Meet Our Therapists
Kayla Mennenga, PhD, LMFT - Clinical Director
Hi! I'm Kayla. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I grew up in Texas but call Utah home now. I believe strongly that we are wired for connection, and it's within relationships that we learn, grow, and heal. Our whole selves is very much a part of that process, and understanding what's happening for you helps us work together in the different systems in which you're involved.
I work primarily from a systemic perspective when I'm working with individuals, couples, and families. I work with many individuals couples, and families dealing with a variety of issues, but I mainly working with couples who are working through issues of infidelity and/or betrayal. This could be for any number of reasons, from pornography issues and trust to infidelity.
Having experienced my own path of healing through therapy, I know the courage and bravery it takes to face hard things and allow yourself to do the hard parts of healing. You *can* do it. The first step is hard but I encourage you to take it and then lean in to everything that comes next.
When I'm not in the therapy room, I enjoy being outside, spending quality time with the people around me, sitting by a beautiful fire on a crisp night, and enjoy watching and playing sports. I can also be a bit of an adventurer and don't mind trying new things that get your blood pumping a little bit. :)
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna
Abby Sagers, LMFT
My name is Abby, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I received a MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University and have experience helping individuals, couples, and families in therapy.
I have helped clients address concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, eating and body image concerns, relational problems (communication issues, disconnection and intimacy concerns, couple conflict, parent-child strain), cultural diversity and LGBTQ+ issues, ADHD, OCD, and religious/spiritual issues. I have also provided premarital therapy to engaged and newly married couples.
I have practiced therapy for a few years now, and the more I practice, the more I am honored to see the resiliency and capability that people have to grow and flourish despite seriously difficult life circumstances. If we work together, I will strive to provide you with a safe, compassionate, and empathetic space to process and work through your challenges. I also work to provide support and encouragement as you work to make changes in yourself and your relationships, and to foster deeper and more meaningful connections in your life.
Outside of therapy, I enjoy being active outside, reading, trying new foods (and desserts), and playing or spending time with my husband and our baby girl.
*Accepts UHC, DMBA, and Select Health insurance currently
Javier Celestino, LMFT
I'm Javier! I am a Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT). I received my BS in Family Life and MS in MFT degrees at Brigham Young University. My clinical experience comes from working at a low-income community clinic, group practices, and a residential treatment center. I have worked mainly with clients who sought help for anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, autism, borderline personality disorder, trauma, relational issues (e.g., sex, affair, communication), cultural diversity and LGBTQ+ issues, women’s issues, and religious/spiritual issues. I am known for using humor, creativity, and blunt honesty in therapy. Above all, I make sure to establish solid relationships with my clients. I provide therapy in English and Spanish.
The longer I’ve been a therapist, the more I’ve realized the absolute privilege that it is to be one. People let me into their lives and together we explore the sacred ground that is their pain, frustration, joy, and peace. I believe that, when life feels like a hurricane, we can learn how to experience calmness amid the swirling storm around us.
Outside of therapy, I enjoy powerlifting, reading, playing the guitar and piano, being out in nature with my wife, and snuggling with my bird.
*Accepts UHC & BCBS insurances currently
Min Xu - LMFTA
Hey! I am Min. I grew up in the southern part of China, and I speak Mandarin, Cantonese, a special dialect (Xiang), and English. I first came to the U.S. in 2011 for my undergraduate at the Ohio State University. I am currently working on my Ph.D. degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Brigham Young University.
In our work together, I dedicate to creating a secure space for my clients to touch their most vulnerable experiences and authentic emotions. At the same time, I empower and support them to build a new path for themselves, their family, and their future. Although I am not a member of the LDS Church, I genuinely appreciate my clients for their willingness and authenticity to teach me about their experience with the LDS church or other religious/faith backgrounds.
I mostly work with young adults, couples, and families with adolescents. I am an EMDRIA approved EMDR-trained therapist, and I specialize in: Emotion Regulation (Depression, Anxiety); Family of Origin experience; High-conflict couples; and Trauma.
