Therapeutic
John L. Stewart, LCSW
Clinical Director
After earning his BA from Utah State University, John went on to Brigham Young University to earn his Masters of Social Work. He is an approved supervisor for interning social workers. John has been practicing in the mental health field for the past twenty years, specializing in addictions, attachment, mood disorders, trauma-related disorders, and therapist training. John developed New Haven's trauma model, upon which most of our therapeutic interventions for PTSD hang. He has also developed and managed intensive outpatient and general outpatient programs for drug and alcohol services. John worked five years as clinical director at a private, non-profit agency doing therapy, training interns and professionals, and developing programs. In addition, he developed and directed Crisis Line Services prior to involvement in the mental health field.
John has been involved in community-based youth organizations for the past 20 years. John is on the National Board of NATSAP and also serves on BYU's Social Work Alumni Organization. He is fortunate to be married to a wonderful woman, with whom he has three sons. John loves to travel and be in the outdoors, camp with his kids, and is a geography wizard. He is a fantastic cook and is well-versed in Native American lore.
Listen to John's Sound Advice.
Jeana Thomsen, LCSW
Assistant Clinical Director
Jeana earned her bachelor's degree from Utah State University and her master's degree in social work from Brigham Young University. Since completing graduate school, Jeana has been working with adolescents in residential treatment. Jeana has been trained in DBT. Her specialties include working with substance abuse, mood disorders, self-esteem, adoption and attachment, and helping adolescents learn about and form appropriate, meaningful relationships. She loves to snow and water ski, spend time outdoors and with her family, and dance ballet.
Brad Rentfro, LPC
Therapist
After graduating from the University of Utah with his bachelor's degree in psychology, Brad continued on to the University of Phoenix, where he received his master's degree in counseling. He has worked in a residential setting for over six years. He specializes in helping his clients to improve family relationships, in helping to overcome sexual abuse and other traumas, personality disorders and attachment issues. Brad is married with four children, including two teenage daughters of his own. He loves sports, being in the outdoors, and spending time with his family.
Listen to Brad's Sound Advice.
Allison Rencher, Licensed Associate MFT
Therapist
Allison was raised in Utah surrounded by family and the beautiful mountains. She attended Utah State University where she obtained a bachelor's degree in family, consumer and human development. She returned to Utah State and received a master's degree in marriage and family therapy. Allison's primary areas of interest include grief, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, helping individuals understand their worth and potential and helping families to have healthy, positive relationships. She enjoys reading, hiking, photography, and laughing with her family and friends.
Rick Biesinger, Psy.D
Research and Assessment
Rick completed his undergraduate work at Brigham Young University and majored in psychology. He then attended graduate school at the Forest Institute in Missouri, where he received his master's and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology. He returned to Utah to complete an internship focusing on therapy with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as administering psychological evaluations. After completing his internship, Dr. Biesinger completed a post-doctorate residency, focusing primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of various psychological difficulties seen in children and adolescents. In addition, he administered a wide variety of psychological evaluations for various agencies, therapists, and courts.
In addition to managing a private practice, Dr. Biesinger conducts all the psychological evaluations at New Haven and is in charge of conducting outcome research to ensure the highest quality of care possible for New Haven residents. Dr. Biesinger enjoys teaching and currently serves as an area chairperson for the University of Phoenix.
He is married and has five children. In his spare time he enjoys golfing and hanging out with his family, not necessarily in that order.
Greg Burnham, LMFT
Assistant Clinical Director
Greg earned his master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Harding University. He has ten years of experience working with adolescents and their families in both residential and out-patient settings. Some of his specialties include working with substance abuse issues, mood disorders, oppositional behavior, AD/HD, and family therapy. Greg "believes that creativity and being able to connect and love those we serve is essential to helping people achieve the growth and healing that they long for in their lives."
Greg has been trained in the Arbinger Institute's Anatomy of Peace.
He is married and has one boy and three girls.
