Our Therapy Team

We are dedicated to finding competent, ethical, and affirming therapists

Providing compassionate care for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Meet the team

Sandra Priedeman, MSW, LCSW
she/her
Clinical Director
Works with clients ages 14+
Locations: Provo/Salt Lake/Online

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/EAP/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: Yes

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid: Yes

    PEHP: Yes

    Select Health: CARE, CHOICE, SIGNATURE VALUE, MED

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125

  • I hail from the Buckeye Nation — also known as Ohio. I am a graduate of Colorado State University where I earned my MSW. I have been working as a therapist with teens, young adults, and their families since 2001. I first started as a wilderness therapist and then moved onto residential treatment for adolescent humans. I have been a part of the Encircle Family since July 2019. I am well-versed in working with trauma, attachment, anxiety & depression, and family conflict. In addition, I have been trained and use EMDR to address trauma with my clients. I have training in sand play therapy, writing therapy, and psycho-drama and use these expressive therapies to help my clients connect and heal.

    Fundamentally, I find that everyone I work with feels a bit lost and unsure how to make their way and wondering if a way is possible for them. Having spent a lot of time in the woods and in particular being lost, I know that people can and do find their way. I know from my own journey and the journey of my LGBTQ clients that there is a place to find shelter, connection, and light. I firmly believe that we are here to answer the question that Mary Oliver has asked, "What will you do with your one wild and precious life?" I love watching my clients find their answer and living a life that is full of goodness and love. When I am not sitting in a therapy office, I love reading, writing, walking, being with my partner and our dog who is the perfect Springer Spaniel.

Malia Burgess, MSW, MFA, LCSW
she/her
Clinical Director
Works with clients ages 12+
Locations: St.George/Online/Rural

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/EAP/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: Yes

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid: Yes

    PEHP: Yes

    Select Health: CARE, CHOICE, SIGNATURE VALUE, MED

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125

  • 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, and faith transitions, and I 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.

Carrie Judd, MSW, LCSW
she/her
Primary Therapist
Works with clients ages 13+
Locations: Salt Lake/Online

  • Aetna: No

    BCBS: No

    Cigna: No

    EMI: No

    Medicaid: Yes

    PEHP: No

    Select Health: Yes

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125

  • My therapy approach is client centered, trauma informed, and heavily influenced by my training in Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). I also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), solution-focused, existential, and experiential pieces into therapy such as sand tray, art, and play therapy techniques. As a client centered therapist, I see you as the expert on yourself and adapt my approach depending on you or your child’s unique needs, goals, and identity. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I am passionate about naming and deconstructing the systems holding us back from expressing our authentic selves. I especially enjoy working with neurodivergent folks (i.e., Autism & ADHD) and those experiencing faith transitions.

    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. At both inpatient and outpatient settings, I have worked with trauma/PTSD, depression, and anxiety in children, teenagers, and adults. I have been working with LGBTQ+ youth and adults at Encircle Therapy since October 2021. In my personal life, I enjoy going to brunch, playing video games, and catching up on shows and music that my clients recommend.

Dr. Sami Simpson, PhD LMFT
she/her
Clinical Director
Works with clients ages 13+
Locations: Heber/Online

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/EAP/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: Yes

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid: Yes

    PEHP: Yes

    Select Health: CARE, CHOICE, SIGNATURE VALUE, MED

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125

  • 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 got my PhD in Humans Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. My PhD dissertation was about the following, “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.

Jack Davis Haden, MSW, LCSW
he/him
Lead Therapist
Works with clients ages 13+
Locations: Salt Lake/Online

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/EAP/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: Yes

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid: Yes

    PEHP: Yes

    Select Health: CARE, CHOICE, SIGNATURE VALUE, MED

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125

  • 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.

Devin Gold, MSW, LCSW
she/her
Primary Therapist
Works with clients ages 13+
Locations: Online

  • Aetna: MANAGED CHOICE/HMO

    BCBS: No

    Cigna: No

    EMI: No

    Medicaid: Yes

    PEHP: No

    Select Health: No

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125

  • 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.

Agnes Robl, MSW, LCSW
she/her
Lead Therapist
Works with clients ages 18+
Locations: Online

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/EAP/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: Yes

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid: Yes

    PEHP: Yes

    Select Health: No

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Credentialed with: Select Health, SelectChoice, SelectCare, SelectMed, SelectValue, SelectHealth Share, SelectHealth Community Care/Access networks

    Self Pay: $125

  • 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.

