Meet Our Team

Dr. Lori Schade, LMFT, Founder and Owner of Compassionate Connections Counseling

Im Dr. Lori Schade, LMFT. I wanted to become a marriage and family therapist because I grew up in a large family and loved it. I have my own large family of 7 children, and though it's crazy, I believe in the protective elements of strong families. Marriages and families potentially influence individuals in powerful ways. Some of our strongest emotions are experienced in our family relationships. Helping people in the context of these relationships is my favorite kind of therapy.

Alicia Andersen, Office Manager

Alicia Andersen is the office manager at Compassaionate Connections Counseling. She is happy to help you find the right therapist for your situation. Ask any question and she will try and get an answer. Alicia has a bachelor's in Social Work and is married with 5 kids ranging in ages of young adult to early elementary. She loves to read, hike, be outdoors and do outdoorsy things, travel and spend time with family and friends.


Marie Rasmussen MA, LMFT

As a marriage and family therapist, I believe these relationships are the most important of those we will ever experience. They have the capacity to bring about the most joy, fulfillment, and life satisfaction. I am passionate about helping couples strengthen, deepen, or heal their marriage relationship. I have advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), designed to help create the kind of emotional safety that allows each partner to be truly seen, heard, and connected. I also work with individuals and families with a variety of concerns such as depression/anxiety, women’s issues, sexual intimacy, spirituality, blended families, pre/post divorce, and life-stage adjustment.

The ability to overcome many life stressors, addictions, or past trauma can be accessed by experiencing the healing power of secure attachment and loving bonds. I have a blended family consisting of 9 children, a daughter and son-in-law, 2 grandsons, 2 golden retrievers, and an amazing and supportive husband. I enjoy photography, crafting, cake decorating, hiking, learning, and meaningful conversations.

Emily Sellers, LMFT

I strongly believe that therapy is not a last-resort option that signals failure, but an effective resource that can be utilized anytime to enrich our lives and relationships. I am passionate about this work because I know that healing is possible, no matter how broken you may feel. Emotional wounds can be soothed, relationships riddled by abuse and grief can be mended. I work with individuals, couples, and families to identify and tap into strengths they already possess to rise above their present challenges and create the quality existence they yearn for.

I have specialized training in Internal Family Systems Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Play Therapy. I work with my clients to create a treatment plan that feels right for them. I work primarily with couples and individuals aged 11 and up on issues related to anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, grief, divorce, communication, life transitions, and spiritual crises. 

In my spare time I enjoy playing pickleball/racquetball with my family, watching Harry Potter, BYU sports, cake decorating, singing in the car, and hiking.

Heidi Reid, MS, LAMFT

Heidi considers her marriage to her husband of 27 years as a significant accomplishment. She knows that maintaining healthy family relationships is hard. It takes work. It stretches our minds, bodies, and souls in unbelievable ways. Traumatic stressors like infidelity, abuse, and addictions are not uncommon challenges facing families today. There is hope.

Her personal motto: You can do hard things!

Heidi’s greatest passion is to bring healing to people who are facing life’s difficult challenges. Heidi understands that healing takes time. She values intuition and provides personalized clinical therapy to meet the needs of her clients. She understands the courage it takes for her clients to achieve healthy goals. She works with individuals, couples, and families.

Heidi holds degrees from Brigham Young University and Lubbock Christian University. She is pursuing a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has taught courses on dating, marriage, parenting, and religion at the Orem Institute of Religion at Utah Valley University.

When Heidi isn't in the office you can find her learning about new cultures and tasting unique foods. She loves cooking, hiking and spending time with her husband and their three children ranging in ages from 14 to 26.

Credentials

• ADDO Recovery Certificate  of training in Sexual Addiction, Compulsivity and  Betrayal Trauma
• EMDR
• EFT (Emotional Focus Therapy) Training
  

Ashley Johstoneaux, LMFT (Insurance clients only)

Distress and disconnection within relationships are difficult to navigate on our own. Couples and families tend to seek better communication, deeper connection, and greater overall relationship satisfaction.

Ash Johstoneaux is a licensed marriage and family therapist ready to compassionately assist individuals, couples, and families to the solutions they desire. Ash also has experience working with depression, anxiety, sexual addiction, divorce adjustment, and grief.

Ash received his Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2007 from the University of Southern Mississippi. "I believe in the powerful influence of connection. When there is safety and sensitivity bonds are formed and hearts can heal." 

Suzanne Walsh, LAMFT

Hi, I’m Suzanne. My own journey through life’s ups and downs has given me a deep sense of empathy for others. In fact, it’s my personal experiences that drive me to support those going through their own struggles, especially those stepping into adulthood, preparing for marriage, dealing with infidelity, depression, anxiety, post-partum depression, divorce, grief, or trauma.

When it comes to my work, I love using a range of therapeutic methods. These include Solution-Focused Therapy, Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Narrative Therapy. I earned my Degree from Brigham Young University. I’m looking forward to working with you, and helping you find greater peace in your life.

When I’m not in the therapist’s chair, you can find me going for a walk, making homemade pizzas on Friday nights with my three boys, or planning our next exciting trip to a Disney Park.

Elaina Gillespie, LAMFT

One of life's best gifts is the capacity to grow and learn about oneself and our relationship with others. At different points in life, we will encounter challenges that test our understanding of who we are and how we relate to those who are important to us. Engaging in therapy provides a powerful tool to help us gain insight into ways to increase connection, communication, creativity, and compassion. I enjoy collaborating with clients to process trauma, overcome anxiety, lift depression, heal relationships, and expand self-awareness. I have worked with families, couples, and individuals who have experienced suicide attempts, self-harm, eating disorders, abuse, trauma, and relational distress. I have worked with people from various cultures, gender identifications, and religions/spiritualities. 

