Proudly Serving the Uintah Basin
Meet The Team

Founder & Clinical Director
David Aldrich, LCSW
David Aldrich, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), received his first graduate degree in Education and then went on to receive a PhD in Education. Finally, David graduated with a Masters degree in Social Work. After years of service in the U.S. Army and public education system David moved to now helping first responders, military veterans, and trauma survivors overcome their own troubles. He works with teens and adults to establish better coping skills for anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and many other disorders. He is willing to help with a diverse range of mental health needs but specializes in trauma. David uses different modalities such as EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Mind Body Bridging (MBB), DBT, and others.

Psychiatric Nurse Practioner
Malia Stringham, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Growing up in the Uintah Basin, Malia has always admired the 'figure it out' independence of this community. She knows that finding 'the why' behind our struggles is the only way to truly move forward. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Malia doesn't believe in 'one-size-fits-all' prescriptions. Whether you’re navigating ADHD, depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, or complex conditions like Schizophrenia, her approach is a true partnership. She listens first to help bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be—carefully weighing when medication is appropriate and when other interventions may be more effective. Your history matters, but your goals for the future drive the team toward a unique path to wellness.

Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Jahn Blackburn
Jahn Blackburn, ACMHC received a master degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She works with kids, teens, and adults experiencing challenges unique to the individual with general practice mental health issues. Jahn uses an integrated approach of evidence-based methods, generally based in Person Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and Psychoanalysis that can be integrated based each client’s needs and responsiveness. No matter the modality, Jahn believes the relationship between the counselor and client motivates learning, growth and understanding for success in treatment.

Clinical Social Worker Intern
Andrea Arnold
Andrea believes that healing begins in a space of connection, safety, and compassion. With over eight years of experience supporting individuals and families affected by trauma, she strives to create a calm and trusting environment where clients can rediscover their sense of stability, strength, and hope. Andrea is passionate about making healing accessible for everyone, especially those in culturally diverse and rural communities. Her work is guided by empathy, respect, and a deep belief in each person’s natural capacity to heal and grow.

Clinical Social Worker
Kacee Oldroyd
Kacee is a Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from Grand Canyon University. She is certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and works with children, teens, and adults. Kacee uses an integrated, evidence-based approach that includes person-centered therapy, play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and ART. She is passionate about helping individuals heal, grow, and build resilience by creating a safe and supportive environment where meaningful change can occur.

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Jared Short
Jared graduated with his Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. Originally from Oregon, Jared enjoys the pace of life and the family values of the Uintah Valley. He specializes in teens, adults, and couples working from the paradigm that people are the experts in their own life and a solution-focused approach can help you quickly get back to what you love. He and his wife Jessica are available to do joint couples counseling. Jared is also trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Sandtray Therapy, and Child-Centered Play Therapy.
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Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Jessica Short
Jessica loves working with people of all ages. Her first love was nutrition and you can find her during the day at her other job as a dietitian. In the afternoons and evenings, however, she is available to work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Two of her go-to therapeutic models are Internal Family Systems and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. She is also trained in Sandtray Therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). She's looking forward to supporting couples through co-therapy with her husband Jared.

Clinical Social Worker
Chet Stevens
Chet Stevens was born and raised in the Uintah Basin and together with his wife, also raised his family here. Chet has over 20 years of experience working with children and families in various settings. He has a firm belief that change within our own lives and families is how we help shape the future. Chet is a Clinical Social Worker (CSW), who received a Master of Social Work Degree from Utah State University. He uses Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Play Therapy. He is also licensed to work clinically with domestic violence issues. He works with children, adolescents, and adults as individuals, couples, and families.

Clinical Social Worker
Teresa Larsen
Teresa has lived and worked in the Uintah Basin for 4 years and is excited to be at Kodiak! Since graduating with her Master of Social Work degree in 2019, she has worked as a researcher and community social worker. Teresa has worked on many community-based programs and projects, and decided that becoming a therapist was the next step! Teresa works with teens and adults in individual therapy, utilizing Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, among other intervention techniques. Teresa believes in the strength of connection and collaborative growth with our support systems and community as an important part of individual change.

