Jolene McGuire

Admissions Director

Jolene McGuire comes to Aspiro with close to 20 years of experience in the wilderness programming and education fields. Parents have come to appreciate Jolene’s professional problem solving and communication skills, as well as her insight and compassion. She has mastered the art and skill of conducting a complex orchestra of details involved in helping young people along their paths to improvement. Jolene is a born and raised Southern Idaho native. Growing up on her families’ cattle ranch, a love of the outdoors was fostered. When she is not managing the admissions process at Aspiro, she enjoys hiking, biking, running, and yoga. She is the mother of two young daughters that keep her active in sports and school related functions as well.

Shannon Weaver, LCSW

Director of Marketing and Outreach

Shannon is both an LCSW and a certified teacher who brings over 20 years of experience to Aspiro through her work with families and students as a Primary Therapist, Clinical Director, and Admissions/Marketing Director at highly regarded residential and therapeutic programs. Her clinical experience includes county mental health, hospital crisis work, residential treatment, therapeutic boarding, and private practice. Shannon has traveled the world and lived overseas in Israel, Russia, and China while teaching and providing mental health counseling. Her diverse experience gives her great compassion and understanding as well as an ability to relate to and understand others. Shannon is passionate about helping students and families heal, discover their strengths, build positive relationships, and create meaningful change. She has a very caring approach that is informed by her years as a clinician and she has enjoyed moving from a clinical role to working in marketing and outreach. Her infectious positive energy, genuine enthusiasm, and commitment to helping people has made her a wonderful fit for this role. In her spare time you will find Shannon traveling, reading, or enjoying Utah’s beautiful landscapes with her husband and children.

Ryan Coley, LCSW

Executive Director

- Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Utah
- Bachelors Degree from Huntington University.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Utah

Ryan has been a part of the Aspiro team since 2009, and throughout his tenure, he has helped to define and carry out the vision of Aspiro through a passionate dedication to innovation, client care, and customer service. He has done this throughout the various roles he had in the areas of Admissions, Program Development, Primary Therapist, Clinical Director, and Executive Director. These roles contribute to his broad overview and deep understanding of Aspiro as a whole, allowing him to effectively lead through experience. Upon beginning his work at Aspiro, Ryan immediately resonated with the Aspiro model, and he truly believes and lives the Aspiro mission; Adventure Heals. His passion for adventure therapy, his vast clinical and leadership experience, plus his genuine ability to connect with others make Ryan a dynamic leader. His commitment to learning and growth leads him to constantly seek knowledge through books, and he believes this growth mindset is crucial for a successful team. Ryan therefore creates numerous opportunities for his staff to learn and improve both physically and mentally, and motivates them to continually strive for excellence, in order to provide the best service possible to the students and families that come to Aspiro.

Jamie Kaczmarek, LCSW

Clinical Supervisor / Vantage Point Males & Females, Ages 13-17

Master’s in Social Work from the University of Utah
Licensed Clinical social Worker in the State of Utah
Bachelors in Psychology and Outdoor Recreation from Indiana University
Clinical emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders encompassing Cognitive, Solution focused, Collaborative Problem solving, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapies.

Also specializes in: Autism Spectrum Disorders / NLD / Family Systems / Depression Attachment / ADHD / Mood Disorders / Anxiety

As a youngster, Jamie was climbing trees and catching fireflies in the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois. Her love for the wilderness influenced her decision to obtain a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation with an emphasis in Environmental Education from Indiana University in 1999. With the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Baja, Mexico, Jamie was educated in leadership and team dynamics through an experiential adventure approach. She then began her career in 2000 serving adjudicated youth in the wilderness working for Alternative Youth Adventures (AYA), in South Central Utah.

Janna Dean, LCSW

Clinical Supervisor / Adolescent & Young Adult Males and Females, Ages 13-26

Brigham Young University, UT, BSW
University of Utah, MSW
Licensed Certified Social Worker in the State of Utah
Experience working in various treatment settings including: County Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment, Residential Treatment Centers, Eating Disorder Treatment Centers, and Wilderness Therapy
Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2002

Also specializes in: Anxiety / Depression / Trauma / Substance Abuse / Self-harm / Eating Disorders / Body Image Issues

Janna graduated with an MSW from the University of Utah in 2003 and earned her LCSW in 2006. After graduating she began working at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) in the “Staying off Substances” IOP program. There she ran groups for clients and families while doing individual assessments and counseling. After working at UNI, she worked at Center for Change (CFC) with adolescent and adult women with eating disorders. Many of the clients had a dual diagnosis, generally including substance abuse or addiction. She was in charge of developing and running the chemical dependency groups. She worked with clients in inpatient, residential, and outpatient programming.

Janna has spent the past 15 years working with adolescent boys and girls and young adults with addictions and various mental health and identity struggles. She has worked in all levels of care from acute care at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Unit, to residential care with adolescents and young adults with substance abuse and eating disorder addictions, to day patient and IOP work, to out-patient work. Her passion is in working with teenagers and the emerging young adult population and she loves how empowered these young people are at this stage of life to create and follow through with changes. She follows a strength-based and positive psychology model in her work. Janna is passionate about working with the family alongside the clients to help create meaningful understanding and to help relationships grow.

