Jessica Schreifels
@byjschreifels.bsky.social
Investigative journalist | Accountability Editor and Reporter for The Salt Lake Tribune | Reach me at jschreifels@sltrib.com
Former participants say The Other Side Academy's tough love approach crossed a line. Academy leaders say those participants knew exactly what they were signing up for.
‘Just go down the street and die’: What former participants say happened when they left The Other Side Academy
Former participants say The Other Side Academy's tough love approach crossed a line. Academy leaders say those participants knew exactly what they were signing up for.
sltrib.com
Utah ordered Provo Canyon School to close both of its campuses after finding staff used abusive discipline and other violations. Now the program is fighting back.
Provo Canyon School is fighting to stay open after Utah found mistreatment and revoked its licenses
Utah ordered Provo Canyon School to close both of its campuses after finding staff used abusive discipline and other violations. Now the program is fighting back.
sltrib.com
After Grand County deputies accused their sheriff of trying to derail a major drug trafficking prosecution, they turned to state watchdogs and county leaders for action. But instead, they encountered a system hesitant to police an elected sheriff. My latest: www.sltrib.com/news/2026/06...
In Grand County, allegations against a sheriff met a system reluctant to act
The Salt Lake Tribune spoke to seven current and former Grand County sheriff deputies, who described a workplace where they felt criticism of leadership was viewed as disloyalty and even small symbols...
sltrib.com
"Experts say support letters like this from bishops and those affiliated with the church can cause feelings of betrayal for not only the victim, but the wider church community." @jessicamiller.bsky.social More about the harm of institutional betrayal in these cases www.sltrib.com/news/2026/05...
A BYU dean wrote in support of a man charged with child sex abuse crimes. It’s not an isolated case.
A BYU dean vouched for a Utah County man accused of possessing child sex abuse materials in court, writing to a judge that the man was "always honest, kind and trustworthy."
sltrib.com
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said he didn't know some prosecutors in his office were alerting the LDS Church's lawyers when bishops wrote support letters for criminal defendants until The Salt Lake Tribune asked about it.
When Latter-day Saint bishops write letters for criminal defendants, some Utah County prosecutors alert the church’s law firm
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said he didn't know some prosecutors in his office were alerting the LDS Church's lawyers when bishops wrote support letters for criminal defendants until The Salt Lake Tribune asked about it.
sltrib.com
The case highlights how Latter-day Saint leaders and others affiliated with the church have vouched for defendants in Utah, even as the church discourages the practice. https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/05/07/he-was-facing-dozens-felonies-byu
A BYU dean wrote to a judge in support of a man charged with possessing child sex abuse materials. The case highlights how LDS leaders and others affiliated with the church have vouched for defendants in Utah, even as the church discourages the practice. www.sltrib.com/news/2026/05...
A BYU dean wrote in support of a man charged with child sex abuse crimes. It’s not an isolated case.
A BYU dean vouched for a Utah County man accused of possessing child sex abuse materials in court, writing to a judge that the man was "always honest, kind and trustworthy."
sltrib.com
Owen had “meticulously leveraged” his two roles as a therapist and LDS church leader to claim sexual abuse as treatment, one patient told the courtroom. “He exploited my trust, he weaponized my faith and dismantled my confidence.” By @jessicamiller.bsky.social
Utah Ex-Therapist Scott Owen Sentenced to Prison for Sexually Abusing Patients
Owen’s 15-year-to-life prison term follows a 2023 investigation by The Salt Lake Tribune and ProPublica that uncovered a range of sex abuse allegations against the ex-therapist, who claimed to be a sp...
propub.li
One victim said Scott Owen “meticulously leveraged” his two roles as a licensed mental health worker and an LDS church leader, blending religion and therapy to assure him that sexual touching in their sessions was necessary treatment.
Utah ex-therapist Scott Owen sentenced to prison for sexually abusing patients
Nearly a dozen people who say ex-therapist Scott Owen sexually abused them filled a courtroom with their families on Monday, as Owen was sentenced to prison for abusing patients.
sltrib.com
NEW: Dozens of life coaches advertised their ability to treat mental health issues, despite not having the training or permits to do so, Utah researchers found. A new law aims to crack down on the practice by clearly defining what only a therapist can do. With @sltrib.com
New Utah Law Seeks to Crack Down on Life Coaches Offering Therapy Without a License
Some therapists who lose their licenses transition to the unregulated life coaching industry, an investigation by The Salt Lake Tribune and ProPublica found. A new law makes it clear that only license...
propub.li
Still looking to connect with Utahns who feel like they were harmed by their life coach. If that's you, send me an email : jschreifels(@)sltrib.com
Jessica Schreifels@byjschreifels.bsky.social · last yr.Some therapists who lose their licenses transition to the unregulated life coaching industry, a @sltrib.com / @propublica.org investigation found. A new law Gov. Cox signed yesterday makes it clear that only licensed therapists can provide mental health treatment.
Some therapists who lose their licenses transition to the unregulated life coaching industry, a @sltrib.com / @propublica.org investigation found. A new law Gov. Cox signed yesterday makes it clear that only licensed therapists can provide mental health treatment.
