Our Team

Dr. Leifker is Co-Director of the BHIDC and a licensed psychologist at the University of Utah who received her PhD in clinical psychology from the Pennsylvania State University. She greatly enjoys supervising trainees seeing patients in the clinic. Clinically, she specializes in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and is a certified provider of Cognitive Processing Therapy, one of the leading treatments for PTSD. She is also trained in Prolonged Exposure therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD – a treatment for couples where one partner has PTSD and the couple wants to unite to reduce the symptoms of PTSD. She also has extensive experience treating anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, phobias and social anxiety. Additionally, Dr. Leifker is trained in couple therapy to reduce relationship distress. She frequently works with veterans and first responders. 

Dr. Baucom is Co-Director of the BHIDC, an Associate Professor of Clinical and Quantitative Psychology, and a licensed psychologist at the University of Utah. He received his PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles and did his postdoctoral work at the University of Southern California. Clinically, he specializes in working with couples, as well as with individuals in committed romantic relationships, who have concerns about their relationship, want to work together to address a medical or psychological condition, or are coping with distress associated with a life transition. He is trained in cognitive behavioral and integrative therapies for individuals and couples. Prior to his work at BHIDC, Dr. Baucom ran a small, pro bono couples clinic in the greater Salt Lake City area and had a private practice in Los Angeles.

Dr. Asnaani is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah. She  directs the Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, and Technology Innovations (TCT) lab, and she previously served as the Associate Director of the Center for Treatment and Study of Anxiety from 2017-2018, which is a world-renowned research powerhouse for OCD, PTSD and anxiety disorders at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Boston University, and her clinical expertise lies in the evidence-based treatment of PTSD, anxiety disorders, and OCD in a range of settings. Dr. Asnaani has directly treated several hundred patients using cognitive behavioral therapy over the past decade, and she has been the primary individual supervisor for over 30 therapists whom she has trained to treat a variety of mental health issues including anxiety/mood disorders, PTSD, substance use disorders, suicidality, and personality disorders. Dr. Asnaani has also been invited to deliver over 15 clinical workshops and trainings for hundreds of mental health professionals such as lay counselors, social workers, health advocates, and first responders, typically in the areas of recognizing and treating mental health dysfunction for providers in high schools/colleges, prison systems, community mental health programs, primary care settings, and graduate programs in clinical psychology both in the U.S. and elsewhere (e.g., Sweden, Japan, and the Caribbean).  

Abby joined BHIDC from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies. Abby manages the day-to-day operations at BHIDC, ensuring patients are receiving timely and appropriate care.  Additionally, Abby supports ongoing research projects at Dr. Brian Baucom's Close Lab and Sorenson Impact Center, both located at the University of Utah. She has a broad interest in the field of couples research, but more specifically is concerned with the influences of sexual health, communication style, and commitment versus satisfaction in relationships. Outside her work on campus, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, baking anything sweet, and is tentatively trying more outdoors activities.

Dr. Baucom is a licensed clinical psychologist (Utah # 8385115-2501) and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Utah. She received her PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her clinical specialties include behavioral couple therapy for relationship problems and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults with anxiety-related problems (e.g., panic, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and worry). She has extensive training in behavioral couple therapies, CBT, and acceptance-based therapies. Prior to her work at BHIDC, Dr. Baucom trained and supervised Clinical Psychology PhD students in individual adult CBT and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy for relationship distress. Dr. Baucom has held a number of positions in national organizations, including as Representative-at-Large on the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Board of Directors (2021-2024) and Member-at-Large on the Society for the Science of Clinical Psychology Board of Directors (2019-2020).

Kirsten is in her fourth year of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at the University of Utah. She is in the Clinical Child and Family specialty training track and works in the Utah Tic Lab, where she primarily conducts research on children and adolescents with tic disorders. Throughout her graduate training, Kirsten has gained experience providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to adults. Prior to coming to Utah, she worked with children diagnosed with developmental disabilities in an early skill acquisition program at the Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. 

Emily is a clinical doctoral student in the Clinical Child and Family Specialty Track at the University of Utah. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Georgia in 2016. After graduation, Emily worked for Rogers Behavioral Health- Nashville as a Behavior Specialist in the child and adolescent partial hospitalization program, primarily working with eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and anxiety. Clinically, she specializes in working with children and adolescences diagnosed with tic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and other anxiety disorders using behavioral and cognitive-behavioral strategies. Emily is passionate about helping kids and their parents learn effective tools to deal with struggles they may face. 

Stacey is a clinical doctoral student in the Clinical Neuropsychology track at the University of Utah, where she primarily conducts research on executive functioning and healthy aging. She received her BA in Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2017. Clinically, she specializes in working with individuals with depression and anxiety disorders and providing Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. 

Sommer Thorgusen is a licensed clinical psychologist (UT License# 9788408-2501) and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah. She is trained in psychological and neuropsychological assessment with adults. She earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Utah, completed a pre-doctoral internship at the New Mexico Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Albuquerque and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Seattle VAMC.  She teaches psychology and supervises clinical psychology trainees in psychological assessment. She is inspired by helping to train the next generation of psychologists and is grateful for the opportunity. She enjoys working with clients to explore and understand their concerns and identify resources to support their mental health and well-being. In her free time, Sommer enjoys engaging in family activities with her spouse and two young children, working in her garden and collecting nature treasures.