Caitlin Galt, LCMHC

Clinical Supervisor / Vantage Point Males and Females, Ages 18-26

Graduate Degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology W/emphasis in wilderness therapy from Naropa University
Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Chicago
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the State of Utah
Clinical emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders encompassing Cognitive, Collaborative Problem Sound Mind/Body Practice therapies.

Also specializes in: Autism Spectrum Disorders / NLD / Family Systems / Anxiety / Identity Issues / Mood Disorders / Trauma / Addictive Behaviors / ADHD

Caitlin received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago focusing on Art therapy, sculpture, and painting. In 2008, she merged her love of art therapy and the outdoors by earning her graduate degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis in Wilderness Therapy from Naropa University in Colorado.

Carl Smoot, PhD

Director of Clinical Assessment

Licensed Psychologist in the state of Utah
Ph.D. Psychology University of Utah
M.A. Philosophy
B.A. Philosophy/B.S. Psychology, Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude

Also specializes in: Psychological Evaluation / Supervision / Autism Spectrum / Disorders / Developmental Disorders / Psychodynamic Psychotherapy / Group Therapy

Carl has been working with outdoor and residential therapeutic programs for over 30 years. After completing his degree, Carl supervised three school-based mental health programs in Hawaii. Carl moved back to Salt Lake City because of his love of the outdoors and for the opportunities in Utah to work in wilderness programs, complete psychological evaluations, and to conduct consultations.

Carl has been with Aspiro since 2012 and is currently Aspiro’s Director of Clinical Assessment. In this role, Carl supervises the Aspiro clinical team, reviews complex clinical cases, and consults with Aspiro clinicians and families when unique clinical challenges arise. Given his extensive experience in mental health, Carl often assists with training Aspiro field staff in a variety of clinically relevant topics.

Under Carl’s leadership, the Aspiro clinical team aims to create positive client outcomes by implementing evidence-based clinical practices. Critically, Carl ensures that the Aspiro clinical model is motivating and is built on the principles of positive psychology.

Away from work, Carl enjoys fly fishing, duck hunting, and being outdoors with his wife of over 20 years, his 3 children and his grandchildren.

David Mayeski, LCSW

Family Services Director

University of Maryland, College Park Bachelor of Arts Government and Politics 1993
University of South Carolina, Columbia Master of Social Work 1997
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 2003 Licensed Mental Health Counselor Supervisor
17 + years experience in Residential Treatment settings
Family Systems Trainer
Clinical Supervisor

Also specializes in: Family Systems Work / Understanding Family Roles, Dynamics and Power Struggles / Genograms

David comes to Aspiro with almost 20 years of experience working with families in therapeutic programs. Originally David received his Bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics and went on to earn his Master of Social Work.

Prior to joining Aspiro, David served in many capacities at highly respected residential treatment centers as a primary therapist, Admissions Director, and Clinical Director. After working as a primary therapist for two years, he was awarded his License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) in 2003 and has continued practicing therapy with students and their families. His desire to help families heal and overcome obstacles, his years of experience, and his clinical sophistication, make him the perfect match as the Family Services Director where he continues to help families heal through parent coaching, therapy sessions, webinars, and during groups over Aspiro’s Parent Seminars.

David is passionate about helping others and guiding families through their journey of connecting and healing as a system. David enjoys talking politics, playing a round of golf, and especially cherishes time with his beautiful wife and three children.

Shailee Davis, CSW

Adolescent & Young Adult Males and Females, Ages 13-26

University of Utah, Masters of Social Work
Utah Valley University, Bachelors of Social Work
Trained in Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Also Specializes in: Family Systems/Self-Esteem Issues/Substance Use/Trauma-Informed Care/Depression/ Anxiety

Shailee was born and raised in Utah. During her undergraduate studies at Utah Valley University, she worked in substance abuse treatment and she also worked at a residential treatment center for teenage girls, where she found passion in helping others enhance their lives. Shailee grew to love working with families and helping them understand their family dynamics. She quickly learned that change can happen when love and boundaries work together. Her work experiences led her to the decision to pursue a career as a therapist. During her four years working in residential treatment, she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

Shailee pursued her goal to become a clinician and graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Utah. She is trained in Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She believes in utilizing the therapeutic relationship with her clients to help them explore, understand, and live their own core values in order to enhance their lives. Shailee has a gift for helping the people she is with feel loved and understood, and she therefore has a talent for connecting with and earning the trust of her students. Shailee married her childhood best friend and they enjoy spending time together in the great outdoors. She loves to travel and go on camping and fishing trips.

Carla Shorts, LCMHC

Director of Client Relations

College of Charleston B.A. in Corporate and Organizational Communication
Johns Hopkins University M.S. in Clinical Counseling

Carla adds over 15 years of clinical experience to the Aspiro leadership team. She brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a good dose of humor to her role as the Director of Client Relations, where she provides additional support to current and alumni families. She does this by facilitating support groups, planning regional family programming, and collaborating with the marketing and family services team to enhance family and referral partner experiences.

