Embark PCA
Who We Are, Our History, and What We Believe
We are a 501(c)(3) organization striving to increase recovery support services for ALL individuals in/seeking recovery.
Peer Coach Academy (PCA) began providing recovery coach trainings in 2016 (through our collaborative with CCAR). Rod Rushing (our founder) became a CCAR Core trainer in 2017 and began to provide the entire CCAR catalogue as well as train new trainers in Colorado. Rod has his own lived experience, but discovered that life became much more manageable when he took his mental health seriously. This is a message he carries to others still.
In 2018, we expanded to Colorado Springs which served as a starting point for us to really collaborate with other agencies and increase services offered. We now offer transitional housing to individuals working on competency issues with the courts and persons with serious mental illness along with counseling, peer support, life skills, and sober activities and social opportunities.
Our name, Embark PCA encompasses us “embarking on a new journey,” where we collaborate and provide various services across the state, and beyond.
People recover outside of treatment, so we need to extend recovery resources outside of treatment.
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All individuals in or seeking recovery should be met where they are at
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All individuals should be treated with dignity and respect
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All individuals should have access to recovery support services to choose from
The Heart of Our Care
Founder
Rod Rushing
Certified Addictions Specialist, an Approved CCAR Facilitator, and a community organizer with over 16 years of experience mentoring and supporting people as well as discovering new applications of peer to peer support. Rod works to strengthen access and remove barriers to recovery support systems and facilitate people’s reintegration into wellness/recovery.
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Clinical Director
Dr. Lacey Berumen
Dr Lacey Berumen received her PhD from Capella, Her Masters from Regis and Her Bachelors from UOP. She has been practicing in the Behavioral Health Field for over 25 years. She has been trained in Interlock enhancement and driving with care as well as working with 4 Plus DUI individuals, she is trauma informed and does trauma treatment, grief work and individual therapy. Lacey served 3 Governor's through appointment to Behavioral Health Committees . She served on the Nation Board of Directors of the National Alliance on Mental Illness for 6 years 5 in executive committee roles. Lacey served as the ED for NAMI Colorado for 6 years. She has also served in The US Air Force and as a Americorp Fellow. Lacey has worked in all areas of treatment to include 17 years in the ER of a Level 1 Trauma Center. Lacey serves as our Clinical Director and provides supervision and therapy services.
Nurse Practitioner
Elizabeth Rozier
Elizabeth Rozier RN, PMHNP-BC earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She received her Bachelor’s of Art in Interdisciplinary Studies and her Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is board certified as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Colorado with license number APN.0102534-CNP and prescriptive authority. For Medicaid covered clients you can make an appointment at: https://practice.kareo.com/embarkpca.
Clinical Case Manager
Katrina Nicholson
Katrina Nicholson, MSW, SWC, LAC is a psychotherapist with over three years of clinical experience and the owner of Imbuing Life LLC. She is a graduate teaching assistant at Metropolitan State University of Denver with over two years of experience. Katrina is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Driving with Care Facilitation, Mental Health First Aid, Human Behavior and the Social Environment Training, and holds Clinical Supervision Levels I, II, and III Certification, as well as Systemic Clinical Supervision Certification. She also contracts as A SAFE Home Study provider with foster care, kinship, and adoption agencies and has over a year of experience supporting individuals in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in her private practice. Katrina provides trauma-informed therapy and support for individuals and families across Colorado.
Administrator
Kayla Rivera
Kayla Rivera is the Administrator and Housing Director at Renaissance at Embark, bringing over 13 years of experience supporting individuals with mental health needs across a wide range of care settings. She currently oversees MHTL Level I and II programs, an ALR home, and three recovery residences, ensuring high standards of care, compliance, and operational excellence.
Kayla’s career reflects a deep, hands-on understanding of residential care. She began her work in the field and progressed through roles including activities coordinator, caregiver, house manager, and ultimately administrator. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with long-term care Medicaid recipients, Veterans, and elderly blind and disabled population.
Her leadership has been recognized with the Young Professional in Aging Award from the Colorado Gerontological Society (2023) and Best in Business for Retirement and Assisted Living Communities (2022).
Outside of work, Kayla values time with her large family and enjoys crafting, reading, and spending time outdoors, reflecting her belief in balance, connection, and community in both her personal and professional life.
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Certified Addiction Technician (CAT)
Chanel Berumen
Chanel is CAT, CPFS- and QBHA-certified, a proud Colorado native, and a passionate advocate for positive change. She has dedicated her career to empowering non-profits and recovery agencies with the tools they need to thrive. Her professional path has been shaped by lived experience, including overcoming a DUI, which reinforced the importance of accountability, abstinence, and moderation. These experiences fueled her decision to become a business owner and recovery professional. Today, Chanel is committed to guiding individuals toward healthier, sober lifestyles, using both professional expertise and personal insight to inspire resilience, growth, and lasting transformation.
