Meet The Team

  • "Your success in working with our family was more than your clinical expertise. It was also your patience, friendship, sense of humor, compassion, and insight. It was your willingness to take the time to understand us and the way we interacted as a family. By understanding us as individuals and the way that we dealt with each other, you were able to help us understand how to change the habits that contributed to our state of crisis."

    – Privately Disclosed

  • "Our family’s experience with Rise Therapy has been truly life changing. The counselors are not only skilled but also genuinely caring, creating a supportive atmosphere for open dialogue. They helped us navigate our challenges and improve our communication skills. Each session felt constructive, and we’ve seen a noticeable improvement in our family dynamics. We were blessed to be able to participate in family, couples, and individual therapy on and off throughout the years. Each of us was able to form a trusting relationship with the different counselors we worked with. I highly recommend Rise Therapy for anyone seeking to strengthen their family relationships!"

    – Privately Disclosed

  • "The vibe is laid back, it’s professional but homey. You don’t feel like you are walking into a doctor’s office, it’s more like you are visiting a friend so it puts you at ease. I like that you work with all ages from my oldest to my youngest and they have all left better equipped to handle life’s challenges, and when their friends are having a hard time I hear them repeat things that you told them."

    – Privately Disclosed

  • "Your success in working with our family was more than your clinical expertise. It was also your patience, friendship, sense of humor, compassion, and insight. It was your willingness to take the time to understand us and the way we interacted as a family. By understanding us as individuals and the way that we dealt with each other, you were able to help us understand how to change the habits that contributed to our state of crisis."

    – Privately Disclosed

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Exceptional Care Starts with Exceptional Therapists

At Rise, we’re committed to helping our therapists continually hone their craft so you get the best care possible.

We build ongoing clinical expertise right into the practice through advanced trainings tailored to the evolving needs of our clients and community—covering areas like ADHD, DBT, sand tray and experiential modalities, pornography addiction, and Gottman Couples Therapy.

On top of that, every therapist has dedicated CEU and training funds to pursue certifications like EMDR, IFS, or other specialties that help them grow.

By investing in continuous learning, collaboration, and cutting-edge approaches, we ensure our team stays sharp, motivated, and equipped to meet you where you are.

Gretchen Bartlett, B.A.
Practice Manager

Virtual anywhere in Utah and Idaho.

I’m here to make sure your experience at Rise Therapy runs smoothly from the very first call.

With over a decade of experience in marketing and admissions—and as the oldest of eight kids—I know how to handle chaos and find solutions.

I’ll help you schedule sessions, navigate insurance, and connect with the right therapist for your needs.

At Rise, my goal is to take the stress out of the process so you can focus on what matters most: your healing.

Matthew Bartlett, M.Ed, LMFT

In-person sessions in Cedar City; virtual anywhere in Utah and Idaho.

I got into Marriage and Family Therapy after getting married myself and realizing how complex relationships can be.

From day one, I connected with the idea that people aren’t the problem—they’re the solution.

Since 2003, I’ve worked with individuals, couples, and families facing everything from anxiety, depression, and school refusal to marital conflict, infertility stress, and blended family dynamics.

I’m here to create a space where you feel safe enough to stretch past your comfort zone, but not so far you feel overwhelmed.

Whether you’re navigating a tough season in your marriage, struggling to help your teenager, or figuring out your next steps in life, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

Dani Green, AMFT

In-person sessions in St. George; virtual anywhere in Utah.

Becoming a therapist was deeply personal for me—after 29 years of marriage, raising three kids, and navigating my husband’s complex medical issues, I know firsthand how overwhelming life can get. 

I specialize in Brainspotting, Gottman, IFS, and working with couples, as well as helping clients through life transitions, grief and loss, and trauma. 

Whether it’s untangling relationship struggles or healing deep wounds, I believe real change is possible when we meet people where they are. 

Trauma doesn’t have to define you—it’s something we can work through together, so you can emerge stronger, more connected, and ready to move forward. 

You’re the expert in your own life, and I’m here to help you make sense of the chaos and reclaim what matters most.

Laura Britt, ACMHC

In-person in Cedar City; virtual anywhere in Utah.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent 14 years supervising in the operating room’s sterile processing department—a role that taught me leadership, communication, and the kind of grit it takes to show up for others.

I’ve worked with people from all walks of life and learned to respect every individual’s beliefs, abilities, and potential.

Now, as a therapist, I specialize in EMDR, women’s issues, navigating medical complexities, divorce, blended families, and trauma.