While earning a master’s degree in clinical counseling from Johns Hopkins University, Carla had the opportunity to help conduct research alongside many of the leaders in the field of autism and ADHD. After graduating, Carla’s career has been centered around helping struggling families.

Additionally, Carla has experience working in various mental health settings, including therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness therapy programs, inpatient hospital settings, and private practice. Prior to joining the team at Aspiro, Carla was the marketing and admissions director at a highly regarded therapeutic boarding school.

Outside of work, Carla enjoys traveling, painting, cheering on the Clemson Tigers, and spending time out on the lake with her family.

Nick Pellitteri

Program Director

After earning a degree in Forestry and Recreation Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin, Nick took his first wilderness therapy job in Utah. Nick started as a field staff, and throughout his 7 years working for that company, he took on roles in staff development, program leadership eventually becoming a field director. In 2014 Nick switched to the nonprofit world where he helped improve access to the outdoors to people from various backgrounds. He continued to grow as an industry leader in experiential, and adventure education before his love of wilderness therapy drew him back to the industry in early 2020.

Nick’s passion for the outdoors began when he was a child growing up in Wisconsin as he spent time outdoors camping, hunting and fishing with his Dad. When Nick is not working, you can find him snowboarding on the slopes, hiking through the forest, or camping with his wife and son.

Katie Thoma

CFO

Katie graduated from University of Northern Iowa and brings over 18 years of experience in accounting and business management to the Aspiro Group. Katie has been with the Asprio since 2013 and oversees the company’s financial planning and management. She is a valuable member of the leadership team and brings her business management knowledge, as well as her insight and practical viewpoints, to the planning and oversight of the company. Katie enjoys running, biking and spending time with family.

Kayleen Richter, PHR

CCO

Kayleen Richter, Chief Compliance Officer for Aspiro Group, is an HR professional with over 16 years of experience in the public and private sectors. She is certified through Human Resource Certification Institute as a Professional Human Resource, PHR. Kayleen has been with the Aspiro team since April 2013, managing employee relations, training, recruiting, compensation, performance management, employee engagement, Licensing compliance, workers compensation, benefits, risk and more. She has been a Society for Human Resource Management Member since 2015. Kayleen loves working with people and helping employees have a great experience while employed at Aspiro. Kayleen enjoys running, volleyball, camping, boating, and most of all spending time with and raising 6 beautiful children.

Josh Watson, LCSW

CMO

Masters in Social Work from the University of Georgia
Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Utah and North Carolina
Trained/experienced in CBT, Family Systems therapy, Adlerian therapy, Strengths-based therapy, Crisis and Risk Assessment

Also specializes in: crisis de-escalation / anxiety resolution / frustration tolerance / verbal de-escalation / CBT/DBT / interpersonal relationships/leadership development

Josh has been working with adolescents, young adults, and their families since 2001. As an original member of the Aspiro Leadership Team, Josh has fulfilled several roles at Aspiro including Clinical Wilderness Therapist, Clinical Supervision, Admissions Director, Strategic Development, and currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer. He is passionate about carrying out the mission of Aspiro and creating the best possible experience for our clients. When Josh is not at work he enjoys traveling, cooking, outdoor adventure (of course!), golf, and spending time doing just about anything with his wife and two daughters.

Nathan Barusch, MD

Psychiatrist

Dr. Nathan Barusch earned his medical degree at Creighton University and his Masters in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where he did research on the impact of technology use on the mental health of adolescents. He completed his psychiatry residency at the University of California-Davis and is pursuing advanced training in integrative psychiatry at the Integrative Psychiatry Institute

Nathan believes in compassionate, holistic, and evidence-based care. He emphasizes environment, lifestyle, personal history, spirituality, and biology when developing a personalized treatment plan designed to prepare clients to reach their full potential.

He is a member of the Clinical TMS Society and has completed their training in the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a powerful tool for the treatment of depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Dr. Barusch actively practices Zen medication, is an avid skier, and loves exploring the mountains with his dog Jasper.

Danielle Gagnon, LCMHC

Adolescent & Young Adult Males and Females, Ages 13-26

Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of New England
Masters Degree in Counseling from Johnson & Wales University
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the State of Utah
Trained and Certified in Brain Spotting 1 & 2
Trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Safe Zone Certification working with the LGBTQ+ population

Also specializes in: Trauma / Adoption / Attachment / Family Relationships / Family Dynamics / Substance Use / Emotional Regulation / Anxiety / Depression

Danielle has worked with adolescents and young adults in a wide range of settings including residential treatment centers and wilderness therapy. Throughout her years as a therapist, she has especially resonated with experiential therapeutic modalities and with the healing nature of the outdoors. This has created a passion for working in wilderness therapy.

Danielle has a deep understanding of the importance of working with the whole family in addition to the individual client, thus allowing family members to grow and change both individually and as a system. She uses a holistic approach in her work and pulls from a variety of therapeutic modalities in order to best fit each individual’s specific needs. Some of the many modalities she uses include Brain Spotting and Trauma-Focused CBT. These forms of therapy create a space for students to access negative memories and feelings then release them, allowing the brain and body to heal. Danielle takes pride in using a relational approach and in creating a safe and comfortable environment for her clients.

