OUR THERAPISTS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

S. Lee Chew

SHE/HER

Lee specializes in mindfulness-based psychotherapy individually and in group therapy. She has been a long-time practitioner of mindfulness and teaches the practical application of mindfulness in everyday life. Lee feels passionate about the research-based effectiveness of mindfulness as a tool to interrupt automatic behavior patterns that no longer serve us, the integration of Self, and cultivating choice in order to take value-driven action.

She has worked extensively with substance dependence, mood disorders, personality disorders, and trauma through a multicultural lens. Lee is open to working with clients from all walks of life and helping you begin your journey of healing and growth.

During her off-hours, she enjoys spending time with her family as well as gardening and soaking in hot springs.

Clinical Social Worker

Courtney Davies

SHE/HER

Courtney focuses on implementing mindfulness-based interventions and cognitive behavioral therapy into her therapeutic approach. As a social worker, she aims to evaluate and assist her clients from a holistic lens. This includes examining both systemic factors and individual characteristics that might be contributing to obstacles in a client’s life. Courtney values meeting her clients where they’re at to collaborate on overall healing and growth.

She enjoys working with millennials and young adults and makes it a point to erase the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and the world of therapy. When she doesn’t have her therapist hat on, she loves to climb and camp in the Utah desert, watch The Great British Baking Show, and tend to her house plants.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Joshua Henricksen

HE/HIM

Josh Henricksen graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2016 and with a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2019. Previous to his time at Moving Forward Counseling, Josh worked at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (formerly UNI) with inpatient youth leading groups, individual and family therapy sessions, and helping them connect to ongoing outpatient support. He is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Josh utilizes a client-focused approach, incorporating tools from CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Self-Compassion, and Mindfulness to help clients find ways they can experience healing. Josh is skilled at connecting to others, helping them feel comfortable opening up to discuss hard topics, and creating a space for healing and growth.

In his downtime, Josh loves spending time with his husband and playing with his dog, Archie. He is an avid reader and enjoys dancing, singing, and laughing at dad jokes

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Julia Moench-Parent

SHE/THEY

Julia graduated in 2017 with their Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix.  Prior to moving to Moving Forward Counseling full-time, she worked for the past 7 years in a dual-diagnosis and mental health treatment facility in both their residential and outpatient programs in a multitude of roles.  She has been at Moving Forward Counseling since 2022 and is currently the Clinical Director for our mental health Day Treatment and IOP.

She has had training and certifications in a multitude of different modalities such as: ART, EMDR, trauma-informed art therapy, grief/loss, mindfulness, DBT, CBT and ACT.  She enjoys working with adults and adolescents looking for support with trauma, anxiety, depression, BPD, substance and is LGBTQ+ and autistic friendly.

When not working Julia enjoys gardening, creating art, and binge watching TV shows with their family.

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Sidney Pearson

SHE/HER/HERS

Sidney is licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor who works primarily with teens and individual adults as they strive to understand how their lived experiences have impacted them across different stages of life. She believes that finding a connection with a counselor is one of the most important pieces of therapy and prioritizes taking time to build a sense of safety. With a focus on your unique context and value system, Sidney uses elements of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Strengths-Based Approaches, and creative expression techniques to help you get closer to where you’d like to be.

Outside of her time at work, Sidney enjoys gardening, reading, and endless home improvement projects.

Certified Social Worker

Ashley Wilson
(TELEHEALTH ONLY)

SHE/HER/THEY/THEM

Ashley Wilson, a Certified Social Worker (CSW) with a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Arizona State University, brings compassion and expertise to her practice. Her educational journey forms a comprehensive foundation for her work in mental health. Her Master’s degree enriched her understanding, allowing her to specialize in a holistic approach to fostering mental well-being.

In her practice, Ashley welcomes a diverse clientele, including multicultural individuals, couples, LGBTQIA+ members, adolescents (10 years and older), adults, those navigating religious transitions, cultural and minority groups, trauma survivors, and individuals dealing with addiction and substance use. She addresses a spectrum of mental health conditions such as ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, and panic disorders, offering specialized support tailored to each client’s needs.

Outside of her therapeutic work, Ashley enjoys spending time outdoors and finds solace in activities such as reading, dancing, and cooking.

Certified Social Worker

Keyla Gleave-Perez

SHE/HERS

Keyla Gleave-Perez, a Certified Social Worker, graduated from the University of Utah in 2019 with a Master’s in Social Work.

Keyla has worked at various mental health settings such as hospitals, clinics, non-profit, organizations, and startups. As a therapist, Keyla will work with you to help you identify your desires and empower you to make those positive changes in your life. She understands that making the decision to seek help can be difficult, so she uses an approach that is compassionate, direct, and non-judgmental to help create an environment where you feel supported in your counseling journey.