I draw from various therapeutic models to support my client's healing process, including DBT (Dialectal Behavioral Therapy), IFS (Internal Family Systems), EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), and Narrative therapy. I was trained and certified in ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) by the founder Laney Rosenzweig. I am completing a master of Science in marriage and family Therapy from Northwestern University.

I enjoy spending time with my family of four children, 25-31, their spouses, and my grandchildren. I especially enjoy traveling with my husband of 32 years. I am an avid skier and have spent 25 years working with various non-profits.

Angie Bledsoe, LAMFT

Oh how I love to hear my clients say how grateful they are for the growth they experienced in therapy! I feel so privileged to be part of my clients’ journey of healing and change. In therapy, I will provide a new lens for you to look through to reduce shame and conflict, and increase acceptance of self, loved ones, and circumstances. Acceptance will prime you for growth; to make changes in your life! This process can lead you to find greater peace and joy in yourself and in your relationships.

• I love working with families to reduce conflict and strengthen relationships, especially (1) couples and (2) teenagers and their parents.
• I love working with individuals to overcome negative internalized messages that may be causing anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and negative coping behaviors (self-harm, eating disorders, pornography use, substance use, etc.).
• I love working with individuals from all cultures, religions, and identifications/orientations.

I can’t wait to meet you and hear your story! Please feel free to reach out to me for a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss your need for therapy.

The therapeutic models I draw from are: EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), ABFT (Attachment Based Family Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and IFS (Internal Family Systems). I have received extensive training in EFT for couples. I completed my masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from BYU.

I am so grateful for my marriage of 30 years and five children (ages 17-29). So grateful, because my relationships have helped me mature as a person and come to know and love myself. Without my family I would still have my head buried in the sand and be stuck in quite an immature state! So, “Thank you hubby and children!”

Sterling Goodwin, MFTI

Sterling grew up in the suburbs of San Francisco and has a diverse background including work in finance and research for the US Navy. He enjoys hiking, rock climbing, cliff jumping, swimming, snowboarding, visiting art museums, and reading.

Sterling completed undergraduate work in Philosophy at BYU and is finishing a graduate program in Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University. He has worked in community mental health, addiction recovery, and private practice.



His work is focused on relationships and issues arising from family of origin. He emphasizes honesty, compassion, connection, love, and each person’s ability to grow and self-determine. He works primarily with emotion-focused, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, trauma-informed, and person-centered therapies.

Abbie Charlesworth, LAMFT

I work with high-conflict/high-distress couples (dating, engaged, newlyweds, or 30+ years of marriage) who feel stuck and disconnected in their relationships. 

I love helping these clients turn their hopes for their relationships into reality. Many couples think better communication is the key, and while that's very important, I aim to help you find connection in conflict, show up authentically, and feel seen, heard, and secure in your relationship.

Using Emotionally Focused Therapy, we turn 'fighting' into 'understanding' and 'distance' into 'closeness.' Think of it as learning to dance together instead of stepping on each other's toes. I also work with individuals navigating major life changes, anxiety, depression, and perfectionism.

I know the search for a good therapist can be hard. I know what it’s like to hope and pray for someone who can help, someone you trust, and someone you feel comfortable with. I hope I can be that therapist for you. Therapy with me will be a collaborative process with a clear path and focus on your goals. 

Kylie Bair, LCSW

There will be times in each of our lives when discouragement and difficulty become our reality. Debilitating depression, chronic anxiety, feeling unheard, misunderstood, and alone are just some of the very real and painful human experiences we may face. When you find yourself in these challenging chapters of your life, know that hope and healing is possible.

My goal as your therapist is to provide a safe space for you to feel deeply heard and understood. I offer warmth, support, and compassion to my clients as well as the tools and resources to help you achieve personal growth and healing. I bring my personal life experiences and over a decade of training and practicing therapy to our work together. My clinical background includes working with individuals, couples, and families experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, pornography addiction, and trauma. I graduated from BYU's Clinical Masters of Social Work program in 2012 and am a LCSW. I have extensive training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, Mindful Self-Compassion, and Lifespan Integration 

Sometimes it's difficult to reach out for help. It takes courage to make that first move, but I invite you to give it a try. Feel free to call or email me if you are interested in meeting. I also offer a free 15-minute phone consultation.

I would love the opportunity to provide the tools and resources to help you achieve connection, personal growth, greater self-confidence, and helpful insight in your quest for hope, healing, and fulfillment.

Colette Hickman-Evans PhD, LCSW

A great marriage is not when the perfect couple comes together. It is when the imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences (Meurer, 2000).

There are times in life when we yearn for a do-over or a fresh start; to find hope and healing for ourselves and those we love. I believe effective therapy is about providing genuine acceptance, optimism, and hope. I will ‘hold your heart’ in my hands, helping you find strength to start fresh and the skills to build relationships that are emotionally healthy, intimately connected, and lasting with self or others.

Focusing specifically on each client as an individual, I assess, create goals (treatment plans), and partner with clients using research based practice guidelines. My goal is to empower clients with hope, knowledge, and skills to ensure continued success beyond the therapeutic process.

Main Therapeutic Approaches: Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), EMDR, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I am also a trained facilitator for Love and Logic Parenting.

Client Specialization: Couples; premarital and marital counseling, pornography, and individual, family or relationship issues related to LGBTQ. I do not ascribe to reparative SSA therapy.

Other areas: Anxiety, depression, grief/bereavement, divorce/relationship loss adjustment, and trauma/PTSD.

I have taught at Utah State University and currently teach at Utah Valley University.

I am the mother of four children. I relocated to Utah from Florida and while I love the mountains. I am most at home near the ocean.