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Assistant Clinical Director - Heber

She/Her
Works with clients age 12+ in Heber & Teletherapy

I believe that healing is our birthright, and that it is one of the heart's most prominent desires. I utilize a holistic, somatic approach to therapy, informed by 12 years as a massage therapist and 6 years of graduate school training to be a marriage and family therapist. Both western research and eastern medicinal philosophies indicate that trauma is a visceral experience, and is stored within the body. Although not all of us have experienced obvious traumatic events, most of us have experienced a pile-up of many micro-moments and negative messaging. They culminate, ultimately impacting our ability to feel safe and secure anywhere -- in the world, in our relationships, and even within ourselves. Layers of socialization and trauma begin to mask our truest self, until we lose sense of who we were before their influence. My primary goal for clients is to help them identify and shed these layers, reconnecting and embracing their truest self.

My therapy approach is informed by attachment theory, polyvagal theory, queer theory, feminist theory, and Kimberle Crenshaw's intersectionality framework. The most helpful tool in my practice has been my training in EMDR. In family therapy, I utilize Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), shown to be the most effective therapy for improving family relationships and reducing depression and suicidality. I also co-authored a research publication in which we adapted the original ABFT treatment protocol and outlined how to implement ABFT for families with transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth experiencing suicidality.

My specialty lies in doing family therapy with LGBTQ+ individuals in religious and/or Latter-day Saint families. Sessions with such families can be a delicate dance, and require a therapist who is “culturally competent” in both the Queer world and the Mormon world. I was raised in the LDS religion and have been able to maintain deeply connected relationships with my family members who still subscribe to it. I understand and have experienced the complex family dynamics that can arise when someone comes out as LGBTQ+ or decides to step away from their religion. When I started experiencing how complex and nuanced this kind of family therapy is, I decided to get my PhD-- these families needed an expert. I am now in the final stages of completing my dissertation entitled “When Identities Collide: Best Practices for Family Therapy with LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults in Mormon Families.”

I look forward to connecting, healing, and learning alongside you.

(he/him/his)

Works with individuals ages 13+ in SLC and Teletherapy

This human experience is a wondrously—and occasionally frustratingly—complex one. There’s no one way to be a person, yet the systems we live in and the messages we receive often tell us otherwise. Dismantling those internalized notions of self that run counter to one’s deeper, more truthful inner knowing, is a calling I take seriously and with great humility. Companioning clients along their journeys of self-discovery in conjunction with bolstering their resilience has been a privilege to provide over my career.

As a queer, trans kid growing up in Sandy, Utah, finding stories that resonated with me was integral to my own growth. Consequently, in 2007 I graduated with a BA in English from the University of Utah. My gravitation towards narrative eventually led me to social work, culminating with an MSW degree in 2014, also from the University of Utah. Over the course of my career, I have worked in a variety of fields & among different populations (i.e., inpatient geriatric mental health, neurodiverse children, HIV/AIDS, college students). In all these settings, I’ve strived to be a strong advocate and provider for queer and trans folx. This has led to training students & clinicians alike on queer-affirming care, as well as establishing Beyond Binaries, the first trans/nonbinary/gender diverse support group at the University of Utah.

My therapeutic approach is multifaceted & trauma-informed. The bulk of my training and practice has been centered in Feminist Multicultural Therapy (FMT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), as well as a sprinkling of narrative & somatic approaches. My professional interests include identity development through a multicultural lens; anxiety/depression; deconstruction of internalized oppression; and life transitions. Ultimately, though, my passion lies in serving as safe space for folx who are seeking to find and share their own narrative because, as Haruki Murakami wrote, “’What happens when people open their hearts?’ ‘They get better.’”

As a self-described “introvert supreme,” I can often be found curled up with a book alongside one of my three cats (Yuki, Evie, and Ginsberg) in my spare time. I also enjoy checking out indie films, exploring the many local bookstores Salt Lake has to offer, attending concerts (the rowdier the better), and listening to far too many podcasts while cross-stitching.

She/Her
Works with clients age 12+ in SLC + Teletherapy

I was born in North Carolina and grew up mostly in Orem, Utah. I received both my bachelors degree in human development and masters of social work from BYU. I have experience as both an inpatient and outpatient therapist, and have worked with trauma/PTSD, depression, and anxiety in children, teenagers, and adults. I also have experience working with neurodiversity (i.e., Autism & ADHD). I am passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community and believe that all humans deserve support, love, and acceptance wherever their journey takes them.

My therapy approach is client centered, trauma focused, and heavily influenced by my experience and training in Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). My personal philosophy for therapy is that humans have the ability to heal themselves when empowered, provided a safe space, and given the knowledge and tools they need. I enjoy incorporating experiential pieces into therapy such as sand tray, art, and play therapy techniques.

I love cuddling with my cat and my roommate’s dogs during my free time. I also enjoy hiking, listening to audiobooks, and watching anime.

Assistant Clinical Director- SLC

(she/her)

Works with individuals/families ages 12+ in SLC and Teletherapy

Greetings and Aloha! I'm originally from Hawaii, but spent the last 20 years in Montana, where I taught sociology at Montana State University-Billings. My private practice in Montana focused largely on young LGBTQI+ individuals, many located in rural communities.

In my therapeutic work, I embrace a relational-cultural perspective, influenced heavily by feminist theory and a strong belief that humans want and need connection. I graduated from Boise State University with a degree in Social Work. I enjoy working with clients experiencing anxiety/depression, trauma, ADHD, faith transitions, and am particularly passionate about psychoeducation. I am trained in a variety of modalities, and hold certifications in TI-CBT and EMDR.

