How to Connect With Your Kids: 5 Tips from Family Experts

Caden Erickson, MSW Intern

Therapist Intern

Caden is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Weber State University and expects to graduate in April 2027. He is passionate about helping others and finds great fulfillment in working one-on-one or in small groups to support individuals as they navigate life’s challenges.

Caden enjoys working with tweens, teens, and parents, and has experience supporting individuals experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. His approach to therapy is rooted in a strengths-based perspective, incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, and active listening. He believes that every person possesses unique strengths, and that therapy is an opportunity to recognize, develop, and build upon those strengths rather than focusing solely on areas of struggle.

Before beginning his clinical training, Caden worked as a Compensation Specialist with the State of Utah, where he assisted victims of crime in obtaining financial compensation and support. This experience strengthened his commitment to serving others with empathy, patience, and professionalism. Caden earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Brigham Young University in 2023.

Caden strives to create a welcoming, collaborative environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered. Outside of counseling, Caden enjoys spending time with his family, reading, collecting comic books, playing the cello, and playing basketball.

Talor Hall, MSW Intern

Therapist Intern

Talor is excited to be starting the MSW program through Weber State University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Utah State University in 2011. In the years since graduating Talor has worked with kids and teens in a variety of educational and treatment settings. Her main work for the past 6 years has been teaching preschool and elementary aged students at the local nature center. She is looking forward to continuing her work with children, teens, and their families, particularly those with ADHD and autism to help them find the tools and skills to create a life they thrive in.

Outside of her work and academic pursuits Talor enjoys spending time with her spouse and their three kids. She enjoys stories in any form, but especially loves books, musicals, and DnD podcasts. She also enjoys the outdoors and loves hiking, paddle boarding, and swimming.

Kayla Berryman, MSW Intern

Therapist Intern

Kayla Berryman is a student at Weber State University’s Master of Social Work program. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s in English from Utah State University. Kayla became drawn to social work after working for three years at a federally funded youth training program where she worked with teens and young adults in underserved populations. She is looking forward to learning more about social work and her clients. Kayla enjoys reading, running, writing, and hanging out with her dog.

Courtney Muir, MSW Intern

Therapist Intern

Courtney is a social worker with experience supporting individuals, children, and families in both Tribal and state settings. She currently works for her Native American Tribe, providing resources and support to Tribal members, working with child welfare cases under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and serving as the Director of the Childcare Assistance Program.

Prior to her current role, Courtney worked for the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) for six years as an ongoing caseworker, managing both in-home and out-of-home cases. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Utah State University in 2016 and is currently completing her Master of Social Work degree, with graduation expected in February 2027.

Outside of work, Courtney enjoys baking and spending time with her dog.

Lexi Sampson, MSW Intern

Therapist Intern

Lexi Sampson, BSW

Master of Social Work Intern

Lexi is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work through Weber State University’s Advanced Standing MSW program and expects to graduate in April. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Weber State University and is excited to begin her internship with Anson Family Counseling.

Throughout her career, Lexi has worked with a variety of populations, including older adults, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, families, and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges. During her BSW internship, she provided support to adolescent girls in a residential treatment program focused on trauma and mental health. She has also worked as a hospice social worker and currently serves as a case manager for the New Choices Waiver program, helping individuals transition safely from skilled nursing facilities back into the community by connecting them with housing, services, and supports that meet their individual needs.

Lexi is passionate about working with adolescents, LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and those who have experienced trauma. She also looks forward to expanding her work with children. She became a social worker because she believes every person’s story deserves to be heard. She enjoys learning about people’s life experiences, understanding what has shaped them, and helping them discover their own strengths as they work toward healing and growth.

Lexi strives to create a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered. She believes healing begins with the willingness and courage to seek help. She strives to understand each client’s unique experiences because she believes feeling understood is an important part of the healing process. While our past experiences shape us, they do not define our future or limit our potential.

Outside of counseling, Lexi enjoys building LEGO sets, snowboarding, drawing, gaming, building custom computers, and spending time with her fiancé and their two dogs.

