Monica L. Blume, LCSW, MSW, MBA
Clinical Director
With years of experience helping people with change, Monica L. Blume leads Center for Hope with a vision of providing help for all, including those most in need. Monica brings her wisdom, optimism, experience, humor, and heart to the Center.
Monica has been passionate about therapy for more than 30 years, working with individuals, couples, and families. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, obtaining her Bachelor's degree from Weber State University and her Master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.
Monica has several areas of specialty, including family relationship issues, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, marital struggles and intimacy issues, self-defeating behaviors, trauma, and attachment concerns. She has worked extensively with adolescents and young adults dealing with issues surrounding anxiety, depression, attachment, and social issues. She has helped address eating disorders, family discord, and self-harm.
Monica has also worked extensively with all aspects of the adoption process, helping couples prepare to adopt and complete home studies as well as supporting birth parents in making a decision and placing a child for adoption. She helps support both private and agency adoptions. She has written and presented extensively on the topic of adoption.
Monica has worked over the years in clinical, medical, residential, and academic settings. She taught at Brigham Young University and has several publications, including coauthoring the book For the Love of a Child: The Journey of Adoption, published by Deseret Book. She has spoken to audiences across the country on topics connected to being happy and healthy.
In her spare time, Monica loves to be outdoors, doing almost anything active. She is an avid runner and skier, and also enjoys cycling, rollerblading and swimming. She likes to read, write, and travel. She is the mother of six children and loves to spend time with family and friends.
Brandy King Sperle, LCSW, MSW
Assistant Clinical Director
Brandy King completed her Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Utah. She has a passion for life and the potential that people have in their lives. She graduated from Whitworth University in Spokane Washington in 2015 with a double major in Psychology and Theatre. She enjoys taking aspects from both of her undergraduate degrees and integrating them into her Social Work practice. She believes that life is full of beauty that can be shared through all types of art and expression.
After graduating from her undergrad, she worked as a Psychiatric Technician at the in-patient Psychiatric unit at the University of Utah Hospital. Brandy additionally has experience working in school social work and has a passion for working with children. She has experience in working with infants in an orphanage, building attachment.
Brandy is extremely active and enjoys training aerial arts, playing sports (mainly soccer and volleyball), and anything that has to do with theatre. She is married and is happiest when she is spending time with her family and friends.
Emma McAdam, LMFT
Emma loves helping people change and is willing to be creative in how she helps that happen. With her solution-centered approach and emphasis on building relationships, Emma works hard to help people find love, purpose, and joy in life.
Emma is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has experience in many therapeutic settings, including juvenile corrections, wilderness therapy, residential treatment, eating disorder treatment, adventure therapy and outpatient clinics. She loves working with teenagers, families and individuals.
Emma is an experienced practitioner with anxiety, depression, trauma, learning differences and autism spectrum disorders, substance abuse, personality disorders, attachment disorders, and family relationship difficulties.
In her spare time, Emma enjoys playing with her husband and daughters, hiking, climbing, photography, building furniture, and learning new things.
Maki Hohaia, LCSW, MSW
Maki received his Master's degree in Social Work from BYU. He has experience working with a variety of populations. He additionally spent 5 years working as a mentor for youth in residential treatment in the state of Utah. He's also spent a year working with family and children, helping with specific needs and connecting them to needed services.
Maki's mental health interest also includes his experience working with the Utah County Department of Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment, specifically working with individuals overcoming addiction, and those in need of overcoming trauma. Maki also worked for the LDS Church in the Development Counseling services department and spent the majority of his time helping individuals seek employment or continuing education.
Since 2020 Maki has moved to Jacksonville Florida where he is currently operating our out of state location.
Maki enjoys anything outdoors, including camping, hiking, surfing, or playing a variety of sports such as football, soccer, and rugby. He met his wife in Hawaii and they currently have 3 boys. He also likes to travel and experience new cultures and meet new people. He has a passion for videography and will typically have a camera to capture his adventures.
