Dr. Matthew F. Larsen, DO

Dr. Larsen is double board certified in adult and child psychiatry.

He is an Idaho Falls native who graduated from Skyline High School. He earned his medical degree from Des Moines University, completed his General Psychiatry Residency in Reno, Nevada in 2013, and completed a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Dr. Larsen has a strong interest in suicide prevention, and in two types of therapy: ACT and DBT. He finds these most useful in helping teens who are chronically suicidal or self-harming. During his training, he even once spent a day as a patient in a Residential Treatment Center so he could see how it felt to be a patient. Dr. Larsen enjoys teaching and writing. He has won a number of awards for his poster presentations and medical lectures. He currently has three medical publications and three novels available on Kindle. Since moving to Idaho Falls, he was elected the Chairman of the local chapter of the Suicide Prevention Action Network. Dr. Larsen’s favorite hobbies are acting and singing. He’s often found cheering up patients by singing, dancing, or doing an Irish accent! Dr. Larsen hopes to stay in Southeast Idaho for his entire career, serving in the community where he was raised.

Kade Anderson, DMSc, PA-C

Kade has been practicing as a certified Physician Assistant in Eastern Idaho since 2011. He earned a bachelor’s degree from BYU-Idaho in Health Science with an emphasis in Public Health, a Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Rocky Mountain College and a Doctor of Medical Science Degree from Rocky Mountain College.

Other than a 2 year hiatus working in pediatric primary care, the bulk of his career has been working in the mental health field as a psychiatric medicine clinician. He is passionate about mental health and in providing the best psychiatric care as possible. 

He was born and raised in Springville, Utah but has called East Idaho home for the past 20 years. He loves a variety of things including music, art, people, traveling, reading, being outdoors, fitness, health, learning and anything that makes him question his own way of thinking.  His favorite pastimes are playing the guitar and being with loved ones. 

Jamesen Birkel, MSN APRN

Jamesen is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Jamesen’s preceptorship for psychiatric practice was completed under the tutelage of one of the Midwest's most experienced psychiatrists, Dr. Ralph Bharati; with an emphasis on addiction medicine. Jamesen has experience treating patients of all ages and most recently specialized in telemedicine practice in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Kansas. He completed his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho where he completed 2 internships, one working with leprosy affected families in India and the other educating BYU-Idaho students about nutrition.

Jamesen grew up in Salem, Oregon but enjoyed his time at BYU-Idaho and feels more at home in Southeast Idaho than anywhere else. He cherishes his experiences as a guest in China, India, the Yucatan peninsula, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Aside from his love of traveling, Jamesen enjoys spending time with his 3 rambunctious boys and beautiful wife, playing sports, and spending time outdoors.

Wende Leavitt, PA-C

Wende Leavitt, PA-C has worked in healthcare in Southeast Idaho for over 20 years. Her desire to make a greater impact prompted her to change professions from dental hygienist to PA. She has worked exclusively in psychiatry since graduating from Idaho State University’s Physician Assistant Program in 2020.

She was born in Oregon, but has lived most of her life in Pocatello. Wende married her husband Dean in 1995, and together they have 4 children and one granddaughter. She enjoys spending time with her family, singing, riding her e-bike, sewing quilts, and any other creative activity.

Wende enjoys getting to know and understand her patients’ unique minds and helping them find the best versions of themselves. She relates especially well to older kids, teens, and women. She has experience treating a broad range of mental conditions, including Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and Bipolar Disorder. Her goal is to help her patients navigate their challenges with dignity and grace through lifestyle and medical interventions.

Brent Ellsworth, PA-C

Brent is a physician’s assistant certified by the National Commission of Certification of PAs. He is licensed under the Idaho Board of Medicine. Brent received his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University Idaho and his Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies at Idaho State University earning a place on the dean’s list. Brent began his practice at Region 7 Behavioral Health, and has practiced with Seasons of Hope and Willow Sage in Idaho Falls. Brent specializes in adult behavioral health as well as substance use disorder medication management. Brent’s philosophy is to use the minimum amount of medication necessary to manage negative symptoms. One of Brent’s goal in his practice is to promote cohesiveness in medical and behavioral health medicine between providers.

Jason Simpson, PA-C

Jason is a Physician Assistant with an extensive background in mental healthcare.

He received a bachelor’s degree in social work from BYU-Idaho. He worked primarily with youth in various settings: corrections, intensive inpatient treatment, and community rehabilitation.

Jason continued his education by completing a master’s degree of Physician Assistant Studies from Idaho State University.

Prior to Ascend, Jason had PA experience working for a large non-profit in Salt Lake City, gaining notable experience with complex patient populations of all ages.

He enjoys getting to know and learn from his patient’s unique strengths, weaknesses, and life experiences. He views improving mental health as a goal that requires a team-based, multi-faceted effort — with medications occupying as little, or as much of a role as necessary.

Jason finds joy in spending time with his wife and three young kids, and participating in hobbies that include: trail running, and playing guitar. He is excited to re-establish his family in Eastern Idaho and serve the members of the community.

Shaun Westergard, PA-C

Shaun Westergard has been practicing as a Physician Assistant in Eastern Idaho since 2007.

He is an Idaho Falls native who graduated from Hillcrest high school. He earned his bachelor's degree at BYU Idaho, and then his masters degree as a Physician Assistant at Idaho State University.