Dylan Kaminske, MSW Therapist Intern

Therapist Intern

I’m currently completing my Master of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno and am excited to be finishing my final practicum as I approach graduation. I’ve spent the past 10+ years working in human services and workforce development, helping individuals build skills, overcome barriers, and become more self-reliant. My social work education has strengthened my passion for supporting individuals and families through meaningful, lasting change. Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two boys, and I’m always up for a good adventure or trying something new.

Stacia Covington

Client Intake Specialist

Stacia was born in Idaho and has spent the majority of her life in Utah. She is a proud mother of four daughters and enjoys supporting them as they pursue their education and professional goals. Outside of work, she loves traveling and exploring new places, as well as discovering new coffee shops and restaurants with her daughters. She has an impressive sticker and snowman collection and will forever be spoiling her cats, Malibu, Bogie, and Artemis.

With nearly 20 years of experience in medical front office operations and billing, Stacia serves as an Intake Specialist at Anson Family Counseling. As the first point of contact for many clients, she is committed to providing a clear, supportive, and welcoming intake experience, helping individuals and families feel comfortable and informed as they begin their therapy journey.

Renee Mercer

Client Intake Specialist

Renee was born and raised in Southern Indiana, but has spent most of the last 25 years living in Colorado where she and her husband raised their four boys. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing which served her well in providing care for several family members over the years.

She and her husband recently relocated to Utah to be near all of her sons and their families. She has a passion for French family history, hiking, biking, embroidery, crocheting and playing with her grandkids.

Cristine Ashby

Operations Manager

Cristine started in the mental health billing field in 2011. She is known for her organizational skills and accuracy. Cristine graduated from Weber State University in 2003 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in English. She has worked for multiple mental health practitioners and branched into more of the financial field. She is a Quickbooks ProAdvisor and business owner of a bookkeeping company. She continues to learn and expand her knowledge in the financial field as well as other areas of interest.

Cristine loves spending time with her three incredible children. She enjoys music, hiking, reading, and writing as well as learning and growing in her faith.

Elizabeth Anson

Co-owner

Elizabeth was born and raised in Minnesota, but she has since established roots in Utah. She attended Ricks College (now known as Brigham Young University – Idaho) then transferred to Weber State University to pursue her education in Political Science with a Minor in Law. With a goal to attend law school to become a Guardian Ad Litem she has since been side tracked for a little while raising her 5 children. In her “spare time” she also works as a reading tutor and teachers assistant for the Davis County School System.

She has a wide variety of interests and talents including – but not limited to: playing viola and piano, painting, photography, building and refurbishing furniture, gardening and hiking. Liz is a hard worker, quick learner and makes anyones life around her sweeter. Her organization, creativity, and planning skills are essential to the success of Anson Family Counseling.

Emily Dana

Emily is receiving her bachelor’s degree in Family Life: Human Development from Brigham Young University. She aspires to attend graduate school one day to become a family researcher. Emily is passionate about researching the lifelong impact of siblings and the role of comparison and support in sibling relationships

Growing up in a military family, Emily lived in Virginia, Guam, California, and Pennsylvania; she is happy to now call Utah home. In her free time, Emily enjoys reading for hours, testing new dinner recipes and attempting to recreate Filipino cultural dishes, and video-calling her siblings in Pennsylvania. She and her husband love playing weekly tabletop games with their friends. Most of all, they love spending time with their infant daughter.

Mikkayla Adams

Therapist Intern

Mikkayla is a Marriage and Family Therapy intern with undergraduate degrees in early childhood education and psychology and is currently pursuing her graduate degree with Capella University. She is passionately committed to working with people through their unique journeys and life transitions.

Drawing from a Strategic Family Therapy perspective and utilizing trauma informed care she strives to help clients realize their strengths while navigating life’s complexities and the challenges of the day to day. Mikkayla is passionate about working with individuals and families, often saying her goal as a therapist is to give people their best chance. She has worked extensively with children and teens, including those with disabilities, across a number of educational and care settings. She is committed to providing her clients with the freedom to be themselves and the guidance to help them discover who they aspire to be.

