Meet our Staff

Management

Janelle Christensen, MSW

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Janelle has been involved with Family Haven in various ways since 2010. Starting out as a volunteer, Janelle spent time with children in the nursery while completing her undergrad program and stayed for her internship. She has since been the agency’s Houseparent, Education Specialist, Parent Advocate, and even receptionist for a little while. She returned to Family Haven after completing her MSW at Columbia University. Janelle is passionate about helping individuals and families live a happy, healthy life and truly believes that the services offered at Family Haven make a lasting difference for our community. She feels incredibly fortunate to work with and be a part of such a fantastic team.

When she isn’t at work, Janelle enjoys going on walks, watching cooking shows, reading young adult novels, playing piano, and mostly playing with her four children.

Morgan Oliphant, LCSW, RPT

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Morgan received her bachelor’s degree (Psychology) and master’s in social work from Brigham Young University. Before working at Family Haven, she worked for Granite School District supporting kids with their various academic, social, behavioral, and emotional goals. Morgan also interned with the Utah Department of Corrections and had the opportunity to work with their substance abuse treatment team.

Morgan believes that people are capable of healing and wholeness and feels privileged to join others on their journeys. She has received training in Play Therapy, EMDR, Sand Tray Therapy, CBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, and various interventions from CBT, ACT, and Motivational Interviewing. Morgan is also Autplay certified and speaks Spanish.

When Morgan is not working, she loves spending time with her friends and family, riding her bike, reading, creating, playing the piano, watching musicals and relaxing.

Rachelle Hardman

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR

Rachelle began working at the Family Haven in 2007, after obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Social Work from Utah Valley University. As the Parent Advocate, she traveled nearly a third of the state, providing parent education to many families who had limited access to resources in their communities. She is passionate about showing all families dignity and respect, and her own experience as a single parent helped her to manage the delicate balance of advocating for both parents and children in difficult situations.

In 2012, Rachelle became the Coordinator for the agency’s Crisis Respite Nursery, a position in which her relaxed manner quickly puts both children and parents at ease.

In April 2018, Rachelle was honored as the recipient of the Professional of the Year award by the Utah County Child Abuse Prevention Team.

Camila Rosas, MBA

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Camila has a BS in public and community health and started her career as an educator at WIC, where she fell in love with public service and working for women and children. She went on to work with local schools in creating programs to meet the needs of their unique communities where she realized the importance of maintaining focus at all levels of administration. She was involved in different capacities with several Utah nonprofit organizations while working on an MBA program.

She came to Family Haven in 2020 and got to work creating administrative processes to ensure efficiency and full support to our community and our programs. Her goal is to ensure sustainability and financial health to continue our work for as long as it is needed.

Treatment

Mackenzie Quintero, LCSW

CLIENT CARE COORDINATOR

Mackenzie completed her MSW degree from Brigham Young University. Before working at Family Haven, Mackenzie interned at the Children’s Justice Center to help families feel safe and help them heal from trauma. She also worked with the Provo School District to help provide social, emotional, and behavioral support for students and their families. 

She has specific training in Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, and EMDR. She also received a Trauma-Informed Certification from BYU and is Autplay certified. She enjoys helping people process trauma in a safe environment. Mackenzie is also fluent in Spanish.

Mackenzie loves the outdoors, reading feel-good books, and spending time with family and friends.

 Joy O’Banion, MS, LCSW, RPT-S

THERAPIST

In November 2012, Family Haven’s Board of Directors officially named the building in honor of Joy A. O’Banion to recognize her unwavering personal commitment and ongoing years of service to the organization. Joy served as the agency’s Executive Director for over 25 years from August 1989 through September 2014. However, she now spends her time as a therapist, working directly with the individuals, children and family she loves.

She holds Master’s degrees in both Sociology and Social Work; she is licensed at the LCSW level; and she is certified in Autplay and as a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Joy’s clinical experience includes working with both adult and child victims of abuse as well as other issues related to trauma. She specializes in Play Therapy and especially enjoys working with children and parents who struggle with relationship difficulties.

Stuart Harper, LCSW, RPT-S

THERAPIST

Stuart received his MSW degree from BYU and has worked at Family Haven for more than twenty years. As a therapist his time is shared between supervisory and therapy responsibilities. He is extremely committed to the often undervalued principle of the therapeutic relationship being most essential in the healing process. Because of this, Stuart is drawn to practice models that are grounded in Carl Rogers’ Client Centered theory. It is his belief that working with people’s abuse, trauma, attachment, loss or other general mental health concerns is an honor. His love for children motivates him to maintain the credential of Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. 

Stuart also teaches child safety classes at the Utah County Children’s Justice Center, and is an adjunct professor at BYU in the graduate school of social work. When not working he can be found spending time in the outdoors, cheering his children on at soccer events, watching the History Channel, or scrounging thrift stores for vinyl records.

Tanra Hill, LCSW

THERAPIST

Tanra’s greatest joy as a Clinical Social Worker has been witnessing the great power people have in healing and growth. It is a privilege to learn with and walk beside those who have experienced trauma as they reconnect to themselves, their relationships and the purpose and joy in their lives. Her belief is that it is not as important what happens to us, rather what happens within us.

Tanra completed her MSW degree in Social Work and Trauma Certification at BYU with a minor in Legal Studies and research in High-Conflict Divorce. Previously she worked with Wasatch Mental Health and the Children’s Justice Center in trauma informed treatment and facilitating children and adult trauma groups. Specific training includes: EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, Autplay certification, and Play Therapy. Her loves are her family, work, growing things, the outdoors, music, dancing, reading, her hammock, baseball, board games and living outside the box.