Shaun has spent most of his career in family practice medicine including five and a half years at a migrant health clinic which he loved. He has also worked a few years in urgent care settings. Then he spent a couple years specializing in Pulmonary and Sleep medicine which really opened his eyes to how crucial sleep is in improving both mental and physical health. He feels that his experience in these various areas of medicine has helped him know how to treat the whole patient. He has been a passionate mental health advocate throughout his career. He has spent his life in eastern Idaho, except for a two-year hiatus in Tucson, Arizona. He has a great love for the mountains, and also the desert areas.

Dr. Tanner Nielsen, PsyD

Dr. Nielsen has practiced as a Licensed Psychologist in southeast Idaho since 2016. He specializes in pediatric neurodevelopmental assessment, and provides psychological and neuropsychological testing services for children with suspected autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disabilities, learning disorders, mood disorders, behavioral disorders, and much more.

Dr. Nielsen earned his doctoral degree in clinical psychology through Spalding University in Louisville, KY and completed a predoctoral internship focused on early childhood assessment. He has worked with children with developmental disabilities for over 20 years, from therapeutic aide to clinical psychologist. He is passionate in his work, and has provided diagnostic clarification, treatment recommendations, and professional consultation to thousands of families with special needs children. He also provides regular training lectures for local family medicine residents, psychiatry residents, and community partners.

Dr. Nielsen was born in Arizona, grew up in the Midwest, and has lived in Japan twice. He is excited to be working with families here in southeast Idaho. He currently lives in Idaho Falls with his wife, two children, two dogs, and two horses.

Dr. Brandon Borchman, PsyD

Dr. Borchman is a native of Michigan, and lived in the Detroit and New York City metro areas before settling down in Kentucky to finish up school. He attended the University of Louisville, earning a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, prior to earning a Psy.D. from Spalding University in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Borchman completed his internship at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Healthcare Center working with veterans and active duty service members and their families. He has a special interest in mindfulness and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, trauma, personality disorders, and Interpersonal Neurobiology.

Brandon enjoys cycling, racquetball, and has picked up snowshoeing after moving to the Idaho Falls area. He can typically be found enjoying time with family and friends, usually playing some sort of game (card, board, video, cooperative, etc.).

Dr. Cady Williams, PhD

Dr. Cady Williams is a proud native of Idaho. She spent ten years as an elementary, middle, and high school counselor in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming prior to earning her PhD at Ball State University, with a focus on integrated healthcare and assessments. Dr. Williams completed her predoctoral internship at University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center on the Pediatric Integrated Healthcare track. She completed her postdoctoral residency training at the Neuropsychology Center of Utah. Dr. Williams spent two years conducting neuropsychological and psychological evaluations on school-aged children and adolescents throughout Western Wyoming.

Dr. Williams provides therapeutic interventions to children, adolescents, and adults, along with diagnostic evaluations on individuals with developmental, medical, psychiatric, neurological, or cognitive/learning differences. Currently, Dr. Williams is completing postdoctoral training in psychopharmacology, and in the near future will be able to prescribe psychotropic medications to patients.

When not in the office, Dr. Williams enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, especially by horse, and trying to keep up with her spirited boys and dog.

Dr. Keon Habibi, MD

Dr. Keon Habibi is a 3rd year psychiatry resident at the Eastern Idaho regional Medical Center.

He was born and raised in Calgary, AB, Canada and moved to Idaho Falls to pursue residency. The close proximity and similar culture makes him feel right at home. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Trinity School of Medicine in 2022. He pursued medicine with the intent to specialize in psychiatry. Prior to medical school, he completed his Master of social work clinical practice at the University of Calgary and BSc in Psychology at the University of Lethbridge.

He has a keen interest in child and adolescent psychiatry and may pursue a fellowship. He has keen interest in childhood trauma, neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. Outside of medicine he loves to hike, go camping, play sports and travel. He also loves spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Thomas Kirschen, DO

Dr. Thomas Kirschen is originally from New Jersey. He attended Rutgers University where he earned a double major in neurobiology and behavioral psychology. He then attended Touro Medical College in New York where he fell in love with the field of psychiatry. During his free time he loves to travel and surround himself with the great outdoors. Thus far he has explored various locations such as the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Craters of the Moon, Boise and Salt Lake City.

Dr. Kwadwo Saka, MD

Dr. Saka is a resident physician with a passion for psychiatry.

 He was born in Ghana and moved to the United states at the age of 11. He completed high school and college in New York City. He earned his medical degree from Trinity School of Medicine, located on the volcanic Island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. During his last 2 years of medical school, he completed his clinical clerkships at Northwest hospital in Maryland. As a medical student, he enjoyed tutoring peers and forming study and support groups. He enjoys pharmacology, and is intrigued by new medications on the market, including their mechanism of action and effects on the body.

He has a keen interest in Child & Adolescent psychiatry, with a focus on trauma related pathologies and the impact of substance use/abuse on mental health.  Additional Interests include; clinical research, community outreach, and global mental health.

Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing basketball, hiking with friends, and exploring the beautiful state of Idaho via road trips.

Dr. Muad Khallad, MD

Dr. Muad Khallad graduated from Ross University School of Medicine. He is in postgraduate year three at EIRMC and performing his rotation here at Ascend Mental Health Center. He has rotated through different through different cities in the US gaining experiences working with different populations. His focus after finishing residency is to work in an inpatient psychiatric unit and possible fellowship in the future.