Meet Our Staff

Sunray Family Counseling employees specialized trained clinicians. All of our therapists have a background in play therapy, trauma-focused modalities such as EMDR, and other empirically-based modalities.

ADMINISTRATION

Executive Director

Rachel Allen, LCSW, RPT-S

Rachel Allen received her bachelor’s degree from the California State University, Fullerton in sociology with an emphasis in social work. She also holds a Master of Social Work degree from BYU. Rachel is an LCSW. She’s the founder and owner of Sunray Family Counseling (formerly The Journey’s Counseling Center: Sanpete). Rachel has had extensive training in Play Therapy and trauma. She believes strongly in using experiential activities such as art, sand tray, nature, and the like to encourage growth and healing. Rachel is a RPT-S (register play therapy supervisor) and has hundreds of hours of experience working with children and supervision to provide specialized care. Rachel has also completed the basic training for EMDR and advanced courses in its application to children. She’s passionate about creating a safe place where people can feel respected and receive quality care. Rachel loves spending time with her husband, 3 daughters, and dog, Hero. She enjoys participating in most outdoor activities, traveling, yoga, and eating baked desserts.

Operations Director

Chris Allen, LMFT, CSAT

Chris is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). He received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science and outdoor recreation from Utah Valley University, followed by a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Argosy University. Chris has over 15 years of experience working in therapeutic programs. He has completed EMDR basic training and is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (CSAT) in training. Chris uses his background in experiential learning models to help his clients feel empowered to create lasting changes in their lives. Chris is the proud father of 3 daughters and loves spending time with them and his wonderful wife.

Clinical Director

Maggi Leavitt, LMFT, RPT-S

Maggi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and has extensive training in Child-Centered Play Therapy, EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, eating disorders, and Trauma-focused CBT. Maggi specializes in trauma recovery and keeps a safe environment for clients to heal. Maggi is passionate about her clients’ comfort and security and believes every person has infinite worth and value. She loves to help clients express themselves through art, play, writing, and many other experiential mediums. Maggi is a native of Sanpete County and understands the needs of the people she serves. She’s involved in many community programs and is currently serving with the Friends of the Sanpete County Children’s Justice Center. Maggi loves to learn and always looks for ways to better her practice. She’s a huge fan of Brene Brown and tries to utilize Brene’s teachings in her therapy and personal life

Ephraim Clinic

Sarah Allen, CMHC

Sarah graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors of Socio-cultural Anthropology and is completing her Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling internship through Argosy University. Raised in New England, Sarah has lived in India, Samoa, and Hawaii, but calls Utah her home. She has experience in working with children with disabilities, wilderness therapy, and ropes course facilitation. Sarah has training in child-centered Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and creative therapy modalities. She’s excited about working with children, adolescents, and their families. Her goal is to connect, validate, empower, and foster resilience in her clients. In her favorite moments, you can find Sarah building pillow forts with her children, exploring new places, eating imported cheeses, or kayaking down the river with her sweet husband.

Sariah Hunt, LMFT

Sariah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and received her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. She’s a Sanpete native who graduated from Manti High School and Snow College. Sariah has previous experience as a victim’s advocate working with crime victims, specializing in intimate partner violence and sexual violence. She also has experience working with rural communities while working for the state of Utah through Workforce Services. Her theoretical framework focuses on experiential interventions, systemic work, and attachment theory. Sariah is EMDR trained and certified to work with Domestic Violence and trauma work. She has a love for learning in all fields of life, but especially while working with her clients through their healing process. Sariah loves to spend time with her husband and 3 children. She enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and is always tentatively training for a half marathon.

Heidi Kimball Rodriguez, LCSW

Heidi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who received her Bachelors in Sociology with a Certification in Addictions Counseling back in 1985. She completed her Masters in Social Work from the University of Utah in 1994. With over 30 years of experience, she has worked with nearly every population in multiple settings in various areas of the country, with most of her career based in Utah. Heidi believes every individual has the natural capacity toward growth as they connect with their own inner healer. Heidi firmly believes in the therapeutic principles of unconditional positive regard for every individual and the client’s right to self-determination. She has significant experience with addiction recovery, mood disorders, personality issues, grief, anxiety disorders, severe mental illness, adjustment disorders, women’s issues, family work, and healing unresolved trauma. She enjoys using creativity in treatment through Expressive Arts, Jungian techniques, and various types of experiential interventions.

