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FINDING CALM WITHIN THE CHAOS
*Under Construction*
Tested in the field. Tailored for the frontline.
ABOUT
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OUR MISSION
Dumpster Fire Consulting & Counseling exists to serve those who serve.
Rooted in the responder culture and built on lived experience of a retired firefighter, our mission is to support the mental, emotional and organizational well-being of first responders and the agencies that rely on them.
Through culturally competent consulting, counseling, and training, we strive to foster resilience, improve performance, and promote sustainable wellness within responder communities.
OUR PROGRAM
R.E.C.E.S.S.
Resilience Education & Coordination to Establish a Sustainable Support System
This program was developed by a first-responder for first-responders. It's not about lectures or fluff - it is practical, actionable support built to fit the realities of the job. Through targeted education, peer coordination, and system level strategies, RECESS helps individuals and agencies build stronger internal support networks and long-term overall wellness sustainability.
Whether you are navigating burnout, looking to strengthen team cohesion, or trying to create a healthier culture in your agency, RECESS offers a structured path forward. We bring real talk, real tools, and a deep respect for the work you do - because we've been there.
RECESS helps:
-Build peer-driven support systems that actually work
-Strengthen personal and professional resilience
-Address burnout, trauma, and cumulative stress with clarity and care
-Create sustainable habits and cultural change in high-impact environments
Because every responder deserves time to rest, reset and be the best version of themselves.
This program is for you, your families, your crews, and the communities you serve.
OUR APPROACH
We don't just understand the culture - we've lived it. Our Approach is grounded in firsthand experience, shaped by decades in the responder world, and guided by a deep respect for the strength, complexity, and challenges of responder life.
We believe real impact comes from real connection. That's why our work begins with trust- earned through cultural competence, shared language, and a no-BS attitude.
Whether we are providing individual counseling, leadership consulting, or agency-wide support, our methods are practical, evidence-informed, and tailored to the unique realities of responder work.
We prioritize grit over perfection, progress over pressure, and long-term wellness over quick-fixes. Our goal is to help responders and agencies build healthier systems, stronger teams, and lives that thrive both on and off the job.
Our Team
Kelli Norden-Gilchrist - Firefighter (Ret.), LPC, NCC (CO)
Kelli Norden-Gilchrist - Firefighter (Ret.), LPC, NCC (CO)
Kelli Norden-Gilchrist - Firefighter (Ret.), LPC, NCC (CO)
Kelli is a retired career firefighter, a licensed professional counselor and a board-certified clinician. She has a Master's degree in clinical counseling from the University of Northern Colorado.
Kelli is a third-generation first-responder and "grew up in the firehouse and intensive care unit" as the daughter of a retired fire department
Kelli is a retired career firefighter, a licensed professional counselor and a board-certified clinician. She has a Master's degree in clinical counseling from the University of Northern Colorado.
Kelli is a third-generation first-responder and "grew up in the firehouse and intensive care unit" as the daughter of a retired fire department truck captain and an I.C.U. nurse.
Kelli has been surrounded by emergency responders and helping professionals her entire life. She understands the need for practical skills at work and at home to achieve balance and hopefully increase resilience while serving in this career.
Amanda Ortega - LMFT (CO)
Kelli Norden-Gilchrist - Firefighter (Ret.), LPC, NCC (CO)
Kelli Norden-Gilchrist - Firefighter (Ret.), LPC, NCC (CO)
Amanda is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She has a Master's degree in marriage and family therapy with a certification in counseling military families from Regis University.
Amanda has worked with Active Duty and Veteran populations in an Intensive Outpatient program in Denver, Colorado. Her work brought her into contact with Po
Amanda is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She has a Master's degree in marriage and family therapy with a certification in counseling military families from Regis University.
Amanda has worked with Active Duty and Veteran populations in an Intensive Outpatient program in Denver, Colorado. Her work brought her into contact with Police and Fire Departments across the state, where she has provided mental-health education, station visits, critical incident support/debriefs, as well as individual and relationship counseling. She is proud to support military and first-responder families through recreation and retreat-style therapy.
Noel McKillip - LPCC, CCTP, NCC (CO)
Kelli Norden-Gilchrist - Firefighter (Ret.), LPC, NCC (CO)
Noel McKillip - LPCC, CCTP, NCC (CO)
Noel is a licensed professional counselor candidate, post-traumatic growth researcher, and clinically certified trauma professional. She has a Master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University.
Noel operates from a neuro-informed perspective, incorporating elements of (and obstacles to) the brain's functioni
Noel is a licensed professional counselor candidate, post-traumatic growth researcher, and clinically certified trauma professional. She has a Master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University.
Noel operates from a neuro-informed perspective, incorporating elements of (and obstacles to) the brain's functioning into her work and education. A vast amount of clinical issues can be better understood and addressed through a neuroscientific lens, including traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, substance use, ADHD, anxiety, and depression.
Noel has worked extensively with Denver's first-responder population and regularly co-teaches Peer Support, Resilience, and Academy trainings with Denver's West Metro Fire Department.