Mindy Mitnick, Ed.M.

Back by incredibly popular demand, we are excited to be joined this year as our Keynote Speaker, Mindy Mitnick, Ed.M., a nationally renowned expert on effective interventions in high-conflict divorce. Mindy is a Harvard-educated psychologist and a frequent and favorite speaker at AFCC events and statewide training conferences. She has trained countless professionals throughout the country about developmental issues in parenting schedules, dealing with high-conflict co-parenting issues, assessing allegations of sexual abuse during divorce disputes, and using expert witnesses in divorce cases.

Erin Byington, JD

Erin has been a licensed attorney in Utah since 2011, specializing in family law, criminal defense, juvenile defense, DCFS matters, commercial litigation, business formation, estate planning, and probate. She is a founding partner of Byington & Goble, PLLC. Before her legal career, Erin served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an electro-optical ordnance repair technician, company training officer, and battalion training officer. Following a Hummer accident that led to her becoming a disabled veteran, Erin transitioned to law.

Her firm has been recognized with multiple accolades, including gold and silver awards for Best of Northern Utah in Family Law, Criminal Defense, overall Law Firm, and Estate Planning for both 2021 and 2022.

A frequent and well-regarded speaker at Utah AFCC conferences and seminars, Erin currently serves on the Utah AFCC Board of Directors and chairs the Programming Committee.

Carolynn Clark, JD

Carolynn Clark is an experienced attorney and mediator, holding a law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School and an LL.M. in Mediation from Pepperdine University’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. She has served as a judicial clerk for Chief Justice Matthew Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court and has litigation experience with Ray Quinney & Nebeker. As a Master Mediator and Domestic Mentor on the Utah Court Roster, Carolynn has mediated thousands of cases in divorce, custody, and other family law disputes. She is a dedicated educator, having directed the Master of Legal Studies Program at the University of Utah and taught conflict resolution and mediation at both the University of Utah and BYU Law School.

Carolynn is a member of the Utah Judicial Committee for Alternative Dispute Resolution and a board member of the Utah Council on Conflict Resolution. She also volunteers her mediation services to low-income clients through Utah Dispute Resolution.

Jess Couser, JD

Jessica Couser practices in custody, divorce, parentage, enforcement, child support, private and contested adoptions, protective orders, guardianship, LGBTQ law, and more. Jess and Laura Hansen founded Just Law, LLC in 2010 with the goal of providing clients excellent, ethical and family-focused legal representation.

Jess believes that family law matters require legal skill, strategy, compassion, creativity, and fortitude. Family law attorneys should have specific knowledge of child development, trauma, communication, and coping mechanisms. They should be prepared to advocate for and educate every client on the legal and practical matters they may face.

Jess loves spending time with her husband, three daughters, two chow chows, and extended family here in Utah, Wisconsin, Illinois, Idaho, and California. She also loves (in no particular order) comic books, poetry, art, football, craft cocktails, the Utes, her 1967 vintage camper, camping, cooking, tattoos, running, politics, movies, cribbage, theatre, gardening, dance, writing, design, travel, yard sales, corn hole, music, Gonzaga basketball, the beach, craft beer, abandoned buildings, literature, various Netflix and HBO series, festivals, urban art, flowers, history, comedy, gummy bears, learning French and Spanish, roller coasters, podcasts, Settlers of Catan, mountains, galas, and 5ks.

Kacy Crandall, JD

Kacy Crandall is an experienced Attorney Guardian ad Litem who has been with the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem since 2011. As the Private and Conflict Guardian ad Litem Coordinator, Kacy mentors and trains GAL attorneys, primarily serving the Fourth District Juvenile Court and handling child protective order cases in Utah and Wasatch Counties. Known for her dedication and expertise, she is a trusted resource for family law attorneys seeking guidance on complex legal matters. Kacy is actively involved with the advisory board of the Wasatch County Children’s Justice Center. With a background in family law and criminal defense, she previously built a successful practice at Allan & Easton, earning recognition as the Best Divorce Attorney in Utah County. Kacy is also an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University and a passionate advocate for children’s best interests, both in her professional and personal life as a mother of three.

A frequent and well-regarded speaker at Utah AFCC conferences and seminars, Kacy currently serves on the Utah AFCC Board of Directors.

Delaven “Del” Dickson, JD

Del is an experienced family law attorney specializing in divorce, custody, assisted reproduction, adoption, guardianship, and protective orders. Currently practicing at Jess Couser Family Law, LLC, Del has an extensive background in both family law and complex commercial litigation. He previously founded Del Dickson Law PLLC, focusing on adoption and assisted reproduction, and served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California. Del is admitted to the bar in Utah, California, and New York, and holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. in Politics from Pomona College. He is committed to advocating for his clients and navigating them through challenging legal processes with expertise and compassion.

Dr. Valerie “Val” Hale, PhD

With over two decades of experience, Dr. Valerie (“Val”) Hale has been a pivotal force in shaping child custody evaluations in Utah. She has conducted hundreds of evaluations for the courts while pioneering innovative processes like the Mediation-based Custody consultation and Psychologist-assisted Mediation to help families navigate post-separation arrangements. In addition to her work as an expert witness, where she collaborates with legal counsel on the appropriate execution of evaluations and therapeutic practices, Dr. Hale has made a profound impact as an educator. She has taught more than 40,000 Utahans in the court-mandated Divorce Education for Parents classes. She is the visionary behind the curriculum for the Salt Lake City Divorce Education for Children program.

Kyle Hancock, PhD

Dr. Kyle Hancock received his doctoral degree from Utah State University in 2009 in Combined Clinical/ Counseling/School Psychology with an Emphasis in Clinical Child with an Emphasis in School Psychology.  He completed his pre-doctoral internship at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He is a licensed psychologist in the State of Utah. He is a member of the AFCC and provides clinical and forensic assessments and therapy services, including child custody evaluations, reunification therapy, high-conflict co-parenting support, parental fitness evaluations, and expert testimony.

