Meet Your UAMFT Board of Directors
Tony Alonzo, DMFT, LMFT
UAMFT President
Tony Alonzo is originally from Los Angeles, CA. He is currently the owner of Crossroads Therapeutic Services and enjoys assisting individuals, couples, and families as they work towards change. He received his master’s degree from Brigham Young University, and his doctorate from Loma Linda University. He has been privileged to work in a wide variety of professional settings, and appreciates the opportunities to learn from his clients over the last 20+ years as an MFT. When not working, he can be found playing guitar, hosting board game nights, and painting miniatures.
Michael Negrette, PhD, LMFT
UAMFT President Elect
In my professional world, I have a master’s degree from Syracuse University and a PhD from Texas Tech University, both in the field of Marriage & Family Therapy. I’ve worked in diverse clinical settings such as community mental health, Utah State’s office of Adult Protective Services and for the past 20 years, I’ve grown and maintained a private group therapy practice with offices in Kaysville and Spanish Fork. In addition to clinical work, I’ve been teaching in higher education for 25 years at a number of academic institutions including Texas Tech University, Argosy University, University of Phoenix and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Most recently, I joined the faculty ranks at Capella University in the Marriage & Family Therapy Program. I’ve been heavily involved in academic research and publishing in peer reviewed journals as well as presented at dozens of state and national conferences on topics of how therapists in clinical practice use communication technology, self-of-the-therapist issues, multiculturalism/diversity, postmodernism, and sex therapy. Most recently, I co-authored a book chapter on the topic of artificial intelligence and youth which is in press. And lastly, I have previous board experience as I served a three year term as President of the Texas Student Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
In my personal world I am married with 6 children. We are an active family so there is always something going on. We are huge REAL Salt Lake soccer fans and have been season ticket holders for many years. Other interests include being quite the foodie, being an avid reader (I’m always reading something fun…my self-care!), playing tennis, and we love travel and road trips.
Lauren Barnes, PhD, LMFT
UAMFT Past President
Lauren Barnes grew up in Washington and Oregon. Dr. Barnes is currently the Director of Clinical Training and an Associate Clinical Professor for BYU’s MFT graduate program. She maintains a small private practice where she primarily works with individuals struggling with body image, disordered eating, and other comorbidities. Prior to her fac
ulty appointment at BYU in 2013, she worked as a therapist at Center for Change. She is married to Aaron and they have two young children.
Spencer Donovan, LMFT
UAMFT Treasurer
valiantendeavorscounseling@gmail.com
Hey UAMFT Members! My name is Spencer Donovan and I'm excited to be the Treasurer for our organization. I grew up in Northern Virginia but Utah has always held a special place in my heart as my parents both grew up in Northern Utah and we would make summer road trips back to see family and friends here in Utah frequently. I finished my bachelors degree in Psychology at Utah State University in 2013 and then my wife and I moved our little family to Hattiesburg Mississippi where I completed my Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2015. I moved our slightly bigger family back to Utah and we settled in Roosevelt where I worked at Northeastern Counseling Center for nearly six years before I started my private practice in July 2021. My wife and I have been married for almost 14 years and we have 6 kids- ages 12 to 2 years old. I've served in our local soccer league for the past several years as a coach, board member, and recreation league committee member helping to boost volunteer involvement, coaching, and local sponsorship. I'm excited to be more involved with UAMFT to support each of you as we work together in improving our services to our clients and advancing our profession..png)
Dr. Megan Story Chavez (she/her), PhD, LMFT
UAMFT Secretary
Megan is happy to be back in Utah after pursuing career opportunities in other states. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the MFT program at Utah Valley University and loves interacting with the students at her alma mater. Her research focuses on the biopsychosocial-spiritual framework and she is currently working with students to complete a qualitative study on resiliency in mixed-faith couples. She has specialized training in Medical Family Therapy and has worked clinically in Utah, Texas, & Nebraska. In addition to her role as a professor, she works as a therapist at Progressive Paths Therapy in Orem. She specializes in working with interracial and interfaith couples as well as emerging adults with depression, anxiety, gender and sexual identity challenges, and relationship issues. Megan and her husband, Joel have two toddlers that keep them busy
Dr. Kayla Mennenga, PhD, LMFT
Board Member & Continuing Education Chair
Kayla grew up in Waco, Texas but calls Utah home. She is currently the Co-Owner and Clinical Director of Grace Therapy & Healing in Provo. She received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University and her PhD from Brigham Young University. Kayla has a strong background in working with pre-marital couples and couples who are working through betrayal and trust issues. Outside of therapy, Kayla loves sitting by a fire, practicing the piano, and enjoys a little adrenaline rush.
