Karen Stovall, M.Ed.

Doctoral Candidate

My current research explores professional development, self-care, and clinician professional competency with sexual health topics; primarily with trans, and non-binary clients. I recently completed a yoga instructor certificate program and plan to infuse yoga, mindfulness and meditation in my group, and individual therapy practice. I am interested in mindfulness, meditation, and body work as a means to personal growth and mental health. I have co-facilitated a yoga process support group with the Woman's Resource Center and plan to conduct a research study on the benefits of combining yoga with a therapeutic group, specifically looking at anxiety reduction and increased self-esteem. I have also been pursuing specialty training in neuropsychological assessment and sex therapy, and began a practicum in sex therapy in the summer of 2020.

Taylor

Taylor Kevern, M.S.W.

Doctoral Candidate

I am from Holladay, Utah and have been a homebody when it comes to my education! I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Utah and went on to complete my Masters of Social Work at Brigham Young University before returning to the U for my PhD. My research interests are in professional competence, development and learning. Clinically I am interested in the Neuropsychology of acquired and congenital brain injury and illness and cognitive rehabilitation. When I'm not in class or with patients I love to be in the mountains. If it were possible I would spend all my free time with my family hunting and fishing, just enjoying the simpler things!

Erin

Erin Buttars, B.A.

Doctoral Candidate

Hi everyone! I am a third-year doc student in the lab. I am originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho. I graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2018 with a degree in biology and sociology. My research interests include identifying factors that contribute to student success and mentoring. When I'm not busy with school stuff, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, going on walks up City Creek Canyon, getting lost in a good book and building community!

Mae Larsson, M.A., LMFT

Doctoral Student

Mae Larsson, M.A., LMFT

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

Hej där! My name is Mae Larsson (she/her) and I am a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program. I completed my Bachelor's in 2005 with a double major in Psychology and Elementary Education, and I worked as a Kindergarten teacher for a short time after graduation. However, I found myself far more interested in my students' emotional wellbeing than in teaching them the 3 R's, so I went back to school to begin my second career. I completed my Master's in Counseling Psychology in 2010 at the University of San Francisco, where I discovered a new passion in working with adolescents. Since 2010, I have worked as a psychotherapist in a variety of settings in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City, with specialized experience in working with LGBTQIA populations, survivors of sex trafficking, juvenile delinquents, and gang-involved youth in several Restorative Justice schools. I am passionate about advocacy, particularly in implementing restorative practices in schools and community settings, as well as advocating for social change at the policy level. My research interests include multicultural counseling training/continuing education, social justice activism, clinical supervision, and teaching. I have also developed a love for yoga and meditation, and hope to pursue formal training in Somatic Experiencing during the next stage of my professional career. When I'm not immersed in literature or supporting clients, I love performing music, learning to face my fear of heights through rock climbing (eek!), and exploring the wilderness with my coydog, wolfdog, and partner.

Ryan Mayfield, B.S.

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

Hi there! My name is Ryan Mayfield (he/him/his) and I am entering into the Lifelong Learning Lab with my B.S. in Psychological Sciences from Purdue University (2016) in Indiana where I grew up. My research interests lie in the clinical applications of Positive Psychology, specifically mindfulness-based interventions, and applying mindfulness practices for well-being and self-care amongst mental health clinicians (e.g., to bolster professional self-efficacy and build resiliency to burnout and stress). I'm also curious how mindfulness amongst mental health clinicians might increase effectiveness at administering clinical interventions and the potential impact of clinician mindfulness on treatment outcomes for clients. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time in nature, hosting friends and family, and playing board games; most of all, I cherish any opportunity to make meaningful connections with others!

Cat

Cat Sales, BSPH, M.Ed.

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

Cat (she/her) graduated from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Utah in May of 2022. Prior to moving to Utah, Cat completed her undergraduate degree in Public Health and Art History at Tulane University in New Orleans. It was in college, that Cat found her passion and desire to work in the mental health field.

