Faculty
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Our Faculty
Eric Alta, Ph.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
- Dr. Alta is a licensed psychologist who works with individuals across the lifespan in a community outpatient setting.
- He completed his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Utah, focusing on health and well-being promotion.
- Dr. Alta worked in international education, wilderness therapy, and athletic coaching.
- Originally from Boston, MA, he values trail-running, international travel, and family.
Adabelle Carson
- Ada is a Counseling Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Utah and holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.
- Her research focuses on reducing cultural disparities in mental health care by adapting evidence-based interventions and applying a multicultural orientation to both clinical practice and research. She was recently awarded her first pilot grant as Principal Investigator through the AMETHIST@Penn program to study how patient-generated narratives can be used in culturally responsive provider education to improve maternal healthcare for pregnant women with substance use disorders.
- Ada brings over 20 years of experience as a trauma-informed yoga teacher and holds certifications in breathwork, mindfulness, applied positive psychology, and as a Certified MARI® Practitioner. She approaches therapy from an integrative stance rooted in third-wave CBT and informed by psychodynamic and attachment theory
Ally Cohen
- Ally is a third-year PhD student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Utah and holds bachelor’s degrees in environmental studies and international studies from the University of Michigan.
- Her research interests include identifying predictors of adolescent and adult substance use and exploring the emerging relationship between climate change and mental health.
- Ally has previously worked in international education, wilderness therapy, and clinical research, and is currently a clinical extern on the Rehabilitation Psychology Service within the University of Utah healthcare system.
- She is originally from Portland, OR and enjoys reading, writing, and doing triathlons in her free time.
Jamie Keller
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Jamie is a PhD student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Utah. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Southern Utah University and worked in inpatient mental health services before beginning her doctorate. Her research has spanned many topics, all with a central focus on college student success and well-being. Jamie’s passion is teaching, and she has been teaching for the Positive Psychology Program since January 2025.
Courtney Richardson
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Courtney is invested in working alongside athletes/performers on their true path to mastery. Her experience as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan, along with her applied learning opportunities during her Master’s in Sport & Performance Psychology program, have helped her develop knowledge and experience that guide her work with athletes/performers. Courtney has great reverence for sport psychology training and for those invested in understanding their mind and how it can best work for them while living out their life endeavors. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Utah to become a Counseling & Sport Psychologist.
Brian Riedesel, Ph.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
- Dr. Brian Riedesel has been teaching and counseling for more than 51 years specializing in stress, crisis-trauma, self-regulation skills, vocational, and cultural issues.
- He provides trainings & interventions internationally and spent 3 years in Asia & 2 years in Europe during his working career.
- He has received awards for crisis work in the Philippines and social justice teaching in Utah.
- His personal interests include outdoors, music, sports, film, culinary, travel and family.
Ben Gomez Roberson
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Ben Gomez Rogerson is a 3rd year PhD student in School Psychology. He has years of experience working in schools, helping children and families in school through positive therapeutic practices, data driven assessment, and home-school collaboration. Outside of school, he enjoys skiing, rock climbing, cooking and music.
Matthew Roughan
Program Assistant & Instructor
- Matthew is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and 1st year Ph.D. student at the University of Utah, with experience helping clients manage ADHD, addiction, and trauma.
- Certified in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and as a Clinical Mental Performance Consultant, he specializes in supporting student-athletes.
- He has shared his research at conferences and in publications.
- His strengths-based, positive psychology approach fosters resilience, personal growth, and lasting well-being.
Cat Sales
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Cat Sales (she/her) graduated from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Utah in May of 2022. Clinically, she is driven to learn how to increase her cultural humility through research, education, and reflection. She has worked in the following settings: the VA, community mental health, crisis intervention, wilderness therapy, private practice, integrated healthcare systems, and college counseling. She has co-facilitated groups on Self-Compassion, ACT for Chronic Pain, Expressive Arts, and Women Supporting Women. Her research interests include multicultural counseling, counselor education/training, mindfulness, and environmental justice. To take care of her own mental health, you can find her outside (mountain biking, backcountry skiing, chasing sunsets, rollerblading, you name it!), doing art, and ~attempting~ to meditate.
Sheryl Sudakar
- Sheryl is a second-year Counseling Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Utah and holds a MS. in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University Montgomery.
- Her research interests focus on the impact of sociocultural factors on psychotherapy outcomes. Additionally, she is passionate about examining help-seeking behaviors, psychological well-being, and mental health outcomes in international students.
- Sheryl has over three years of clinical experience as a psychometrist where she conducted cognitive, psychological, and neuropsychological assessments with pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations in private practice, inpatient, and outpatient medical settings.
- In her free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, and catching up on tv shows.
Carina Terry
Instructor
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Carina (they/them) is a Doctoral Candidate in Counseling Psychology at the University of Utah and has worked and studied in the field of psychology for a little over a decade. Carina is a passionate pursuant of equity- and justice-focused education, advocacy, and services provision. They provide compassionate and empowerment-focused individual therapy services to community members. Carina is deeply in love with all things living, and enjoys plants and gardening, their pets and other animals, their loved ones and community, and time in the mountains and abroad when possible.
Laura Wallace
Instructor
- Laura is a first-year Counseling Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Utah and holds a Master of Public Administration from the same institution.
- Her research interests center on academic and career success, with a particular focus on how these areas intersect for college students.
- She is passionate about working with students and supporting their growth during key academic and career transitions.
- Laura brings experience as a career counselor, where she guided students in navigating career decisions and future goals.
- In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, working on her garden, and learning new languages.