However, I believe that approach is less important than the knowledge that your therapist both understands and accepts you deeply. Recent research states, "The emerging picture suggests that the quality of the client–therapist alliance is a reliable predictor of positive clinical outcome independent of the variety of psychotherapy approaches and outcome measures." (Ardito & Rabellino, 2011) I believe that the therapeutic relationship is essential in order for our work to progress.

My personal interests include travel, pop culture, swimming, and spending time with friends and family. I'm honored to accompany young LGBTQI individuals on their joyful journey toward self-actualization.

He/Him Works with couples/families and individual clients 12+ in Teletherapy.

We exist in a world of both beauty and affliction. Oftentimes we lose sight of the beauty that exists amid the affliction. I believe that everyone has the capacity to find healing and peace in this chaotic thing we call life. In order to achieve this in the therapy room it’s important to me to create a space where everyone can feel safe through kindness, curiosity, and humility.

My aim is to be a part of your journey in finding connection, healing, peace, and self-empowerment in you and your family. My clinical focus is to help clients rewrite their problematic narratives through experiences in therapy. My style of therapy utilizes Narrative Family Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT). I strive to be open and understanding of each person’s unique life experiences and greatly value the advocacy of non-majority groups, especially those within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Having grown up in Oregon I have developed a love for nature and everything green. I’m currently a plant and cat dad, as well as a dad-to-be. My wife is expecting our first baby early next year. My wife and I met through music and we continue to play guitar and sing together as a hobby. Other than playing music, in my free time I enjoy watching feel-good movies and series, playing games, hiking, biking, reading, and cooking for my family and friends. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development & Family Studies in 2018 and my Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy in 2021, both from Utah State University.

She/Her
Devin meets with clients ages 12+ in Teletherapy

I was born and raised in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. I was raised by lesbian parents during a time when that was very rare and very odd to the people around me. This unique position in life invited me to experience what it’s like being on the outside of the predominant culture, inside a very unique and sometimes isolating culture, and frequently in-between both. It taught me curiosity and compassion, and also gave me a passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community. It led me to work at Encircle on the Programs Team for several years, and led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree (UVU) and master’s degree (USU) in Social Work.

I have gained training and experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families of all identities and experiences. I have experience and training in trauma-informed, strengths-focused, and experiential therapies and techniques, and tend to take a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) approach in therapy.

I believe we are more than the things that have happened to us, and we are each worthy of love and belonging (paraphrased from the great Morgan Harper Nichols and Brené Brown). We are capable of tapping into an innate source of strength that each of us possess to move toward growth and healing. My job is to be here with you along your journey, and help you recognize how to unlock and utilize that innate source.

I have two cats, Lily and Gwyn, who love to make appearances on my Zoom calls. I live in Logan, Utah with my partner, Jackson. I love learning new things, reading, listening to music and podcasts, and attempting crafts even though I was not born with any knack for it. I look forward to the opportunity to get to know you better.

She/Her
Works with clients age 18+ via Teletherapy

I was born in Lexington, Kentucky and was raised in both Utah and Kentucky. I received my BS degree in Human Behavior in Family studies in 2002 and went back and got my MSW in 2014 from Utah State University. I am passionate about social justice issues including LGBTQ+ rights. This is why I choose social work as a career and love what I do. I believe in therapy as a nurturing collaborative experience and that humans have an amazing ability to heal, change and grow toward their truest selves.

I have experience working with substance abuse, attachment, trauma and PTSD, depression and anxiety in adolescents and adults. In my approach to therapy I use Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Psychodynamic techniques, attachment focused theory, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

In my free time I can be found spending time with family and friends, amateur style baking, gardening riding my bike and snuggling my cat Wolfgang and my dog Sym.

Insurance Billing & Patient Finance Specialist
She/Her

Candice can be reached for any billing/insurance questions or concerns at billing@encircletherapy.org

I was born in Idaho and was raised in Orem, Utah where I have remained into adulthood. Although I was told my childhood years were spent in dresses and hair bows, my youth was spent on the ballfields. My love for sports developed at a young age, and as I continued to grow, so did my knowledge of athletics and medicine. In High School I spent my off-season in the athletic training room working with the football and basketball teams, preparing to begin a career in Sports Medicine. After graduating high school I started working with an Orthopedic Surgeon group in Provo, and found myself gravitating toward the billing/finance aspect of the job, rather than taking the route toward Sports Medicine.

I attended school off/on, but spent more of my focus on my work and furthering my career as a Medical Billing and Finance Specialist. I have worked in a number of fields ranging from Optometry, to Dentistry, to Women’s Medicine and Fertility. It was working with the Fertility Group that I really found my place in the industry. It was difficult enough for these couples and individuals to work through the challenges of infertility, let alone navigating the challenges that come with Insurance and Finances. It was my absolute pleasure to help ease that burden, forming a safe space to speak about their finance options as well as an in-depth review of their insurance benefits.

When I learned about the Billing Role with Encircle, I was immediately interested. The more I learned of their values and goals, the more I wanted to become a part of this company. I could not be more excited to begin working with this wonderful group of Therapists, and I look forward to forming great relationships with this community in easing the burden of insurance and financial stress.

I am married the love of my life, Rylie, 5 years ago this fall. We met playing softball, where we then remembered that for two years straight, I taped his ankles for football every day in high school, but never spoke a word to each other. We have two beautiful fur babies, Boston and Fenway, who constantly keep us on our toes with their herd breeding energy. We have undergone fertility treatments to try having human babies, but it seems we will forever be a family of fur babies (the more the merrier!) In my spare time I like to play ball, read, bake, work in my wood shop, and go for hikes with my pups.