Our Children’s Center Team

Kelci Beus, CMHC, RPT - Clinical Director

• Works with: anyone from 3 to 103.

• Offers teletherapy (clients 13+)!

• Specializes in: working with children and client-centered play therapy, but loves working on increasing emotional intelligence (and will work with anyone!).

• Favorite type of therapy: client-centered play therapy for young children, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and a mix of CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) and client-centered for older kids, teens, and adults.

“I was born and raised in North Ogden. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to return to my hometown and to give back to the community through my work here, and make it a priority to do this.  I am trained to work with individuals, families, and children. My passion truly lies in providing therapy for children. I believe that the more tools and self-understanding that we provide kids with during their development, the more able they are to face life’s challenges and be a positive part of society. I think that parents and caregivers are essential for positive changes, and also work closely with them in session at times. I have experience working with children that have experienced trauma, behavioral disorders, and the foster care system.

Part of what led me on the path of becoming a therapist was my time working at the Center for Grieving Children in Ogden. I got to facilitate groups geared toward helping children understand emotions and changes in their lives. This sparked my interest in helping kids and families feel more comfortable with emotions and their function. For my graduate internship, I worked at an elementary school with a School Psychologist in Washington state. This gave me insight into how the school system impacts children at various levels of development. I also found how important it is to consider the child individually and how to tailor the needs to them throughout this process. I facilitated individual and group therapy at the school, primarily focusing on social skills and other academic challenges.

After completing my graduate studies, I worked at a Play Therapy counseling agency in Idaho for about a year. Throughout that experience, it affirmed my passion for what I do. The general idea of Play Therapy is that while children can’t verbalize some things (like hard experiences or feelings), play becomes the language and the toys become the words. I watched this come into action time and time again and loved the insight that I saw in sessions but also what I learned each time it happened. I knew that this is what I wanted to bring back “home” with me so I could impact my community.

My therapeutic approach is rather eclectic working with individuals and groups, utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), behavioral and existential theory. I believe in using a solution-oriented approach to help alleviate symptoms and gaining insight into what can be done more positively. I have training in play therapy and enjoy facilitating play therapy with children of all ages as a registered play therapist in Utah. I enjoy the flexibility and dynamic that play introduces into my work. I have completed Expressive Sandtray Therapy training, as this will enhance my play therapy skills further. I have also completed training in Autplay, which is specifically designed for children and teens with neurodevelopmental diagnoses, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

When I am not in the office, I enjoy spending time outside with my family, seeing movies, eating ice cream, and have a passion for running as a stress reliever. You may also catch me talking about Harry Potter or Marvel movies, the Utah Jazz, and Washington State University football with my time off.  I am a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (Utah License 10822128-6004). I am a Registered Play Therapist (Registration Number: T5833) and a member of the Utah Association for Play Therapy. Additionally, I hold a Master’s degree in Community Counseling from Washington State University and my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Weber State University.”

Necha Lowry, LCSW - Assistant Director, Clinical Services

“I am passionate about helping individuals recognize and learn skills to overcome life’s challenges and achieve their goals. I am trained to work with individuals, couples, and families. I utilize different therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, play therapy, and other experiential activities to individualize treatment based on the needs of the client.
I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Utah State University and a master’s of Social Work degree at the University of Utah.

Through my graduate studies I obtained experience in working with substance use disorders and facilitating individual and group therapy. I have training in CBT, sand tray therapy, play therapy, and Gottman techniques. I am looking forward to receiving further training in these areas as well as yoga for therapeutic practice and mind-body-bridging techniques.

I worked with the State of Utah Department of Child and Family Services for 7.5 years as a child welfare case manager, trainer, and certified social worker. I began working for Tree of Life in 2019. Much of my work is focused on working with children and adolescents on increasing emotional intelligence and obtaining skills to effectively respond to daily challenges. I can help clients experiencing stress/anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, and more.