New Utah law seeks to crack down on life coaches offering therapy without a license
Dozens of life coaches advertised their ability to treat mental health issues, despite not having the training or permits to do so, Utah researchers found. A new law aims to crack down on the practice...
sltrib.com
NEW: Utah Ex-Therapist Scott Owen Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing His Patients The plea comes after an investigation by @sltrib.com and @propublica.org about the former therapist, who built a reputation as a specialist for struggling gay Latter-day Saints men.
Utah Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Patients “Using His Position as a Therapist”
The plea comes after an investigation by The Salt Lake Tribune and ProPublica about the former therapist, who built a reputation as a specialist for struggling gay Latter-day Saints men.
propublica.org
While Scott Owen gave up his therapy license in 2018 after patients complained to state licensers that he had touched them inappropriately, his guilty pleas Monday marked the first time he has publicly acknowledged that he sexually abused his patients.
Utah ex-therapist Scott Owen pleads guilty to sexually abusing two patients during sessions
A former Utah therapist who had a reputation for helping gay Latter-day Saint men admitted in court that he sexually abused some of his patients during sessions.
sltrib.com
In Utah, 217 women have now sued an OB-GYN for alleged sex abuse. One says he assaulted her after he agreed to stop practicing.
In Utah, 217 women have now sued an OB-GYN for alleged sex abuse. One says he assaulted her after he agreed to stop practicing.
There are now 217 women who have filed a civil lawsuit against Utah County OB-GYN David Broadbent, accusing him of sexually abusing them during appointments.
sltrib.com
Young Utahns are struggling with mental health. A new Utah tech company promises its A.I. chatbot can help, but mental health professionals are raising concerns.
Young Utahns struggle with their mental health. Is a new A.I. chatbot the answer?
A new Utah tech company promises its artificial intelligence can help struggling students, but mental health professionals are raising concerns.
sltrib.com
I'm looking to connect with Utah life coaches who have opinions (either for or against) about whether their industry should be regulated or require registration. Is that you or do you know someone? Please get in touch, I'm at jmiller(at)sltrib.com!
Nearly half of Utah’s wilderness programs for "troubled teens" closed in the last year. The Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council said one factor — negative attention driven by former clients — has been “hard for programs to combat." www.sltrib.com/news/2024/05...
Nearly half of Utah’s wilderness programs for ‘troubled teens’ closed in the last year. Here’s what’s happening.
The wilderness therapy industry is struggling in a way it hasn’t since the early 2000s, when national scrutiny followed the deaths of a number of young people in outdoor youth programs.
sltrib.com
Newly public records show that Utah Valley University quietly asked a nurse practitioner to resign over an after-hours pelvic exam. That was years after two students had reported him to campus police, alleging he touched them inappropriately during exams. www.sltrib.com/news/health/...
A Utah university quietly asked this nurse to resign over an after-hours pelvic exam. This was after two students told police he touched them inappropriately.
By the time a nurse practitioner left Utah Valley University’s student clinic, two patients had reported him to campus police, alleging inappropriate touching. That's not why he quit.
sltrib.com
This Utah woman says she was touched inappropriately during a cosmetic procedure. She’s the fourth to report the medical worker to police. CW: Allegations of sexual abuse (1/9)
This Utah woman says she was touched inappropriately during a cosmetic procedure. She’s the fourth to report the medical worker to police.
Draper police are investigating two reports alleging a nurse practitioner inappropriately touched patients. Officials say they didn’t know until recently that two other women had previously reported ...
sltrib.com
Utah ex-therapist Scott Owen charged today with 10 felonies, accused of sexually abusing patients who were LDS and struggling with their sexuality. Prosecutors say he told one patient, “God gives certain people special permission to do things that are normally wrong."
Utah ex-therapist Scott Owen charged with 10 felonies, accused of sexually abusing his patients
Scott Owen allegedly used his position of trust — as a therapist and as a religious leader — to coerce his patients into sexual touching during sessions, prosecutors contend.
sltrib.com
Utah therapist Scott Owen was arrested yesterday for allegedly sexually abusing patients during sessions. This comes three months after our @sltrib.com / @propublica.bsky.social investigation detailing the accounts of several of Owen's former patients.
Utah therapist arrested for allegedly sexually abusing patients during sessions
Former Utah County therapist Scott Owen was booked into the Utah County jail on suspicion of six counts of object rape and four counts of forcible sodomy. He has not been formally charged as of Wednes...
sltrib.com
Carmela had never seen an OB-GYN and was hoping to find one in Utah who spoke Spanish. When she found David Broadbent, she remained a patient for 14 years, despite visits that she says left her in pain and bleeding. Now, she’s 1 of 94 women suing him for sex assault.
She trusted her first OB-GYN because he spoke Spanish. Now she’s 1 of 94 women suing him for sexua...
More than 90 patients allege a Utah OB-GYN sexually assaulted them. A judge dismissed their lawsuit — but state Supreme Court justices will hear arguments Friday about whether they should revive it.
sltrib.com
These men say their Utah therapist touched them inappropriately during sessions paid for by the LDS Church. A church rep said it doesn't vet the therapists its bishops recommend/pay for, saying “it is up to church members” to “make their own decisions.” With @sltrib.com / @propublica.bsky.social
These men say their Utah therapist touched them inappropriately during sessions paid for by the LDS ...
Three additional men have come forward to say Scott Owen, a therapist recommended and paid for by the LDS Church, touched them inappropriately during counseling sessions related to struggles with thei...
sltrib.com
