Brad Lundahl earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Northern Illinois University. He is an associate professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Utah. Dr. Lundahl is most interested in researching factors that motivate people to change individual behaviors. He has been trained in Motivational Interviewing by one this approach's cofounders, Dr. Bill Miller and recently published a manuscript with the other cofounder, Dr. Stephen Rollnick. At the University, Dr. Lundahl publishes on evidence-based practices and teaches in areas of clinical practice and research. In addition to University work, Brad owns a small private practice, Compass Counseling and Consulting, where he works with individuals and families. Brad strives to integrate research and practice to benefit both efforts.

Dr. Richer is an interventionist who engages in community-driven research to co-create culturally-tailored interventions and services. Specifically, she is interested in addressing the substance use, intimate partner violence, and HIV and STI risk (SAVA) syndemic. She works with Black, Indigenous, and queer communities who experience structural stigma related to drug use, involvement in the criminal-legal system, sexuality, and racism. Additionally, Dr. Richer seeks to increase access to psychedelics and Indigenous plant medicines therapies among BIPOC communities. Finally, she is the Co-Founder/Director of Research at the Urban Indigenous Collective, a community-based public health non-profit that ensures access to culturally-tailored services to Indigenous people living in Lenapehoking (New York City) and the surrounding tri-state area through research, advocacy, and programming.

Tami Fullerton LCSW, has worked for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services in the Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services since the late 1900's. She has worked in facilities as a line staff as well as being a facility director for over 15 years. She is currently a therapist supervisor, supervising mental health clinicians in some of our remote facilities across the southern end of Utah (for those familiar it is everything south of Provo). She also supports our case management teams across the state for youth in JJYS custody who do not make expected progress and have complex needs. In her free time Tami loves to read, spend time with her partner and their boxer/pitbull, and ride her bicycle near beautiful St. George, Utah where she has lived for most of her life.

Chera Mann is a licensed clinical social worker. She is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and professionals understand mental health and find ways to improve their quality of life. Chera graduated with a Master's degree in Social Work in 2016 with a focus on trauma in families. She has worked with children, youth, and adults in various settings, including private practice, community mental health, court-ordered treatment, and in-home therapy with DCFS-involved families. Chera is especially passionate about treating trauma and enjoys teaching and consulting with other professionals to help them improve their knowledge and skills about evidence-based concepts and treatment methods. She is trained in many evidence-based modalities, including DBT, CBT, TFCBT, EMDR, IFS, and MI. Chera is also a certified EMDR consultant.

Sara Simpson is a licensed clinical mental health counselor. She began her career in education as an English teacher and learned that she especially loved working with at-risk youth. She later graduated with an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2018, and has worked with JJYS in the State of Utah since 2021. She has previous experience working in residential treatment programs, middle and high schools, Adult Probation & Parole, and community mental health centers with a focus on DBT, EMDR, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy. Her current role as a Clinical Trainer in JJYS blends her experience of teaching, curriculum development, and clinical work, and she is especially passionate about supporting staff who are working directly with young people. When she's not working, Sara enjoys reading & writing poetry, going on hikes with her dogs Blue and Maverick, and hanging out with her kids at home.

Jesse Higgins is the Clinical Director for Utah Juvenile Justice and Youth Services. He received his MS in Marriage & Family Therapy from a joint program of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He also has a PhD from Utah State University in Family & Human Development with specializations in statistics, adolescent development, and parenting. He has practiced individual, couple, and family therapy for over 15 years and is a Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor with the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy. On the weekends, he loves to spend time with his wife, son, and 2 Springer Spaniels, ideally around a campfire.

Jeremy Christensen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, working as an Assistant Superintendent and Forensic Director at Utah State Hospital since January 2020. He was an Assistant Director at the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Department of Human Services, from 2013-2019, with oversight of mental health programming, including crisis care, suicide prevention, homelessness, and trauma-focused services in the state of Utah. Previously, he worked for four years as the Chief Executive Officer of Valley Services, Inc., a social enterprise employing individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and other employment barriers. He served for five years as Executive Director of Alliance House, Inc., a recovery program for adults with serious mental illness. He also worked for Valley Mental Health as a case manager, mental health crisis clinician, therapist, and program manager. Jeremy has worked as a faculty member with the University of Phoenix, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in Social Work, Psychology, and Sociology since 2004, and as a field faculty working with interns for the University of Utah School of Social Work for ten years

Deborah Carr, MEd, has worked in animal-assisted interventions since 1997 and is a Pet Partner Instructor, Evaluator, Evaluator Instructor, and National Program Educator for Pet Partners—the leading national organization for animal-assisted interventions.  Prior to her nine-year tenure as executive director of Utah Pet Partners, she spent over 30 years teaching students with disabilities and developing programs in animal-assisted interventions.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Utah, later adding a certificate in Animals and Human Health from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work.   