I believe therapy offers a space to make sense of your thoughts, feelings, and patterns while building tools to handle life’s toughest stressors.

Everyone hits rough patches—together, we can figure out how to move through them and toward something better..

Michelle Steineckert, AMFT

In-person in Cedar City; virtual anywhere in Utah.

Therapy is like unpacking the suitcase of life—figuring out what to keep, what to let go of, and how to repack with intention.

As a mom of two wildly imaginative (and sometimes wildly challenging) boys, I know firsthand the struggles of parenting and marriage.

I specialize in systemic sex therapy and work with individuals, couples, and families on issues like parenting stress, sexual identity, intimacy, and breaking unhealthy family patterns.

My approach is collaborative and informed by the teachings of experts like John & Julie Gottman and Esther Perel, blended with methods like emotionally focused and solution-focused therapy.

Whether we’re diving into the complexities of family dynamics or creating space to explore your goals for your sex life, no topic is off-limits.

Jeff McKone, CSW

In-person in Provo; virtual anywhere in Utah and Idaho.

I believe in keeping it real—therapy works best when we’re honest and upfront.

As a former addict with more than a decade of sobriety, I know what it’s like to feel stuck in destructive patterns, and I also know what it takes to get and stay sober.

My specialties include addiction, men’s issues, divorce and single parenting, ADD/ADHD, and couples work, with a focus on using motivational techniques and family dynamics to create lasting, positive change.

Whether it’s rebuilding after addiction or tackling the challenges of depression, anxiety, or abandonment, I believe people are stronger and more resilient than they realize.

Together, we can take what’s weighing you down and start building something better.

Cavett Ishihara, MFT-I

In-person in Cedar City; virtual anywhere in Utah.

I believe big changes start with small, doable steps.

Using a solution-focused approach, I help clients focus on what’s working and build from there, whether it’s for individuals, couples, or families.

As a retired military veteran with over 20 years in the Army Reserves, I have firsthand knowledge of the toll that service can take on both the individual and their sense of self. That’s why I’m especially passionate about working with veterans and military families, as well as mixed-race couples and blended families.

My work centers on helping clients untangle the challenges they face by looking at the bigger picture—relationships, systems, and all the moving parts—so we can find the best way forward.

Whether you’re navigating parenting challenges like ODD, family struggles, or tough life transitions, I know change is possible because I’ve seen it happen.

AJ Fawson, CMHC-I

In-person in Cedar City; virtual anywhere in Utah.

I bring a calm, steady presence to therapy, creating a space where you can feel at ease from the start.

I have specialized training in ADD/ADHD, helping clients of all ages understand their unique wiring and build strategies that work for them.

I work with kids as young as 10, guiding them and their parents through behavioral challenges and helping families create healthy boundaries at home. I also enjoy working with veteran populations.

I also offer a supportive space for those navigating faith transitions or LGBTQ+ identity struggles, including the unique challenges around spirituality and belonging.

Emily Cook, CMHC-I

In-person in St. George; virtual anywhere in Utah.

I get it—life can be overwhelming, especially when you’re navigating a world that doesn’t always seem designed for how you think, feel, or function.

Along with being a therapist, I’m an academic advisor at a local university, helping neurodiverse students who need extra support to thrive in a system that doesn’t always understand them.

I also specialize in working with eating disorders, helping clients heal their relationship with food and their bodies.

Whether you’re managing ADD/ADHD, high-functioning autism, eating disorders, or performance stress in sports, school, or business, I’m here to meet you where you are and figure out what works for you.

Morgan Bleak, CSW-I

In-person in Cedar City; virtual anywhere in Utah.

As a single mom of two, I know how tough it can be to juggle parenting, work, and everything life throws your way.

I specialize in helping kids with behavioral challenges, supporting couples and families, and navigating the complexities of divorce and blended families.

Whether it’s tantrums, family blow-ups, or the stress of big changes, I’m here to help you untangle it all and find a way forward.

Family life isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible—and we’ll figure it out together.

Leslie R. Smith, MA, ACMHC

In-person in Cedar City; virtual anywhere in Utah.

I have experience working with children and adolescents, as well as working with adults who face emotional and behavioral challenges.

My counseling approach is rooted in the person-centered philosophy, incorporating motivational interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques.

I also have experience with Trauma-Focused CBT and Theraplay®, which allow for a more tailored approach to healing.

Building a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients is central to my work.

At the heart of it all, I’m here to create a space where you feel seen, supported, and able to take steps toward real healing—no judgment, just empathy and understanding.