Clinically, she is driven to learn how to increase her cultural humility through research, education, and reflection. She has worked in the following settings: community mental health, crisis intervention, wilderness therapy, private practice, and college counseling. She has co-facilitated groups on Self-Compassion, Expressive Arts, and Women Supporting Women. Her research interests include multicultural counseling, counselor education/training, mindfulness, and burnout.

To take care of her own mental health, you can find her outside (mountain biking, backcountry skiing, chasing sunsets, rollerblading, you name it!), doing art, and ~attempting~ to meditate!

Carina

Carina Terry, B.S.

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

Hello! My name is Carina Terry (she/they/he -- or any pronouns), and I graduated from Utah State University in 2018 with a dual Bachelor's in Psychology and Philosophy. I have been highly invested in psychology and the fascination of the human condition from a young age. As such, I have pursued a range of experiences. These experiences have involved multiple residential treatment centers for adolescents and adults with diverse backgrounds and diagnoses, a university counseling center, transitional housing for adults with severe and persistent mental illness, a dementia ward of an assisted living center, a humanitarian trip to the banks of the Amazon River, an LGBTQIA+ pride center, and an array of psychological research endeavors. My prior research experience has been in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and multiculturalism. Moving forward, my primary research interests are in gender -- especially the study of non-binary persons and the experiences of folks' as mitigated by perceived gender -- and the LGBT+ population. I am interested in investigating the questions that will help us better understand the potential benefits or harms of the gender binary, and of the gender construct generally. My love for human psychology and the human experience lend themselves well to my interests that lie outside of academia. I absolutely love traveling, especially internationally, and I try to create opportunities to do so as often as I am able. I also treasure outdoor experiences, and feel very at home in the mountains, whether hiking, camping, or skiing. Being outside brings a great deal of joy to my life, even more-so if I catch sight of native animals. I have a dog and a cat at home that I would die for, and my love for outside brings itself inside when it comes to the 75+ plants that dwell within my walls.

Amira

Amira Trevino, B.S.

Doctoral Candidate in Counseling Psychology

Amira received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development from Washington State University. After receiving her bachelor's, Amira spent several years carrying out her passion for social justice and advocacy through working directly with underrepresented community members and trauma survivors (e.g., at-risk youth, sexual assault survivors, childhood abuse survivors, foster families).

Currently, Amira is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the U. Her research interests center on methods to reduce disparities in access to quality mental health care and education among underserved populations. Amira finds value in both top-down and bottom-up approaches to influencing systemic change that fosters better informed education and mental health services for all people. As such, her research focuses on how conversations around cultural identities emerge and explored in therapy. Within this lab, Amira recently completed a project exploring how faculty engage in social justice with their students and what barriers to social engagement exist. Clinically, Amira works from a relational/interpersonal/multicultural lens and enjoys utilizing empowerment-based approaches to support clients who have too often experienced disempowerment (e.g., trauma survivors, minorities).

As a native to the Pacific Northwest, Amira finds connection with nature and enjoys hugging trees, daydreaming, admiring art in its various forms (e.g., rain, music, drawings), and spending time with loved ones.

Jacoby

Jacoby Bryce

Undergraduate Research Assistant and UROP Research Scholar

I studied Emergency Medical Services Management at the University of Utah, and graduated with my undergraduate degree in Spring 2021. I am currently in medical school at the University of Utah. I also work as an AEMT at the University of Utah Emergency Department where I function as a lead EMT, vascular access specialist, and assist in critical care roles within the department. Research plays a vital role in improving patient outcomes and how medicine is practiced. I am excited to be involved in a project that encompasses both patient and physician wellness. In my free time, I love spending time with my wife hiking, fishing, or just being outside.

Alumni

Allie Kolaski, M.Ed., Ph.D.