Lori Watsen is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor for the University of Utah's College of Social Work and a self-proclaimed social work geek. She received her MSW from Boise State in 2002 and worked for many years providing clinical and practical support for people with cancer and their families. Lori enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, cooking, and watching movies. She and her family spend a lot of time in their camper van exploring and playing in the beautiful Idaho outdoors and beyond.

Stacey Bank, MD, is a board-certified family physician and Executive Medical Director for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. She provides clinical leadership across the department, including correctional health, and previously served as a medical director for an integrated health clinic. Dr. Bank has dedicated her career to caring for under-resourced and high-need populations, with experience in refugee health, tribal health, and complex patients. Her work focuses on improving access, coordination, and outcomes through a population health approach.

Rachel Johnson, LCSW, is a doctoral student in social work at the University of Utah and a practicing clinician specializing in trauma-informed therapy. She works with adolescents and adults, with a focus on healing from childhood sexual abuse through attachment-based and evidence-based approaches, including EMDR, IFS, DBT, and ACT. Rachel has extensive experience facilitating psychoeducational groups and trainings, particularly with survivors of trauma, and has contributed to research on resilience, mental health, and violence prevention. Her work integrates clinical practice, research, and teaching, with a focus on fostering connection, meaning-making, and ethical care in therapeutic settings

Brandon Callor earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma and is currently working on licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He is a Certified Social Worker (CSW) in Utah. As President of the board of directors for Utah Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, his focus is on saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.

Eric Yoshio Jesús Tadehara has worked for the Utah Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health since 2013 in various roles across substance use, prevention, and children's mental health. Eric currently serves as the Director of SUMH. He has worked in the field of social work since 2008 in roles including: direct clinical practice working with children, adolescents, youth in transition, and adults with mental health, substance use needs, and intellectual disabilities; crisis evaluation and management; and behavioral health administration. Eric is also an adjunct professor at Weber State University, where he teaches Bachelor's and Master's level social worker classes. He received his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Weber State University and his Master of Social Work (MSW) & Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Utah.

Sarah Larmore is an LCSW and Director of Psychological Health with the Army National Guard, bringing extensive experience in behavioral health, military culture, and trauma-informed care. She is passionate about supporting service members, families, and fellow professionals through education, collaboration, and advocacy. Sarah also currently serves as the President-Elect for the Utah Chapter of NASW, where she works to strengthen the social work profession through connection, amplifying their voices, and advocating for the resources and recognition they need.

Dr. Dave Derezotes is a Professor Emeritus in the University of Utah College of Social Work (CSW) and retired Director of Peace and Conflict Studies at the U of U, where he has received many awards in teaching, service, and scholarship. Dr. Derezotes has published 8 textbooks, including “Spiritually oriented social work practice,” and started one of the first MSW spirituality classes in the country at the CSW (that lasted about 30 years). He currently teaches classes for the U of U Osher program and facilitates LCSW  consultation groups. He also participates in the DialogueDocs Program on KRCL radio, facilitates community center dialogues, and continues to see clients and offer training in his private practice.

Alexandra Audu, MD completed a residency in psychiatry and a fellowship in forensic psychiatry at the University of Michigan. She worked for a forensic state hospital in Michigan for several years before joining Correctional Health Services in August 2025. She enjoys working with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who are also involved in the criminal/legal system.

Ellie Madenberg is a licensed recreation therapist and soon-to-be substance use counselor at the Utah State Correctional Facility. In her role, Ellie applies recreation and leisure interventions to support individuals and groups through various stages of change related to mental health and substance use. Recreation therapy is a vital component of our programs, as it reduces the risk of adverse outcomes while promoting prosocial engagement, recovery, and adaptive functioning.

Dr. Stephens completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Utah in 2019 and earned his Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2024. As part of his doctoral capstone, he developed the occupational therapy program at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF), specifically focusing on care for the SMI population. He has served as a clinical lead at USCF for two years, working with the most acute patient population. His work focuses on life skill development for inmates, including restrictive housing management, medication adherence, and productive coping. He is currently working as an occupational therapist for Correctional Health Services at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

Amanda Alkema earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree with a minor in Criminal Justice from Weber State University in 2008, followed by a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Utah in 2009. She has 18 years of experience in the behavioral health field, including fourteen years in clinical and administrative roles. Her expertise includes developing and implementing behavioral health services, crisis stabilization, and forensic programs. A significant portion of her career has been dedicated to serving individuals within the justice system who are experiencing serious mental illness.

