Expert Therapists in their Field

As President and Executive Director of Phoenix Rebellion Therapy, Rod plays a key role in its development. He provides the strategic direction to fulfill the organization’s mission. In other words, he enables the team of therapists to serve their clients in the best way possible.

He manages the business side of operations, making sure the organization can continue helping people heal well into the future. He is the company’s face in public relations and business partnership settings.

In his nearly three decades of experience, Rod has served in senior-level positions at many reputable organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA, both from the University of Utah. He was an adjunct professor of public speaking and business at Utah Valley University for five years.

Following his entrepreneurial drive, Rod has started and grown successful business ventures. One of those, a brand-new franchise, gave him the opportunity to act as a state-level media spokesperson and as a member of the national board of directors of the franchisee association. He also participated in the sponsorship of a boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Mitt Romney for charity.

Rod gets a profound sense of satisfaction seeing organizations improve and people grow. Since he came on board in 2021, he has implemented cultural changes and operational efficiencies that have improved the way the company operates. He provides leadership that has helped employees grow in their roles and in their lives.

James initially became a therapist because he was helped by therapy. He has been in the mental health field since 1999 and became licensed in 2014.

James graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix in 2011, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Utah in 2014. He also earned the Dr. Sharon Goodwill Memorial Award for Achievement and Promise in Mental Health from the University of Utah College of Social Work in 2014. During his career, James designed and implemented therapeutic programming for multiple treatment centers, including policies and procedures, safety protocols, and training for a private, inpatient, neuropsychological hospital.

His areas of expertise include adults, adolescents, families, parents, trauma, substance abuse, ASD, psychosis, depression, and anxiety. He is trained in Motivational Interviewing, Process-Based CBT, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, A.R.T. (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), Informed Lens, Relationship-Based Therapy, Attachment Theory, Family Systems and L.E.A.P.

James has a naturally skeptical and questioning mind. He likes to examine thoughts and feelings in a scientific manner while simultaneously being sensitive and in tune with the emotions of others. This gives him the capacity to have compassion and be of great help to his clients. Many have said they appreciate his ability to be straightforward but tactful, and that he walks with them on the journey instead of trying to be the expert.

The most important thing James wants people to know about mental health is that the stigma is undeserved. We are all touched in some way by mental illness. Having conversations about it without minimizing or romanticizing it is vital. His ultimate goal is to be a good enough therapist in the eyes of his clients.

When he’s not working with clients, James can be found hiking, biking, and backpacking in the great outdoors. He also enjoys live music and spending time with his friends and family.

Knowing the perils of family dysfunction gives Whitney a global view of her clients’ family issues and how they can work toward resolving them. She often pushes and challenges her clients, helping them grow and find fulfillment in ways they otherwise couldn’t. Over her 11 years of practice, clients say it works.

Whitney specializes in treating couples, families, first responders, parents who are struggling with their children, and people dealing with addiction, trauma, and mood disorders. Her empathy and assertiveness give her an edge in treating adolescent sexual misconduct.

She has a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a post-graduate certificate in medical family therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She also has training in EMDR. She’s proficient at counseling terminally ill individuals and their loved ones.

Whitney’s understanding of family dynamics inspired her to help people find success in their relationships. She’s still amazed by the empowerment that comes from addressing family dysfunctions. She’s passionate about helping people rise above mental health challenges and have the final word in their own life and identity.

Whitney prioritizes her family and strives for a good balance between professional responsibilities and mental wellness—as she encourages her clients to do. She loves to laugh and watch children learn about the world around them.

Danniel became a therapist because she saw a need in the area of trauma sensitive work within neurodiversity and special needs. She is passionate about research and care for those with mental and physical disabilities, and advocating for those marginalized in their healing process and victimized from trauma effects. What drives her passion for therapy today is that she knows that it works.

“There is a sense of strength and empowerment you can see when an individual can start healing themselves, when they get the tools and support they need to do so. Knowing that they can continue to help themselves long after I stop seeing them helps keep my passion alive and growing.”

Danniel graduated with an Associate of Science from Salt Lake Community College in 2010, a Bachelor of Social Work from University of Utah in 2012, and a Master of Social Work from University of New England in 2020. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership Success, and a former member of the College of Social Work Alumni Board at the University of Utah (2012-2014). She has served on the volunteer committee for the “Mr. & Mrs. Golden Years” pageant, as a volunteer for the Festival of Trees and at local elementary schools. During her career, she has also earned two awards: Skills Counselor of the Year 2015, and MVP 2019. She also created a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Service Model during her MSW practicum that was adopted and utilized at past agencies she has worked with.

