Board of Directors

Kelly Nesbit

Kelly Furr, LMFT

President, Midlothian, VA Term expires Dec. 2024. Kelly Furr, (she/her/hers), is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Arizona, North Carolina, Utah, Florida, and Virginia, and owns her own teletherapy practice. Her area of clinical expertise is working with athletes and clients with a Mormon background on issues related to perfectionism. She received her master's degree in Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2017. Kelly is working towards a PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has a BS from Brigham Young University in Special Education. Kelly has a deep interest in discussing and thinking about the intersection of mental health issues and all things Mormon.

Marty Erickson

Marty Erickson, PhD, LMFT

Past President, Orem, UT Term expires Dec. 2023. Marty Erickson, (he/him/his), received a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iowa State University. He is the founder and works as a therapist at Progressive Paths Therapy in Orem, Utah. He also works part time as an adjunct faculty member of BYU Counseling and Psychological Services. From 2003-2006 he helped re-create the NDSU Couple and Family Therapy program to a program founded on feminist social justice training in CFT. He specializes in Mormon faith crises/ transitions/ awakenings for individuals and couples, couples/marriage therapy, sex therapy, premarital therapy, out of control and problematic sexual behavior for individuals and couples, healing from trauma/abuse, adult development, family therapy, and social justice-informed therapy (race, class, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, ability, etc. and intersectionalities). He is a member of the LGBTQ Affirmative Therapists Guild of Utah.

Kenny

Kenny Allred, LMFT

Secretary, Chandler Heights, AZ Term expires Dec. 2025. Kenny Allred, (he/him/his) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Arizona. He received a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Southern Mississippi. Kenny has worked in a variety of settings within the behavioral health field, including supporting children and families in an outpatient community-based clinic, an intensive in-home family therapy program, as a clinical supervisor, and as a university adjunct instructor. He currently has an online private practice serving clients throughout Arizona, focusing on faith shifts/transitions and other issues related to spirituality and well-being, relational health, and stress and trauma. Kenny has a keen interest in the intersections of spirituality and emotional, mental, relational health and is passionate about the role of relationship as a vehicle for growth, bridge-building, and healing

Jessica Stringfield

Jessica Stringfield, LPC, LCSW

Treasurer, San Angelo, TX Term expires Dec. 2025. Jessica, (she/her/hers), is a sex therapist who specializes in trauma, sexual issues, military, & addiction. She is a social nerd, lifelong Air Force dependent, and very active in her community. Jessica is passionate about helping others gain insight into the internal suffering that can lead to external problems; While encouraging clients to practice newly discovered information both inside & outside their therapeutic sessions.Jessica is an experienced clinical counselor, advocate, & educator. She has earned several degrees including an MA in Counseling and a Master in Social Work. Jessica also completed additional graduate-level education on Sexuality, Chemical Dependency, and Criminal Justice. Jessica is licensed in Texas, New Mexico, Georgia, and South Carolina and is a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Jessica, her active duty spouse, and child, live in San Angelo, TX. She currently is in private practice, where she provides counseling, supervision, and education/training.

Jen White

Jennifer White, LCSW

Board Member at Large Lehi, UT, Jennifer White, (she/her/hers), is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been employed professionally in the mental health field since 2005. Term expires Dec 2023. She is proficient in helping adolescents, adults, and couples. She is well known for creating a safe environment where clients share without the fear of being judged. Jennifer has a gift to help clients achieve their highest potential. Jennifer enjoys being committed to the therapeutic process and is passionate about supporting her clients to heal, grow, and learn. She has a great love for people and respects different perspectives and cultural experiences. Jennifer received a Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science at Utah Valley University and a Masters Degree in Social Work at Brigham Young University. She specializes in Depression, Anxiety, Sexuality Concerns, Couple Concerns, Trauma, Relationship Dynamics, Faith Transitions/Journeys, LGBTQ+ Affirming Services, Grief, and Perfectionism.

Alyssa Palty

Alyssa Palty, LPC, MC

Board Member at Large, Phoenix, AZ Term expires Dec. 2024. Alyssa Palty, (she/her/hers), is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Masters in Counseling from Arizona State University. Alyssa has vast experience in multiple settings including community behavioral health clinics, working with DCS and families in the foster care system, outpatient adults, IOP, SOP, group work, and individuals. Alyssa founded and runs her own private practice addressing needs of clients in Arizona and Colorado that focuses primarily on queer folks, faith transitions, and neurodivergent folks. Alyssa also started and runs a NeuroQueer consultation group collaborating with other professionals.

Robert Allred

Robert P. Allred, Phd

Board Member at Large, Kent, Washington Term expires Dec. 2024. Robert Allred (he/him) received his PhD in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University and is a licensed psychologist in the State of Washington. He works for an FQHC in the greater Seattle area as a Behavioral Health Consultant in a primary care medical setting (PCBH model) and as the Behavioral Health Education Program Director overseeing his agency's APA-accredited psychology internship and post-doctoral residency programs. He received his Bachelor's Degree in behavioral science with psychology emphasis from Utah Valley University. His clinical interests include gender-affirming care, trauma, substance use disorders, and the intersection of faith and healthcare.

Pam Barela

Pam Barela, Marriage and Family Therapist Registered Associate

Student/ Associate Licensed Board Representative, Astoria, OR Term expires Dec.2024 Pam Barela, (she/her/hers), is a private practice Marriage and Family Therapist, currently working toward full licensure while being provisionally licensed in Oregon and Utah. Pam holds a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University, as well as undergraduate degrees in Marriage and Family Studies and International Business. Pam expects to finish her dissertation in the spring of 2023, to complete a PhD in Clinical Sexology which discusses the intersection of religion with sexual shame, misogyny, purity culture, and gender roles. Pam primarily sees people struggling with gender, sexuality, trauma, or religion. In addition to her clinical work, Pam is passionate about building a supportive network for student and associate therapists. In her free time, Pam loves cooking, camping, traveling, and a good Netflix binge. She is a wife, mother to a busy teenage girl, and dog-mom to 2 Golden Retriever's and one red Standard Poodle.

Natasha

Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS

Founder, Holladay, UT Natasha Helfer, (she/her/hers), is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist through AASECT, and a Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor. She has been providing therapy services since 2000 and is the founder and therapist at Symmetry Solutions. She has served as President of the KS chapter of AAMFT and on the board of the Open Stories Foundation. She has been a presenter on Mormon themed topics such as sexuality, sexual health, cultural sensitivity and competence, and faith transition at several national professional conferences. She also hosts the Mormon Mental Health Podcast, writes the Mormon Therapist Blog, and runs Mormon Sex Info. Natasha received her BS in psychology from Brigham Young University and her MS in Marriage & Family Therapy from Friends University.