At The Family Life Center, we believe the right guide will make all the difference in your family & individual journeys
Learn More Below About Our Incredible Recovery & Counseling Team
"Compassionate Care You Can Trust"
Joseph White, PhD
Executive Director; PhD
Joseph White is the executive director of the Foundation for Family Life (& former professor at South Dakota State & University of Nebraska). For over three decades Dr. White has focused on substance-abuse prevention, responsible fatherhood, & evidence-based risk-prevention programs. He worked with Dakota & Lakota tribes to develop a culturally-specific, family-oriented alcohol, drug, & suicide prevention program (Takoja Niwiciyape: Giving Life to the Grandchildren). Dr. White’s primary focus for the past decade plus has been to reduce relapse & recidivism by providing services for individuals returning from incarceration with substance use disorders through the MentorWorks (sober living) & Redwood Recovery (outpatient treatment) programs. Additionally, his passion for supporting healthy family life has led to the development & creation of the Family Life Coach Institute. Dr. White earned his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University, co-founded the Dakota Fatherhood Initiative, co-authored the book Why Fathers Count, & has authored many professional publications. His recent volunteer efforts include serving as a JustServe specialist. He enjoys playing racquetball, pickleball, four-wheeling, & sudoku. He & Alice, his wife of 34 years, are the parents of 8 children & 5 grandchildren (with 2 on the way!).
Amelia Clawson
Administrative Assistant; CCM, Certified Family Life Coach
Amelia Clawson is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies at Brigham Young University. She plans to continue her education by earning a Master’s in Social Work after completing her undergraduate studies. While interning at the Foundation for Family Life, she became a Certified Family Life Coach and had the opportunity to work with some of the most incredible clients and staff. Shortly afterward, she transitioned into the role of Executive Assistant at FFL, where she continues to find deep fulfillment in her work. Amelia strongly believes that everyone has both potential and purpose—and that with those, each person deserves a second chance. She holds the conviction that individuals are more than their worst mistakes and that everyone deserves grace and love. She strives to prevent heartache and bring joy to others by sharing, teaching, and embodying these beliefs in both her personal and professional life.
Jocelyn Pattersonn
Case Management Supervisor; BS, CCM
Denalee Wilkinson
Assistant Clinical Director; MSP, SSW, ASUDC, Certified Family Life Coach
Denalee holds a B.A. in Socio-Cultural Anthropology from Brigham Young University and a M.S. in Psychology from Grand Canyon University. In addition, she has received an ASUDC (advanced substance use disorder counselor) certificate from Utah Valley University. While she has worked in a variety of industries and as an entrepreneur over the last 30 years, her passion lies in helping others find balance within the biopsychosocial model and create intentional lives using cognitive behavioral applications. Her experiences in counseling and coaching have demonstrated that with dedication and the right tools and methodologies, anyone can create the life they want. Over the past several years, Denalee has served in a number of roles at the Family Life Center including volunteer, case manager, intern, group therapy facilitator, therapist, family life coach/cognitive behavioral coach, and this is her second stint as the assistant clinical director. She has been a contributor to various podcasts, magazines, studies, and conferences. A single, sole-custodial parent of seven children for well over a decade, Denalee married her husband, Jason, later in life. The two now find themselves empty nesters which allows her plenty of time to pursue her love of outdoor sports and adventure travel. She is also working on her Spanish with plans to begin doing humanitarian work in South America.
Casey Telford
Program Supervisor; CPSS, Certified Family Life Coach
Casey Telford is the Program Supervisor for our MentorWorks healthy transition homes and Redwood Recovery substance-abuse treatment program. He is a certified Peer Support Specialist, Targeted Case Manager, and MRT instructor (Moral Reconation Therapy), He works with clients directly along with the treatment team to facilitate the progression from intake to graduation. With 5 years of sobriety and graduating the MentorWorks program in 2019 himself, he understands the challenges of recovery. He believes that quitting drugs and/or alcohol is the easy part. Everything that comes after that is the true challenge.
Casey is happily married to his wife Danielle. They have 3 beautiful daughters Amber, Harlowe, and Lylah. He spends every day continuing his recovery journey to be the best possible man and father when given the chance to reunite with Harlowe and Lylah.