Staff at American Fork Office
Clinical
Steven M. Gentry, PhD
Dr. Gentry is a Child & Family Psychologist and the Executive Director of PATS and its companies. He received his B.S. in Psychology from Brigham Young University, his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Louisville, and he completed a year-long internship at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Dr. Gentry also completed one year of specialty training in Marriage & Family Therapy while at the University of Louisville.The founder of PATS (est. 1995), Dr. Gentry has been providing outpatient psychological services for over 20 years. He specializes in treating children and adolescents with any of a number of struggles. Dr. Gentry also has extensive experience working with adults struggling with personal and relational problems. Dr. Gentry’s therapeutic approach is Cognitive-Behavioral, which has been shown to be a particularly effective method for reducing depression and anxiety. He has written a number of articles on parenting, relationships, and issues related to mental health. Married and the father of four, Dr. Gentry enjoys traveling, shopping for antiques with his wife, playing the piano, and playing chess.SPANISH: El Doctor Gentry habla español fluidamente, y sus pacientes incluyen personas de varios países y culturas hispánicos.
Rick Merideth, PhD
Rick Merideth received a BS degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University, a MA degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Brigham Young University. He is bilingual (Spanish) and conducts immigration-related evaluations. He has worked in a number of settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and day treatment. Rick completed his clinical internship at Valley Mental Health in Salt Lake City working with children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of mental illnesses and cultural backgrounds. In his spare time he enjoys salsa dancing, hiking, and playing tennis, as well as visiting his home state of California.
Chris Wallace, PhD, LMFT
Chris Wallace is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. He received his B.A. in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, and earned his M.S. in Family Life Education (1981) and PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy at Brigham Young University (1990). He is the author of AANCHOR – a curriculum that is an alternative to traditional sex education, which he trained teachers in from Utah, California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Idaho to deliver the curriculum, then tested for outcomes. AANCHOR demonstrated that it was possible to reduce sexually permissive attitudes in adolescents. Dr. Wallace also interned at the child/adolescent psych department at the Utah Valley Hospital (1984-1985) then at the request of the Utah Governor, worked three years at the Heritage RTC (Provo, 1988-1991), then worked as the Clinical Director for the Anasazi Foundation from 1991-2003. Dr. Wallace specializes in working with patients who struggle with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, marital challenges, and sexual abuse. Dr. Wallace’s therapeutic approach relies primarily upon the philosophical work of Dr. Terry Warner (who examined why and how we humans resist solution), and Cognitive-Behavioral approaches. Now empty nesters, he and his wife enjoy grandchildren, traveling, hiking, and home cooking with friends and family.
Valerie Bunker, LMFT
Valerie Bunker is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her BA in Music with a double major in Marriage, Family and Human Development from Brigham Young University. She earned her MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University. Valerie recently moved to Utah from Southern California and joined PATS in February, 2020. She has over fifteen years of experience working with children, adolescents, couples, families, and individuals with various needs. Her therapeutic techniques include a combination of Cognitive Behavioral and Solution Focused therapies. She has experience helping clients with depression, anxiety, and relationship issues, including marriage and parenting. Her experience also includes working with individuals struggling with recent or past trauma. Valerie is married with four children and enjoys music, spending time with her family, and taking trips to the beach.
Lauren Cheney, CSW
Lauren is a Certified Social Worker. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Brigham Young University in 2019. She then completed a Master of Social Work degree at Utah Valley University in May, 2023. Lauren has had a variety of experiences throughout her educational pursuits that have included working with adults at Wasatch Behavioral Health, volunteering with adults at the Utah State Hospital, and most recently finishing an internship as a school social work intern at Provost Elementary School. She has experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with clients and enjoys using this modality, as well as incorporating mindfulness. She appreciates the person-in-environment framework that social work provides and utilizes this framework with her clients. Outside of school and work, Lauren enjoys spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, traveling, dancing, and swimming.
Eliza Collins, CSW
Eliza Collins is a Certified Social Worker. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Life from Brigham Young University, and subsequent Master of Social Work degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. Throughout her schooling, she worked as a Social Work Intern in both a hospital setting and within the judicial system and completed a Capstone Thesis on the application of Family Systems Theory. Prior to joining PATS, Eliza worked at El Paso Children’s Hospital in El Paso, Texas, where she provided clinical and case management services to patients and families from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds, including the immigrant population. Eliza incorporates a variety of therapeutic approaches in her practice including Family Systems Theory, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, and Strength-Based Therapy. She loves the well-rounded nature of the social work profession and strives to integrate into her practice the social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. Eliza and her husband are the parents of three children. She enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, and traveling to new places.
Charelle Hagen, BS
Charelle graduated from Utah Valley University with a BS in Sociology and a minor in Family Science. She is currently a Master of Social Work student and will be graduating from Utah Valley University in April 2024. She has trained and volunteered with several organizations including The Refuge, The Children’s Justice Center, and Zions Children of Haiti. Charelle has worked as a resource paraeducator in the Alpine School District where she gained hands-on experience working with students to address appropriate behavior, and positive social interactions needed to achieve academic success.
She has a passion for working with teens and helping them find solutions while navigating difficult situations. She likes to utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with a focus on mindfulness to help her clients find balance while working through challenges. Her life experience has allowed her to assist those struggling with divorce, blended families, and other relationship issues. Charelle enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, watching the Utah Jazz, traveling, and working in her yard.
Bryan Bonilla, BS
Bryan is completing his final year at Utah Valley University in the Master of Social Work Program. He completed his undergraduate degree at John Jay College. Bryan has experience working in various settings, including Youth Residential treatment, State agencies, and recently interned with Utah Valley Hospital’s Emergency Department. Bryan utilizes various therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, and Strengths-based approaches. Bryan has experience working with children, teens, and adults. A Native of New York, Bryan has been living in Utah for the past six years and has enjoyed taking in the beautiful views of Utah. Bryan enjoys the outdoors, working out, and spending time with his wife and son. Se habla español.
Administrative
Lisa McFadden
Lisa works full time as the PATS Office Manager/Billing Specialist. She keeps the office running smoothly with her broad knowledge and abilities across the board. She is always willing to help and answer any questions you may have as you interact with our office. Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and her nine grandchildren
Marci Durrant
Marci has been with PATS since 2010 and works a couple of days a week. She loves working at PATS as a receptionist and office assistant, especially interacting with clients. Marci enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grand kids but also loves to bake, read, sew, and garden.
Hunter Martinez
Hunter works as an office assistant in the American Fork office. He is a senior at Utah Valley University studying psychology and hopes to work with teenagers and young adults in the future. When he’s not at PATS behind the front desk, he loves to get outside and enjoy the beautiful state of Utah by hiking, camping, or skiing at one of Utah’s world class ski resorts. He can be found on a trail, especially when there’s fresh snow. He enjoys making his own music, and cheering for the Baltimore Ravens.