In 2019, Keyla began her journey working in the counseling field by helping survivors of sexual assault, grief, and childhood trauma. This helped her discover a passion is helping individuals, families and couples rebuild their lives and relationships by overcoming struggles in life.

Keyla works with the following issues: Family, couple, divorce, LGBTQ, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and relationship struggles, eating disorders, OCD, OCPD, ADD, ADHD, Social anxiety, Trauma, Grief, Postpartum Depression, Antepartum Depression/Anxiety, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Culture, religion, family changes, and parenting issues.

Skills include: EMDR, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, ACT, Gottman Therapy, Solution Focus

Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Michaelann Acord

SHE/HER

Michaelann Acord, an Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor, graduated with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Utah Valley University in 2024.

Michaelann values creativity, practicality, compassion, and open-mindedness and strives to honor these standards in her work and interactions with others. Her ability to see the good in people allows her to guide her clients toward recognizing their innate worth and potential. She believes in sustaining a Person-Centered approach to therapy where empathy, acceptance, and strength recognition are modeled as she gives her clients the space to heal, progress, and feel heard.

Michaelann primarily uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Existential Therapy along with mindfulness and expressive arts approaches in her work with clients. A holistic, personalized perspective is taken to ensure the entire person is being addressed in therapy. She has worked with individuals dealing with OCD, domestic violence, diminished self-esteem, depression, anxiety, perfectionism, life transitions, trauma, and grief. All concerns and issues are welcome and respected in session.

Outside of the therapy room, Michaelann enjoys yoga, landscaping/gardening, and participating in all forms of art.

Certified Social Worker

Moriah Mason

SHE/HER

Moriah has a Bachelor’s degree is Psychology and her Master’s degree in Social Work. She specializes in empowering individuals, couples, and families to build stronger, healthier relationships. Her approach focuses on reducing conflict, enhancing communication, and fostering deep understanding within relationships.

With a passion for healing and growth, Moriah guides clients on a journey towards finding peace and emotional well-being. Whether you’re navigating personal challenges, relationship issues, or family dynamics, she is here to provide a supportive and non-judgmental space where you can explore your concerns and goals.

Through your work together, you will discover strategies to strengthen your relationships and overcome obstacles. Moriah’s therapeutic process emphasizes identifying and valuing your unique strengths, helping you to cultivate confidence and resilience.

She is committed to creating a collaborative and compassionate environment where you can feel safe to explore your emotions and experiences. Together, you will work towards creating positive change and achieving a deeper sense of connection and fulfillment in your life and relationships.

Let’s embark on this journey together towards greater understanding, healing, and personal growth.

MSW - Intern

Lily Naden

SHE/HER

Lily is a Master’s of Social Work student at the University of Utah who is completing her clinical hours at Moving Forward Counseling. Originally from Washington, DC, she earned a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012. She likes working through complex problems and emotions from a strengths-based perspective. She believes in change through relationships, and hopes to be a source of support, non-judgement and reflection for her clients. As a social worker, Lily takes the environment, identities, lived experiences and communities of her clients into consideration when thinking about their care. She loves working with young adults and adults.

Previous to social work, Lily worked in the outdoor industry for about a decade. Outside of traditional therapy, she believes strongly in the healing power of nature, community, and the arts. Outside of work, she’s constantly dreaming of travel, and enjoys spending time outside, neighborhood walks/runs, and a little good old fashioned TV escapism.

DNP-PMHNP student, BSN, RN

Amber Dentino

SHE/HER

Amber is a current nurse practitioner student specializing in psychiatry and receiving her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Utah. She has been a psychiatric nurse since 2020 and has worked in healthcare for over 10 years. She also holds a bachelor of science degree in speech pathology.

Amber is passionate about providing empathetic and evidence-based care to individuals seeking therapy. With a client-centered approach, she utilizes skills from a variety of therapeutic modalities to meet each client’s unique needs. She is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and culturally sensitive environment to empower clients in their healing process.

Outside of work and school, Amber enjoys reading, dancing at Zumba, and getting scared watching horror movies.

Amber is currently accepting new clients.

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Jason R. Wagner

HE/HIM

Jason graduated from the University of Phoenix with a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2014. He is licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Jason started Moving Forward Counseling in 2017 and in that time, he has worked with clients struggling with substance abuse issues, as well as mental illness issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Jason uses a person-centered approach to meet clients where they are at but challenge and push them towards growth and progress. He has been trained to use EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to help those with PTSD and trauma-related issues recover to where they can move forward with their lives.

During his down time, Jason spends time with his wife and three teenage children. They enjoy traveling, especially to national parks. Working out at the gym and watching the Utes and Jazz are regular events as well as the never-ending list of projects that need to be done at home.

PROGRAM AND
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Gabriela Garduño

Billing Manager

Michele Loucao

Billing/Scheduling

Luci Quist

Billing/Scheduling

Rachel Liddell

Business Development

Chris Coffin

Program Manager

Office Tour