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October 2026 Connections
Information for caregivers to help children thrive!
| | Our Mental Health Team is Growing! | | We've recently expanded our mental health team, welcoming a social worker and two new psychology externs! The expansion of our Mental Health Team increases our care capacity by providing crucial support for clients and their families in need of psychological evaluation, counseling, social work intervention, and other support to improve the child's wellbeing. These positions are funded in part through DFX's partnership with Caring for Denver Foundation. Learn more about our new team members below. | | If you've been connected to DFX for a while, you may recognize Maya Stackhouse (they/them)! Maya earned their Master of Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver and holds a BA in Anthropology and Human Rights from Barnard College, Columbia University. Maya’s work is grounded in trauma-responsive and anti-oppressive practice, with a relational, play-based approach. They are so excited to continue growing with the DFX team in a new capacity. | | Bella Bankstahl (she/her) is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at the University of Denver with experience providing assessment and therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults, parenting teams, and families. Her clinical training has focused on supporting neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD, Autism, and specific learning disabilities, through comprehensive psychological assessments and social skills groups. | | |
Kale Howard (they/them) is currently pursuing their Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) at the University of Denver, where they are specializing in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. They earned their BA in Psychology from Skidmore College and MA in Counseling from the University of Denver.
They have experience providing therapeutic and assessment services to individuals across the lifespan and especially enjoys working with neurodivergent children and their families.
| | Where in the world have we been lately? The DFX Learning Journeys & Innovation team have brought their expertise outside the clinic to multiple countries this year, including Spain and Greece! Right now, the team is en-route to teach a course in Australia and lead a clinical reasoning and reflective practice retreat in Bali. These travels provide an opportunity to bring DFX approaches to a wider community, learn alongside international colleagues, and explore questions that deepen our clinical reasoning work. | | Tracy Stackhouse, MA, OTR/L, and Kelsey Forbringer, MS, OTR/L, teaching Sensory Integrative Processing in Athens, Greece in September 2026. | | Tracy Stackhouse presenting at the Polyvagal Institute International Gathering in Sitges, Spain in September 2026. | | The team is heading to Bali, Indonesia for A Spirited Retreat: An immersive learning experience focused on the SpIRiT© model in November 2026. Click the image to learn more. | | Denver OT Event: Exploring Listening Therapy | | Panelists Leah Dawang, SEP, Karen Onderko, and Adrianna Spallino, MOT, OTR/L | | |
In partnership with Unyte, we hosted a free event for Denver occupational therapists to learn, connect, and build community. Panelists from both organizations shared stories and insights about administering listening therapy and navigating unique client needs. We look forward to continue cultivating these spaces for clinicians and caregivers in the future.
A special shoutout to Adrianna Spallino for representing DFX’s
OT team!
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October is about raising awareness and advocating for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). People who are non-speaking or have complex communication needs use AAC to express themselves, connect with others and participate in the world around them.
Creating engaged belonging at DFX means celebrating all forms of communication. We believe every way a person expresses themselves is valid, meaningful, and deserves to be seen!
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It's almost that time of year again! We're gearing up for our year-end fundraising campaign, so you can expect a few additional emails from us during the next few months. Mark your calendar for Giving Tuesday on December 1 and Colorado Gives Day on December 8.
We'll be reaching out to help you understand how your support can make a profound impact for the children we serve. Every donation, no matter the size, fuels our work to bring Therapy that Fits® to more children and families.
You can contribute at any time and in any way that works for you! Click the button below to learn about the many ways you can support our work.
| | Thank you for being part of the DFX family and helping us bring Therapy that fits® to more kids! | |
| DFX is working to create systemic change by establishing a culture of engaged belonging in which children of all abilities and backgrounds will thrive. | | | | |