Judy Erickson, LMFT
Therapist
Judy earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in marriage and family counseling from California State University. In California she worked in an outpatient family therapy clinic as a family therapist for six years. Judy facilitated family sessions with at-risk youth from the ages of six to eighteen years of age, regarding issues of depression, anxiety, running away, child abuse, self-harm, ADHD, oppositional defiance, grief and loss, and family discord. She has also supervised marriage and family therapist trainees and interns for several years. Judy has been trained in DBT. Judy is currently a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in Utah.
Danna Olinick, LPC
Therapist
Danna is originally from Northern California where she is one of ten children. She came out to Utah and earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Brigham Young University and her masters in counseling from the University of Phoenix, Provo campus. Danna has worked with adolescents in and out of residential treatment centers and in the community for the last 9 years. Her specialties are sexual abuse and trauma, attachment, self harm, and destructive behaviors. Danna has also worked with at-risk teens with mood disorders and substance abuse issues. She enjoys working with adolescents and their families to rebuild their relationships.
Danna is married and has two children. She and her family enjoy spending time together playing games and gardening.
Kevin Randall, Licensed Associate MFT
Therapist
Kevin is originally from Nebraska; as one of twelve children he has always recognized and appreciated the value of family. Kevin completed his undergraduate degrees at the University of Utah and then received his master's degree at the University of Nebraska. Over the past several years Kevin has provided therapy for at-risk adolescents and their families, crisis counseling and treatment for suicidal individuals, and individual and marital therapy. Kevin has been foundationally trained in DBT. He recently traveled throughout the country providing aftercare to families who were bringing their teens home from wilderness and residential placements. He has experience working with mood disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, and marital and family relationship issues. Kevin has been married for nearly fifteen years and enjoys spending time with his wife and five children.
Kip Rasmussen, Ph.D., LMFT
Therapist
Dr. Rasmussen received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Brigham Young University, a master's degree in family studies from Texas Tech University, and a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy from Brigham Young University. Ten of his thirteen years in the field include working with youth. He has extensive experience working with young women suffering from severe eating disorders, as well as experience treating family issues, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and addictions.
Writing on topics related to the family, Dr. Rasmussen has been published in academic journals and popular magazines, and co-authored a non-fiction work geared toward adolescent females entitled The Frogbuster: A Girl's Guide to the Dating Swamp.
Dr. Rasmussen's hobbies include basketball, painting, sculpture, writing fiction, as well as coaching his son's sports teams. He is married with two daughters and a son.
Matthew C. Bartlett, M.Ed., LMFT
Assistant Clinical Director
Matt received his master's degree from the University of Oregon in education with a specialty in marriage and family therapy. He spent the past five years working with at-risk youth in residential treatment and providing aftercare services to families across the nation. Prior to coming to New Haven, Matt worked with individual couples and families in an outpatient setting and with adolescents in the juvenile justice system. He has experience working with mood disorders, ADHD, attachment, oppositional defiance, and marital/family relationship issues.
He loves to laugh and believes that humor is an important part of healing difficult family relationships. Matt and his wife have five children enjoy spending time together traveling, camping, golfing, singing, and cooking. Matt also makes amazing wedding cakes as a hobby!
Janette Davenport, LPC
Therapist
Originally from the Seattle area, Janette first came to Utah to pursue her Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation at BYU. After graduation, she returned to Seattle and worked as a therapeutic recreation specialist for a few years and then, as a teacher for troubled students at a private school. After earning her master's degree in counseling psychology and school counseling from Central Washington University, Janette returned to Utah and worked as counselor at a junior high and as a therapist with teens and adults dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. She has experience with working with individuals that deal with substance abuse, bipolar disorder, attachment, mood and anxiety disorders, ADD/ADHD, Learning disabilities, personality disorders, and self-harm behaviors. She enjoys interacting and building relationships with teenagers and seeing them make positive changes in their lives. Janette tries to stay active by running, hiking, swimming and in the winter, cross country skiing. She recently completed her first triathlon.
Karolee Koller, CSW
Therapist
Karolee completed her bachelor's degree at Brigham Young University and then went on to complete a Master of Social Work degree from Colorado State University. During school, much of her research focused on the animal-human bond and the uses of animal-assisted therapy in various human service areas. Karolee's experience with using companion animal and equine assisted therapy is extensive and she is often accompanied to work by her own therapy dog "Jessi." Although much of Karolee's early schooling was focused on medical and veterinary science, she changed her focus to social work because she believed strongly in the idea that true health is not just physical, but also includes spiritual and emotional peace.