Sarah Cowley, LCMHC
she/her
Lead Therapist
Works with clients ages 12+
Locations: St.George/Online

  • Aetna:MEDICARE/HMO/PPO/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: No

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid: No

    PEHP: No

    Select Health: No

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125

  • she/her

    Hello! My name is Sarah. I have spent most of my life in rural Utah. As a queer woman in a conservative state, I have developed a strong passion for the LBTQIA+ community. Feeling seen and heard is powerful medicine. I hope to help provide this kind of healing space for the people I am lucky enough to work with.

    I attended school at Southern Utah University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. After some travel and soul searching, I returned to school and received my Master of Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. My work history spans from in-patient residential treatment centers to community mental health programs. I am trained in EMDR, Client-Centered Play therapy, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, trauma, and attachment issues.

    My therapeutic approach is largely relationship based. I believe the best predictor of therapeutic success is the rapport, trust, and unconditional positive regard built between a client and therapist. When these things come together, the pain of change can feel less sharp.

    In my free time, I enjoy being in my garden, playing with my pets, and having crazy dance parties in the kitchen with my wife and little girl.

Dr. Jaidelynn Rogers, PhD
she/they
Associate Therapist
Works with clients ages 16+
Locations: Salt Lake/Online

  • Aetna: HMO/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: No

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid: No

    PEHP: Yes

    Select Health: Yes

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: No

    Self Pay: $125

  • Hi! It's so nice to meet you! My name is Jaidelynn, and I grew up in rural Illinois outside of St. Louis (Go Cards!) as a queer, lesbian, fat person who didn't know anyone else like her. In my journey of coming out and becoming my whole authentic self, I have realized how important it is to have people in your corner who understand your struggles personally and want to know, affirm, and honor every part of you. I'd love to be one of those people for you!

    I truly care about my clients and thus challenge them to grow into their full potential. We need to start by generating a strong therapeutic relationship that builds the foundation for us to do the hard work together. Then we will begin to identify learned patterns of thinking and behaving that aren't serving you anymore and try new ways of thinking and being that align better with your values and the person you want to become.

    I typically work from a feminist multicultural lens using person-centered, attachment-based treatment approaches. I also strive to work from a harm-reduction, anti-carceral approach. Systems such as White supremacy, capitalism, and cisheteronormativity negatively impact my clients and their lives, and I will work to provide a safe space to explore these. I also encourage my clients to challenge me in this process. I hope to help my clients unlearn internalized beliefs about themselves and gain self-compassion for what is not in their control.

    I specialize in treating anxiety and personality-related concerns, family/relationship concerns, body image/disordered eating concerns, experiences of complex trauma/sexual violence, identity and exploration-related concerns, and substance use concerns.

    I'll be the first to admit that good therapy is not always easy. I want to be here to empathize with you, laugh at the memes you share with me, witness your emotions, celebrate your accomplishments, hold you accountable to your goals, cheer you on, and swap pet pictures on occasion. :)

Allie Verdoon (she/her)
she/her
Therapy Office Manager

  • While I might have California blood, Utah has been my home for most of my life. Living in Provo, Utah with a sister part of the LGBTQ+ community means Encircle, and their mission, has held a very special place in my heart since their beginnings. My goal as the Encircle Therapy office manager is to ensure everything on the administrative side is running smoothly so you, and the therapy team, can focus on more important things. I am happy to be your first point of contact for any questions about scheduling, insurance, billing, or Encircle Therapy altogether.I love to read, write, host game nights, and plan dinner parties!

    During the winter I will spend my weekends in the Wasatch mountains on the slopes snowboarding and in the summer I am going to take whatever chance I can to paddleboard or lay by the lake.I regard being part of the Encircle team an honor and am excited to aid you in your experience with Encircle Therapy.

Providing care for you.

Our therapists are trained in various therapeutic styles (CBT, ACT, FMT, FS/IFS, narrative, etc.) and interventions for individuals, couples, and families.

Find the right therapist for you.

We believe that LGBTQIA+ youth should receive quality and compassionate care from specialists who wholly validate and understand the diverse experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

You are not alone.

If you’re thinking about suicide or are worried about someone else, please know you are not alone. Reaching out for help is a big step, and we encourage you to seek support as soon as possible.

We do not currently have a 24-hour crisis line or drop-in hours. If you believe someone is in immediate danger to themselves or others, CALL 911.

What do we do?

Our diverse team of passionate and committed professionals provides life-affirming therapy, connection & support for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families.