Outside of her professional work, Mikkayla’s life centers around family. She and her husband are raising two young daughters and enjoy creating meaningful traditions together. She enjoys baking sourdough, crafting, gardening, and hosting events that bring families together. These moments of connection reflect the values she holds most deeply and the perspective she brings to her work, helping individuals and families strengthen relationships and build meaningful, lasting foundations.

Hilary Obzansky

Billing Specialist

Hilary was born and raised in the beautiful mountains of Heber City, Utah. She spent her childhood on a dairy farm, surrounded by cows, fresh air, and four amazing sisters. In her spare time, you can usually find her camping with her 3 kids, skiing down snowy slopes, hiking in the mountains, reading a good book, playing the piano, digging in her garden, or working on fun designs for her sticker business.

She has years of experience managing billing, entering and organizing data, and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. She also has a deep respect for the mental health field and the work dedicated to helping people thrive.

Annie Roskelley

Therapist CSW

Annie graduated from Weber State University in 2011 and majored in both Social Work and Psychology. Over a decade later, she went back and obtained her Master’s in Social Work, graduating in 2025. Annie’s experience is a bit outside the norm and included time on the social work teams of a couple different public defender groups. Additionally, she has dabbled in medical social work, substance use, and elder care. Annie has worked with a wide array of clients and is always in awe of how human everybody is, regardless of where you meet them. The stories, life experiences, and wisdom of her clients are something that Annie views as sacred and holds close to her heart. Annie is currently a CSW and one of her top reasons for wanting her LCSW is so that she can give back to future social workers

When she’s not working, Annie loves movie nights and snuggles with her 3 children, reading, listening to music, and dancing. She recently discovered cross stitching and would admit to spending perhaps a bit too much time “window shopping” on Etsy for cross stitch patterns when not working on an active project. Annie’s favorite cross stitch genre is most anything funny / snarky or rainbow themed.

Funny fact about Annie: She’s dyed her hair blue so much that she can no longer bleach the blue light enough to cover up with a different color. Good thing it’s her favorite color!

Weird fact about Annie: She does not like Christmas and thinks that Halloween is absolutely the best holiday ever.

Emma Cullison

Mentor

Hi there! My name is Emma. I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies from Weber State University. During my time there, I played violin in the Weber State Symphony for two years. I look forward to being a positive influence in the lives of my clients, and to forming meaningful connections with them! In my free time, I enjoy drawing, painting, baking, playing violin, movie nights with friends, and going on hikes and walks with my family.

Teneya LeFors

CSW

Hi there! My name is Teneya, and I am passionate about empowering kids, teens, families, and individuals to take small, meaningful steps toward a brighter future. I truly believe that everyone has the power within them to create a life they love, sometimes we just need a little support to find it.

I graduated from Utah State University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2021 and earned my Master’s Degree in Social Work in May 2026. While education has played a huge role in my journey, I am always looking for opportunities to continue learning and growing both personally and professionally.

Over the past 7 years, I have had the pleasure of working with people from many different walks of life. My experience includes domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy, child abuse prevention education with youth ranging in age from 5–18, supporting families experiencing trauma as a CPS case worker, facilitating healthy relationship education for parents, couples, and singles, and most recently, working within the school system providing individual support to children and teens experiencing mental health challenges.

My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and valued exactly as you are.

Outside of work, you can find me spending time with my loved ones, singing along at concerts, watching shows and movies, and playing all kinds of games!

5 Ways to Connect with Your Kids

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Quick Links

Services

Specialties

Treatments

Caden Erickson, MSW Intern

Talor Hall, MSW Intern

Kayla Berryman, MSW Intern

Courtney Muir, MSW Intern

Lexi Sampson, MSW Intern

Dylan Kaminske, MSW Therapist Intern

Stacia Covington

Renee Mercer

Cristine Ashby

Elizabeth Anson

Emily Dana

Mikkayla Adams

Hilary Obzansky

Annie Roskelley

Emma Cullison

Teneya LeFors