Korey Larsen, LCSW, MSW
Korey has been a practicing therapist for the past 13 years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Social Work. Korey is great at building a connection with each of his clients and providing a compassionate and authentic atmosphere where discovery and healing can take place. He has experience helping individuals, families, and couples gain additional perspective of their problems and navigate towards solutions that bring understanding and resilience. He has extensive experience working with teenagers, helping them manage anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjustment issues involving change. He also has significant experience helping individuals manage addiction related to pornography and other compulsive behaviors. Additionally, he enjoys working with couples, helping to build attachments with each other that improve communication and connections in their relationships. His modality of choice with couples is Emotion-Focused Therapy.
In his spare time, Korey loves to be with his family, which consists of his wife, four sons, and two lovable boxers. He enjoys golfing, kayaking, and biking. He looks forward to visiting to see if he can help in any way in your efforts to improve relationships and emotional well being.
Lynette Baird, LCSW, MSW
Lynette Baird has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over twenty years. She received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Brigham Young University and her Master's degree in Social Work from University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign.
Lynette enjoys working with youth and young adults, helping them work through anxiety, grief, life transitions, and depression. She is easy to talk with, outgoing, and upbeat and positive.
Lynette and her husband are the parents of three daughters. She loves music, hiking, reading, and travel. She enjoys having the chance to serve and lift others.
Lesa Koger, LCSW, MSW
Lesa is passionate about helping clients find peace. She is honored to be able to participate in each client’s journey to growth and healing. She is a licensed clinical social worker who approaches therapy through an attachment perspective, believing in the healing power of safe connection. Lesa believes the ability to hold space for the pain is key to a healthy change, and assists clients in being able to do so through Accelerated Resolution Therapy, IFS, CBT, DBT, ACT, Compassion focused therapy, Emotion focused therapy, mindfulness and other methods to guide them. Through these modalities, Lesa helps her clients to understand and connect with themselves. She is trained in and sensitively utilizes CAMS and CALM approaches for managing suicide risk. She specializes in treating trauma and trauma-related issues. Lesa is experienced working with first responders, veterans, and adults who have experienced childhood trauma. She has also worked with individuals and families facing life-threatening or terminal illness. Lesa has been a guest lecturer at multiple universities on the impact of HIV/AIDS on children.
Volunteering at the macro-level is important to Lesa as it aids in the improvement of the quality of life for all people. Lesa is currently serving a 2 year elected term as Vice President of NASW-UT. She has also been serving on the NASW-UT Continuing Education Committee for the past several years and appreciates the greater understanding of social issues and professional development she gains while serving in these capacities, as well as the opportunities to be an agent for change targeted at improved access to better healthcare for all people.
Married to the love of her life, Lesa prioritizes doing fun things with her family. She loves adventure both in exploring the world and exploring her dinner plate. She’s found the interest in both micro and macro extends to the world around her. (Mountains and mealworms--it’s all so interesting!) She is usually in the middle of multiple good books and encourages everyone to share book recommendations with her!
Lesa has enjoyed diverse work experience, ranging from wilderness treatment programs to community health clinics to foster/adoptive care. She has worked in residential treatment and outpatient treatment with diverse populations of all ages, including refugees. She received a Master of Social Work from New York University in 1997. She also has a degree in therapeutic recreation and loves using an experiential approach in her therapeutic work. For clients who are able and interested in more movement, Lesa loves the outdoors and offers therapy sessions for women while walking on trails. Lesa especially finds joy in helping people gain a greater understanding of themselves and what matters most to them and experience wholehearted living. She respects the perseverance it takes to continue trying in the midst of significant pain and Lesa is committed to helping with hope and healing. She is currently seeing clients in-person and via telehealth.