Danielle was born and raised in New England. As a true New Englander, she loves spending time immersed in the great outdoors. When she is not at work and teaching students about the power of nature and adventure, she can be found outside on adventures of her own which include hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, paddleboarding, rock climbing, and camping.

Jamie Ahern, LCSW

Adolescent Males, Ages 13-17

Bachelor’s in Human Services from Black Hills State University
Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Utah
Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Positive Psychology

Also specializes in: Trauma / Relationships / Emotional Regulation / ADHD / Executive Functioning Skills / Anxiety / Depression / Substance Use / Learning Differences.

Jamie has been a mental health therapist since 2011. He was first introduced to wilderness and adventure therapy as a field guide at Aspiro. After working as an Aspiro therapist for nearly 4 years, he relocated and provided therapy services in an underserved area of rural Montana. It was during this time that he found a passion for helping his clients recover from trauma, utilizing EMDR therapy as a core treatment modality in addition to a variety of other therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT and motivational interviewing. He returned to wilderness therapy after working with community mental health and is happy to now be back at Aspiro. Jamie is a warm and inviting therapist with a passion for helping young people and families in need. He strives to establish a non-judgmental and mutually respectful therapeutic relationship with his students and works very closely with their families, supporting them during their child’s stay and inviting them to challenge their own patterns.

Jamie wholeheartedly believes in and is passionate about the healing power, growth opportunities and excitement found in the outdoors. His free time is spent with his wife in pursuits such as fly fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and skiing. He also enjoys tying flies, playing the banjo, and spending time with his dogs.

Chris Tarver, LCSW

Adolescent & Young Adult Males 13-26

Bachelor’s in Spanish from Louisiana State University
Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University
Master’s Degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Utah & Louisiana
Trained in Brain Spotting 1 and 2
Recovery Dynamics, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing
Fluent in Spanish

Also specializes in: Trauma / Family Relationships / Family Dynamics / Substance Use / Emotional Regulation / ADHD / Oppositional Behavior/ Identity Formation/ Failure to Launch / Anxiety / Depression

Chris began working in the wilderness industry in 2005 where he found he connected with the wilderness therapy model. He has a love of nature and a great respect for its healing power and its balancing influence in his own life. This led him to want to become a therapist and to go on to earn two Master’s degrees, the first in psychology and the second in social work.

Chris has a deep understanding of mental health treatment which he has developed by working in a variety of mental health settings. These include wilderness therapy, a mental health hospital, intensive outpatient, residential treatment, and private practice. He has also held leadership roles such as Clinical Director and Program Director. Given his vast level of experience, Chris is able to effectively work with a broad range of clientele with varying psychological, emotional, behavioral, and addictive issues. He focuses his work on helping clients accept their emotions and encourages them to live the healthy life that they deserve.

When Chris is not working he enjoys spending time with his family doing various activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. He also enjoys coaching youth sports teams and serving in different capacities in his community.

Hannah Eckert, LCSW

Vantage Point Females, Ages 13-26

Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Utah
Bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver: Psychology, with minors in Leadership, Spanish, and Environmental Science
Experience working with clients challenged with anxiety, depression, traumatic grief & loss, ODD, and ASD

Originally from the Adirondacks of Northern New York, Hannah attended the University of Denver where she graduated with a B.A. in Psychology. Her passion for the outdoors and working with adolescents translated well for her start at Aspiro as a field guide in the spring of 2015. In that position, Hannah fell in love with the field of wilderness therapy. After leaving to work at a therapeutic boarding school and gaining a broader perspective of the therapeutic field, she returned to Aspiro where she worked as a therapist intern before completing her Master’s Degree and working as a clinician herself. She also has done therapy at a grief support center for kids, where she did counseling and led grief groups, furthering her knowledge about grief counseling and complicated bereavement. A main focus for Hannah is working with girls who have ASD, a neuro-atypical presentation, or who have a difficult time with social integration. She also has experience working with oppositional behaviors, anxiety, depression, addiction, and finds value in incorporating experiential modalities such as adventure therapy, art therapy, and recreational therapy.

The beautiful desert landscapes of Utah drew Hannah to this part of the country. She now spends most of her free time canyoneering and exploring these areas with her dog, Saranac.

Kenzie Larsen, ACMHC

Vantage Point Males and Females, Ages 13 - 26

Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Prescott College
Bachelor of Science in Health, Society and Policy, University of Utah
Licensed Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Also specializes in: Autism Spectrum Disorders / NLD / Family Systems / Mindfulness / Depression / Attachment / ADHD / Grief and Loss / Mood Disorders / Anxiety / Identity Concerns

Kenzie has worked with adolescents and young adults in various settings, including residential treatment centers, outpatient treatment facilities, and wilderness adventure therapy. Kenzie started at Aspiro as a guide and was then motivated to get her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.

As a therapist, Kenzie has specialized in working with neurodiverse individuals who struggle with cognitive, behavioral, executive functioning, and social issues. Many of Kenzie’s past clients have also experienced depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, stage of life issues, family issues, and identity concerns.