Vjollca Martinson, PhD, LMFT, MBA
Board Member & Membership Chair
martinsonv4@gmail.com
Vjollca Martinson, Ph.D., LMFT, MBA is a successful therapist, author, presenter, instructor, and leader, with over two decades of successful experience. Her passion for the profession of marriage and family therapy is evident in her dedication to advancing the profession as a vital and respected discipline. Vjollca has mentored countless therapists through teaching graduate courses, providing supervision, and sharing her expertise in various professional presentations. Her focus has been on empowering therapists to develop professionally, excel in their practice, and make meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families served. As an accomplished leader, Vjollca is known for her dedication in fostering a culture of inclusion, clarity, and inspiration. Vjollca is committed to enhancing the UAMFT's outreach, ensuring that members continue to grow and thrive. She actively promotes professional development, advocates for the MFT field, and creates opportunities for collaboration and connection among members.
In her spare time, Vjollca enjoys hiking, swimming, playing tennis, cultivating a variety of plants and flowers, taking long walks with her loyal Golden Retriever, and most importantly, spending time with her family.
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Clarissa Mace, LMFT
Board Member & Media and Communications Chair
clarissa@utahtherapyclinic.com
With seven years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and three and a half years as the owner and director of the Utah Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic PLLC, Clarissa brings a wealth of clinical expertise and leadership to her work. She is trained as a clinical supervisor and is currently pursuing AASECT certification, with a long-term goal of obtaining a Ph.D. in a related field.
In addition to her clinical work, Clarissa is a seasoned content creator and communicator. She has co-hosted two podcasts focused on couples therapy and mental health, actively contributing to public education on these topics. On Instagram, she has shared over 140 posts, and on TikTok, she has created 105 pieces of content—spanning written, audio, and video formats—to engage and educate a wide audience. Clarissa is also proficient in digital tools like Adobe Suite, Canva, Capcut, and ProCreate, allowing her to produce high-quality, impactful content.
Clinically, Clarissa specializes in several evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, Narrative Family Therapy, and Structural Family Therapy. Her passion for mental health and family therapy, combined with her communication skills and digital media expertise, make her an ideal candidate for the Communications Chair of UAMFT. She is eager to support the organization's mission by promoting public awareness, fostering community engagement, and enhancing the visibility of marriage and family therapy in Utah.
Jennifer Peterson (she/her), LMFT
Board Member & Conference Chair
jennifer@gracetherapy.com
Jennifer Peterson (she/her) received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University, and currently works as a full-time clinician at Grace Therapy & Healing in Provo. She feels passionate about trauma-informed therapeutic interventions, preventing clinician burnout, and empowering clients to be more attuned to their somatic experience. When Jennifer isn’t helping clients, she enjoys being in the water, learning new and exciting recipes, analyzing relationships on dating shows, and spending time with her husband Jake. She is currently serving on the UAMFT board as Conference Chair.
Sarah Stroup, LMFT, RPT-S
Legislative Chair
sarah@monarchfamilycounseling.com
Sarah Stroup is a licensed marriage and family therapist, Utah state approved supervisor, and registered play therapist supervisor. She owns Monarch Family Counseling and is the co-founder of the Monarch Training Center. Sarah specializes in working with attachment through the lifespan and has a particular passion for working with trauma, kids, women, and first responders/military. She is also passionate about legislative issues as they relate to mental health and has a strong desire to protect our field, protect consumers, and ensure that her colleagues across the behavioral health spectrum are aware of how legislative items impact our ability to care for clients and provide quality therapeutic services.
When not at work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out with her dogs, crafting, and watching soccer.
Liza Telford, LMFT
Election Chair
lbtelford3@gmail.com
Liza studied at Argosy University and received her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from North Central University. She owns a private practice in Layton as an affiliate of the Aspire Counseling Network, where she is also a co-owner and Executive Board Member. She attributes her enthusiasm for the work she does in our field to the insights and tools gained through doing her own therapeutic work. She is passionate about helping individuals, couples and families navigate life's challenges.
Liza is a seasoned board and committee member having served on The Road Home annual Chili Affair event, the Aspire Network of mental health companies board of directors, and the Morgan Schools Community Council. Liza is at her best in a collaborative environment where clarity of communication and consensus drive organizational objectives.
She enjoys anything that involves spending time in the sun with her family and friends...on a mountain or a beach! She loves good food (sushi), mountain biking, hiking, reading, shopping, surfing, skiing, and traveling. She also loves to watch live theater (particularly Broadway musicals) and just about any type of dance.
UAMFT Advisors
Thomas Yeung, LAMFT
Associate Board Advisor
Kendra Johnson, MFTi
Student Advisor to the Board
johnson.kendra11@gmail.com
UAMFT Staff
Celeste Esplin (she/her), LAMFT
Executive Director UAMFT
uamftadmin@gmail.comCeleste Esplin works in a group private practice at Arcadia Counseling in Lindon. She especially loves working with teens, couples, and women's issues. Before graduating from BYU (go Cougs!), Celeste grew up on a dairy farm in rural Idaho, surrounded by potato fields, family, and cows. When not seeing clients, she enjoys a good show on Netflix, shopping at thrift stores, baking, piano, sewing, games, her dog Este, and all forms of potatoes.
If you are interested in serving on a committee or running for an elected board position, please email uamftadmin@gmail.com