Heidi Josephson, CSW

Heidi received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University. She gained 2 years of experience working with substance abuse and behavioral issues before completing her Master of Clinical Social Work (CSW) at Brigham Young University. Heidi has experience doing ABA therapy with autistic children and CBT with severe mental health diagnoses. She believes that all people have inherent self-worth, and trials or traumas can transform into unique strengths through dedicated therapeutic healing. Heidi loves spending time with her young children and her husband. She enjoys cooking, baking, music, boating, and traveling. Heidi has lived in China and Thailand and is always hunting down the most authentic, spicy Thai food!

Karin Miller, LCSW

Karin graduated from the University of Phoenix with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and earned her Master of Clinical Social Work (CSW) from Simmons College. She has 5+ years of experience in the mental health field. Her approach to therapy is to meet the client where they are, create an environment of safety, and to facilitate the process of exploration, healing, and growth. Karin has clinical experience working with individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, and trauma. She believes that all individuals possess the answers they need for their lives and that therapy can provide the tools and the healing necessary to identify what they are. She strives to inspire individuals to step into their worth, connect with themselves, others, and the world, and then embrace their authenticity with confidence. Karin has advanced training in EMDR therapy, child-centered Play Therapy, CBT, solution-focused, experiential, and other modalities. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her grown children and husband, experiencing the outdoors, and learning.

Payson Clinic

Dorothy Simister, LCSW

Dorothy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Utah Valley University, then later earned her Master of Clinical Social Work degree at BYU. Dorothy grew up in the Northwest before traveling and living all over the United States. Her most recent move brought her from Germany to Utah, where she lives with her two teenagers, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and Siamese cats. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in various treating settings—and she’s excited to join the Sunray Family Counseling team. Dorothy has training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy, Solution-focused, and Strengths-based, along with other treatment modalities centered on the client’s individual treatment needs. She has 7 years of experience working with underserved and diverse populations with an emphasis in autism. Dorothy’s love of clinical work began through a healing and self-discovery journey of her own, which serves to help her clients in their unique healing processes. As part of her regular self-care, she enjoys exploring and spending time with her loved ones, immersing herself in nature, and sipping hot chai.

Linsey Keller, CSW

Linsey received her Master of Social Work from Arizona State University and is a Certified Social Worker (CSW). She has worked in mental health for 8 years, focusing on children, adolescents, and families. Linsey has experience working with victims of trauma and abuse, as well as those with autism and other developmental concerns. Linsey is passionate about learning—especially when it has to do with relationships and resiliency. She enjoys painting, sculpting with polymer clay, and other creative pursuits (especially the messy ones). Linsey loves attending farmers markets, being outside, and spending time with family and her dog, Luna.

Richfield Clinic

Colton Jones, CSW

Colton earned his bachelor’s degree in Family Consumer and Human Development at Utah State University. He later received his Master of Clinical Social Work degree from the University of Southern California. Colton enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults and strongly believes in the impact and importance of familial relationships. He finds fulfillment in the process of engaging with other people and building a therapeutic alliance. Colton has completed training for EMDR and has also studied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Child-centered Play Therapy. He also plans to continue the process of achieving certification and mastery of these modalities and others. Having grown up in Sevier county, Colton is grateful to be back in the area with his wife and twin daughters.

Cedar City Clinic

Sarah Cowley, LCMHC

Sarah completed her bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology at Southern Utah University and earned her Master of Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. Sarah has experience working with people with disabilities, adolescents, foster children, and other community-based mental health programs. Sarah has nearly 10 years of experience counseling young adolescents and their families. She’s passionate about helping youth feel empowered and confident. Sarah has extensive experience treating individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-injurious behaviors, and attachment issues. She’s trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Dialectic Behavioral Therapy. Sarah likes to utilize Play Therapy, sand tray, and other experiential activities to help clients find growth and healing. Sarah loves living in Southern Utah with her daughter. She never misses a chance to enjoy the beautiful landscape and finds inspiration from getting outside.

Nateasa McGuire, LCSW

Nateasa McGuire earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and ethics and public policy. She has also received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. Nateasa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Equine Assisted Counseling (EAC), and other treatment modalities. She uses a strengths-based perspective, is resiliency focused, and trauma-informed. Nateasa has substantial experience working with adolescents and their families and is skilled with creative and playful therapeutic interventions. Her clinical focus is on attachment, trauma, grief, and identity. She has clinical experience with depression, anxiety, abuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, family conflict, substance abuse, emotional and behavioral dysregulation, and low esteem. Nateasa loves running, letter-writing, comics, and coffee. While she’s a midwesterner at heart, Nateasa is happy to reside among the mountains with her goof-ball pup.