Kenzie takes a relationship-based approach to helping her clients which makes them feel more comfortable and connected. She utilizes a variety of evidence-based clinical practices and frameworks to create individualized treatment plans for her clients. In addition, she teaches her clients a wide variety of skills to help them shift their emotional and mental states more effectively. Kenzie’s goal is to set her clients up for success, wherever their path may lead.

Kenzie is an adventurer at heart and can be found rock climbing, running, hiking, or biking in her free time with her family and her dog, Gus.

Nick Bolton, CSW

Adolescent & Young Adult Males, Ages 13-26

University of Utah, Master of Social Work
University of Utah, Bachelor of Psychology
Trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, SMART recovery, Trauma Work and Motivational Interviewing
DBT Skills Trainer, De-Escalation System Trainer, Life Skills Instructor

Also specializes in: Substance Use Disorders / Relationship Work / Lack of Motivation/ Risk Taking Behaviors / ADHD / Self-Esteem Issues / Depression / Anxiety

Hailing from Portland Oregon, as a teen Nick Bolton dreamed of becoming a high school football coach and history teacher. However, while attending college he began working at therapeutic programs and recognized he could apply his strengths as an educator to help people overcome their personal challenges. Starting in 2012 he began as a peer support, and then a life coach, a DBT skills trainer, a case manager, a recovery coach, a parenting coach, a program manager and a program director. His love for helping people work towards their goals and become the best version of themselves, propelled his educational pursuit to become a therapist. He has enjoyed his work in the wilderness most of all, because that is where he has seen the most growth take place.

Nick has a talent for connecting with his students. He believes that client-driven treatment is crucial to the change process, especially with the older adolescents and young adults that he primarily works with. He assists his students in identifying their goals and aligning their behaviors with those goals to create a healthy future. As a therapist, Nick takes a collaborative approach, meets people where they are at, and can integrate different modalities depending on what the student and family feel most comfortable with. He is just as passionate about sports and the outdoors as he is about personal growth. He enjoys weight lifting, running, playing softball and golf, skiing, and camping.

Elise Scribner, CSW

Adolescent & Young Adult Males and Females, Ages 13-26

Portland State University, Master of Social Work
Quest University Canada, Bachelor of Social Justice
Trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, SMART Recovery, Art Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing
Safe Zone Certification working with the LGBTQ+ population

Also specializes in: Trauma-Informed Care / ADHD / Self-Esteem Issues / Depression / Anxiety / Mindfulness / SMART Recovery

Elise began working at Aspiro as a field guide in 2015. After witnessing the profound impact that wilderness therapy had on the youth and young adults she worked with, Elise decided to return to school to become a wilderness therapist. Elise moved back to her hometown of Portland, Oregon, to attend graduate school at Portland State University where she earned her Masters of Social Work and became a Licensed School Social Worker. Her Bachelor’s degree in Social Justice that she received from Quest University Canada in Squamish, British Columbia, helped provide a strong foundation for her focus on equity as she completed her master’s program.

Elise’s therapeutic approach is strengths-based, student-centered, and trauma-Informed. She integrates Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy while maintaining an equity lens with her students. Elise has used this approach while working with children in the foster care system and with teens in academic settings who struggled with challenges such as early trauma, depression, anxiety, and identity development. Elise believes that everyone deserves to live a life worth living and sees therapy as one step that can help young people move towards achieving their goals. In her free time, Elise likes to adventure. She enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding, backpacking, biking, and sailing.

Jeff Reyes

Vantage Point Program Coordinator

Jeff Reyes grew up in the woods of Wisconsin and spent summers camping and fishing on his grandparents’ farm in Iowa. While in high school, he discovered the joy of working with kids while employed at the YMCA as an athletic instructor. The enthusiasm he gained for working with young people continued into college where he was the after-school program director at a daycare. Jeff graduated from Graceland University double majoring in Psychology and Health. After college, he taught English at a kindergarten academy in South Korea. Upon returning from Korea, he discovered Aspiro, which was a perfect blend of his many passions; being outdoors, working with young people, mentoring, and helping others. Jeff quickly found his niche in the Vantage Point Program and was a consistent lead guide in the group for a year and a half before taking the Vantage Point Program Coordinator position. In his free time, Jeff plays multiple team sports including basketball, soccer, and ultimate frisbee. He also enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, and snowboarding.

Adam Balls, MD

Medical Director

Dr. Adam Balls is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who is actively practicing in the Salt Lake City area for Utah Emergency Physicians. He obtained his MD degree from Georgetown University in 2004. In 2007, Dr. Balls completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ where he also served as chief resident. After his residency, Adam and his family relocated to San Antonio Texas where he served on active duty for four years as an EM physician at Wilford Hall Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center and EM Residency Program. During his time in the Air Force, he served as a team leader for a Critical Care Aeromedical Transport Team on deployments to Iraq, Germany, and Afghanistan.

Adam currently resides in Salt Lake City with his wife and three children. He serves as Medical Director for Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, a Level 1 Trauma Center and the largest ED in the state of Utah. He also works as Medical Director for Murray Fire Department. Adam is passionate about delivering excellent patient care in the Emergency Department and enjoys training and teaching. He is excited to support the needs of Pure Life in his Medical Director role. Outside of his clinical work, Adam enjoys the outdoors in Utah, supporting his children in their various sports and school activities, and living life through travel experiences around the world.

