Learn About Our Practice and Meet our Team

Learn About the Empowered Me Team

Serving Salt Lake City and Surrounding Areas
Current Locations in Murray & Downtown Salt Lake City

Both Locations – Downtown and Murray

Availability:

Ann Stacy is accepting clients at the Murray office or over telehealth.

  • Monday through Thursday (Call to verify available times)

You can also schedule a 20min video consult.

Anne Stacy LCSW

“There are 3 ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way

is to be kind” – Fred Rogers

I’ve wanted to help people for as long as I can remember, but my path to becoming a therapist took shape in high school, when I became curious about why families function the way they do and why people feel the way they feel—especially growing up in an environment where many issues went unspoken. I wanted to understand families, support healing, and help people navigate challenges in ways that foster connection and hope. My own experiences raising children as a single parent and facing challenges at home gave me a deep empathy for families and individuals navigating complex situations.

I have over 25 years of experience, including working with children and families in the foster care system, collaborating with parents, foster families, schools, and agencies to support reunification and build strong support networks. I work with families, teens, children ages 6–12, adults, couples, and seniors to improve family functioning, support parents, and address challenges like ADHD, ODD, DMDD, executive functioning difficulties, anxiety, depression, stress, anger, and relationship struggles.

What sets my work apart is how I build genuine rapport, adapt therapy to each person or family, and create a calm, supportive space where you can be yourself. We focus on meaningful goals, small steps that build confidence, and practical tools—sometimes even family games—to share feelings, build empathy, and remind everyone that no one is perfect—and that’s okay.

Outside the therapy room, I love being outdoors—hiking, backpacking, canyoneering, running, and camping. I’ve climbed Half Dome and the Grand Teton, recently backpacked trails like The Lost Coast and Teton Crest, and enjoy visiting my grown sons. I live with my partner and our two cats, and yes—I can hula hoop (and have even won contests!).

Insurance/Payment:

We take many insurance and EAP providers.

Our Downtown Location

Availability:

Michael is accepting clients at the Downtown office or over telehealth.

  • Monday through Thursday 10am-6pm
  • Saturday 10am-2pm

You can also schedule a 20min video consult.

Michael Colen CSW

Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. — Paraphrased moment from, Forrest Gump

I’m drawn to this quote because many of the thoughts and patterns we carry were formed during moments when we were simply responding to what life handed us. Therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of those patterns, and decide what’s still serving you — and what’s ready to change.

I take a collaborative, practical approach to therapy focused on understanding what’s happening and exploring options that may not have been considered before. I believe change happens incrementally, and that progress often comes from building awareness and making small, sustainable shifts over time.

I offer a nonjudgmental space where belief systems, identity, and personal values aren’t the focus — healing is. My role isn’t to tell you what to do, but to offer perspective, ideas, and suggestions that you can adapt in ways that fit your life.

Clients often describe me as approachable, genuine, and easy to talk to. I bring steady, adaptable energy into the room, explain things in a relatable way, and welcome humor when it helps create connection and ease.

My path to becoming a clinician was shaped by a lifelong desire to help others and over a decade of experience working in adaptive and supportive roles. As a snowboard instructor, I specialized in working with the Wounded Warrior Project, supporting veterans with below-knee amputations and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), as well as individuals with non-verbal and special needs. These experiences taught me how to meet people where they are, adapt in real time, and focus on what’s possible rather than what’s missing.

I work with adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, life transitions, and suicidal ideation, and I support couples, families, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. My approach is integrative and adaptable, drawing from CBT, DBT, ACT, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and IFS-informed work. I continue to expand my training to provide thoughtful, up-to-date care.

Outside the therapy room, I stay grounded through creative expression and movement — you’ll often find me DJing, on the dance floor, riding my e-bike, or snowboarding.

Insurance/Payment:

We take many insurance and EAP providers.

Availability:

Erik is accepting clients at the Downtown office or over telehealth.

  • Monday through Friday
  • Alternating Saturdays

Erik Chiavola-Larson

“Being human is not about being any one particular way; it is about being as life creates you –with your own particular strengths and weaknesses, gifts and challenges, quirks and oddities.”— Kristin Neff

Hello, I’m Erik, I’m licensed as an Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor for adults and couples.