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna
Anna Carr, LMFTA
We all experience difficult times in life, and we all need connection through relationships. I believe therapy is one avenue to process and explore painful situations while working on improving relationships with partners, parents, children, etc.
Our experiences impact how we communicate and perceive others’ messages. By taking time to explore our experiences we can better understand ourselves, communicate more clearly to others, and more accurately perceive messages from those around us.
I am honored to sit with others and experience the smallest amount of their pain – which we all have. I love working with couples and families and typically follow attachment-based therapy models. Some things I have helped people work through include depression, anxiety, child-parent strain, co-parenting, ADHD, communication difficulties, pornography, sexual and intimacy concerns, perfectionism, and people-pleasing.
I received my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University in 2019 and am currently working on my PhD.
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna
Jennifer Peterson, LMFTA
Hey there! I'm Jennifer, one of the therapists here at Grace Therapy and Healing. I've been in Utah for the last 6 years, but before that called both Denver and Portland home. As a therapist, I work from the foundational belief that everyone has traumatic experiences in their past that have altered the way they process things here and now. As such, I strive to help individuals learn how to recognize and honor their body's needs and emotions as the first step in their healing journey. I also believe that healing is best found through vulnerability and connection, specifically with an individual's support system. I love working with all couples, families, and children, but find particular joy in helping couples transitioning into marriage and caregivers seeking better parenting tools. Healing is a difficult and long journey, but is made so much sweeter with tools and help along the way. You weren't meant to work through it all yourself. I'd be humbled to be a resource for you during this time.
When I'm not doing therapy, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, learning about things that are important to other people, traveling and appreciating beautiful landscapes and cultures, and cooking food from other countries.
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna
Tiffany Lotulelei, LMFTA
Hi! I’m Tiffany. As a therapist, I am here to meet you and your relationships where they are at without judgment. Feeling stuck in painful cycles can feel like your whole world is collapsing. I help empower you to bravely explore uncomfortable emotions, work to understand your internal world, and show up authentically in your life and relationships. Some of the greatest hope and healing I have witnessed transpires between partners and families in the therapy room.
This is not easy and requires vulnerability, honesty, and practice but I believe in you. I have worked with a variety of challenges including communication difficulties, sexual issues, pornography, infidelity/betrayal trauma, anxiety/depression, multicultural/diversity issues, and parenting/family challenges. I also enjoy doing premarital counseling.
Outside of therapy, I enjoy spending time with family & friends, playing volleyball & pickleball, going on walks with my husband & son, and helping run our family side business.
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna
Emily Russell, LMFTA
Life can be challenging. We all face times in our lives when we feel confused, lonely, anxious, insecure, or hopeless. As a therapist, I am honored to sit with you and support you while you feel all of it. Together, we will work through painful thoughts, emotions, and experiences to help you feel more empowered, confident, and connected.
My style is laid back, and I love to use creative methods as I work with you to reach your specific goals. I enjoy working with individuals, especially adolescents and young adults, as well as couples and entire families. I have experience working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, pornography issues, infidelity, and body image issues.
Some of the things I look forward to are traveling to new places, curling up with a new book, working on a crossword puzzle, and trying out new recipes with my husband.
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna
Vanessa Giuffra, LMFTA
Hi, I am Vanessa! I was born and raised in Chile. As soon as I graduated from high school, I moved to the US to obtain my college degree. I met my husband while I was studying English as a second language (he is from Brazil), and we both later received our undergraduate degrees from Brigham Young University. I obtained my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the same university. We are the proud parents of two beautiful children.
I believe that therapy is a place for individuals to find healing and connection, and I feel privileged to be part of that journey. Perhaps therapy may look scary or like a big step to take, but I will meet you where you are and walk with you along the way. In the therapy room, we will explore emotions, experiences, and relationships, and how they take a place in your present.
I have experience working with individuals, families, and couples that are facing different life challenges, such as depression/anxiety, communication issues, pornography issues, sexual issues, multicultural/diversity issues, and different life transitions. I provide therapy in both English and Spanish.