Tim Albrethsen, RN

Associate Medical Director

Tim has been working in the medical field for over 10 years in a variety of settings. He began his medical work focusing on high acuity patients in a critical care unit, and moved on to work with long-term patients with severe illnesses. His years working in an ICU on a critical care unit earned him his Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification after thousands of hours of direct work there. In addition, Tim has vast experience working with trauma patients, neuro patients, and patients receiving large organ transplants. He also is certified as a PICC nurse and has placed over 1000 PICC lines, midlines, and peripheral IV’s. His years in the medical field and his experience with a variety of medical concerns, combined with his attention to detail, quick thinking, and his passion for helping and healing others, all make him an excellent leader on the Aspiro medical team.

Tim was born in Oregon but moved to Utah in grade school where he fell in love with Utah’s mountain trails, rivers and lakes. He loves spending time in Moab hiking, biking, or jeeping and he also enjoys martial arts. He earned a black belt in tae kwon do at age 13 and competed in the Jr. Olympics. Prior to nursing, he worked for 15 years as an instructor and martial arts school owner. Now he lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with his wife and 6 children and enjoys spending time with them, especially time outdoors biking, hiking, and barbequing.

Lizzie Madloch

Medical Coordinator

Lizzie’s experience as a field guide adds to her understanding and knowledge as she cares for Aspiro students. She has an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician certification with over four years of experience providing direct patient care in this role. She was a Crew Chief for the Skidmore College Emergency Services and served as a member of their board of directors. Lizzie has a degree from Skidmore College and graduated summa cum laude majoring in biology and chemistry. Lizzie has been an instructor for the Stop the Bleed program. This program is intended to teach people how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and how to intervene effectively. Lizzie enjoys being outside and reading. Some of her favorite activities include backpacking, hiking, climbing, and skiing.

Mark Widmer, PhD

Independent Research Director

Mark Widmer, Ph.D. is a licensed Recreational Therapist and a tenured professor of Experience Design and Management and teaches in the MBA and EMBA programs at the Marriott School of Business at BYU. For over 20 years he has conducted research on the effectiveness of theory-based adventure programs in promoting self-efficacy, identity development, and positive psychology/character strengths. He and his colleague’s work has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals. Mark also has several ongoing research projects with leading therapeutic outdoor programs. In 2008 he started a consulting company and has worked a number of domestic and international companies, including Intel, ADIA, Actelion Pharm, Hyundai Heavy Industries, and more; building intentional culture, performance management, and utilizing adventure experiences. He also works with high net worth families to identify and pass on family culture and prepare future generations to thrive. Mark loves to mountain, snow, road and gravel bike. He also spends time backpacking, sailing, ice climbing, fly fishing and other outdoor adventures with his wife, 4 kids, and 5 grandkids.

Kate Crowell

Family Services Coordinator

Kate has worked in the wilderness industry for over twelve years, spending the majority of that time with Aspiro. Kate has gained vast experience in numerous departments including working as a field guide, logistics coordinator, purchaser, accountant, and now as the Family Services Coordinator. The different roles she has played at Aspiro plus her great attention to detail and organization, make her an incredible asset to the Family Services team as she has an in-depth knowledge of the details of each department and of wilderness therapy as a whole. Kate’s experience allows her to easily arrange details for clinicians and families when organizing Family Days, and to answer questions for parents on all of the aspects of Aspiro. Kate enjoys gardening, reading, knitting, and spending time with her husband, two little girls, and three dogs.

Whitney Fox

Administrative Assistant

Born and raised in Utah, Whitney joined the Aspiro team in early 2018. Whitney’s study of the arts has allowed her to look at systems with a creative and fresh perspective, making her an integral part of Aspiro’s office management team. She is eager to jump into new projects and broaden her understanding of the inner workings of Aspiro. Whitney’s attention to detail and family focus has enriched the family services department and added an important element of attention and care to everyone she works with. Whitney enjoys spending her free time with her daughter and camping with her friends, family, and dogs.

Ally Jackson

Admissions Counselor

Ally has been working in the treatment industry for over six years in various admissions and marketing roles for residential treatment centers and wilderness programs. Ally graduated from Utah Valley University with her Bachelors degree in Psychology, and also brings four years experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children to the team. Admissions is something Ally is very passionate about and she understands the importance of connecting with and supporting families throughout the admissions process in order to help find the right fit for each family. Ally loves spending time with her friends and family, and when not working, she can be found spending time with her dog and exploring all of the beauty Utah has to offer.

Leah Shingler

Admissions Counselor

Leah is a graduate of Sterling College, where her passion for outdoor education and wilderness therapy truly began. She joins the Aspiro team with over 20 years of experience in the field of Wilderness Therapy where she has worked in various capacities, ranging from Field Guide to Director of Admissions and Outreach. Leah brings with her a genuine passion for assisting families and referring professionals in finding the best possible solutions for the difficult situations they face. Leah is dedicated to helping students, families and employees achieve growth, healing and personal well-being. Her professional and caring approach instantly fosters trust and connection for those with whom she works. While she has lived in many beautiful regions of the country, Leah grew up in Western Massachusetts and still remains a New Englander at heart. When she is not working Leah enjoys spending time with her husband, friends and fur baby, Josie. She also loves watching most sports, eating most foods, playing golf, road biking, adventuring to new destinations and finding new home-improvement projects to do.

