Gordon Day Ph.D.
Director of Clinical Services
Dr. Day, a recognized expert in the assessment and treatment of adolescents with neurodevelopmental and other learning and processing issues, joined the Aspiro team in April of 2008. His vision and passion has been to create dynamic, individualized outdoor therapeutic programming. He has pioneered outdoor therapeutic approaches specifically tailored to the needs of adolescents and young adults struggling with complex learning and emotional issues.
David Hillstead, Ph.D.
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
Dr. Hillstead is a nationally recognized expert in the treatment of depression and anxiety in adolescents and young adults. With over 12 years wilderness experience he is approaching over 700 adolescent and family cases. In the last 5 years he has developed a special interest in understanding the underpinnings of oppositional defiant disorder, particularly as it relates to emotional regulation/mood disorders. With a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy he is naturally conscious of how the family system can play a strong role in the healing and resolution of these complex emotional regulation themes in both adolescents and young adults.
Jamie Kaczmarek, LCSW
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
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. After working at AYA, Jamie joined the Aspen Achievement Academy ( AAA) team in 2003. Through wilderness therapy Jamie has had experiences as a therapist, team leader, trainer, field specialist, and senior field instructor. Jamie understands and believes in the healing power of the wilderness and considers it to be her sanctuary.
Sandy Smith, LCSW
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
- Masters in Social Work from The University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from Southern Utah University
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Nevada and Utah
- Clinical Case Manager, Therapeutic Family Care Program, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Private Practice specializing in Family Systems, CBT/DBT, divorce, and adoption
- Also Specializes in:
NLD / mood disorders / PTSD / ADHD / anxiety / adoption / divorce depressive disorders / low self Esteem / anger management / sexual abuse
Sandy brings more than 25 years experience working with families, adolescent and young adults in clinical settings. Her clinical experiences include working for The State of Nevada’s Division of Child and Adolescent Family Services, 15 years practicing privately in both NV and UT., as well as 6 years in the therapeutic wilderness industry. Sandy is a warm and compassionate individual who puts her soul into the work she performs with each family she has the opportunity to work with and is dedicated to helping families heal and learn to live healthy and functional lives.
Gillan Smith, Ph.D.
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
- Masters of Science in Counseling and Guidance from Brigham Young University
- Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Brigham Young University
- Bachelors of Science in Organizational Communications from Brigham Young University
- Nationally Certified Licensed Professional Counselor
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Utah
- Clinically focused on family systems therapy, developmental stages of adolescence, substance abuse and recovery.
- Also Specializes in:
autism spectrum disorders / non-verbal learning disorders / mood disorders / adoption issues / PTSD divorce conflict / ADHD / anxiety / trauma resolution / depression / ODD
Gillan brings more than 25 years of counseling experience working with families and adolescents in a wide variety of clinical settings. His clinical experiences include Wilderness Therapist at Aspen Achievement Academy, private practice in Salt Lake City, Program Director for Turnabout Day Treatment, Clinical Supervisor for Norton Sound Behavioral Health in Nome, Alaska, Adjunct Professor in the Clinical Psychology Department at the University of Alaska, Clinical Director for Outback Therapeutic Expeditions and most recently the Dean of Advising at Carlbrook School in Virginia.
Ryan Coley, MSW, CSW
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
- Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Utah
- Bachelors Degree in Bible and Religion from Huntington University.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Utah
- Trained/experienced in substance abuse, adults with addiction, group therapy, and motivational interviewing.
- Also specializes in:
Chemical dependency/addictions / substance abuse / attachment issues / depression / anxiety / self-harm / spiritual issues
Ryan’s clinical focus since 2010 is in working with our young adults Kairos students and has been a member of the Aspiro Family of Programs since 2009. Over the last four years Ryan has commanded an integral role in the design and creation of “Kairos”, Aspiro‘s Young Adult chemical use/abuse Experiential Adventure based clinical wilderness treatment model. Ryan’s primary objective has been to establish long term successful family interventions, stabilization, and diagnostic assessments all while meeting each student where they are in the therapeutic process.
Caitlin Galt, MA, CPCI
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
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.