Justin Jacobson, LCSW

THERAPIST

Justin received his Masters of Social Work from Brigham Young University. Before joining the Family Haven team, Justin worked with two substance abuse rehabilitation programs and as a counselor at the Utah State Prison. Substance abuse and corrections work gave him a great appreciation for the importance of strong families and early intervention.

Justin is proficient in working with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Motivational interviewing. He is also Autplay certified and fluent in Spanish. While recognizing the importance of thoughts, emotions, beliefs and behaviors, Justin believes that it is real human connection and relationship that will ultimately lead to healing and recovery. As such, Justin works to practice client centered principles in all he does.

Justin is a great lover of life and enjoys a wide range of activities including rock climbing, video games, reading and writing, watching TV, and going on long walks with his wife and his dog, Asher. 

Aimee Lohner, CSW

THERAPIST

Aimee enjoys working at Family Haven because she gets to work with people of all ages and demographics. While she serves a wide-variety of clients, she specializes in trauma, anxiety, and depression. Aimee’s therapeutic approach is client-centered because she believes each client has the power to heal within themselves. Aimee has specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Trauma Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), Cognitive Behavioral Training (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Attachment Theory, and is Autplay certified. These trainings help Aimee empower clients with situational specific tools they need to heal.

Outside of Family Haven, Aimee is a dance teacher with over 30 years experience. She loves hiking, running, waterskiing, snow skiing, and anything outside. Aimee also enjoys playing games, and being creative – but mostly, she loves being with friends and family. 

Jessica Robinson, CSW

THERAPIST

Emma Lowther, CSW

THERAPIST

Rachel Vance

CLINICAL INTERN

Prevention

Amber Ah Sue

PARENT ADVOCATE

Amber is a dedicated advocate for empowering families and nurturing child development. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Family Life: Human Development, she has extensively worked with non-profit organizations, serving families throughout Utah County. As a loving mother of two boys, Amber understands the importance of equipping parents with the tools and knowledge to raise an empowered generation.

Beyond her professional endeavors, she cherishes quality time with her family, exploring new food spots, and embarking on refreshing walks. 

Courtney DeBry

PREVENTION EDUCATION SPECIALIST

Courtney received her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies from Brigham Young University and is passionate about empowering families to be happy and healthy. She has worked with children in many capacities as a Spanish translator for the Provo City School District, as a summer camp counselor, and as an aunt to three adorable nieces. As an avid learner herself, Courtney loves teaching others about things she is passionate about.

She enjoys cooking, running, reading, and watching reality tv in her spare time. As a Las Vegas native, Courtney loves the heat and spends as much time as possible outdoors when the sun is out.

Shawna Trimmell~

PREVENTION EDUCATION SPECIALIST

Shawna is a Senior at Brigham Young University, Idaho and will graduate in April 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies and with a provisional Certified Family Life Educator credential. She completed her internship this summer at a residential treatment center for teenage girls. This experience helped her discover that she is passionate about helping individuals and families through education and prevention.

She enjoys singing, baking, and trying new food. She especially loves spending time with her husband and their 4 children.

Taylor Hart

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Utah Valley University and has worked for Family Haven for 2 years as a Houseparent and as a Volunteer Coordinator. She is passionate about advocating for children and families. Taylor enjoys being able to teach new volunteers about Family Haven and helping them get involved with our mission!

When Taylor is not at work, she enjoys baking with sourdough, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Elizabeth Krizin

RESPITE MANAGER

Administration

Jessica Larson

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Jess is a Family Life student at BYU and loves being able to help and interact with families at Family Haven. She enjoys getting to know the clients and their families and loves being in a position to connect with individuals and families of all different backgrounds. Her favorite part about working at the front desk is being able to support people in need of hope and healing as well as seeing all of the cute babies that come to the nursery.

Jess loves music, baking delicious treats, and spending time with her friends and family. She and her husband love to be outside, and love having game or movie nights.

Ellie Constantin

FUNDING COORDINATOR

Ellie has been working as a receptionist for over ten years. She loves getting to know people so if you’re feeling chatty, please say hi when you stop by our office!

She also loves hiking, camping, dancing, cooking and embroidery.

Rylie Cote

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Maddy loves being able to help people when they are having bad days as the receptionist and all of her coworkers at Family Haven. As a Public Health student, she appreciates seeing the day-to-day operations of a non-profit and learning more about what goes into keeping an agency running. She especially enjoys building relationships with the clients that she interacts with on a regular basis. Maddy appreciates living in Utah while in school and loves spending time outside camping, hiking, and snowboarding.

Board Members

Russel Havens

BOARD PRESIDENT

Heather Daniel

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

Kirt Michaelis

TREASURER

Claudia Laycock

SECRETARY & INTERNAL COMMITTEE CHAIR

Emily Ross

PAST PRESIDENT

Dick Foote

INTERNAL COMMITTEE MEMBER

Karen McCandless

INTERNAL COMMITTEE MEMBER

Kyle Oler

INTERNAL COMMITTEE MEMBER

Julie Crane

INTERNAL COMMITTEE MEMBER

Leslie Slaugh

INTERNAL COMMITTEE MEMBER

Alysha Whiting

EXTERNAL COMMITTEE CHAIR

Kay Lindsay

EXTERNAL COMMITTEE MEMBER

Courtney Parker

EXTERNAL COMMITTEE MEMBER

Karen Hill

EXTERNAL COMMITTEE MEMBER