Ryan Schaffer

Admissions Counselor

Ryan has been at Aspiro since April 2015; first as a field guide and now an admissions counselor. His passion for education and development shows in his diverse experience as a teacher, administrator, and house coach at a therapeutic boarding school. Ryan grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and received his degree in speech communications at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has spent the majority of his adult life abroad teaching in Mexico, France, South Korea, and most recently lived in Münster, Germany for seven years as a business English teacher and an associate English professor at the Münster University of Applied Sciences. If he’s not outside climbing, hiking, snowboarding, or disc golfing, he’s most likely reading, writing, or dabbling in music.

Steven Walters

Digital Marketing Director

Audrey Stewart

Digital Marketing Specialist

Audrey started at Aspiro in 2014 as a field guide. After working in the field, Audrey transitioned into the Logistics department where she primarily facilitated student intakes and departures. After several years, Audrey was promoted to Logistics Manager and joined the Senior Management team. Most recently Audrey has moved over to the marketing team where she currently works as a digital marketing specialist. Throughout her time at Aspiro, Audrey has worked in many roles but has always maintained her passion for helping students and their families. Audrey’s educational background includes a degree in Child, Adult, and Human Services from Iowa State University in addition to a Paramedic Specialist Certificate. She previously worked in a pediatric emergency room and brings her medical background with her to work every day. She is committed to being a life long learner and is currently working towards a marketing certificate. Her love for the outdoors and desire to help others has never waned and she believes strongly in the healing properties of the wilderness and of high adventure activities like mountain biking, skiing, and rock climbing, which she pursues in her own time.

Michael Stanley

Marketing Media Producer

Michael is a Utah native who grew up among the red rocks near Zion National Park. He is a storyteller at heart. Michael is passionate about sharing the inspiring stories of transformation and reconciliation he is privileged to witness in the lives of Aspiro students and their families. He holds a degree in Media Arts with an emphasis in non-fiction film production. He enjoys adventure and wildlife photography and takes pride in helping Aspiro showcase its beautiful and awe-inspiring areas of operation. He’s also a dad joke aficionado and loves nothing more than to help guides and students find the joy and humor in everyday situations. Among his many adventures, being a dad to his son and daughter is his favorite.

Kip Swem

Field Director

Kip grew up in eastern Washington where he quickly found a love for the outdoors. After going to school at Central Washington University, he traveled to Honduras to volunteer as an English teacher and manage a program on proper nutrition for the local youth. It was in Honduras that Kip learned that service was his passion, thus leading him to wilderness therapy. Kip has been with Aspiro since early 2016. He started out as a field guide where he was able to develop a diverse skill set to help our unique and complicated students. Following that, he transitioned into the role of recruiter where he discovered our staff and helped them develop to a high standard which Aspiro holds. As an associate field director, Kip now manages Aspiro’s field staff and focuses on training them to be as effective as possible. Kip can likely be found visiting student groups in the field, hiking into a backcountry lake, or planning his next adventure.

Trevor Ahlquist

Associate Operations Manager

Trever Ahlquist is Aspiro’s Associate Operations Director. In this role, Trevor oversees Aspiro’s expeditions and weekly staffing needs. Trevor has held many roles within the Aspiro group since he started as a guide in 2006. These include being a lead field guide, the logistics coordinator, and an in-field trainer. In addition to his work at Aspiro Adventure, Trevor also has experience as a shift lead at a residential treatment center and spent a year in Costa Rica working as a guide at another adventure-based wilderness program. Trevor is excited about his new role as Associate Operations Director at Aspiro as he enjoys the company culture and believes in the work that Aspiro does. Trevor’s favorite outdoor activity is backpacking and in his free time, he enjoys going disc golfing and exploring new restaurants.

Katy Stockton

Adventure Coordinator

Katy is an Adventure Coordinator at Aspiro. In this role, she teaches guides how to facilitate adventure with a therapeutic approach and emphasis on risk management. Katy is originally from a small town in New Mexico. She attended Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO, and earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy with a psychology minor. While earning her degree, Katy spent six years mentoring middle schoolers. After graduating from college, she spent time as a commercial rock and ice guide. When she isn’t at work, Katy enjoys mountain biking and rock climbing.

Robert Baldassari

Risk & Compliance Manager

Robert Baldassari is one of two In-Field Trainers at Aspiro. It is his job to support Field Guides by providing on-the-job evaluations and coaching. Robert works with our Field Guides to grow their toolbox of guiding techniques. In this role, Robert has the pleasure of visiting several student groups each week and is able to get to know most of the students at Aspiro. Robert grew up in California and moved to Utah in 2006 to live near the mountains. His background is in ski instructing, where he has over 10 years of experience and holds several certifications, including his PSIA level 2, AASI Level 1, and Children Specialist 1. During his free time, Robert enjoys skiing, hiking, and backpacking. He has also been known to rock climb and ice climb. Some of his more memorable expeditions include climbing Mt Gannett, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Hood.