She is trained and experienced in the areas of A.R.T. (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), trauma, domestic violence, neurodiversity, special needs (children and adults), child welfare, crisis management, children, adults, family, geriatric, and residential.

Danniel has 20 years of experience working with trauma informed care in various demographics across most life spans. Her unique experience and education, along with hands-on experience with clients and community partners, has given her the knowledge of how to engage and treat each person as an individual with their own unique set of needs and expectations. Clients of Danniel’s have said they felt empowered and more validated in how they feel and think. They’ve also reported that mental health maintenance feels realistic, and can be a normal part of their lives, and they look forward to future sessions with her.

Danniel loves to spend time with her 4 children and cats. She enjoys the history of urban folklore and researching ghost towns. She loves the fine arts, has studied music, and is an experienced vocalist. She loves to learn and participate in breathing coach training and other holistic modalities.

Danniel feels the most important lesson for mental health is that, “Mental health is not cookie cutter. It is no one size fits all.” She wants to be able to allow those that have not had a voice to find it once again, and to be able to move forward and find purpose, as they continue to live the fullest life possible.

James initially became a therapist because he was helped by therapy. He has been in the mental health field since 1999 and became licensed in 2014.

James graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix in 2011, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Utah in 2014. He also earned the Dr. Sharon Goodwill Memorial Award for Achievement and Promise in Mental Health from the University of Utah College of Social Work in 2014. During his career, James designed and implemented therapeutic programming for multiple treatment centers, including policies and procedures, safety protocols, and training for a private, inpatient, neuropsychological hospital.

His areas of expertise include adults, adolescents, families, parents, trauma, substance abuse, ASD, psychosis, depression, and anxiety. He is trained in Motivational Interviewing, Process-Based CBT, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, A.R.T. (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), Informed Lens, Relationship-Based Therapy, Attachment Theory, Family Systems and L.E.A.P.

James has a naturally skeptical and questioning mind. He likes to examine thoughts and feelings in a scientific manner while simultaneously being sensitive and in tune with the emotions of others. This gives him the capacity to have compassion and be of great help to his clients. Many have said they appreciate his ability to be straightforward but tactful, and that he walks with them on the journey instead of trying to be the expert.

The most important thing James wants people to know about mental health is that the stigma is undeserved. We are all touched in some way by mental illness. Having conversations about it without minimizing or romanticizing it is vital. His ultimate goal is to be a good enough therapist in the eyes of his clients.

When he’s not working with clients, James can be found hiking, biking, and backpacking in the great outdoors. He also enjoys live music and spending time with his friends and family.

With over 30 years of experience working as a therapist, Jessica Hale was initially drawn to the career to work with youth. What still drives her is the front row seat she gets to her clients’ healing.

Jessica graduated cum laude with a BS in Psychology from University of Utah in 1987, and an MSW from Boston University School of Social Work in 1991. Her current areas of focus are with adults and couples. For most of her career, she has worked with adolescents in outpatient and residential levels of care, and with their families, but she now leaves that work to younger clinicians.

She is trained and experienced in A.R.T. (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), DBT,  and training and gaining experience in EMDR therapies. She is also experienced in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, thought disorders, trauma, family and relationship problems, employment challenges, phase of life concerns, grief and loss, learning disabilities, chronic health conditions, chemical dependence, and people who are high functioning on the autism spectrum.

Jessica’s calm and patient demeanor helps clients feel safe while working with her. Clients have thanked her for helping and supporting them through challenging times, navigating gender identity transitions, and other difficult developmental issues. Parents have also thanked her for giving them back their teenager. Her biggest source of feedback is the referrals she gets from current and former clients, and other professionals.

The most important lesson Jessica wants her clients to learn is that “recovery is possible, and that purpose and physical movement play a critical role in mental health and wellness.”

This pairs well with her favorite quote by Arthur Ashe: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” A simple statement that eliminates barriers to a person’s pursuit of their goals.

Originally from southern California, Jessica was raised in Utah in a working class family that loves dogs. Her mother is Peruvian. Her father was in the USMC. She has two sisters. She likes to spend time with her family, friends and dog. She also enjoys walking, hiking, bike riding, swimming, kayaking and the outdoors in general. She is passionate about civil rights and self determination.

Jessica’s ultimate goal as a therapist is to continue to learn new and developing treatment models that will allow her to continue to be helpful to a greater number of clients and their families. She feels fortunate to be a part of the Phoenix Rebellion team.

