Meet Our Therapists

Caroline Marriott, LCSW

Hi! I’m Caroline Marriott, Founder and Executive Clinical Director of The DBT Center and The DBT Center for Adolescents. I have been clinically trained in, and practice, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and have facilitated hundreds of DBT skills groups, individual sessions, and family sessions. I have seen life-changing success in my clients as they progress through each DBT skills group and attend individual DBT therapy sessions. I am also a certified Master Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and certified Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. I have a passion for using these modalities and helping people that have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), anxiety disorders, depression disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and clients with “out-of-control” thoughts, emotions and behavioral patterns. I completed my Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) at the University of Utah, my Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration (MPA) at Columbia University, and my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Utah. I am also an adjunct professor in the Master of Social Work program at the University of Utah, teaching DBT to master students. As a clinical therapist, I strive to use a fun-loving and powerful approach to help my clients develop balance between accepting their lives and believing they can change. I see the empowerment that my clients feel in experiencing effective relationships, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance in their lives. No matter what the challenge, I strive to help my clients make progress toward their goals and to create a life worth living. Besides my love of DBT, I enjoy living in Utah because it allows me to ski the greatest snow on earth, ride horses in the beautiful mountains, and enjoy the cool summer nights!

David White, LCMHC

Hi, I’m Dave! I’ve been working in the field of mental health for over two decades and have had extensive experience providing treatment for individuals and families within a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) framework for many of those years. Over this time I’ve developed a specific emphasis on supporting parents with practical and effective solutions to the seemingly unending challenges of parenting. Throughout my career I’ve provided support for individuals of all ages in a variety of clinical settings. I have my Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in the state of Utah and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of New Jersey. I’ve completed in-depth training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Behavioral Tech, I’m also an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), and have received advanced training in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).  In prior positions, I’ve worked with adults and adolescents struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance abuse, trauma, technology addiction, anxiety, depression, unhealthy relationships, personality disorders, processing disorders, family conflict, low self-esteem, LGBTQ+  exploration and concerns, and identity development. In a session with me you can expect to have an authentic experience of connection and understanding. I believe myself to have a fairly down-to-earth approach to counseling that includes both the science and the art of therapy. In one particular situation you may find yourself learning about the neurobiological connections between your bodily sensations and the feelings you are experiencing, in another you may practice real-time skills for managing your overwhelming emotions, and in still another you may find yourself chuckling at a dorky, yet timely, dad-joke. Undergirding all of this, however, is my deep desire to provide a space for all of my clients to feel genuinely heard, taken seriously, and understood.  I’m a big believer in the importance of cultivating and maintaining relationships for our overall sense of fulfillment and well-being. I am both a dad and a husband and have three children: two boy who are both in their twenties, and a daughter just entering her teenage years. My wife and I have navigated the challenging demands of adoption, uniting a blended family and fostering at-risk children. I also believe that nature and adventure are essential to life so you will often find me and my family enjoying time in the outdoors: hiking, biking, snowboarding, running, swimming, camping or simply hanging out and taking in the beauty that Utah has to offer.

MaKenzee Townsend, CSW

Hi! I’m MaKenzee. I have been working in the mental health field since 2014. I joined the DBT team as a therapist while completing my final year of graduate school in Social Work at the University of Utah, where I also earned my undergraduate degrees, double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. Prior to my role at The DBT Center, I spent nine years working with adolescents in a residential treatment setting. I appreciate that DBT enables me to be my authentic self with my clients. I believe that a genuine, real relationship is one of the most vital components of effective therapy. I strive to create an environment where my clients can show up as they are, without fear of judgment or shame. The structured nature of DBT supports both the client and therapist, empowering clients with practical skills they can apply immediately to their daily lives. The combination of individual therapy, skills groups, and coaching calls provides clients with opportunities to learn, observe, and receive feedback on their skill application. I chose the social work profession because I believe in the importance of seeing an individual through the lens of their social, cultural, and environmental influences. This perspective allows me to focus on the strengths and resources within both the individual and their environment, rather than solely on deficits or problems. I have found that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) aligns with my values as a therapist, facilitating a collaborative relationship between therapist and client. Together, we identify common treatment goals, allowing me to join my clients as their equal, combining my expertise in DBT with their unique insights and experiences. I enjoy working with both adults and adolescents facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors, substance abuse, trauma, personality disorders, family conflict, low self-esteem, attachment trauma, and identity exploration. I am trained in and practice comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). In my free time, I enjoy mountain biking, paddle-boarding, snowboarding, gardening, and spending quality time with my partner of seven years, our two dogs, and our twelve chickens!