Tim Lowe, Ph.D. LMFT, LSAC
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
- Masters in Family Life Education & Marriage, Family and Child Therapy from Brigham Young University
- Bachelors of Science in Family Sciences, Minors in Psychology, Sociology, and Hebrew/Near eastern Studies from Loma Linda University
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Utah
- Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor in the state of Utah
- Approved Supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
- Certified Presenter for the Arbinger Foundation
- Also Specializes in:
borderline and histrionic personality disorders / trauma / PTSD / body Image / family systems/ attachment / adoption / eating disorders / anxiety / depression
Tim has been involved in the special needs outdoor therapeutic community for many years. At an early age Tim participated in several various survival courses taught throughout the country. From these dynamic but challenging experiences he gained a sense of self-reliance and that his body could do amazing things . . . if his mind would let it. These experiences helped him to gain confidence, internal motivation, as well as feelings of purpose and direction. Tim understands that some lessons can only be learned experientially and that hard times are not necessarily bad times. With the right mind set, difficulty can be a great teacher and motivator. Difficult times and hard work are often good, healthy, and necessary, if one is to learn and grow emotionally.
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Jessica P. Williamson, MSW
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
- Masters in Social work from Brigham Young University
- Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Brigham Young University.
- Trained/experienced in CBT, solution focused therapy
- Also specializes in:
Body Image / trauma / female identity & empowerment / family systems / PTSD / attachment / adoption / depression / anxiety
Jessica has been working with adolescents therapeutically since 2009 and as a member of the Aspiro Family of Programs since 2009. Over that time, Jessica has worked in several positions including an Aspiro trail guide with the Vantage Point group and as the clinical coordinator. Jessica’s primary objective has been to establish long term successful family interventions, stabilization, and diagnostic assessments all while beginning where the student is in the therapeutic process.
Jamie Ahern, MSW, CSW
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
- Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee
- Bachelors Degree in Human Services from Black Hills State University
- Certified Social Worker the State of Utah
- Trained/experienced in treating adolescents with attention problems
- Also specializes in:
NLD / ODD / substance abuse/addiction / social skills deficits / (PDD) pervasive developmental disorders / ADD/ADHD
Jamie has been working primarily with adolescents since graduate school, where he completed internships in a school counseling program and at an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center. He has been a member of the Aspiro Family of Programs since he began working as a Field Guide for the Vantage Point Program in 2011. As a former Vantage Point Field Guide, Jamie has an in-depth understanding of the day-to-day experiences of our students. His days “on trail” gave him the opportunity to witness some profound therapeutic changes through the use of wilderness, adventure activities and relationships. Now, as a therapist with the Vantage Point Program, Jamie’s primary objective is to help his students and their families develop and work towards achieving mutual goals.
Julie Anderson, M.Ed
Clinical Wilderness Therapist
- Masters in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania
- Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Washington and Lee University
- Trained/experienced in CBT, Family Systems Approach, Reality Therapy, Narrative Approach
- Also specializes in:
Learning Disorders / Spectrum Disorders / ADHD / ODD / self image / trauma / anger management / relationship building
Julie’s career in Wilderness Therapy began in 2011 but her experience in wilderness and in therapy began many years prior. She has led wilderness expeditions for youth and young adults throughout the Southwest for the past few years and counseled individual students and families in Philadelphia charter schools for two years. Julie also designed and executed an anger management group for adolescent males, a self-esteem group for adolescent females and assertiveness trainings for adolescent females in the school setting. Prior to entering into the field of counseling, Julie taught middle and high school science for five years in Louisiana, Colorado and Pennsylvania.
Brandon J. Johnson
Clinical Intern
- Clinical Intern, Social Work Department, University of Utah.
- Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Psychology from Utah Valley University.
My career path towards becoming a therapist was inspired by my time serving in the United States Army. Having the opportunity to counsel and help the soldiers that were under my command, combined with witnessing the mental health concerns that can arise after being exposed to a wartime situation, has created the foundation for my life’s work. Prior to my internship with the Aspiro Adventure Program, I worked for two years as a Youth Counselor at a residential treatment facility. The majority of the clinical work that I have experienced has been with the 15-18 year-old male adolescent population. During my time at Aspiro I have been working under the supervision of David Hillstead PhD. in our Aspiro boys group.