Providers

Samantha Atwood, LCMHC, has been with Northeastern Counseling Center in Roosevelt as a therapist since March 2015. Her education includes a Masters in General Psychology from Capella University, and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment, and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. Her areas of interest include adults in their twenties, women who have been in abusive relationships, EMDR certified for trauma treatment, and addiction recovery along with couples and family counseling. Samantha is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. She is accepting new patients.

Tricia Bennett, LCSW, has been at Northeastern Counseling Center since 1989. She is a therapist and Clinical Site Supervisor in the Roosevelt office. She provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment and crisis intervention for children, adolescents and adults. Her interest is in treating trauma-related symptoms in youth, adults and first responders. She is a certified Mental Health First Aid presenter. She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah and her Masters of Social Work from the Graduate School of Social work, University of Utah in 1998. Patricia is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider.

Susan Betts, LCSW, has been with Northeastern Counseling Center since January of 2018. Susan comes from a teaching background before earning her Masters of Social Work at Utah State University in 2020. She is a therapist in the Roosevelt office. Susan provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment, and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. Previously, Susan worked with elementary aged children in public schools for 10 years. Her clinical interests include trauma, clients with depression, anxiety, and addiction. She incorporates a variety of interventions like CBT, ACT, TF-CPT, and Play Therapy to address client-specific needs. She is passionate about helping people on their journey to create lasting changes that increase their peace and happiness. Susan is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider and is accepting new clients.

Alexandra Biggs, LCSW, has been at Northeastern Counseling Center since 2017. She received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Utah State University in 2020 and went on to receive her master’s degree in Social Work through the advanced standing program at the University of Denver in 2022. She is a therapist in the Roosevelt office. She provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment, and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. Her clinical interests include treating clients suffering from trauma-related symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults as well as the treatment of anxiety and depression. She incorporates several treatment models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to address client-specific needs. Alexandra is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. She is accepting new clients.

Jessica Briggs, LCSW has worked at Northeastern Counseling Center since 2013. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History at Minnesota State University Moorhead then her Master of Social Work at Utah State University. She is a therapist in the Vernal office. Jessica provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment, and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. Jessica has experience working with individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness, cognitive and physical disabilities. Jessica’s clinical interests include working with clients via artistic emotional expression informed through CBT, grief, bereavement, and hospice work, and those struggling with anxiety. Jessica believes that every individual has inherent worth and potential that can be realized by empowerment and support through proactive self-learning and change. Jessica is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. She is accepting new clients.

Jeremy Conetah, LMFT, joined Northeastern Counseling Center in 2024 and is working in the Vernal office. He received his B.S. in Family Consumer and Human Development in 2015 from Utah State University and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2022 from Utah Valley University. Jeremy provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, as well as the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. He believes that everyone deserves the right to rewrite their story into one they want to live despite struggles and circumstance. He has experience working with individuals including children, teens and adults. He also has experience working with relationship and family structures. Jeremy is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. He is accepting new patients.

Jonathan Crane, LCSW, has been at Northeastern Counseling Center since 2011. He is a therapist and Clinical Site Supervisor in the Vernal office. He provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment and crisis interventions for children, adolescents and adults. He is a part of the Drug Court treatment team and enjoys helping substance abuse clients overcome their struggles and regain hope in their life. He also enjoys assisting mental health clients find answers and coping skills to their individual struggles. He uses cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy, moral reconation therapy, motivational interviewing, client centered therapy, etc., and strives to help a client reconnect with themselves in a balanced manner. He graduated with his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah in 2008 and his Masters of Social Work also from the University of Utah in 2010. Jonathan is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider.

Rochelle Danley, LCMHC, has been with Northeastern Counseling Center since 2008. She is a therapist in the Roosevelt office who provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment and crisis intervention for children, adolescents and adults. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Southern Utah University and a Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix in 2007. Her current treatment interests are in positive psychology, depression, anxiety, substance addiction and trauma. Rochelle is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. She is accepting new patients.

Lexie Iverson, CSW, has been at Northeastern Counseling Center since May of 2021. She was first hired as a Case Manager while she finished her schooling and then moved on to therapy in 2023. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from Utah State University in 2020 and her Master of Social Work in 2023. She is a therapist in the Roosevelt office. She provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment, and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. Her areas of interest include children and adolescents suffering from anxiety and/or depression symptoms. Lexie believes therapy is for everyone and you never know the weight of the things you carry until you start unloading. Lexie is English-speaking, provides services as a culturally trained provider, and is accepting new clients.