Taylor Wellborn, MAT, CSW

Hi, I’m Tay! I’m a therapist at The DBT Center and The DBT Center for Adolescents.  I have seven years of experience as a teacher and five years of experience working in different areas of mental health. I believe all clients are doing their best to succeed, and I seek to help clients see their resiliency.  I believe my role is championing clients’ successes and challenging behaviors that do not align with clients’ goals.  My areas of strength include developing rapport and building a trustworthy relationship, didactic psychoeducation, and creating individualized interventions that allow clients to implement what they learned in therapy into their everyday lives.  My therapeutic interests include helping clients understand the different emotions and parts of themselves. In working together, I aim to help clients understand that there is validity and purpose for all emotions, even if the emotions feel conflicting and confusing. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and son, having adventures in nature, testing out new recipes, and reading books of all genres.

Trevor Tilk, CSW

Hi I’m Trevor, a therapist here at the DBT Center. Over the past few years I have had the privilege to work extensively in the realm of substance abuse, supporting others on their journey with sobriety. I have a Master’s degree of Social Work from the University of Utah and have specialized training and experience in using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to assist clients in rediscovering a life worth living. I fell in love with DBT because I feel it provides tangible skills when we are trying to manage stress, be in the moment, alleviate lingering negative emotions, and work effectively with others. I enjoy using DBT skills to support people experiencing anxiety, depression, addiction, challenging relationships, and personality disorders. Outside of the office I enjoy playing hockey, getting into the mountains, and spending time with loved ones.

Dana Ballard, CSW

Hi, I’m Dana! I’m a Clinical Social Worker and a therapist here at the DBT Center. I’ve worked in the field of mental health for eight years and have previously held positions in crisis support and intervention, community mental health, individual private practice therapy, adult substance use, and wilderness therapy for teens. I prioritize a client-centered approach in my therapeutic work by utilizing collaboration, openness, and flexibility. I believe that DBT is a framework that helps clients recognize the validity of their unique experiences while challenging them to take steps toward effective change. 

I strive for authenticity and fostering a safe and accepting environment in which clients can gain a deeper understanding of self and utilize tools to help them achieve their goals. I am committed to my own personal and professional growth and believe strongly in community building both in and outside of the workplace.

In my free time, I find meaning and pleasure in being outdoors and in activities such as hiking, biking, and skiing. I also enjoy spending time with my two dogs, eating good food, and quality time with friends. 

Kobe Jeppesen, MSW

Hi, I’m Kobe! I’m completing my final year of graduate school, pursuing my Master of Social Work at the University of Utah, where I also earned my Bachelor of Social Work. I’m thrilled to be completing my clinical rotation at The DBT Center! I’ve had the privilege of working with the LGBTQ+ community and am passionate about supporting its members. At my core, I strive to create an authentic, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore and work towards meaningful goals. I believe that everyone possesses strengths and solutions within themselves, and pairing those strengths with DBT skills can help them build a life worth living. My role is to recognize the unique needs of each client and support them along their path toward their goals.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, cooking, exploring nature, and enjoying the local music scene!

Pauline Heugly

Hi my name is Pauline, and I am the Office Manager at the DBT Center and DBT Center for Adolescents. I have worked various jobs from being in Office Administration to an Infant Teacher. I have 4 Amazing Children and 7 Wonderful Grandchildren . I love spending time with my family and grand fur babies, going to concerts, musicals, movies, U of U gymnastics meets, and being outdoors. I’m happy to be part of The DBT Center team!