Our Therapy Team

We are dedicated to finding competent, ethical, and affirming therapists

Providing compassionate care for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Meet the team

Sandra Priedeman, MSW, LCSW
she/her
Clinical Director
Works with clients ages 14+
Locations: Provo/Salt Lake/Online

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: Yes

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid: Traditional, Select Health, and Healthy U plans. *If you are not sure which mental health plan you have, please call the phone number on the back of your Medicaid card. 

    PEHP: Yes

    Select Health: CARE, CHOICE, SIGNATURE VALUE, MED

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125-HSA card, credit cards and debit cards are accepted

  • I hail from the Buckeye Nation — also known as Ohio. I am a graduate of Colorado State University where I earned my MSW. I have been working as a therapist with teens, young adults, and their families since 2001. I first started as a wilderness therapist and then moved onto residential treatment for adolescent humans. I have been a part of the Encircle Family since July 2019. I am well-versed in working with trauma, attachment, anxiety & depression, and family conflict. In addition, I have been trained and use EMDR to address trauma with my clients. I have training in sand play therapy, writing therapy, and psycho-drama and use these expressive therapies to help my clients connect and heal.

    Fundamentally, I find that everyone I work with feels a bit lost and unsure how to make their way and wondering if a way is possible for them. Having spent a lot of time in the woods and in particular being lost, I know that people can and do find their way. I know from my own journey and the journey of my LGBTQ clients that there is a place to find shelter, connection, and light. I firmly believe that we are here to answer the question that Mary Oliver has asked, "What will you do with your one wild and precious life?" I love watching my clients find their answer and living a life that is full of goodness and love. When I am not sitting in a therapy office, I love reading, writing, walking, being with my partner and our dog who is the perfect Springer Spaniel.

Malia Burgess, MSW, MFA, LCSW
she/her
Director of Clinical Operations
Works with clients ages 12+
Locations: St.George/Online/Rural

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: Yes

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid: Traditional, Select Health, and Healthy U plans. *If you are not sure which mental health plan you have, please call the phone number on the back of your Medicaid card.

    PEHP: Yes

    Select Health: CARE, CHOICE, SIGNATURE VALUE, MED

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125- HSA card, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted

  • Greetings and Aloha! I'm originally from Hawaii but spent the last 20 years in Montana, where I taught sociology at Montana State University-Billings. My private practice in Montana focused largely on young LGBTQI+ individuals, many located in rural communities.

    In my therapeutic work, I embrace a relational-cultural perspective, influenced heavily by feminist theory and a strong belief that humans want and need connection. I graduated from Boise State University with a degree in Social Work. I enjoy working with clients experiencing anxiety/depression, trauma, ADHD, and faith transitions, and I am particularly passionate about psychoeducation. I am trained in a variety of modalities and hold certifications in TI-CBT and EMDR.

    However, I believe that approach is less important than the knowledge that your therapist both understands and accepts you deeply. Recent research states, "The emerging picture suggests that the quality of the client–therapist alliance is a reliable predictor of positive clinical outcome independent of the variety of psychotherapy approaches and outcome measures." (Ardito & Rabellino, 2011) I believe that the therapeutic relationship is essential in order for our work to progress.

    My personal interests include travel, pop culture, swimming, and spending time with friends and family. I'm honored to accompany young LGBTQI individuals on their joyful journey toward self-actualization.

Dr. Sami Simpson, PhD LMFT
she/her
Lead Therapist
Works with clients ages 13+
Locations: Heber/Online

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: Yes

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    Medicaid:Traditional, Select Health and Healthy U plans. *Please call the phone number on the back of your medicaid card if you are not sure which mental health plan you have. 

    PEHP: Yes

    Select Health: CARE, CHOICE, SIGNATURE VALUE, MED

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125 - HSA card, credit cards and debit cards are accepted

  • I believe that healing is our birthright, and that it is one of the heart's most prominent desires. I utilize a holistic, somatic approach to therapy, informed by 12 years as a massage therapist and 6 years of graduate school training to be a marriage and family therapist. Both western research and eastern medicinal philosophies indicate that trauma is a visceral experience, and is stored within the body. Although not all of us have experienced obvious traumatic events, most of us have experienced a pile-up of many micro-moments and negative messaging. They culminate, ultimately impacting our ability to feel safe and secure anywhere -- in the world, in our relationships, and even within ourselves. Layers of socialization and trauma begin to mask our truest self, until we lose sense of who we were before their influence. My primary goal for clients is to help them identify and shed these layers, reconnecting and embracing their truest self.

    My therapy approach is informed by attachment theory, polyvagal theory, queer theory, feminist theory, and Kimberle Crenshaw's intersectionality framework. The most helpful tool in my practice has been my training in EMDR. In family therapy, I utilize Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), shown to be the most effective therapy for improving family relationships and reducing depression and suicidality. I also co-authored a research publication in which we adapted the original ABFT treatment protocol and outlined how to implement ABFT for families with transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth experiencing suicidality.