Laura Hansen, JD

With over 19 years of experience in divorce and family law, Laura is the principal owner of LJ Law, a firm she recently established after serving as co-founder and partner at Just Law, LLC since 2010. Before that, she worked at the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem, where she represented abused and neglected children for more than four years. Driven by her commitment to prioritizing the needs of children and families, Laura originally founded Just Law to provide a compassionate and client-centered approach to legal practice.

Laura’s background in psychology, combined with extensive training and experience in mediation, child development, alienation, abuse and neglect, trauma, domestic violence, and personality disorders, makes her uniquely qualified to handle complex cases while keeping the mental health and well-being of clients and children at the forefront.

Laura currently serves as Vice-President of Utah AFCC.

Nicole Herway, LCSW

Nicole Herway is a psychotherapist based in the Salt Lake City area, specializing in women’s mental health, relationship trauma, and divorce counseling. As the founder of Herway Counseling, Nicole is dedicated to providing compassionate care tailored to each client’s unique needs. She offers individual, couples, and group therapy, helping people to recover from relationship trauma and to build healthy and fulfilling relationships. She primarily uses EMDR, Gottman Method, and IFS in her work. She is currently a doctoral student in Marriage and Family Therapy, focusing on Systemic Family Therapy. In addition to her therapy practice, Nicole is a clinical supervisor, writer, public speaker, and a devoted advocate for domestic violence survivors. 

Christine Hubbard, LCSW

Christine Hubbard, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Utah. She has extensive experience providing therapy to individuals struggling with the long term affects of trauma, including her work with DCFS and incarcerated women through the EXCELL program at the Department of Corrections. Christine is trained in EMDR, certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and has completed Gottman Level 1 training. She is dedicated to supporting individuals and families in their journey toward healing and well-being.

Michelle Jones, LCSW

Michelle Jones is a licensed clinical social worker with over two decades of experience in providing therapy and support to individuals and families. Specializing in high-conflict divorce, parental alienation, and reunification therapy, Michelle brings a wealth of expertise to her practice. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Brigham Young University and has worked extensively in private practice and various clinical settings. As the former Clinical Director of Concordia Families, she led court-involved therapeutic services and supervised therapists specializing in reunification therapy. Michelle is an active member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and has presented nationally on topics related to family therapy and high-conflict dynamics.

Dr. Christy Kane, PsyD, CMHC

Dr. Kane is a seasoned Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of experience in treating trauma, mood disorders, depression, and anxiety. She provides individual, couples, and family counseling, offering a compassionate and nonjudgmental space for healing and growth. Dr. Kane is also a keynote speaker and author, focusing on neurology, mental health stability, and the impact of electronics on the brain. As a former Clinical Director and owner of two residential treatment centers, she has guided countless youth in managing their mental health and achieving positive life changes. Currently, Dr. Kane is accepting a limited number of clients while mentoring emerging counselors and expanding her clinical practice. She also offers court-ordered therapy and specializes in family reunification.

Tracy Krall, JD

Tracy Krall serves as a professional liaison for OurFamilyWizard, where she educates judges, attorneys, and family law professionals on effective online tools for enhancing and monitoring parental communication in high-conflict cases.

With over twenty years of experience as a family law attorney in Phoenix, Arizona, Tracy has dedicated much of her career to supporting families in need. She regularly volunteered with the Family Lawyers Assistance Project, helping pro se litigants navigate the complexities of the court system. Through her efforts, she has guided hundreds of individuals in family law matters.

Kenneth “Kenny” M. Levine, LCSW

Kenny is a licensed clinical social worker and coach with over two decades of experience in providing psychotherapy and coaching services. Licensed in Utah and North Carolina, he specializes in high-conflict divorce, co-parenting therapy, and couples counseling using the Gottman Method. He’s also a Certified Discernment Counselor who works closely with collaborative divorce professionals. As the owner of Thrive Communication Skills, LLC, Kenny offers coaching services worldwide to help individuals, couples, and co-parents struggling with conflict in their relationships. He completed AFCC Training in Advanced Issues for Family Law and Dispute Resolution Professionals and provides Special Master Services in Utah. 

Fluent in French and proficient in Spanish, Kenny is dedicated to helping clients from diverse backgrounds enhance communication and strengthen their relationships.

Marina A. Money, Ph.D.

Dr. Marina A. Money is a seasoned clinical psychologist with extensive experience in mental health services for children, adolescents, and families. As the Owner and Clinical Director of Utah Psychological Services, Inc., she provides comprehensive psychological evaluations, therapy, and expert witness services. Dr. Money holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Brigham Young University and a postdoctoral Master’s in Clinical Psychopharmacology from Alliant International University.

Her areas of expertise include trauma therapy, juvenile justice, family therapy, and clinical supervision. Dr. Money is an active member of the American Psychological Association, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. She is dedicated to advancing ethical and compassionate care in the field of psychology.

Brittany Randall, LCSW

Brittany is a licensed clinical social worker and the Owner and President of Touchstone Therapy Center, where she leads a team of 20 clinicians specializing in attachment, complex trauma, and reunification therapy. With a Master’s in Social Work from Utah State University, Brittany has over 30 years of experience working with at-risk populations, children, and families. She is highly trained in evidence-based modalities, including DBT, CBT, and trauma-focused therapies, and provides specialized therapeutic services for children with developmental trauma and attachment disorders. Brittany is also an expert witness in high-conflict family cases and has served on multiple committees supporting the Guardian ad Litem program. She is passionate about helping families heal and thrive and is an active and popular speaker at numerous professional conferences.