Kjrsten J. Walters, MA, LMFT
With experience in therapeutic programs spanning nearly 2 decades, Kjrstin (KJ) has expertise and understanding working with adolescents, young adults, and parents. Specifically, she has worked with many people who struggle with ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, personality struggles, life transition struggles, identity issues, complicated family issues and relationship issues. With a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapist, trained in systemic family work, Kjrstin is passionate about healing families.
She describes her personal approach as follows:
I love adventure. I love the unexpected growth, challenge, joy, beauty, pain and creativity that springs from entering into an unknown experience. Throughout my career, I have come to appreciate and love supporting parents as they navigate the challenging experience of a struggling child. I work to give parents tools and support to help them approach their experience as an adventure that hopefully can bring growth, challenge, joy, beauty, pain and creativity.
My therapeutic style is experiential, collaborative and simple. I seek to create teaching experiences that help people learn ways to overcome, embrace or accept the challenges they face. I strive to find ways for others to discover their own solutions that work in their lives.
She loves being outdoors, traveling, biking, climbing, rafting and spending time with her husband and 3 daughters.
Rachel Ellingson, LCSW, MSW
Rachel completed her Master's degree in Social Work at Brigham Young University in 2021, after receiving an undergraduate degree in Psychology at BYU. Rachel provides a very calming and compassionate presence. She loves the privilege of meeting new people, hearing their stories, pointing out their strengths and facilitating healing, growth and hope. Rachel practiced as a therapist with LDS Family Services for 2 years and then worked with refugees, immigrants and victims of human trafficking at the Refugee and Immigrant Center for another 21 months. She interned at Wasatch Behavioral Health, and has volunteered at Family Haven, Food and Care Coalition as well as taught internationally.
She has experience providing individual, couple, family and group therapy to individuals of all ages, and specializes in trauma, grief, adjustment issues, anxiety, and depression. She has supported survivors of trauma, sexual abuse, domestic violence and human trafficking from over 40 countries in healing, safety planning, resourcing and trauma processing. Rachel has extensive experience with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Rachel also has experience with play therapy and sand tray therapy and especially enjoys working with young children.
In her spare time, Rachel is a composer and a performer. She loves playing the piano and guitar, singing and dancing. She directs and participates in several musical and theatrical groups, also. Rachel loves traveling and is fluent in Tagalog and proficient in Spanish and Ilokano. Rachel is married and enjoys spending time with her husband, especially in the outdoors. She looks forward to visiting with you and learning how she can support you in your personal mental health journey.
Laurie Coleman, LCSW, MSW
Laurie enjoys working with people who are open to change and improvement in their lives. She utilizes a solution-focused and strength-based approach to help individuals realize purpose, peace, and joy in themselves, as well as relationships and situations. Laurie believes it is a privilege to meet and assist clients as they work to gain self-worth and confidence in themselves.
Laurie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, obtaining her Bachelor’s degree at Utah State University and her Master’s degree at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA. Since 1995, Laurie has worked in various settings including state agencies, criminal justice, clinical practice, and medical settings, providing care for clients of all ages. Her areas of specialty include family relationship issues, navigating long-term and terminal medical concerns, depression and anxiety, and grief/loss. Laurie enjoys helping individuals build resilience and internal strength, as well as working to heal and establish boundaries for healthy relationships.
Laurie loves spending time with her husband and three children. Her passions include everything outside: long walks, hiking, gardening, skiing, learning, travelling, and being in or near water. Laurie especially enjoys serving others and encouraging the best in people she meets.
Kelly Jensen, ASUDC
Kelly is a licensed Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor. She received her Bachelor’s degree and completed her ASUDC certificate at the University of Utah. She believes that every individual has the ability to live a meaningful, joyful, life and is dedicated to helping individuals live a life free of debilitating addiction. Kelly brings her undying optimism, zest for life, and belief in the resiliency of the human soul to overcome difficult challenges and find joy and purpose in living one's life with authenticity and meaning.
