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).

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.

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.

Sara is a certified social worker (UT License# 12894956-3502) who practices psychotherapy with individuals and couples at the Behavioral Health Innovation & Dissemination Center. She is an adjunct professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Utah School of Medicine where she teaches psychodynamic case formulation and provides residents with clinical supervision. Additionally, Sara is the postgraduate fellow in graduate student mental health for the University of Utah College of Social Work which is a part-time role intended to provide MSW students with supportive services as they navigate the challenges of the field.

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 trauma-informed,  psychodynamic approach while pulling skills from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention, Seperation-Individuation Theory (attachment), mindfulness based interventions, and somatic therapy.

Outside of practice, Sara enjoys connecting with nature through long adventures in the mountains on foot or bike.

Dr. Yaptangco is a licensed clinical psychologist and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah. She earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Utah, completed a predoctoral internship at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute in Salt Lake City, and a post-doctoral fellowship at Brown University. Mona has clinical and research interests in mood disorders, self-harm, and emotional dysregulation, particularly in adolescence. Mona is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech and has extensive experience with child and adolescent psychological assessments. She supervises trainees across various disciplines, which is one of the most enjoyable components of this work. Mona’s style is a balance of collaborative, supportive, and goal oriented. She strives to help clients develop a better understanding of their individual experiences while supporting them in working towards their life worth living goals.

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. 

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. 

Libby is a doctoral student in the clinical neuropsychology program at the University of Utah. Libby’s current research focuses on executive functioning and daily functioning in older adults, particularly on intra-individual variability as an indicator of subtle cognitive weakness. She is originally from Maine and lived in Boston for 6 years while attending Tufts University for a Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive & Brain Sciences and while working as a research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital. Clinically, she works with individuals with anxiety, depression, and trauma and is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy. In her free time, Libby loves to hike, ski, read, travel, and spend time with friends and family.

Madelyn is in her fourth year of the Ph.D program in Clinical Psychology at the University of Utah. She is in the Health Psychology specialty training track and works in the HEART lab where she conducts research on diabetes prevention for couples and facilitates classes focused on changing lifestyle behaviors. Prior to coming to Utah, she received her master’s in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern, primarily focusing on increasing physical activity among breast and endometrial cancer survivors. Clinically, she specializes in providing CBT, and has particular interests in helping individuals and couples manage chronic health conditions. Outside of school and work, she enjoys trail running, climbing, and skiing (really anything that lets her spend time outdoors!). 

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.

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.