    My specialty lies in doing family therapy with LGBTQ+ individuals in religious and/or Latter-day Saint families. Sessions with such families can be a delicate dance, and require a therapist who is “culturally competent” in both the Queer world and the Mormon world. I was raised in the LDS religion and have been able to maintain deeply connected relationships with my family members who still subscribe to it. I understand and have experienced the complex family dynamics that can arise when someone comes out as LGBTQ+ or decides to step away from their religion. When I started experiencing how complex and nuanced this kind of family therapy is, I decided to get my PhD — these families needed an expert. I got my PhD in Humans Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. My PhD dissertation was about the following, “When Identities Collide: Best Practices for Family Therapy with LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults in Mormon Families.”

    I look forward to connecting, healing, and learning alongside you.

Devin Gold, MSW, LCSW
she/her
Primary Therapist
Works with clients ages 13+
Locations: Online

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/MANAGED CHOICE

    PEHP: Yes

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125 - HSA card, credit cards and debit cards are accepted

  • I was born and raised in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. I was raised by lesbian parents during a time when that was very rare and very odd to the people around me. This unique position in life invited me to experience what it’s like being on the outside of the predominant culture, inside a very unique and sometimes isolating culture, and frequently in-between both. It taught me curiosity and compassion, and also gave me a passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community. It led me to work at Encircle on the Programs Team for several years, and led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree (UVU) and master’s degree (USU) in Social Work.

    I have gained training and experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families of all identities and experiences. I have experience and training in trauma-informed, strengths-focused, and experiential therapies and techniques, and tend to take a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) approach in therapy.

    I believe we are more than the things that have happened to us, and we are each worthy of love and belonging (paraphrased from the great Morgan Harper Nichols and Brené Brown). We are capable of tapping into an innate source of strength that each of us possess to move toward growth and healing. My job is to be here with you along your journey, and help you recognize how to unlock and utilize that innate source.

    I have two cats, Lily and Gwyn, who love to make appearances on my Zoom calls. I live in Logan, Utah with my partner, Jackson. I love learning new things, reading, listening to music and podcasts, and attempting crafts even though I was not born with any knack for it. I look forward to the opportunity to get to know you better.

Sarah Cowley, LCMHC
she/her
Lead Therapist
Works with clients ages 12+
Locations: St.George/Online

  • Aetna: EPO/PPO/MANAGED CHOICE

    BCBS: Yes

    Cigna: Yes

    EMI: Yes

    PEHP: Yes

    University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, HealthyUChip

    UHC/UMR: Yes

    Self Pay: $125 - HSA card, credit cards and debit cards are accepted

  • she/her

    Hello! My name is Sarah. I have spent most of my life in rural Utah. As a queer woman in a conservative state, I have developed a strong passion for the LBTQIA+ community. Feeling seen and heard is powerful medicine. I hope to help provide this kind of healing space for the people I am lucky enough to work with.

    I attended school at Southern Utah University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. After some travel and soul searching, I returned to school and received my Master of Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. My work history spans from in-patient residential treatment centers to community mental health programs. I am trained in EMDR, Client-Centered Play therapy, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, trauma, and attachment issues.

    My therapeutic approach is largely relationship based. I believe the best predictor of therapeutic success is the rapport, trust, and unconditional positive regard built between a client and therapist. When these things come together, the pain of change can feel less sharp.

    In my free time, I enjoy being in my garden, playing with my pets, and having crazy dance parties in the kitchen with my wife and little girl.

Holly Taylor
she/her
Therapy Intake Coordinator

  • Holly is the Intake Coordinator at Encircle Therapy, where she helps to connect LGBTQIA+ individuals with affirming mental health resources. She is dedicated to supporting human connection through a more inclusive community, to ensure that every client recieves the specialized care they deserve. 

    Having grown up in Utah, she understands the challenges of accessing diverse resources in a religious environment and is committed to creating a welcoming and supportive space for all. 

Allie Verdoon
she/her
Therapy Office Manager

  • While I might have California blood, Utah has been my home for most of my life. Living in Provo, Utah with a sister part of the LGBTQ+ community means Encircle, and their mission, has held a very special place in my heart since their beginnings. My goal as the Encircle Therapy office manager is to ensure everything on the administrative side is running smoothly so you, and the therapy team, can focus on more important things. I am happy to be your first point of contact for any questions about scheduling, insurance, billing, or Encircle Therapy altogether.I love to read, write, host game nights, and plan dinner parties!

    During the winter I will spend my weekends in the Wasatch mountains on the slopes snowboarding and in the summer I am going to take whatever chance I can to paddleboard or lay by the lake.I regard being part of the Encircle team an honor and am excited to aid you in your experience with Encircle Therapy.

Providing care for you.

Our therapists are trained in various therapeutic styles (CBT, ACT, FMT, FS/IFS, narrative, etc.) and interventions for individuals, couples, and families.

Find the right therapist for you.

We believe that LGBTQIA+ youth should receive quality and compassionate care from specialists who wholly validate and understand the diverse experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

You are not alone.

If you’re thinking about suicide or are worried about someone else, please know you are not alone. Reaching out for help is a big step, and we encourage you to seek support as soon as possible.

We do not currently have a 24-hour crisis line or drop-in hours. If you believe someone is in immediate danger to themselves or others, CALL 911.

What do we do?

Our diverse team of passionate and committed professionals provides life-affirming therapy, connection & support for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families.