Counseling Psychology

Allie

Allie graduated from Princeton University with a degree in English and Environmental Science. During her time at Princeton, she discovered her passion for working with struggling adolescents and young adults as a leader in a freshman orientation program. Following graduation, she continued to pursue this path in wilderness therapy as a field guide, clinician, and researcher. She has since worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient clinical settings.

Allie's research interests center around burnout among professional caregivers of various kinds. She has studied this concept in wilderness therapy field staff and is writing her dissertation looking at the influence of race and gender on experiences of burnout among physicians. Her ultimate interest is in how burnout in professionals impacts those they serve.

In here free time, Allie enjoys the outdoor activities that Utah has to offer, including rock climbing, hiking, skiing, and trail running ultramarathons. Allie also loves to spend time adventuring with her husband and her two dogs.

Halleh

Halleh Hashtpari, M.S., Ph.D.

Counseling Psychology

Halleh (they/them/theirs) graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor's degree in Psychobiology, and a minor in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. Shortly after they completed a research-based M.S. in Clinical Psychology from California Lutheran University where they developed a love of qualitative research. Prior to starting the Counseling Psychology PhD program at the U of Utah Halleh worked as a behavior therapist with kids on the autism spectrum, and both as a residential counseling and clinical supervisor at a residential treatment program for young adults with various presenting concerns. Halleh has enjoyed clinical experiences working with student-athletes, and also with vets in the PTSD clinic at the Salt Lake City VA.

Halleh's research interested include identity development and well-being, as well as exploring new methodologies for examining identity salience and other cultural processes with queer and trans people of color. Within this lab, Halleh, Allie, Hannah, and Jennifer conducted a Delphi study on the future of Counseling Psychology and have published a peer-reviewed article and book chapter on their findings. Halleh, Karen, and Jennifer also recently submitted a paper on a study that explored professional competencies for sex and relationship therapists who work with transgender and gender diverse clients. Outside of being a student, they enjoy teaching group fitness classes, snowboarding, listening to heavy metal, and spending time with friends.

Josie

Josie Payne, M.Ed.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

I'm from Tremonton, Utah and hold a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Utah State University. My research in this lab concentrated on ways in which faculty engage in social justice in their classrooms and barriers that get in the way. My clinical interest is focused on working with those with anxiety. Some of my hobbies include weightlifting, singing/playing guitar and piano, and boating.

Marled

Marled Galicia

Undergraduate Research Assistant

I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am a huge fan of the Utah Jazz and the Red Rocks! This is my 3rd year at the University of Utah, I am studying Health, Society and Policy. Within this lab, I am working on a study with medical residents. We are exploring the impact of sleep and stress on patient medical errors and physician burnout. During my free time I like to run, watch movies and basketball.

Hanna

Hanna Thistle

Undergraduate Research Assistant

My name is Hanna Thistle. I graduated from the University of Utah's Honors College with my Health Society & Policy major and my two minors in Nutrition and Chemistry. My biggest two biggest values are kindness and compassion. I am a pre-med student who is very passionate about using complimentary alternative and holistic medicine in conjunction with a biomedical approach one day in a wellness practice. When I turned 17, I completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training program and have been teaching weekly Yoga Vinyasa flow classes with an emphasis on Mindfulness ever since. I currently lead 4 yoga classes a week up at the Eccles Student Life Center Gym and I am the Fitness Sector Representative of Crimson Council, which is Utah's Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) which works as a liaison between Ute athletics, administration, and NCAA. I really enjoy giving back to the community as I spend a large portion of my week volunteering at the University of Utah Emergency Room, Hospital Elderly Life Program, and I am a proud volunteer for Connect2Health where we provide healthcare services to the homeless at the 4th Street Clinic. I have gained incredible research experience working under Dr. Eric Garland and Director of the Center of Mindfulness and Integrative Health Intervention Development for almost two years and working with Dr. Jennifer Taylor's lab over the past year. Currently, we are exploring the impact of sleep deprivation among physicians on patient medical errors, stress, and professional burnout. I am really excited about being a part of this research and hope to apply to medical school in the fall!