K. Heath McDougal-Deans, LCSW, joined Northeastern Counseling Center as a therapist in 2018. He is a therapist in the Veranl office. He provides mental health and substance use assessments, and crisis intervention for children, adolescents and adults. He enjoys a diverse atmosphere and an eclectic mix of clientele. He is particularly passionate about working with people who struggle with substance use and addiction. He is a member of the Uintah County Drug Court team and facilitates several treatment groups. He graduated with a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University, Summa Cum Laude. His passion is to motivate individuals, families and children to cultivate resilience and coping skills in securing a foundation for lasting changes. He believes each of us can choose a ‘Road Less Traveled’ that will lead us on an exciting new journey. Heath is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. He is accepting new patients.

Kandice Searle, LCSW, joined Northeastern Counseling Center as a therapist in the Vernal office in January of 2023. She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2017 and a Master of Social Work degree in 2020, both from Utah State University. Kandice has spent her career thus far in a school social work setting working with students and their families in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Kandice has also done private practice with her passion being individual mental health therapy. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, birdwatching, and taking leisurely bike rides with her family. She provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment, and crisis intervention for adolescents and adults. Kandice utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities using a client centered approach to best address the unique goals of her clients. She commonly uses Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Mind Body Bridging, and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to address those needs. Kandice is English speaking, accepting new clients and provides services as a culturally trained provider.

Gaven Sepulveda, LCSW, joined Northeastern Counseling Center as a therapist in the Vernal office in May 2022. He received his Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Utah in 2022. He specializes in trauma, PTSD, and substance use disorders. He is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), both of which are effective in helping clients process and heal from trauma. He also utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, OCD, and addictions. He works with children, teenagers, and adults, helping them navigate both mental health and substance use challenges. With extensive experience in supporting clients experiencing suicidal ideation, he provides compassionate care in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. He strives to create an inclusive space where clients of all identities and backgrounds feel supported. Whether you’re struggling with trauma, PTSD, substance use, or other mental health concerns, he is here to provide a safe and supportive space for you to explore your challenges and begin the healing process. Gaven is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. He is accepting new patients.

Clayton Scott Syndergaard, D.O., has been working at Northeastern Counseling Center since August 2021. He works in both the Vernal and Roosevelt offices, prescribing medications for children, adolescents and adults in order to treat psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, Bi-Polar Disorder, OCD, ADHD, PTSD and psychosis. He graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (now known as Western University of Health Sciences), Pomona, California in 1993. He worked as a local OB/GYN prior to pursuing his interest in mental health at Northeastern Counseling Center. He is participating in a mentor and training program along with extensive ongoing continuing education in psychiatry. Clients may be referred to Dr. Syndergaard for medication management services by a therapist at NCC. He is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. He is accepting new clients.

Kayla Taylor, CSW, began working at Northeastern Counseling Center in October of 2023. She received her Bachelor of Family Life Studies from Utah State University in 2019 and graduated from Utah State University with a master’s degree in social work in 2023. She provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment, and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. She is a therapist in the Roosevelt office. Kayla’s areas of interest include maternal mental health, child and adolescent mental health, and those struggling with depression and anxiety. Kayla is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. She is accepting new clients.

Brian Timberlake, CSW, began working at Northeastern Counseling Center in May of 2023. He is a therapist in the Roosevelt office. He received his bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science with an Emphasis in Psychology at Utah Valley University in 2019. He completed the local MSW program with Utah State University Uintah Basin Campus in August of 2023, earning his Master of Social Work Degree. Brian provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. He is a therapist in the Roosevelt office. His areas of interest include juvenile justice, homelessness and working with at-risk youth. He is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. Brian is currently accepting new clients.

Heather Wright, CSW, has been with Northeastern Counseling Center since August 2022. She is a therapist in the Vernal office. Her education includes a bachelor’s degree in Family Consumer Science and Human Development with an emphasis in Community Program and a minor in Sociology from Utah State University. Heather received her master’s in Social Work from Utah State University. She provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. Her clinical areas of interest include attachment, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. She is English speaking and provides services as a culturally trained provider. She is accepting new clients.

Rick Wright, LCSW, joined Northeastern Counseling Center as a therapist in the Vernal office in 2016. He provides mental health and substance abuse assessments, treatment and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. Previously, Rick has worked at the Utah State Hospital, for the Division of Services for People with Disabilities, for the Division of Child and Family Services, as well at St. Mark’s Hospital. Rick’s clinical interests include trauma, attachment, and addiction. Rick incorporates a variety of techniques, like CBT, TF-CBT, EMDR, and Motivational Interviewing to create a client-specific intervention to address client-specific needs. Rick received his Bachelor’s Degree from UVSC in Behavioral Science, with an emphasis in Social Work and his Masters of Social Work from the University of Utah. Rick speaks both English and Spanish, has been culturally trained and is accepting new patients.