Clinical Social Worker
Andi Boyd
Andi Boyd is a Master of Social Work intern currently completing her degree at Utah State University. She is passionate about creating a space where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. She works with children, adolescents, and adults navigating challenges related to anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation, and life transitions. Andi uses an integrative, client-centered approach, incorporating elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and play-based interventions when appropriate. She meets clients where they are and tailors treatment to each individual’s needs. Andi believes that healing happens within a strong therapeutic relationship and strives to provide a nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore, grow, and build meaningful change.
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Clinical Social Worker
Ann Winn
Kodiak is excited to have Ann on the team!

Clinical Social Worker
Destyni Upton
Destyni is a CSW and Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist. She was raised in Vernal and recently returned to the Basin to bring animal assisted therapy to her hometown community. Destyni has worked professionally with children and families for over 10 years and has been training dogs for nearly 15. She is passionate about the connection between people and animals and how that bond can support healing and growth.When she’s not in the office, Destyni can be found exploring the mountains and desert, hiking and backpacking with Katara and Kaia.
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Clinical Social Worker
Stephanie Brown
Stephanie is a Clinical Social Worker dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges in a supportive and nonjudgmental space. She received her MSW from Boise State University in 2026. Prior to counseling, she worked alongside law enforcement for nine years, which has shaped her understanding of the unique challenges faced by first responders and those in high-stress environments. She has a strong interest in trauma-informed care, particularly in supporting first responders and individuals impacted by traumatic experiences. She incorporates evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches and tailors her work to each individual, often integrating practical, skills-based strategies to support growth and resilience.

Therapy Dog
Katara
Katara is a 5-year-old Siberian Husky whose favorite job in the world is being a therapy dog. She was rescued at 18 months old and has grown into the calmest, sweetest girl.
Katara loves interacting with clients and will do just about anything for a treat! She provides comfort, encourages connection, and helps clients feel more at ease during sessions. She especially enjoys hiking, and playing fetch is her favorite game.
Katara is trained and has earned her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title through the American Kennel Club (AKC), and has earned her therapy dog certification.

Therapy Dog
Kaia
Kaia is a Golden Retriever and one of our therapy dogs. She is 1.5 years old and brings endless joy and excitement to clients and the office. Kaia loves hiking and competes in dog sports. Many of the skills she’s learned are incorporated into sessions to support and engage clients in a fun, interactive way. She helps clients build confidence, practice regulation, and create positive, meaningful connections. Kaia is trained and has earned her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title through the American Kennel Club (AKC), and has earned her therapy dog certification. Her favorite thing to do is play games, so be sure to ask what games you can play with her!​
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Clinical Manager & Co-Owner
Ashley Aldrich
Ashley Aldrich is the heartbeat behind the scenes at Kodiak—the kind of person who makes everything work and makes everyone feel like they belong while it’s happening. You’ll usually find her in her office—shared with the therapy dogs, of course—where she somehow manages to remember everyone’s name, every time. It’s not just a talent, it’s a reflection of how deeply she cares. Ashley loves people with her whole heart, and it shows in the way she goes above and beyond to accommodate, support, and meet others exactly where they are. With her signature purple hair, glasses, and just the right amount of spice, Ashley brings warmth, personality, and a whole lot of heart to Kodiak. She’s not just part of the team—she’s part of what makes Kodiak feel like home.

Receptionist
Heather Christensen
Heather is the friendly face who greets you when you walk into Kodiak Counseling. With a natural gift for remembering names and faces, Heather quickly helps clients feel recognized and welcomed the moment they arrive.​ She’s thrilled to be part of the Kodiak Counseling family and looks forward to helping each client feel comfortable, supported, and cared for.

Support Staff / Receptionist
Chris Aldrich
Hi, I’m Chris, I am a receptionist/ support staff at Kodiak. I help with back of house work on billing, and also front desk work to support clients with scheduling appointments.