About Kris
A serial predator stalked Kris Bertelsen’s hometown. The same predator went on to abduct 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling.
The cases would remain unsolved for nearly 30 years. (The Peabody Award winning podcast, In the Dark, SEASON 1 walks listeners through the Wetterling
Case https://www.apmreports.org/in-the-dark/season-one
Bertelsen struggled in school and suffered in silence. Nonetheless, he persevered
earning a master’s degree from the University of Delaware and a doctorate from the
University of Central Arkansas. While studying the U.S. corrections population for his
dissertation, he discovered an alarming number of male inmates suffered trauma like
his. His time as a teacher further inspired him to research why adverse childhood
experiences are widely underreported, especially among boys. His personal and
professional experiences inspired him to found Upstart Resilience.
Providing education and awareness, carrying a message of hope, and advocating for
survivors and the voiceless, Upstart Resilience provides workshops and training for
returning citizens, community members, and mental health professionals. In working
with survivors, Upstart Resilience acts as a source of hope in building healthy,
productive, joyful lives.
About Jordan
Jordan Howard has over 13 years of professional experience working with individuals, couples,
families, and groups as a professionally licensed counselor. As a licensed professional counselor
and co-owner of a successful practice, he currently works with adults, adolescents, couples, and
groups and treats a wide variety of issues. He has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family
Therapy and a Specialist in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Jordan has specialized training in trauma therapy including certified trauma therapy, EMDR 1
and 2, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Equine Assisted Trauma Focused
Psychotherapy. He is also a certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and has worked
intensely in treating both chemical and process addictions.
Jordan has a great deal of professional experience in a variety of settings including outpatient
practice, residential care, group homes, community based services, and residential substance
abuse and process addiction treatment. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the
University setting and has been a guest lecturer and speaker. He enjoys spending time with his
wife and two sons.