From a young age, I held a deep-rooted desire to continue my family’s long lineage of service to our country. Although my personal journey of military service did not come to fruition, I have devoted my career to learning as much as I can about treating and supporting our military population.

Throughout my professional journey, I have actively engaged in organizations dedicated to military psychology. I have been highly involved in the American Psychological Association’s Society for Military Psychology and currently serve as the Chair for the Early Career Psychology association. These roles have allowed me to stay connected with the latest research and best practices in supporting military populations.

My work as a psychologist has taken me to four different VA healthcare facilities across the country, where I have had the privilege of serving the military population. In these roles, I have worked in mental health clinics, inpatient settings, substance abuse programs, primary care, and polytrauma units. The opportunity to engage in recreation therapy with Veterans was a significant motivation for me to move across the country with my family. Additionally, I completed a fellowship in PTSD at the Salt Lake City VA, further deepening my expertise in trauma-focused care.

One of the proudest moments in my career was the establishment of an intensive outpatient program for Veterans seeking substance abuse treatment at the Salt Lake City VA. Through this program, we adopted an interdisciplinary approach to meet the unique needs of local and rural Veterans, while fostering camaraderie through group therapy. We also incorporated equine therapy, recognizing the profound impact of animal-assisted interventions on recovery.

A crucial focus of my work has been raising awareness about reintegration challenges faced by service members transitioning to civilian life. Reintegration is often viewed solely as a mental health issue within the VA system, leading to a gap in addressing its multifaceted nature. Through my research, I have explored alternative avenues outside of traditional mental health to promote cohesion and successful reintegration. I have incorporated different disciplines such as peer support, chaplaincy, recreation therapy, and community programming into my clinical approach.

Recognizing the limitations within the VA system, and motivated to raise awareness of reintegration challenges, I brought Warrior Revival to the community. Through Warrior Revival, our team aims to partner with the community to offer recreation outings, therapeutic retreats for Veterans and their families, and a peer-to-peer program focused on helping Veterans transition from civilian to military life.

Aside from my work with the VA, I am the owner of a private practice, Center for Trauma, Recovery, and Wellness (www.centertrw.com). In my personal life, I cherish the time spent with my family and friends. We enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, and exploring nature with our side-by-side vehicle. Utah’s national parks, particularly Zion, hold a special place in our hearts. Additionally, I have a passion for travel, with a particular fondness for visiting Disney resorts.

I invite you to join us in our mission to bring meaning and purpose to the lives of Veterans post-discharge. Warrior Revival is a community-driven program, and we value the ideas and input of Veterans themselves. Together, let us build a supportive network that empowers Veterans and facilitates their successful reintegration into civilian life.