Atomic Staff

Our staff is comprised talented individuals who help coordinate, connect, and create, often doing their work as an add on to what they already do professionally in other capacities. From provider engagement to insurance paneling, from navigating our partnerships to getting paid for your work, and much more our staff is here helping you directly and behind the scenes building success in your practice.

Diana Baumgarten, LCSW – Assistant Director

Diana brings a breadth of experience within clinical settings that include community mental health, school based mental health, and her own private practice. She graduated with a master’s in social work from Arizona State University and currently practices in Lakewood, Colorado. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Diana sees children and adolescents, as well as individual adults. Her prior experience managing a team of mental health workers along with other leadership roles in the community make her a great asset in helping providers at Atomic be successful. She is married to Howard and enjoys traveling, her family, reading, and outdoors.

Marjorie Laird, Ph.D. LMFT – Clinical Consultant

Dr. Marjorie Laird is a highly skilled and experienced therapist who holds three different advanced degrees in mental health and related fields, along with a clinical supervision credential, a certification in addictions counseling, and is licensed as both a professional counselor and marriage and family therapist. She served a term on the Colorado state licensing board for marriage and family counselors and spent ten years on the teaching faculty of the Colorado School for Family Therapy in the areas of best therapy practices and practice management. Marjorie has provided clinical supervision and mentorship to therapists throughout much of her career. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Bob, and her wonderful dogs, one of whom is her therapy dog, affectionately known as “Dr. Sparkles.” She also serves Atomic in an advisory capacity. (Maybe link to that page for her bio there)

Deanna Fierman, LPC – On-Call Consultant

Atomic is fortunate to have the on-call consultative services of Deanna Fierman. Deanna is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado, Denver. She currently manages her own private practice, and loves working with her clients. Deanna’s experience includes counseling in community mental health clinics, universities, grade schools, crisis centers, hospitals, and in both residential and outpatient settings. She has worked as a clinical supervisor on a community mental health crisis counseling team and supported counseling trainees in university settings.

Deanna draws from a wide variety of clinical approaches, and more, and strongly believes that therapy requires creativity! She often works with multiculturally diverse clients and specializes in working with people from LGBTQIA+ communities, young adults, and self-curious people of all ages.

Michelle Valencia – Provider Engagement

Michelle Valencia is our fearless Outreach & Engagement Coordinator, a role that involves searching, reaching out to, and connecting with prospective providers who are starting or building their private practices and are a good fit for Atomic’s valuable services. Michelle has extensive background in professional outreach as she has recruited in a variety of private sectors including, healthcare, civil engineering and IT. Her engaging personality and passion for connecting people make her a true asset to Atomic. She graduated from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources. In addition to her amazing relational engagement skills, she has strong interest in and supports mental health awareness and treatment. When not at work, Michelle enjoys attending live sporting and music events, and lounging around with her cat, Bubba.

Sarah Gershone – Web Designer

Sarah is our amazing and talented website designer and she’s no stranger to Atomic. In addition to creating our founder’s practice website, she and Howard hosted a podcast called PsychBiz during the height of the pandemic. Sarah is the owner of Strong Roots Web Design, and designs award winning custom websites (like this one) exclusively for mental health professionals in private practice. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Minnesota, and lives in Silver Spring, MD with her family

Emma Baumgarten – Social Media & Administrative Specialist

We at Atomic like to “keep it in the family!” When it comes to getting special administrative projects completed, the niece of our founder and daughter of Atomic’s Financial Advisor, Emma Lane is the right one for the job. Emma has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from University of Iowa. She provides administrative and social media support as needed to Atomic, and is an ardent supporter of all things mental health. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, stand-up comedy, live music, and spending time with her family.

Kristi Hunter - Medical Billing Specialist

Kristi has been providing medical billing services for over 20 years. She has been helping Howard Baumgarten successfully file claims since 2002. She is extremely efficient and thorough in her billing practices, and because of her long tenure in her expertise, she knows many of the shortcuts in the business related to getting reimbursed on time. Additionally, she has a nearly 100% rate of success in claims completion, including chasing after insurance processing mistakes and getting providers paid quickly. Atomic is fortunate and honored to have Kristi on board through one of our helpful partners. When not hard at work helping our providers get paid, Kristi enjoys spending time with family, reading, and taking walks and biking outdoors.

Atomic Advisory Group

Our advisory group is packed with over 100 years of combined relevant experience in fields that are important to helping mental health professionals build successful and meaningful private practices. The members of this highly skilled group have advised our director throughout his journey in private practice and now have graciously agreed to support his mission to mentor other clinicians build, manage, and grow practices of their own.

Tom Giles, Psy.D – Business Advisor

Tom Giles is the owner and director of Westside Behavioral Care, Inc., one of the largest outpatient mental health consortiums in Colorado, and a crucial partner to Atomic Behavioral. His experience in the mental health business sector spans over three decades, including a former Executive Director role with Cigna Behavioral Health. Dr. Giles advises our founder directly on key business strategies in order to build and sustain an efficient and thorough system for providers and the clients they serve. Prior to working on the business side of mental health, Dr. Giles was a practicing clinical psychologist for over 20 years. He’s also authored three books during his career. When not busy running his organization, Tom lives in Denver, Colorado and enjoys playing golf, snowshoeing, hiking, trying new vegetarian restaurants, biking, and taken care of his dog.

Rob Baumgarten – Financial Advisor

Robert Baumgarten, yes, he’s Howard’s brother, is a tremendous resource for Atomic. He’s a former management executive with broad leadership, sales, marketing, financial and business operational skills. He spent over twenty-five years in the insurance/financial services sector and currently consults helping small businesses with operations, organization, financial stability, and growth. As an advisor, Rob helps Atomic’s director teach clinicians about profitability, wealth growth and management, and other key business and financial elements. Rob lives in Granby, Colorado and loves fishing, teaching kids skiing, anything outdoors, traveling and living in the Rocky Mountains.

Donald Altman, LPC – Writing & Training Advisor

Donald Altman is a psychotherapist, Award-winning writer, international workshop trainer, and former Buddhist monk. He has taught thousands of health care and business professionals how to apply mindfulness for self-growth, in relationships, and in the workplace. Donald has authored over 20 books and CDs on mindfulness that have been translated into several languages. In addition to his many years of experience and wisdom in the business of providing therapy, writing, and professional training, he brings his passion of mindfulness, a warm personality, and true kindness to Atomic and is a tremendous resource in his advisory role. Donald resides in Portland, Oregon and in his spare time enjoys spending time with his life partner, going on long walks, traveling, riding his motorcycle, and taking in a few baseball games.

Marjorie Laird, Ph.D. LMFT – Clinical Consulting Advisor

Marjorie brings over 40 years of clinical experience to Atomic, including a resume of outstanding awards in mental health community service for a variety of endeavors. Among them, Marjorie is a founder of The Second Wind Fund, a non-profit that has helped saved thousands of teen lives through suicide prevention and crisis counseling. She has routinely spoken locally and internationally, served a term on the Colorado state licensing board for marriage and family counselors, and spent ten years on the teaching faculty of the Colorado School for Family Therapy in the areas of best therapy practices and practice management. She has provided clinical supervision and mentorship to other therapists throughout much of her career. Marjorie holds three different advanced degrees in mental health and related fields, along with a clinical supervision credential, a certification in addictions counseling, and is licensed as both a professional counselor and marriage and family therapist. Marjorie lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Bob, and her wonderful dogs, one of whom is her therapy dog, affectionately known as “Dr. Sparkles.”. Atomic is extremely honored and fortunate to benefit from Dr. Laird’s wisdom and experience.