Dr. Cook is a psychologist specializing with police, firefighters, and other public safety personnel. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Utah and runs the Public Safety Specialty Clinic at the center. Dr. Cook's passion and clinical expertise is in trauma treatment and suicide prevention among first responders. She is also trained across a broad range of other psychological health concerns such as anxiety, depression, substance use, personality disorders, and more. The specialty clinic currently offers evidence-based, specialized mental health treatment for first responders. Additionally, Dr. Cook offers a variety of other services for police and fire departments including wellness trainings, command consultation, and critical incident stress debriefings. In 2023 the specialty clinic will begin offering fitness for duty evaluations, pre-employment psychological evaluations, and promotion evaluations for police and fire departments across Utah.

Sara began working with BHIDC during her final year in the master of social work program at the University of Utah. She loved the collaborative, educational environment so much so that she decided to stay. She has since joined the BHIDC team as a certified social worker (UT License# 12894956-3502), providing psychotherapy to BHIDC clients and supervision to the clinic's trainees. Sara views therapy as a collaborative process–the client is the expert on their lived experience and the therapist is drawing on that expertise to help each client achieve their treatment goals. She stays up to date on the latest treatment evidence and offers dynamic solutions designed for the unique needs of each client. In practice, Sara uses a psychodynamically informed approach while pulling skills from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention, Seperation-Individuation Theory (attachment), and somatic therapy. She greatly values the mind-body connection and enjoys supporting clients as they become present to their internal experiences in order to fully engage with life. Outside of practice, Sara enjoys connecting with nature through long adventures in the mountains on foot or bike.

Kimberley Johnson is a 6^th year clinical psychology doctoral student in the Clinical Health and Behavioral Medicine Specialty track at the University of Utah. She uses individualized evidence-based treatment to address anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms particularly as they intersect with physical health conditions and life transitions. She specializes in reproductive psychology, and is passionate about supporting the wellbeing of those navigating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, birth-related trauma, and pelvic floor injuries and conditions. When she's not working with clients or doing research, she loves spending time hiking, camping, and mountain biking with her family.

Kimberley supports ongoing research at the University of Utah's REST Lab. Learn more about the REST Lab's Website.

MaryJo is currently working towards her master’s degree in social work at the University of Utah. She completed her undergraduate degree in social work with a certificate in Substance Use Disorder Counseling. She has experience working with sexual assault survivors. MaryJo uses CBT principles in her practice. She values the importance of self-determination in therapeutic relationships. MaryJo enjoys painting and being outside in her free time.

Dr. Greene is a board certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner and assistant professor at the University of Utah. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with an emphasis in psychiatric-mental health from the University of Utah. She has extensive experience working in psychiatric nursing. She has worked with diverse populations in a variety of settings including adolescent/young adult residential treatment centers, general outpatient, women’s mental health, community mental health clinics, and non-profit organizations. Dr. Greene works with each client in a holistic and collaborative way to help restore feelings of well-being and stability. She offers individualized treatment plans by way of comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and ongoing medication management.

Kate is in her fourth year of the Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology at the University of Utah. She is in the Laboratory for Psychotherapy Science, where she conducts research on the psychotherapy process. Prior to arriving in Utah, Kate received her masters in clinical-counseling psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth where she worked in integrated behavioral health at a family medicine clinic. Since arriving in Utah, Kate has sought training opportunities in both individual therapy and cognitive/neuropsychological assessments, which has led to experience with a range of clinical presentations. Outside of school, Kate loves spending time with people she loves, getting outside, and doing crafts.

Xinyao “Xin” is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Utah. He earned his master’s degree in clinical psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. He has experience working with adults experiencing anxiety and depression. Xin values collaboration in his work with clients, and draws upon evidence-based treatments to offer individualized treatment plans. He is currently trained to provide cognitive behavioral therapy for individuals and couples. And he also considers the value of emotions and prior/current relationships to inform a holistic way of healing. Outside of practice, Xin enjoys reading, video games, instrumental music, and hiking. He is also picking up a new hobby of skiing.

Robyn Kilshaw is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Utah. Her research interests are focused on the individual and contextual factors that lead people to engage in risky behaviors  (e.g., substance use, self-harm, disordered eating) and the quantitative methods best suited for exploring these phenomena. Robyn has a long-time love affair with statistics and has quantitative training in general linear modeling, structural equation modeling--including test development using factor analysis, multilevel modeling, time series analysis, and meta-analysis. As an international student from the West Coast of Canada, Robyn is enjoying getting to explore Utah with her husband and toddler. 

Robert Warner is a postdoctoral fellow in quantitative methods for the Behavioral Health Innovation and Dissemination Center. His quantitative methods training includes general linear modeling, structural equation modeling, longitudinal analysis, and multilevel modeling. Robert is passionate about supporting researchers in their use of quantitative methods to answer theoretical and applied questions. Robert’s applied research focuses on youth development and wellbeing through out-of-school-time and employment experiences. When not working, Robert enjoys eating good food and adventuring with his wife and two young children.

See Dr. Warner's recent publications here.