Meet Our Team
Austin Francom
APRN, FNP
Austin Francom is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). He started his work in health care at Volunteers of America social detox and the University of Utah’s Neuropsychiatric Institute while obtaining undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Sociology.
After starting a nursing career with experience in mental health and critical care, he earned a master’s degree in nursing from Westminster College. He has been practicing in the Salt Lake Valley in primary care since 2013. Austin is the owner of Summit Primary Care, his family practice. Throughout his career, Austin has demonstrated a commitment to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to his patients. His educational background in psychology and sociology, combined with his extensive experience in mental health and critical care, allows him to approach patient care from a holistic perspective. He understands the interconnectedness of physical and mental health and strives to address both aspects in his practice.
In his free time, Austin enjoys snowboarding, seeing his favorite musical artists, singing karaoke, reading about mythology and esoteric subjects, and listening to podcasts. He can usually be found engaging in stimulating conversations with his friends and colleagues.
Candace Curzon
LCSW
Candace graduated from the University of Utah in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and in 2012 with a Master of Social Work. She served at the University of Utah’s Neuropsychiatric Institute as a member of their crisis team and as a therapist on the inpatient psychiatric unit at LDS Hospital.
During her time at LDS Hospital, she saw excellent results with Ketamine treatment for severe depression, OCD, suicidal ideation, and other complex mental health issues. Recognizing the profound impact this treatment could have on individuals struggling with these conditions and desiring to establish deeper, more enduring therapeutic relationships with her clients, she founded Ally Counseling in 2016.
Candace’s approach to healing is centered on helping clients develop practical, lifelong skills to calm the mind and body, let go of irrational thoughts, and create safety within themselves to support their healing journey. She incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and mindfulness skills to help clients regulate their lives and create lasting, positive change.
In her free time, Candace enjoys spending time walking her three dogs, gardening, and traveling to see her favorite musicians. You can usually find her practicing mindfulness on her front porch, surrounded by her dogs.
Their Collaborative Work
Candace and Austin have both trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). They have also trained through the Ketamine Training Center with Phil Wolfsen, the leading researcher on Ketamine and Ketamine Assisted Therapy. Together, Austin and Candace began Ketamine Therapy at Therapeutic Alternatives in February 2019. They believed that Ketamine Therapy could be safely and effectively administered in a setting that was less clinical, more welcoming, and safe. They set out to create a clinic that reflected inviting, comfortable surroundings and warm, welcoming staff, fostering an ideal environment for healing. Each treatment room at Ketamine Therapy at Therapeutic Alternatives has been thoughtfully designed to promote relaxation and comfort, reflecting their belief that a serene, aesthetically pleasing environment can enhance the healing process. Each member of the team has been carefully selected to create an environment where each client feels seen, heard, and safe to fully embody wherever they are in their process.
Catherine Moran
RN, LE
Catherine is a dedicated Registered Nurse with specialized certification in Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMH) nursing. With a deep passion for integrative care, she brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and holistic practices to her role at the clinic. Catherine has witnessed firsthand the profound healing potential of ketamine therapy and finds great fulfillment in supporting patients through their transformative journeys.
For over 25 years, Catherine has practiced yoga and meditation, cultivating a grounded and compassionate presence in her work. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2019 and holds additional certification in Mindfulness Practices, including breathwork. Her approach to care is deeply informed by her commitment to mind-body wellness. In addition to her nursing background, Catherine has been a licensed Esthetician since 2011. She offers a range of aesthetic services, including Dysport, lip injections, PRP treatments, microneedling, vitamin and wellness injections, and permanent cosmetics at Lucent Studio SLC. Her diverse skill set allows her to support clients both medically and aesthetically, helping them feel their best inside and out.
Dr. Marienelle Fernandez
PhD in Mind-Body Medicine, MSN, MHA, RN, AHN-BC
Dr. Marienelle Fernandez is a registered nurse, educator, heart-centered grief facilitator, and founder of My Heart Connections. With more than 27 years of nursing experience, she integrates evidence-informed, embodied, and evidence-informed, embodied, holistic approaches to support individuals navigating grief, trauma, loss, and life’s transitions. She holds a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine and is currently pursuing her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree, further expanding her expertise in mental health and integrative care.
Following the unexpected death of her adult daughter, Alicia, Dr. Marienelle’s personal and professional journey inspired her doctoral dissertation, Motherhood, Spirituality, and the Unexpected Death of an Adult Child: An Evocative Autoethnography of a Mother’s Grieving Journey. Her research explored spirituality, Sacred Psychedelic Pathways including ketamine and ayahuasca, embodied expression through collage, dance, music, and poetry, and community connection and collective healing. This work became the foundation for HEART Wave™, her embodied holistic facilitation framework, and informs her work supporting clients preparing for or integrating ketamine-assisted therapy.
Drawing from her lived experience as a ketamine client, her doctoral research, and her experience working as a registered nurse at this ketamine clinic, Dr. Marienelle offers a unique perspective that bridges lived experience, scholarship, and clinical practice in supporting clients preparing for and integrating ketamine experiences.
Dr. Marienelle offers individual and group grief facilitation, supporting clients in developing the capacity to be with grief and life’s transitions by cultivating greater presence, nervous-system regulation, self-trust, and deeper connection.
Liilu Hansen
Patient Care Coordinator
Liilu is a part-time professor of Scandinavian Medieval history at UMass Boston and the University of Utah. She lives in SLC with her four children and cat, and loves hiking and yoga. A yoga teacher of 23 years, Liilu has a deep knowledge of wellness practices; however, when she found her own mental health struggling, she experienced profound healing through ketamine-assisted therapy. Her background and interests led her to Ketamine Therapy at Therapeutic Alternatives, where she supports individuals seeking thoughtful, integrative mental health care.
Ademi Knighton
CCMA
Ademi is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. She loves caring for people and creates a welcoming environment for everyone around her. She is pursuing a degree in Nursing at Salt Lake Community College to continue her career in a field that serves her community. In her free time she likes to read, explore new places, and spend time with her family, friends, and her dog.
Lindsey Wilson
LCSW
Lindsey is a Clinical Social Worker specializing in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and integration. She supports clients throughout the ketamine process, with her role varying based on each person’s needs. This may include preparation, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions, or integration. She enjoys helping clients explore what comes up during treatment, discover what it means to them personally, and decide how they want to carry those insights into their lives.
Lindsey earned her Master of Social Work from Utah State University and is continuing advanced training in EMDR and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based care, combining clinical judgment with a calm, grounded presence.
Outside of work, she loves spending time with family and friends, usually somewhere with long dirt trails, cold rivers, good food, and above all, great conversation.
Chris Edmonds
Patient Care
The Muses Behind the Magic
Sammy
The Ketamine Therapy Dog
Bubba Walters
Service Dog in Training