Kelly has worked extensively with young adults in residential treatment. She also has years of experience working with adults in an outpatient detox center helping clients to develop relationship skills, stress reduction techniques, and relapse-prevention plans, as well as many other necessary tools in substance abuse recovery. Kelly believes there is nothing more transformative and powerful than an individual who discovers their worth and potential by being willing to seek professional help in overcoming their addiction.
Kelly has served as president for Springville’s Art City Substance Abuse Prevention
Program and has served in numerous leadership positions in various volunteer organizations.
In her spare time, Kelly especially enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She is an outdoor fanatic who finds immense pleasure taking photo’s of nature and people. She’s an avid runner and biker and enjoys the challenge of participating in long distance events.
Adam Del Toro, CMHC
Adam earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with the University of the Cumberlands. His major interest in mental health is working with those challenged with family relationships, addiction, trauma, life transitions, and other general issues. He has previously spent over a decade as an Engineer after earning his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Utah State University. His technical background and ability to connect with others often provides a unique perspective and approach into helping busy professionals, teenagers, and other individuals find successful outcomes to life's challenges.
He and his wife have five children. He loves playing soccer, running, backpacking, working on puzzles, completing home projects, playing the piano and singing with his family.
Desiree Allen, B.A.
Desiree is a dedicated and compassionate professional with a solid educational background and a deep passion for helping individuals and families navigate life's challenges. Desiree earned an undergraduate degree in Marriage and Family Studies from Brigham Young University-Idaho, where her foundation of understanding family dynamics and relationships was established. Building upon this knowledge, she is pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, gaining additional expertise in mental health care.
Driven by a genuine love for helping people, Desiree utilizes evidence-based practices tailored to meet each client's unique needs. With a focus on fostering a supportive and non-judgmental environment, Desiree works to empower clients to overcome obstacles, develop resilience, and achieve personal growth. She believes in the power of therapeutic relationships and strives to build trust and rapport with every client. Desiree is dedicated to ongoing professional development and staying current with the latest research and techniques in mental health.
In addition to her clinical work, Desiree enjoys engaging in community outreach and education, aiming to destigmatize mental health issues and promote overall well-being. Outside of her professional life, Desiree enjoys listening to audiobooks, spending time with her family, and making it to the beach in San Diego. Desiree and her husband have been married for 23 years and are the parents to 5 children and one incredible daughter-in-law.
With a warm and approachable demeanor, Desiree is here to support and guide you on your journey toward mental and emotional well-being.
Tammy Gause, B.A.
Tammy has a Bachelor’s in Family and Human Development from Utah State University and is currently completing a Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy with Capella University. She has experience working with adolescents in wilderness programs and residential treatment centers, as well as adults and children in an outpatient therapy setting. Tammy embraces a holistic and systemic approach, emphasizing empathy and hope. She believes that understanding people in the context of their relationships and environments is crucial for effective therapy. Tammy creates a nurturing and safe space where clients are encouraged to explore and reshape their relational dynamics. She works to foster deeper connections, empower individuals to rewrite their life stories and implement practical solutions to their challenges. By providing a supportive environment, Tammy helps individuals, couples, and families heal, grow, and achieve their potential. She collaborates with clients to move them towards healthier, more fulfilling relationships and overall personal well-being.
Tammy and her husband have been married 21 years and have three teenage daughters. She loves mountain biking, sewing, laughing, eating chips and salsa, and going on adventures with family and friends. She also loves traveling and meeting people from different cultures all over the world.
Chase Evenson, B.A.
Chase holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Utah Valley University and is pursuing his Master’s in Social Work at the University of Utah. With a background in working with kids and teenagers, Chase was a part of Utah County's youth crisis team and has had experience at multiple residential treatment centers. Chase embraces a holistic approach in his practice, aiming to integrate empathy, compassion, and humor into his therapeutic work. He has valuable experience supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and has a particular interest in working with the LGBTQIA+ community and those navigating faith crises.