Life can be complex and overwhelming — and even when we know the direction we want to go, getting there is rarely straightforward. Wherever you are in your journey, I strive to make therapy a space that is adaptive, supportive, and uniquely yours — a place to step back, gain clarity, and feel truly supported not only in finding your path, but in feeling empowered to take each step.

It is my passion as a therapist to lead with respect, curiosity, and warmth as we develop a deeper understanding of your experience — one that honors the unique complexities of your life. Together, we will use that understanding to compassionately and strategically build a plan that truly meets your needs and supports each next step on your path to wellness.

My desire to become a therapist goes back as far as I can remember. Throughout my life, I’ve always leaned in to support others when they are navigating hardships, crises, emotional pain, feeling outcast or misunderstood, or simply needing an empathetic presence. I’ve consistently found myself most connected to who I am at my core when I’m able to calmly and helpfully show up for others during difficult moments.

I believe therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and I approach each client with that understanding. Drawing from a psychodynamic-experiential foundation, I incorporate evidence-based techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, mindfulness, and self-compassion to create a plan thoughtfully tailored to your needs and goals. I work with adults and couples of all backgrounds, orientations, genders, and identities, supporting people through life transitions, grief, stress, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, trauma, neurodivergence, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, or the general feeling that something in life needs to change. Wherever you are in your journey, it would be my honor to welcome you into a space that respects your identity, culture, and lived experience while guiding you toward greater well-being.

I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University. Finding the right therapist is an important decision, and I’d love to help you with your journey.

Insurance/Payment:

We take many insurance and EAP providers

Our Murray Location

Availability:

Ysabelle is accepting clients at the Murray office or over telehealth.

  • Monday through Friday

You can also schedule a 20min video consult.

Ysa Stepp CSW

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” Brene Brown

I have always felt most connected to myself and the world through listening to others and truly hearing their stories—a value that has guided me since childhood. At the heart of my work as a therapist is a deep care for people, self-expression, and the healing that can happen through authentic, compassionate connection. I believe that having a safe, supportive space to explore your inner world and process emotions is an important part of learning how to care for and accept yourself.

I bring kindness, empathy, curiosity, authenticity, and humor into the therapy space. My goal is to offer a warm, nonjudgmental environment where you can feel comfortable showing up as you are. I strive to be understanding and genuine, while also maintaining clear boundaries and professionalism so that therapy feels both safe and grounding.

I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, grief, attachment wounds, faith transitions, and trauma. I aim to provide a steady, supportive presence as we work together to better understand your experiences and move toward healing at a pace that feels right for you. My approach is collaborative and tailored to each individual, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).

I am especially passionate about working with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ clients and am deeply committed to advocacy, equality, and social justice. I strive to offer affirming, culturally responsive care that honors your identity, lived experiences, and resilience, while also acknowledging the impact of systemic and societal stressors. I enjoy supporting teens and adults across diverse backgrounds and identities, including LGBTQ+ individuals.

My professional background includes work in Partial Hospitalization Programs, group facilitation, family therapy, and supporting high-risk youth. I earned my master’s degree in Social Work with a mental health focus from the University of Utah.

Outside of therapy, I find passion in the expressive arts—especially visual art, singing, and songwriting. I love spending time outdoors, cooking, and being with the people I care about. I’m also a big animal lover and a singer-songwriter in a band.

Insurance/Payment:

We take many insurance and EAP providers.

Availability:

Brandon is accepting clients at the Murray office or over telehealth.

Monday through Friday (Call to verify available times)

Brandon Bunker CMHC – Clinical Director

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Hello, I’m Brandon, I don’t recall a single defining moment that led me to become a therapist—I’ve simply always had a big heart and a deep pull toward helping others. During college, I worked with adults with developmental disabilities, where I spent much of my time listening to the stressors and challenges they faced and needed support. What I learned was simple but powerful: people don’t always need perfect answers. They need authentic connection. They need to know someone is truly in their corner, rooting for them no matter what.

