often accompanies her to the office.
She is a 10 years old Beagle-Whippet mix, loves pets and treats, squeaks when she has dreams, and knows a few tricks. She loves to show off! Give her a biscuit and ask her to spin. She'll be your best friend.
Hiking and hanging out at the crag while Beth and Dillon climb are her favorite activities, but she also loves anything outdoors.
At the office, Winnie can most often be found cuddling with whoever she can!