In my free time I love music, sports, and outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.”

Tenille Sealy, LCSW

• Works with: anyone under 15.

• Specializes in: attachment, anxiety, disruptive behavior, but will work with anyone!

• Favorite type of therapy: experiential therapy- play, art, storytelling, etc.

“I have always loved helping others.  When I decided to become a social worker my mom said that she always knew that is what I would become.  My passion is working with children of all ages.

I love spending time helping children identify their own strengths and how to use those strengths to overcome the challenges they are facing.  My favorite thing about working with children is being creative and playing while building skills for managing behaviors and emotions, expressing needs and healing from trauma.  I use a combination of CBT, mindfulness and experiential activities to help clients build on their own strengths and add new skills.  

I got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work at Utah State University.  I have worked for the last 7 years in a community mental health agency.  While there I ran children’s groups (which included children ages 4-16) and worked to coordinate care in the local elementary schools. 

In my free time I enjoy playing the piano, camping or hanging out with my family.  I love baking and spending time in my yard and community.  I also enjoy attending local plays and music performances and watching my four boys play their cellos, violins, drums, guitars and our piano.  As you can imagine, my house is a little loud.  We spend a lot of time at Bear Lake sailing, fishing and beach combing with my family and my dogs.”

Taylor Bell, CSW

• Works with: clients 5-18 years old.

• Specializes in: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy!

• Favorite type of therapy: I like using Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) - talk therapy for people who experience emotions very intensely-, mindfulness, and EMDR.

“I have always had a passion for connecting with people and listening to their stories. Past experiences influence future actions and it is important that individuals have a place where they can safely process their experiences and grow in a supportive environment. As a therapist I recognize the importance of building a strong relationship with those I work with and use a person-centered and strengths-based approach to help individuals overcome challenges they are facing. I am trained in EMDR and am passionate about using this treatment to help individuals strengthen their positive resources and process traumatic events that they have experienced in life to help them move forward in a healthy and productive way. 

I obtained a Bachelor's degree in social work from Weber State University and spent the next three years working for the Division of Child and Family Services as an in-home and foster care caseworker. I loved supporting families in working through challenges they were facing. Working in this role I quickly realized that I wanted to do more and returned to school so that I could better support those that I worked with. I earned a Masters degree in social work from Utah State University and began working as a school social worker in Ogden School District in 2022. I continue to work with Ogden School District and enjoy building relationships with the children and their families and watching them overcome challenging situations they are faced with whether that be at school, home, or in the community. I am passionate about helping children and their families in building healthy and supportive relationships, recognizing and building on their unique strengths, and using those relationships and strengths to reach their full potential. 

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife, son, two very energetic dogs, playing golf and soccer, and spending time exploring this incredible state we live in.”

Holly Patterson, CMHC Intern

• Works with: anyone!

• Offers teletherapy (clients 13+)!

• Specializes in: emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, but will work with anyone!

“As an individual that has experienced a wide range of family and personal struggles, I have known first-hand the transformative power of supportive counseling.  These encounters ignited a desire in me to pay forward the compassion and guidance that has been pivotal in my own journey.  As a therapist, the greatest tools I bring with me are my life experience and passion for the process.  In my work, I am guided by the principles of person-centered therapy.  I prioritize creating a safe, empathetic space where clients feel genuinely heard and valued. I firmly believe that the journey towards healing is as significant as the acquisition of coping skills. Thus, my therapeutic approach intertwines evidence-based interventions with the healing potential of authentic human connection.

I am currently working with individuals of all ages and especially enjoy seeing those dealing with life transitions, depression, anxiety, weight loss struggles and family issues. 

I have had a wide variety of jobs and experiences but most recently spent a year and a half working for Davis Behavioral Health where I had the opportunity to teach mindfulness and parenting classes in the community and schools.  I realized how great the needs are within our community and I hope to be able to advocate for individuals and families through my work. 

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and am working toward a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.”