Reuben Hoyos

In-Field Trainer

Reuben is an In-Field Trainer at Aspiro. It is his job to support field guides by providing on-the-job evaluations and coaching. Reuben works with our field guides to grow their toolbox of guiding techniques. In this role, Reuben has the pleasure of visiting several student groups each week and is able to get to know most of the students at Aspiro. Reuben attended Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising, public relations, and social psychology. After graduating, he worked as the director of marketing for an insurance company. When he decided that the corporate world wasn’t for him, Reuben decided to search for more meaningful work. He chose to work for Aspiro because he agrees with the company’s philosophies and loves the supportive community. When Reuben is not working, you can find him rock climbing.

Ari

Support Dog

Meet Ari! She is a very playful 2-year-old who loves nothing more than sticks and playing in the water. She loves going to base camp with her owner, therapist Janna Dean. Ari spends her time at Aspiro’s basecamp chasing sticks with students or settling in with them during therapy to offer an extra listening ear and support. When Ari is not working with Aspiro students, she loves going on hikes with her family and cuddling up to them at home.

Boo

Support Dog

Boo is a 7-year-old teddy bear masquerading as an Australian Shepard. Boo loves to go to work with his owner Lizzie Madloch, Aspiro’s Medical Coordinator. Lizzy brings Boo to work with her when she meets students for medical check-ins so that they can play with her and enjoy her companionship. Boo loves to snuggle and also loves picking up rocks in rivers, hanging out at climbing areas, and playing fetch.

Rascal

Support Dog

Meet Rascal! Rascal is a 5-year-old Border Collie German Shepherd mix and life-long companion to therapist-intern Nick Bolton. He is a dog with a lot of personality and energy. He relates well with Aspiro students because he too requires a lot of emotional support. Rascal is sensitive and deeply cares for people, which makes him an excellent companion during therapy sessions. Aspiro students always look forward to the days that Rascal gets to join Nick at the Aspiro basecamp.

Saranac

Support Dog

Saranac is a giant white lab whose happy place is hanging out with students at our base camp, especially when they throw sticks for her! In between fetch sessions she likes to check in on therapy sessions or curl up in the circle for group therapy. She’s not a big talker but we like to include her anyway. Saranac is a great co-therapist to her owner, Hannah Eckert, and what she doesn’t contribute verbally comes through in her meaningful or quizzical eye contact with whoever’s sharing. Her funky name comes from a small town in Northern New York where Hannah grew up exploring the mountains, woods, and lakes. When she’s not busy working or exploring Utah, Saranac likes taking long naps on the couch and making sure Hannah stays on schedule by reminding her when it’s mealtime.

Lewis

Support Dog

Lewis Edward Kaczmarek is the very best stick fetcher at Aspiro. He’s very familiar with Aspiro as he started to work here when he was only eight weeks old. He is now six, and is pretty sure he knows the mountain better than any human. He loves going to work with his mom, Jamie Kaczmarek. Lewis’ strengths include fetching, handshakes, not eating people’s food, and kindness. Some of his weaknesses are persistence (he tends to be preoccupied with fetch), and sometimes he cuddles up on sleeping bags without asking (He’s working on this). Lewis’ mom and the other students say he is good at helping people to stay calm. He tries to engage people in play whenever he can. He truly believes in letting the inner child out and allowing himself to surrender to the silliness.

Cheyenne

Support Dog

Although Cheyenne is far too humble to brag, her owner and her students have appointed her as the “Queen of Aspiro.” Cheyenne is a 12-year-old Border Collie who’s joined hundreds of therapy sessions over the years. She is the fly fishing and adventure partner of Jamie Ahern, Aspiro Boys therapist. Cheyenne was adopted in Tennessee, where she was neglected as a puppy. Her story is one of overcoming and learning to trust. She’s older now, so she spends less time chasing deer and elk and more time chewing pine cones. Her demeanor is calm and sweet, but Cheyenne will only approach someone when she knows she’s safe. Getting to cuddle with Cheyenne is a right of passage for Jamie’s students.

Junie

Support Dog

Juniper (Junie) is a one-year-old mixed breed dog hailing from the desert of New Mexico. She found her way to Utah through a rescue organization, and after a short time in a foster home, she arrived at her forever home with Aspiro’s therapist Caitlin and her daughter. While in the field, Junie utilizes her intuition and gentle demeanor to connect with students in any way they feel comfortable. She loves belly rubs, finding antlers, and running around base camp. When Junie is not at work, she loves to play at the dog park, ski with her humans in the backcountry, paddleboard, hike, and run wild in the desert.

Sadie

Support Dog

Sadie is a Goldendoodle and belongs to one of our admissions counselors, Ally Jackson. Sadie loves coming to the office and greeting new students and parents. She frequently makes appearances over zoom calls and meetings. Sadie would love to be a therapist herself, she is a master at knowing who needs support and loves to lick tears away. She’ll be best friends with anyone who gives her belly rubs and plays fetch with her. Sadie brings joy, laughter, and endless amounts of cuddles to everyone around her!

Meet the team

Meet the team

The Aspiro Team

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