Supporting You With Experts
As a counseling provider, our services offer professional support and guidance to individuals struggling with emotional or mental health issues. Our licensed counselors facilitate one-on-one sessions where clients can feel safe to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a confidential environment. By working collaboratively with our clients, we develop effective coping strategies and solutions to their problems, enabling personal growth and self-discovery. Our counseling services aim to improve communication skills, relationships, and overall quality of life, empowering individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Clinicial Staff

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 35 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.

Charelle Hagen, CSW
Charelle is a Certified Social Worker and clinical resident therapist at PATS. She graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from Utah Valley University, building on her previous education with a BS in Sociology and a minor in Family Science. Charelle specializes in working with teens and adults of all ages, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their optimal life. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral, Strengths-Based, and Solution-Focused Therapy styles, along with techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Charelle has also been trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence-based treatment for psychological trauma and various other conditions.

Charelle’s life experience has contributed to her ability to support those navigating blended families and various relationship dynamics. She has enhanced her therapy skills through training and volunteering with organizations such as The Refuge, The Children’s Justice Center, and Zions Children of Haiti. These experiences have deepened her commitment to serving vulnerable populations.

Charelle is dedicated to making a positive impact through her therapeutic practice, combining empathy, expertise, and a commitment to helping individuals thrive in all aspects of their lives. Beyond her professional endeavors, Charelle enjoys spending time with her husband and children, cheering on the Utah Jazz, traveling, and nurturing her passion for gardening.

Misty Bellis, Eds
Misty works at the American Fork PATS office during evenings and weekends. Misty is a licensed school psychologist and a nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP). She obtained an Education Specialist degree from Brigham Young University in December 2022 and obtained her NCSP license from NASP in April 2023. When Misty isn’t at PATS she works part-time for a local school district helping identify various barriers that can impede a student’s learning and supporting students in the schools. In this setting Misty has had the opportunity to work with youth from kindergarten all the way to post-high school. She enjoys completing cognitive assessments and is always seeking to remain up-to-date in the latest research so that she can provide the best support to her clients. Outside of work, Misty enjoys spending time with her husband and baby, reading, and cooking up new dishes.

Administrative Staff

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.

Kari Rugg
Kari works at the American Fork PATS office three days a week. Working as an office assistant, she is most excited for the opportunity to interact with clients. Kari enjoys spending time with her family and being in the mountains. Kari is married and a mom of two boys and one girl. She loves making things with her hands and learning new skills including crocheting, watercolor painting and wheel thrown pottery.

Aubrey Rugg

American Fork Office
Address: 814 East Bamberger Drive,
Suite A American Fork, UT 84003

Email: psychats@gmail.com

Phone: (801) 692-1099 (Main line)

Text: (385) 722-4473 (Text only)

Fax: (801) 760-7499 (Fax)

Eagle Mountain Office
Address: 4408 Pony Express Parkway,
Suite B Eagle Mountain, UT 84005

Email: empats@patsutahcounty.com

Phone: (801) 436-7015 (Main line)

Text: (801) 592-4970 (Text only)

Fax: (801) 760-7499 (Fax)