Josie has practicing for the last 7 years. She was initially drawn to the career field because she believes that all individuals deserve to be happy and to thrive. She wanted to be able to help others see their own potential for greatness.

Josie graduated with a BA in Psychology from Ashford University in 2016, an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University in 2019, an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in 2023 and is currently attending Capella University to earn a PhD in Behavior Analysis.

She has specialized training in ABA Therapy, and her areas of expertise include ADHD, ASD, PTSD, ODD, OCD and Trauma. She has worked with a variety of groups including children, teens, parents, couples, families, adults, and LGBTQ+. She is a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society International (CSI), and the American Counseling Association (ACA). She has worked with parents to educate, train, and create behavioral plans to reduce challenging behaviors. She also created and implemented a positive parenting program that targets both parents’ and children’s needs.

Josie has training and experience working with diverse populations, challenging behaviors, and the neurodivergent population. She believes that mental health is personal to everyone, and finding a plan that will work for each person is essential in improving mental health. Mental health is tied to a person’s thoughts, emotions, spirituality, physical health, and connection to others. This holistic approach, combined with her experience, makes her uniquely qualified to help a variety of clients.

Clients typically say she is easy to talk to and they feel able to express their real issues. They also say that she has helped them to increase their self-esteem, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve their relationships and mental health. Her goal for each session is to have the client leave the session feeling better and more hopeful than when they arrived.

Josie is also passionate about improving social skills for ADHD and ASD, as well as family relations for individuals within the family unit. She hopes to be able to develop and improve therapies for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma, and improve social and life skills for couples and family relationships.

When Josie isn’t working with clients, she enjoys singing, writing, and listening to music, dancing, being in nature, hiking, camping, reading, playing board, card and video games, and spending time with her large family.

Juliann has been practicing since 1996. During that time, she has earned a reputation among her clients for being empathetic, compassionate, loyal, and trustworthy.

She specializes in treating trauma, addiction, PTSD, depression, and anxiety in adults of all ages, including military and veterans.

She earned a master’s degree in social work from San Diego State University, and a Ph.D. in health promotion and healthcare administration from the University of Utah. She’s proficient in cognitive-behavioral, accelerated resolution, and dialectical behavior therapies; EMDR; A.R.T. (Accelerated Resolution Therapy);  psychology; motivational interviewing; and crisis intervention.

Juliann has a multi-generational military background. She spent ten years as a behavioral health provider in the Utah Army National Guard, where she earned several Army service awards. She’s currently in the Army Reserves.

As she pursued her lifelong dream of earning a doctorate degree, Juliann was sent on an Army mission, missing critical time in her program. When she returned, she fought hard to catch up, completing that year with a 4.0 GPA. Today, she appreciates that her work gives a much deeper meaning to her life.

Juliann is a lifelong learner and teacher. She concurrently works for University of Utah Healthcare, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. She understands a fair amount of Spanish and is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. She has five children and 12 grandchildren.

Thanks to her own healing processes, Julie is able to guide her clients toward recovery with educated empathy. She primarily serves members of the military, sexual assault survivors, and people with brain injuries or PTSD.

She earned a master’s degree from the University of Utah and has been practicing for 15 years. Her expertise includes EMDR, prolonged exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. She’s certified in dialectical behavior therapy.

In 2017, she earned the Provider of the Year award from the Brain Injury Alliance of Utah, a nonprofit that helps people with brain injuries thrive.

She is proud of her ability to help others make true changes in their lives. Her clients often express how much hope she gives them.

Julie’s own trauma and her son’s brain injury led her to her profession. After taking her life back, she realized her experience empowered her to help others do the same.

She is passionate about women’s issues and loves helping people through grief and loss.

Julie has been a board member of the Brain Injury Alliance of Utah since 2006, and of the Brain Injury Conference Committee since 2007.

Over her 26 years of practice, Naomia has earned a reputation as an insightful and caring therapist. She works with clients who struggle with all types of mental health diagnoses and behavioral-health concerns. These include PTSD, attunement therapy, sexual abuse trauma, substance use, neurodevelopmental disorders, medical comorbidities, ADHD, eating disorders, developmental delays, and domestic violence.

She has extensive experience working with the military, law enforcement, and firefighter communities. She’s had success treating children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Naomia has training in advanced EMDR, A.R.T. (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), Mind-body bridging, cognitive-behavioral therapy, moral injury treatment, motivational interviewing, dual diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and attunement therapy, among others.

