Day Treatment Providers

David Koldewyn, LCSW

Day Treatment Director

David Koldewyn went to the University of Utah where he earned is MSW in 1995. He has spent the majority of his Social Work career working with children and adolescents in day treatment settings.

He finds fulfillment in seeing the growth clients make when they learn new skills and address and overcome past traumas.  Dave enjoys working with an incredibly talented, knowledgeable, and committed day treatment team.  

In his personal life, Dave enjoys being outdoors whether hiking, trail running, mountain biking, or snowshoeing.  Dave has lived in Utah for the majority of his life.  He has three amazing daughters, and one dog - that likes him sometimes.  

Dave's personal belief is that we are all doing the best we can and that we can do better when we know better.

Courtney Folster Wilson, LCSW

Crisis Team Supervisor, Day Treatment Therapist, & DBT Therapist

Courtney was born and raised in Sandy, Utah.

She earned a scholarship to play division 1 soccer at the Utah Valley University where she attended for undergrad. She then received a Master's degree in Social Work through the University of Utah.

Courtney has wanted to work in the social work field for as long as she could remember.  Both of her parents have social work degrees she was lucky enough to have role models who value service, compassion, and kindness. Courtney says “My parents have been amazing examples to me and have taught me cherished lessons that I hope to bring to my own practice.”.

Brooklyn Valdez, MSWI

Day Treatment Therapist

Brooklyn Valdez is a dedicated mental health professional with a passion for supporting young children and their families. She earned bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at the University of Utah.

Brooklyn has experience working with children ages 2 to 5 who are navigating a variety of behavioral and mental health challenges. She is passionate about early childhood mental health and is committed to helping children build healthy emotional foundations during their most formative years. She strives to provide compassionate, developmentally appropriate support while partnering with families to promote each child's growth and well-being.

Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Brooklyn enjoys spending time with her two playful cats. She also loves scrapbooking, crocheting, and attending concerts, and values opportunities to express creativity and connect with others through her hobbies.

Kristen Nichols, SSW

Lead Day Treatment Counselor

Kristen Nichols is the Day Treatment Lead Behavior Counselor at Hopeful Beginnings. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Utah in 2013. After beginning her career as a preschool teacher, she transitioned into the mental health and social work field, where she discovered a passion for supporting youth and their families. She later earned her Social Service Worker (SSW) license while serving on the Day Treatment team.

Kristen is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where young people feel respected, understood, and empowered to grow. She values building genuine connections with each client and believes in meeting them where they are emotionally, intellectually, and socially. Her approach combines structure with compassion, using redirection, de-escalation techniques, and collaborative problem-solving to help clients develop confidence and healthy coping skills.

As the Day Treatment Lead, Kristen has helped develop a curriculum centered on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, social skills, life skills, and educational enrichment. She enjoys the challenge of finding individualized approaches that help each client succeed while also fostering positive peer relationships within the group setting.

Kristen believes every person deserves a sense of belonging and respect. She is committed to helping the youth she serves recognize their strengths, build resilience, and develop the skills needed to thrive both in treatment and beyond.

Irelinde Jackson

Day Treatment Staff

Irelinde has completed her High School Diploma and pursued additional college coursework in Education and Human Development through Salt Lake Community College. She began her mental health career with Hopeful Beginnings in 2019, providing part-time Respite Services while working full-time as a photographer. As her passion for supporting others grew, she expanded her role by taking on additional clients and later joined the Day Treatment program to provide additional support. She has been a valued member of the Day Treatment team for several years.

Irelinde brings creativity, compassion, and a strong sense of community into her work with clients. She uses her passion for art, connection, and finding meaning in everyday experiences to help create a supportive and engaging environment where clients can grow, develop skills, and feel a sense of belonging.

Her experience includes behavior tracking, skills coaching, DBT skills instruction, and social skills development. Irelinde has a unique ability to meet clients where they are and adapt activities, lessons, and the environment to support different learning styles, treatment goals, and individual needs. She works to ensure clients are both supported and appropriately challenged as they build confidence, develop coping strategies, and work toward meaningful goals within the Day Treatment setting.

Irelinde and the Day Treatment team utilize adapted Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills designed specifically to meet the needs of adolescent clients. She is an outgoing, creative problem solver who values not only clients’ progress after treatment but also their experiences, perspectives, and voices throughout their therapeutic journey. She is dedicated to helping clients feel heard, respected, and empowered as they work toward growth and success.