Outside of work, Chase can be found enjoying a diverse range of interests, including pickleball, antiquing, baking, and watching scary movies. He also loves to spend time with loved ones playing games and having meaningful conversations.
Alysa Jaster, B.S.
Alysa loves encouraging people and bringing positive change to their lives. She sees the good in everyone and finds joy in helping others heal and grow into the best versions of themselves. Her calm demeanor provides a compassionate environment for discovery and healing.
Alysa received her Bachelor of Science degree in marriage and family studies at Brigham Young University-Idaho and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree at Grand Canyon University.
Demonstrating her commitment to diversity and inclusion, Alysa’s practical social work skills are evident in her experience with refugees. She has worked to find housing and stability for displaced refugees upon their arrival in the community. She also assisted refugee families in accessing early education and developmental resources for children and parents.
Alysa enjoys spending time with her husband in the mountains in her spare time by paddle boarding, hiking, and rock climbing. She also enjoys getting creative through baking and slowing things down by pulling out a good book.
Kara Young, MA, MBA
Kara Young is currently pursuing her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rocky
Mountain University in Provo. Originally from Pittsburgh, Kara holds a BA in Psychology from La Roche University, an MA in Criminal Justice from Slippery Rock University, and an MBA from Edinboro University.
Kara's interest in mental health began during her criminal justice studies, where she gained experience at a rehabilitation center, focusing on work with offenders in both women's and men's drug and alcohol inpatient units. She has also worked extensively with children in daycare and family-based therapy settings, and has supported both children and adults in the psychiatric unit of a medical center.
Passionate about aiding individuals on their journey to recovery, Kara finds fulfillment in
supporting personal growth and well-being. Outside of her professional pursuits, she is an
enthusiastic supporter of Pittsburgh sports teams—the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates—and enjoys outdoor activities such as snowboarding, rock climbing, yoga, paddleboarding, hiking, and mountain biking.
Lindsey Hargett
Education Specialist, Mentor, & Chef
Lindsey has worked as a therapy mentor in private practices and at residential treatment centers for teen girls. She loves to help people build confidence and find solutions that work for their personal situations. She is passionate about helping others learn how to set healthy boundaries and develop lasting relationships in their lives. She teaches the young adult Cooking to Survive classes.
Lindsey enjoys cooking and sharing her creations and love of cooking with others. She has 3 dogs and loves going on adventures with them and her husband. She also enjoys gardening and caring for houseplants.
Jenna Gubler
Kid's Camp Director/Special Projects
Jenna grew up on the East Coast, but found her way to Provo for college. After graduating from BYU with a degree in Sociology, she married a native Utahn and has called Utah County home for the last 20yrs.
She loves connecting with others and learning their stories. She truly believes that the more we connect and understand one another, the more our compassion grows and the world becomes a better place.
Many life experiences have made her passionate about mental and emotional health.
One of her hobbies is designing stickers to start conversations about such topics, and to let people know they aren't alone in their journey of life.
Jenna enjoys sunshine, adventuring, sewing, photography, rootbeer floats, carbs, and wearing socks. She is grateful for the people in her life, especially her husband and three daughters.
Starla Briggs
Office Manager
Starla Briggs has a passion for helping people. After moving from Washington to Utah, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from BYU, taking additional courses to become a certified billing and coding expert. She has worked as an office manager and has expertise in academic advisement. She worked for BYU as a student advisor and has organized large community events for organization including The Epilepsy Alliance group in SLC, Inland Northwest Dance Organization, and the Ronald McDonald Charity House Foundation.
Starla is the primary administrative assistant for Center for Hope and works with clients on all administrative and billing questions. She is a great resource for answering questions and remedying concerns.
Starla loves dancing, acting and choreographing stage productions for colleges, community theatres, schools and private organizations. She loves to travel and explore different cultures and environments. Other interests include backpacking, canyoneering, reading and going to movies.
©Copyright. All rights reserved. See Google Reviews
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.