Troy Christian Andersen, PhD., MSW, MS, LCSW, is a Professor- Lecturer in the College of Social Work at the University of Utah. Dr. Andersen worked for 13 years as a dementia specialist clinical social worker at the Center for Alzheimer’s Care, Imaging, and Research at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Andersen received his PhD in Social Work with an emphasis in developing proactive dementia care services for individuals in the early stages of the disease and other aging-related topics.

Presenter Leilani Anne Ha’akaiko’okalani Katoa-Taholo’s ancestors are from the Pacific Islands of Tonga and from the Big Island of Hawai’i. She comes from Tongan, Hawaiian, Chinese, and Norwegian ethnic descent. Her doctoral dissertation research employed Indigenous epistemology throughout her qualitative research, resulting in the development of the curriculum “Kaimana: A Pacific Islander-Based Training and Curriculum Kit for Culturally Responsive Conflict Resolution and Trauma Intervention.” The manual is currently in its final edit before copyright and publication. Working in the field of social work for 44 years, Dr. Taholo is the Director and Co-owner of Child and Family Empowerment Services, a local community outpatient mental health agency.

Dr. Misty McIntyre Goodsell is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Utah Social Research Institute and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has extensive experience bridging clinical practice and applied research, with a focus on trauma, substance use, and systems serving vulnerable populations. She has held leadership roles in program evaluation, quality improvement, and grant-funded research across behavioral health and social service settings. Her work draws on both qualitative and quantitative methods and is grounded in over two decades of clinical practice. Dr. McIntyre Goodsell brings a trauma-informed, evidence-based perspective to clinical social work education, emphasizing practical application and real-world relevance.

Dr. Christian Sarver is a Research Assistant Professor in the University of Utah College of Social Work. She is the Associate Director for UCJC and has leadership experience working on a number of criminal justice research projects. She has served as project manager on multiple federal and state-funded research projects examining offender reentry, probation and parole practice, and criminal justice policy. During that time, she has led and contributed to many studies that employ qualitative and quantitative research methods to understand the experience of persons in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. She is experienced in a range of qualitative analytic methods, including content analysis, narrative analysis, framework analysis, and grounded theory. She is also a certified assessor of the Correctional Program Checklist (CPC) and has supervised and conducted CPC assessments in juvenile and adult correctional facilities since 2012

Erica Murdoch is a licensed clinical social worker and a graduate of the U’s MSW program. She is passionate about infant and early childhood mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention, and holds an early childhood mental health endorsement. Her recent work includes providing evidence-based treatment to young children and their families, providing reflective supervision to student interns, and supporting research and teaching endeavors at the U related to infant and early childhood mental health.

Alysse Loomis, PhD, is a licensed clinical social worker and Associate Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on developing and evaluating trauma-informed early childhood systems to promote well-being for young children who have experienced adversity and trauma. Alysse also teaches courses on trauma-informed interventions and human development and is co-Project Director of a federally funded infant mental-health training grant for social work and early-intervention graduate students.

Alison Greer is program manager for the Office of Research Education (REd) at the University of Utah. She has an extensive background in education, including a Master's of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah. She has worked with REd for the past 4 years and has helped develop an outward-facing side of the office to help offer trainings in research ethics, responsible conduct of research, and mentoring to other institutions.

Caren J. Frost, PhD, MPH, is the University of Utah’s Associate Vice President for Research Integrity & Compliance (AVPRIC) and the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Social Work. Her areas of expertise are in qualitative research methods, women’s health, and research integrity. After serving two years as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, Caren completed her master’s degree in international population and family health at Columbia University in New York. While New York was a fun and exciting place to live, Caren decided to return to the University of Utah and complete her PhD in Applied, Cultural, and Medical Anthropology. She served as the Director of Strategic Operations for Utah’s Division of Child & Family Services.

Jesse Morris is the Director of Research Education and a Research Associate Professor in Environmental Studies at the University of Utah. He is an alumnus of the University of South Carolina and the University of Utah and earned a doctorate in Geography in 2012. He worked as a postdoc at the University of Helsinki and has led field campaigns in Russia, Tasmania, and throughout the western US. He has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and currently leads two research grants from the National Science Foundation. In his leisure time, he enjoys hiking, reading, and playing music.

Keri Jones-Fonnesbeck is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has dedicated her career to creating trauma-informed, equitable systems for individuals, families, and communities. She serves as the Executive Director for Trauma Informed Utah, working with organizations across the state of Utah in the training and implementation of trauma-informed principles. Keri identifies as a mom, a social worker, a hope-keeper, and an equity champion.