Naomia’s clients are fiercely loyal to her because she is compassionate, committed, and loving—even toward the most challenging of them. They usually do exactly as she tells them; she is kind, but not afraid to point out nonsense.

She is ever the proverbial grandmother, taking care of (and feeding) everyone around her. She knows the power of living with intent and of effective spirituality.

Stephanie became a therapist because she always had a heart for people who experience trauma and emotional and physical difficulties. Helping others alleviate emotional suffering, gain positive insight and skills in order to live their best lives is still what drives her 11 years later.

Stephanie graduated with a BA in Social Work in 1997 from Weber State University, and an MS in Mental Health Counseling from University of Phoenix in 2010.

Her areas of expertise include children, adolescents, adults, older adults, couples, and families. She specializes in trauma-focused therapies, DBT, CBT and others, and has specialized training in Neurofeedback, EMDR, A.R.T. and DBT. She has also worked with various individuals and ages who have severe attachment issues. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and is passionate about making sure LGBTQ kids, especially transgender kids, know that they have a place in this world, and they are valued and loved.

Believing that good mental health is a process and something we all need to nurture daily, and listening and seeking to understand is the key to a strong therapeutic relationship. This approach, coupled with her ability to make clients feel at ease, allows her to help individuals of all ages learn to accept themselves, develop and thrive. Clients have said that she is compassionate, honest, insightful, skilled, approachable, safe, and intuitive. They also refer others to her. Her goal has always been to help those she counsels to alleviate emotional suffering, even in the darkest of times.

When not working with clients, she can be found playing her piano, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and taking care of her rescue animals.

Steven was drawn to the field of psychology initially for personal reasons, but eventually found that he had a knack for holding space for people and allowing them to be present as their truest selves.

Steven graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in 2009, and a Master’s degree from University of Utah in 2014. He has over 9 years of experience as a licensed CMHC and certified hypnotherapist. His areas of expertise include queer issues, faith transitions, shame, non-monogamous relationships, kink/BDSM, identity concerns, and codependency.

He is a former member of the Queer Therapist’s Guild of Utah, and has worked closely with the kink community in Chicago, teaching one or two classes per year. He has worked in private practices during his career, but has also spent time providing counseling services at a community sexual health clinic, and working with ComPsych, an Employee Assistance Program, both in Chicago.

Steven believes kindness and authenticity are the best ways to connect with other people. Past clients have dubbed him “Mr. Rogers”, because he listens “deeper” than other clinicians and allows space for a person’s humanity rather than getting lost in clinical diagnoses. Most of his clients are also planning to come with him after he wraps up at his other practice.

“The small breakthroughs when a client speaks kindly to themselves, allows themselves to make a mistake, lets go of something heavy or continues in the face of adversity, are all wonderful examples of how hard and beautiful it is to be human. I don’t believe it’s possible for anyone to hate themselves into change. It can only come from love.”

The youngest of three boys, his family is originally from South Africa. He has visited 3 times, and traveled to 22 countries, as well as most of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii 24 times. Steven originally wanted to be a pilot and loves airplanes. If one is flying overhead, he can probably identify what type it is. A fan of Utah snow, he likes to snowboard in the winter, and enjoys creative reality shows, like cooking, baking, home remodels, and others. He can play the violin and double bass, and has played in orchestras and symphonies, including Carnegie Hall at age 16. He has also seen 4 of the 7 natural wonders of the world.

Steven’s older brother died in a car accident after quitting heroin, a loss that deeply impacted his life. Because of this, he has an acute understanding of the difficulties surrounding grief, loss, addiction and trauma. Also, after growing up in the Mormon faith, being a queer kid in Utah, coming out at BYU, and experiencing religious trauma, Steven began attending therapy himself. He regularly attends a support group to keep his skills sharp, and practices kindness and acceptance around his own difficulties. His experiences make him uniquely qualified to serve his clients and also provide him with a strategic vantage point regarding shame. He is better able to meet people where they are, and create a place of acceptance rather than expectations for change.

He is passionate about queer rights, and that no human being is illegal. Working within the queer community has allowed him to sit with and explore a variety of different identities, and how the stories people tell themselves about who they are, come to reflect their reality.

“I do my best to foster an individual’s sense of self worth. Life isn’t about loving yourself, it’s learning to love ‘being’ yourself!”

The most important lesson Steven wants people to learn is that better mental health is a slow, thoughtful, intentional process. Thinking your way to a better way of living isn’t possible. You have to make choices, and live them, in order to improve things. The purpose of therapy isn’t happiness, but acceptance of the ups and downs of life.