Ellen Behrens

Ellen Behrens, Ph.D

She/Her/Hers

Full-Time Faculty
Associate Professor
MS Mental Health Counseling

Phone: 801.832.2427

Email: ebehrens@westminsteru.edu

Office Location: Foster Hall 320

Office Hours: MTh 12:00PM 01:00PM

Degrees

M.A. Marquette University
B.A. Franciscan University of Steubenville
Ph.D. Michigan State University

About

I grew up in the Great Lakes region, thinking that only the lucky ones got to live in the West. As luck would have it, I came to Utah for a year-long doctoral internship and promptly fell in love with the open space and incredible landscape. I’ve am a Utah Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Psychologist, having received my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University and my M.A. in Counseling from Marquette University. Over more than two decades, I have worked with adults, teenagers, and families as a therapist, clinical director, and consultant in a wide variety of treatment settings. Though most of my clinical work has been in residential treatment centers for adolescents, I have worked in outpatient and acute inpatient settings. I currently maintain a small outpatient practice with adults.

 I am a grant reviewer for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a Research Scientist for the Outdoor Behavioral Health Center housed at the University of New Hampshire, a founding member of the Research Committee for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, the Chief Editor for the Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, and a Board Member of the Utah Mental Health Counselors Association. My research interests are in adventure therapy, residential treatment, attachment, and treatment outcomes. When away from work, I love to hike, camp, travel and read. I've lived in Lithuania and Australia.

Interests

Teach Group Counseling, Clinical Assessment, Tests & Measurement, Counseling Ethics, and Internship. Supervise Practicum students.