About Nova

Authentic, compassionate therapy and doula services from a team dedicated to helping you Thrive.

Meet the Team

  • Hannah Sawitsky, CMHC

    Owner, Primary Therapist

  • Ashley Paynter

    Therapist

  • Adison

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Hannah Sawitsky, CMHC

Training and Experience

Hannah completed her MS in Applied Psychological Sciences in August of 2016 and became fully licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) in Utah in 2018. However, her training began long before she was formally a therapist. Each of her previous personal and educational experiences have shaped how she approaches therapy and connecting with people.

Hannah has worked with a variety for populations since 2010 including adolescents and adults with eating disorders, individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, youth at risk, individuals experiencing homelessness, people with physical and cognitive disabilities, children with neuro-developmental disorders, and survivors of traumatic brain injury.

In the fall of 2020, Hannah trained as a doula with Contemporary Doula International to combine her therapy expertise with her passion for the possibility of incredible birth experiences.

A Place to Go

Hannah found herself searching for community after the birth of her daughter in 2019. She felt surrounded and cared for throughout her pregnancy and birth, and then, a void. Navigating early parenthood felt lonely for Hannah, making her question whether her experiences were normal or if she was managing any of it properly. As she managed to find sleep and quiet her anxiety, it became clear to her that she didn’t want any other parent to feel the way she did. She wanted there to be somewhere for new parents to go with all of their questions, but also somewhere for them to connect.

Hannah trained as a Doula with Contemporary Doula International and set out to learn everything she could about easing the transition to parenthood for anyone taking their first steps on this journey.

Already working as a Therapist, Hannah realized as she began to develop her role as a Doula that she had the perfect opportunity to pair these two worlds. With that in mind, she sought out additional training in maternal mental health and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD’S). This specialization helped her expand on her existing experience and expertise in addressing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, relationship issues, and family conflict.

Creating Nova is a step into Hannah’s true power and full expression of how she wants to show up in the world. Now, she looking forward to being a partner in your journey of doing the same.

 
“I started Nova to create expansive possibilities ”
 
 
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Mission & Values

You have everything you need to Thrive.

Empowering your innate ability to create the life you want.

Nova gives people the tools they need to create their very best life. The team at Nova approaches every interaction with authenticity, curiosity, and playfulness to enable the shift into true expansiveness. Nova’s therapists view each person as the expert on themselves, and through learning to trust this wisdom, the full expression of self is possible.

Additional Therapists

Ashley Paynter

Ashley recently completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, UT, and is now a licensed Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC). She previously earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Education from Utah State University and has continued to build her professional experience across diverse clinical settings. Over the past 1.5 years, Ashley has gained meaningful experience in substance abuse counseling, working closely with individuals navigating addiction and recovery.

Ashley has long been an advocate for mental health and, as a new mother, has developed a strong passion for maternal and perinatal mental health. She has completed training with Postpartum Support International to further specialize in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and remains committed to supporting women and families through transitional life experiences.

Originally from Oregon, Ashley has spent the last eight years in Utah with her husband and their son. She previously worked in a nonprofit clinical setting serving neurodivergent children and their families, and she is excited to continue growing her career and clinical expertise as part of the team at Nova.

Adison

Adison is a mother of three, a perinatal mental health coach, and a passionate mental health advocate. She has been interning with Nova Collective for the past three years, supporting both administrative and client-facing aspects of care.

As a neurodivergent provider herself, Adison brings a deeply personal and compassionate understanding to her work. She is especially passionate about helping individuals and families feel understood and connected to mental health support that truly fits their needs.

Adison strongly values traditional talk therapy and evidence-based care, while also recognizing the importance of integrative, body-based supports such as breathwork, yoga, and nervous-system-informed practices. She believes mental health care works best when it honors both the mind and the body, and when clients are offered a range of supportive tools rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

She recently completed her coursework through Postpartum Support International and will soon be offering one-on-one perinatal mental health coaching. Her approach is collaborative, grounded, and affirming, with a focus on helping clients feel empowered, supported, and connected throughout the perinatal journey.