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna
Cara Nebeker, LMFTA
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.” – Georgia O'Keeffe
I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with 5 years experience working primarily with youth and young adults dealing with trauma, depression/anxiety, identity, and family struggles. I work with individuals and families. Within my therapy and healing practice I focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship with my client(s) and approaching their concerns in a client-centered way. This includes using art expression and Sandtray therapy integrated with trauma-focused practices, such as Internal Family Systems, Narrative therapy, and Attachment-based therapy. Sometimes you need to use words, and sometimes you can’t find the words. Integrating expressive arts, increasing knowledge around brain and body functions, and focusing on resource building can enhance your ability to process trauma, develop coping skills, and create a lifestyle that is most authentic to you. It’s OK if you don’t know what any of that means - part of my job is to educate clients about paths towards healing and to support their journey finding what approach will work best for them. (My job is to help you one day fire me.)
Choosing a therapist can be a difficult task— with insurance, bios to read, and all the new language referring to licensing, modalities, and approaches to addressing your concerns. If you have tried therapy before, you may know what you are looking for or you may feel disheartened by starting over, but I encourage you to try again. You are welcome to contact me for a 15 min. phone consultation to further discuss your specific needs and/or concerns. Allow me to support you in beginning/continuing your journey with professional mental health services.
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna
Kaelie Wagner, LMFTA
Hello! My name is Kaelie Lemmon Wagner, and I am originally from Bluebell, Utah. I received a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Utah Valley University and am currently working on my PhD from Brigham Young University.
I deeply believe in the power of connection, whether that connection is to oneself, others, or spirituality. I believe that connections are best created and maintained through understanding, accepting, and even embracing the wide array of emotions we experience as humans. Our physical and emotional selves are very much connected and intertwined, which I account for in session. With a background in physiological factors in my work as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CAN) and Emergency Medical Technician EMT), I have seen firsthand the impact of trauma and physical factors on mental health and subsequent relationships.
I also love working with children and tend to see a lot of child/family clients. I believe that learning how to regulate emotion at an early age sets kiddos up for success, in both relationships now and in the future. I have experience working with autism, behavioral issues, oppositional defiant disorder, and trauma in children.
I am continually humbled by the resiliency, humility, and strength that I witness from clients. Through these experiences, I have learned to recognize and use the inherent strengths that you have, to accomplish the change/support you are seeking. I believe that you are the expert of your own experience and strength, and that sometimes you just need help seeing that. I consider it an honor to work with/learn from you.
When I am not working with/learning from clients, I enjoy spending time with my husband, babies and extended family, spending time outdoors, watching movies, playing games, eating delicious food and if possible, sneaking in a nap. ;)
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna
Rachel Parson, LMFT-I
Hi! I'm Rachel! I'm passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families navigate the nuances and challenges of their relationships. I approach therapy with a holistic, biopsychosocial perspective—recognizing the interconnectedness of individuals and their networks. I believe that healthy relationships are essential to overall well-being and that everyone has the potential to experience fulfilling connections with others. My therapy is grounded in empathy, compassion, curiosity, directness, and honesty. I feel incredibly honored and privileged to be a therapist, and I am deeply committed to providing a safe and supportive space for my clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I believe growth and change can only happen when we step outside our comfort zones. With me, therapy is a collaborative process, and I am dedicated to working alongside my clients to help them achieve their goals and live their best lives.
I have experience working with eating disorders, body image issues, OCD/anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ issues, family-of-origin issues, infidelity, betrayal, trauma, transition after divorce, sexual intimacy, religiosity/spirituality, and cultural diversity.
Outside of therapy I enjoy spending time with friends and family, skiing, playing volleyball, reading, listening to music, playing guitar, travelling, and shopping.
*Rachel will begin seeing clients May 1, 2023
*Accepts DMBA, Select Health (except Signature plans), UHC, BCBS, EMI, Aetna, PEHP insurances, TriCare, Cigna