That belief was shaped even earlier in my life. At 13, my grandmother came to live with my family after strokes left her partially paralyzed. Helping care for her taught me the power of presence, patience, and compassion during vulnerable moments. Those experiences continue to guide how I show up for my clients today.

I am a relationally oriented therapist who creates a calm, safe space where you can be yourself. Clients often describe me as warm, easy to talk to, and genuinely present. Our work is collaborative and goal-focused, with regular check-ins to ensure therapy is meeting your needs. I tailor my approach using EMDR, Internal Family Systems, AEDP, Narrative Therapy, and expressive methods such as sand tray to help you process experiences, get unstuck, and reconnect with your strengths. At the core of my work is walking alongside you—so you feel supported, empowered, and less alone as you move forward.

I primarily work with adults and couples, with a strong emphasis on supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals. My areas of focus include trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, relationship and attachment wounds, life transitions, ADHD, grief, stress, and work or school challenges.

I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness from New York University, along with a Bachelor’s degree in General Deaf Studies. I am currently completing a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Outside the therapy room, I stay grounded through reading, creative arts, cooking and baking, time with loved ones, and the occasional Spartan race. If you’re looking for a therapist who is caring, calming, and unapologetically authentic, I would be honored to walk alongside you.

Insurance/Payment:

We take many insurance and EAP providers.

Availability:

Carra is accepting clients at the Murray office or over telehealth.

  • Monday through Thursday (Call to verify available times

Carra Ward CMHC

“I don’t believe people want to be fixed, but genuinely need to be heard.”

Hi, I’m Carra, a licensed therapist in Murray, Utah. I believe you don’t have to have it all figured out to begin healing. Life can feel overwhelming, especially when anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, or major life transitions leave you feeling stuck or unsure of your next step.

I’ve always known I wanted to be a therapist. When I was young, my dad asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and without hesitation, I said “a therapist. ” Over the years, life has taken me on a journey that shaped how I show up for others and deepened my desire to be present, listen, and honor people’s stories.

At the heart of my work is the belief that you are the expert of your own journey. My role isn’t to “fix” you—it’s to walk alongside you, offering tools, insight, and support as we collaborate toward growth, healing, and clarity. Therapy works best as a shared experience, grounded in trust, respect, and authenticity.

I have experience in inpatient and outpatient settings and work with individuals, couples, and families (including parents supporting teens). I support clients navigating trauma, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, substance use, grief, suicidal ideation, and relationship challenges. Every professional role and life experience informs the approach I bring to therapy. I prioritize strong boundaries, emotional safety, and meeting each client exactly where they are.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Social Sciences with a minor in Psychology from Boise State University and my Master’s in Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and being outdoors—practices that help me stay grounded and present.

If you’re ready to take the next step, you don’t have to do it alone. I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

Insurance/Payment:

We take many insurance and EAP providers

At Empowered Me Counseling Centers We Are Here For You!

Take the first step towards a happier, healthier you. Empowered Me Counseling Centers provides a supportive and empowering space to overcome challenges and create the life you deserve.

We’ll work together to unlock your inner strength and build a foundation for lasting well-being.

Schedule your free 20-minute consultation today: 801.317.1950

MODALITIES:

  • Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Mindfulness
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT)
  • Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • IFS “Parts Work”
  • Sand Tray and Play Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Acceptance Therapy (DBT))
  • Somatic
  • Narrative
  • Art Therapy

SPECIALTIES:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship Issues
  • Self-esteem, Trauma
  • Couples Counseling
  • LGBTQ+ Ally / Issues

We are Looking for Clinicians to be part of Empowered Me Counseling Centers Family

Are you passionate about providing exceptional client care? At Empowered Me Counseling Centers, you’ll have the support and resources to do just that. We’re building a team of dedicated clinicians who are committed to making a positive impact. Join a welcoming and collaborative environment where your contributions are valued.

Our team members, clients, and vendors are all part of our “Ohana.”

 We are NOT a “factory shop” where the doors are always closed and you never speak with your coworkers. We prefer to pay our Full-Time clinicians a salary with holidays and so much more.

Note:  We do pay Part-time for session time plus documentation time and can hire some Full-Time using the same method.

Association For Play Therapy
LGBTQ Affirmative Guild of Utah