About Adoption Alliance Training and Workshops Video Presenters.

Duane Mullner, L.P.C., is a licensed psychotherapist, consultant, educator and co-director of the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies. Specializing in grief and trauma work, Mr. Mullner has more than 25 years of experience in his successful private practice, including extensive experience working with abused children and adults.

Dee Paddock, M.A., NCC, is a psychotherapist, consultant and speaker who specializes in "Families With a Difference" issues: adoption and foster care, infertility and assisted reproductive technology, pregnancy and infant loss, parenting children with special needs and women's health. She speaks to many groups and organizations nationally and internationally, and has a private psychotherapy and consulting practice in Denver. Dee is the adoptive mother of three children adopted from Korea--Turner, Cody, and Cortney.

Candace Pruett is just about every kind of mother there is -- bio mom, foster mom, and adoptive mom -- to six children, ages 1 to 17. A social worker for many years, Candace is now a stay-at-home mom and part-time adoption caseworker. She has had up-close-and personal experience with every stage of child development.

Pamela Gillen, RN, ND, CACIII, is the Project Coordinator for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Other Prenatal Substance Abuse Prevention Program. Pamela has over 20 years experience in the Health and Human Services field. She has worked in alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs for the past 10 years. She has experience in working with the high-risk clients in the criminal justice field, as well as the health and human service field. Most recently, as a nurse case manager at the Tri-County Health Department in Englewood, Colorado, she has worked with high-risk women of childbearing age to help prevent fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol, tobacco, and other drug affected infants.

Nancy Rogers, LCSW, has 15 years of experience in child welfare--both in departments of social services and the private sector. She has worked extensively with abused and neglected children in and out of institutions. She also has extensive experience with adoptions, postplacement supervision, and child and family therapy.

Julie Glassover, ATR, is a registered art therapist providing services since 1992. She currently coordinates the internship program at the Naropa Institute and has a private practice.

Robin McEvoy, completed her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology in 1989 from the University of Houston and then entered a two-year fellowship in neuropsychology/psychobiology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She currently has a private practice where she focuses on the evaluation of learning and developmental disabilities in children, adolescents, and adults. She works with families, schools, and other professionals to develop academic or vocational plans which utilize a client's strengths and aid in remediation or compensation for weaknesses. Dr. McElvoy's research has been in the domains of autism, prenatal drug and alcohol exposure, and pediatric HIV infection. She visited Romania on two occasions in 1992 to consult in orphanages. Since then she has sought to be a resource for families who have adopted children from institutions or other high risk situations.

Cecilia Duggan, MSW, recently retired from the Adoption Unit at Adams County Department of Social Services. Her responsibilities included recruiting adoptive families, preparing children for adoption, providing placement and post-placement services, and conducting training for prospective adoptive parents. An adoptive parent, Cecilia is committed to adoption and the belief that children need families to reach their greatest potential.

Joan Manheimer, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Denver, Colorado. Her specialty is in fertility and adoption issues. She is the adoptive mother of two.

Don Pinnella has worked as a Music Therapist for 21 years with children and adolescents at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan. His specialty of using music and the creative arts in his programs has proven to be fun and highly effective in facilitating learning and integration of anger management, listening, and communication.

Mary Nelson, M.A. has been a psychotherapist for over 13 years, providing individual and group services for children and families. Eight of those years have been within the therapeutic foster care system. Ms. Nelson emphasizes a systems approach in her work with clients and has conducted foster parent training programs, workshops, etc. At present, Ms. Nelson is the Foster Care Coordinator/Child Placement Supervisor at Adoption Alliance.

Melanie Petaway, M. Ed. has been a foster care caseworker for Adoption Alliance since July 1996. In her work as a caseworker both here in Denver and in Houston, Texas, she has worked with sexually abused children, foster families, and biological families in dealing with issues related to physical and sexual abuse. She is currently a therapist in private practice specializing in sex offender treatment, marriage and family therapy and chemical addiction.

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