Saprea > Saprea Retreat > Meet the Saprea Retreat Team
From the time you click Request an Application to the moment you arrive at the retreat location and then throughout the online course, our expert team of licensed therapists and case managers will guide you through your experience with kindness and empathy.
Intake Clinical Team
Sarah Burton, C.M.H.C.
Director of Clinical Outreach Services
Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Utah State University and her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She has over 15 years of experience in the mental health field primarily working with women and adolescents. Sarah’s post-graduate training includes Motivational Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Substance Abuse Treatment, and Psychodrama.
Sarah has worked with women in a residential substance abuse treatment setting. This experience gave her the passion to assist women with acknowledging and honoring the healing power they have within themselves. She feels grateful and honored to be a part of Saprea’s mission.
Katie Wilson
Clinical Intake Specialist
Katie has four years of experience in the field of substance abuse and trauma. She has worked in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers where she taught groups on relapse prevention, family healing, and self-care. She has a passion for working with others and using her past experiences to assist in the healing process. Katie is a mother of three and enjoys time with her family, camping, hiking, and exploring new places.
Lisa Allison
Clinical Intake Therapist
Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Birmingham Southern College and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Montevallo. She has over 15 years’ experience in the counseling field and enjoys combining her theatrical background into her practice as she knows that the arts can be very healing. Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a certified addiction’s counselor and a certified clinical trauma professional. She is excited to join the team at Saprea as she has a passion for working with women, instilling hope and empowering them on their healing journey. In her free time, Lisa enjoys hiking with her 3 dogs, birdwatching, listening to podcasts and reading.
Clinical Team
Betsy Kanarowski, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.
Chief Clinical Officer
Betsy is committed to helping individuals, families, and communities effectively understand and navigate the many aspects of sexual trauma healing, and she is a strong advocate for education regarding sexual abuse of individuals with disabilities. Betsy is an experienced therapist, trainer, and educator with over 20 years of experience as a mental health professional. Being part of women’s unique healing journeys is especially close to her heart. Betsy is honored to have worked with survivors of domestic violence, women struggling with addiction, and in women’s services in medical settings.
Betsy received her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Utah, her master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver, and her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Wyoming. She is a licensed clinical social worker (L.C.S.W.) and certified sex therapist. She loves the outdoors, travel, reading, and spending time with her family and ridiculously spoiled dog.
Betsy received her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Utah, her master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver, and her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Wyoming. She is a licensed clinical social worker (L.C.S.W.) and certified sex therapist. She loves the outdoors, travel, reading, and spending time with her family and ridiculously spoiled dog.
Saria Karhunen, L.C.S.W.
Senior Retreat Manager
Saria has over 20 years of experience as a mental health professional dedicated to helping those who struggle with trauma, addiction, and developmental disabilities. She received her master’s degree from Brigham Young University in Social Work and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minors in Family Sciences and Art History, graduating magna cum laude. She is a licensed clinical social worker (L.C.S.W.) and completed post-graduate training in Motivational Interviewing and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Prior to her work with Saprea, Saria was a Program Manager at Foothill Treatment Center, a residential treatment program serving women and men struggling with substance use disorders. She was born and raised in Finland and moved to the United States when she was nineteen. Her passions include travel, opera, food, cats, reading, yoga, hiking, and camping.
Kristen Grant, L.C.S.W.
Clinical Therapist
Kristen earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and her master's degree in social work from Brigham Young University. Her clinical experiences include working in a residential program for young adults with autism as well as working at community mental health clinics. Most recently before joining our team, she worked with children, adolescents and adults with a focus on healing from trauma and working towards a secure attachment. Kristen is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused CBT, Sand tray, and Play therapy.
Kristen has enjoyed her opportunity to work with a variety of people throughout their healing journey. Through these experiences, she has gained a passion for helping others find their voice and heal. Kristen approaches therapy with a client centered approach to help clients unlock their internal strength and feel empowered. Outside of work Kristen enjoys traveling, being outside, reading, and playing with her dog.
Rachel Gardner, L.C.S.W.
Clinical Therapist
Rachel completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Southern California in 2012 and earned her License in Clinical Social Work after working with diverse populations across the lifespan in a variety of in & out-patient settings. She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Structural Family Therapy, Brainspotting, Sand Tray Therapy, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Sound Healing, and is working toward certification in Yoga Therapy.
