Staff Overview

At InnerChange, we know that the quality of our programs depends, absolutely, on the quality of our people. We're proud not only of the credentials and experience our staff members possess, but the passion with which they engage their work with families. Below are just a few of the amazing people who take care of InnerChange adolescents, young adults, and their families. You'll notice an impressive range and depth of expertise among this sampling of staff members.

Visit our program websites to meet the rest of our fantastic staff.

Joel Beckstrand, M.Ed.; Academics

Joel graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor's Degree in Math and Science Education. Before coming to Sunrise, he was a private school teacher for the Benjamin Franklin Academy, which dealt with at-risk teens. As Educational Director at Sunrise, Joel oversees the academic program and works with each student to build her individual academic plan. Joel's responsibilities include intake testing and evaluation, classroom instruction, evaluation and recommendations of high school credits, and implementation of our independent studies program.

Joel is passionate not only about the families he works with, but about his own family as well. He most enjoys spending time with his wife and kids doing just about anything, from playing video games, to swimming at the splash park, to riding motorcycles. An avid runner, Joel's best marathon time is 3:56. Joel also likes playing softball with some of his best friends on earth-his brothers and cousins.

Janette Davenport, LPC

Originally from the Seattle area, Janette first came to Utah to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation at BYU. After graduation, she returned to Seattle and worked as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for a few years and then, as a teacher for troubled students at a private school. After earning her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and School Counseling from Central Washington University, Janette returned to Utah and worked as counselor at a junior high and as a therapist with teens and adults dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. She has experience with working with individuals that deal with substance abuse, bipolar disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, ADD/ADHD, Learning disabilities, personality disorders, and self-harm behaviors. She enjoys interacting and building relationships with teenagers and seeing them make positive changes in their lives. Janette tries to stay active by running, hiking, swimming and in the winter, cross country skiing.

Laurie Laird, M.Ed.

Laurie came to InnerChange with a Master's Degree in Educational Counseling and has taught family and consumer science, math, and biology for 15 years in the public school system in both junior and senior high schools.  She has also worked as a comprehensive guidance counselor specializing in career development and counseling.  She has worked as a consultant to the Utah State education system, providing services that include curriculum development, student teacher coordination, teacher training, and School-to-Careers program coordination.  Laurie is Special Education Certified and specializes in learning styles, working with learning disabilities, behavior management in the classroom, healing trauma, and working students out of negative mind processes.  Laurie has four children and enjoys running, sewing, travel, and the outdoors.