Karolee's clinical practice has included work with sex offenders, trauma survivors, eating disorders, and self-harm. She has a special interest in helping young women empower themselves and have the courage to follow their own hearts. Outside of work, Karolee enjoys hiking, working with horses, and sheep herding with her border collies. She also spends quite a bit of time vacuuming up pet hair. ☺
Nevin Alderman, LPC
Therapist
Nevin's involvement in residential treatment began in 2001 when he worked as a residential staff supervisor while completing his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Development at Southern Utah University. He then went on to complete a Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance from New Mexico State University. Nevin spent the next several years working in residential treatment with at-risk youth and their families. He also spent time working in community mental health, assisting victims of abuse trauma. Nevin has several specialty areas, including: family relational issues, anxiety, mood disorders, destructive behavior, trauma, and substance abuse. Nevin has a passion for the field of mental health, and a strong belief in the capacity of each individual to grow and overcome life's obstacles. During his spare time, Nevin enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, and participating in outdoor recreation.
Kjrstin Walters, Licensed Associate MFT
Therapist
Kjrstin Walters received her Bachelor's degree in Recreation and Youth Leadership from Brigham Young University and her Master's degree from Amridge University in Marriage and Family Therapy. She as been at New Haven since 2004, working in both the residential and clinical departments. She loves experiential therapies, especially the ROPES course. Prior to working at New Haven, Kjrstin worked in a wilderness therapy program and on a ROPES course. In her spare time she loves to be with her husband and daughter outside climbing things.
Melissa Sprague, TRS, CTRS
Recreational Therapist
Melissa graduated from Brigham Young University in 1991 with a B.S. degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in psychology. She completed an internship at the Utah State Hospital and started her career at a residential treatment facility for teens where she worked for over 12 years treating adolescents with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and substance abuse issues. Melissa also worked for several years at a facility that specializes in treating women and girls for eating disorders. She utilizes a variety of experiential interventions and expressive arts in group, family, and individual recreation therapy.
Melissa is a certified RAD Instructor, a trained Ropes Course Facilitator, Licensed River Guide and an Emergency Responder Instructor for the American Red Cross. She enjoys being outside and spending time with her family. She is active in her community teaching first aid and CPR classes, safety education classes to elementary children and self defense classes for women. Melissa loves helping women and children to feel more empowered.
Allison Whicker, TRS, CTRS
Recreational Therapist
Ali grew up all over the United States, living most of her life in Virginia. She received her bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation from Brigham Young University. Ali has experience working with family relationships, children with physical disabilities, and women with emotional and eating disorders in a residential treatment setting. She comes from a large family and loves being with people and helping them find the joy in life and living. Ali enjoys reading, being outdoors, playing volleyball and other sports and spending time with family and friends.
Bridger Jensen, CTRS, TRS
Recreational Therapist
Bridger has always loved the premise of therapeutic recreation, and received his degree from Brigham Young University. While seeking this degree, Bridger worked as a staff at a wilderness therapy program, where he met his wife. Later, he worked at an adventure therapy program as a field director. Afterward, Bridger facilitated over 200 seminars for families and students at Outback Therapeutic Expeditions.
Bridger has a great interest in social research, especially as it pertains to the therapeutic process, existentialism, and positive change. Currently, he is seeking a masterÕs degree in counseling to become a professional counselor. He enjoys almost all outdoor sports, spending time climbing and backpacking regularly with his wife and children. Bridger loves traveling and hopes that he can continue to experience many adventures in his lifetime.
Brian McElligott
Student
Brian grew up overseas in Athens, Greece and moved to Utah when he was 21. He has worked in the residential treatment setting for 14 years. He received his Bachelors Degree from Utah Valley University and is getting his Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Amridge University. Brian has experience working with adolescents, specifically with attachment issues, oppositional behavior, and trauma. Brian has been married for 9 years, loves spending time with his wife, is an avid reader, and loves chess, basketball, and the outdoors. Spend a little time with Brian and you'll enjoy his deep and quick-witted humor.