Rachel is passionate to ignite hope, encourage perseverance, and promote balance throughout her client’s transformational journey so they can reach their highest potential and thrive. She is inspired by and finds it rejuvenating to empower individuals to make sustainable growth and is humbled and honored to be permitted to walk the path of healing together. In her free time, Rachel can be found experimenting with new recipes, hosting game nights, at the gym, volunteering, gardening, bonding with her horse, snuggling with her cats, and exploring nature through camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, and horseback riding.
Case Management Team
Julie Cattani
Case Manager Supervisor
For 21 years, Julie proudly held the full-time title of COO for the Cattani Clan. From PTA president to room mother, volunteer to chauffer, she enjoyed each moment with her children. Her previous experience includes working with cancer patients at a rehabilitation clinic and Director of Operations for a company that produced halftime shows for college bowl games. Julie is grateful to be engaged in a work that promotes hope and healing in the lives of beautiful, deserving women. She finds it a privilege to learn from the examples of many brave survivors. In her spare time, she loves nothing more than spending time with family and running on trails in the beautiful Utah mountains.
Angie Sabey
Case Manager
After working for over 20 years in the care field as a Certified Nursing Assistant and a child care provider, I earned a bachelor's degree in marriage and family studies from Brigham Young University-Idaho. I then went on work as a family advocate for the local head start program before joining the Saprea retreat staff as a Night Case Manager. I enjoy the opportunity to meet, help, and work with others. I also enjoy learning new skills and hope to continue my education with a Master's degree in clinical mental health.
Alessandra Fernandez
Night Case Manager
Originally from Lima, Peru, Alessandra is a bilingual psychology graduate who is deeply passionate about mental health and emotional healing. She joined Saprea in June 2025 and brings a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to her role as Night Case Manager. With a background in psychology and a heart for supporting others, Alessandra strives to create a peaceful, safe space for participants during the nighttime hours of the retreat.
Online Course & Healing Webinar
Shantell Santos
Group Facilitator
Shantell earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Brigham Young University. Prior to working at Saprea, Shantell worked as a victim advocate for a local police department assisting individuals in both English and Spanish who had been victimized by another individual. Shantell has experience in crisis intervention, criminal justice system, and working with survivors of sexual abuse. Shantell enjoys spending time with her family and finding the best Mexican bakeries.
Logistics Team
Lacey Larson
Logistics Manager
Prior to her work at Saprea, Lacey worked at a residential treatment center for women with drug and alcohol dependence, domestic violence, and sexual trauma. Lacey has held many positions that focus on her main passion: helping others. She has a degree in Psychology and Human Services. Lacey has volunteered with United Way and Primary Children’s Medical Center, assisted with first responder training, and loves volunteering in her children’s school classrooms. In her free time, Lacey loves to have adventures with her two cute kids. She also loves jogging, hiking, camping, and traveling.
Hannah Taylor
Hospitality & Logistics Specialist
Hannah has four years of experience working in classrooms with children with disabilities, and recreationally with children living in lower income areas. Just before joining the Retreat Team, she worked with youth in a residential treatment facility. Hannah's passion is serving the community, and she is excited to help improve women's lives through teaching art journaling and vision boarding classes at the Saprea Retreat. Some of her favorite activities include dirt biking, playing racquetball, camping, and skiing.
Culinary Team
Chef Roz
Corporate Executive Chef
Born and raised in New York. Graduated Arizona State University with double degrees in Accounting and Business Management. Attended and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. Food is a passion, a great healing tool and a huge part of our everyday life that drives ability to create comforting food for our participants. Former competitive martial artist and baseball player. Writing screenplays is a main hobby with the hopes of selling a script one day. Cooking and experimenting with new dishes is a daily. I love my family and our life, pets of all kinds but mostly a dog guy. Most recent position before moving to Utah was the Executive Chef for a private residential treatment facility in Orange County, California.
Ethan Landes
Sous Chef
Ethan is a chef who has a passion for cooking partnered with an adventurous palate, always eager to explore and experiment with new flavors. Outside of the kitchen, Ethan embraces his love for pop punk music and the guitar, spending his free time both listening and writing songs. His dynamic interests reflect a creative spirit that fuels his culinary experience and his personal motto of 'Some people eat to live, while I live to eat!