Vantage Point boys/girls 13-17
- Bachelors Degree in Psychology W/minor is Family Relations from California State University
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Brigham Young University – Training Emphasis Clinical Child Adolescent and Family Psychology
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Utah
- Extensive clinical training in research of psychotherapy and assessments for children, adolescents and family systems.
- Clinical emphasis in child, adolescent, and family psychology
Also specializes in:
Autism Spectrum Disorders
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.
Aspiro boys 13 – 17
- Masters in Science from Brigham Young University
- Doctorate in Marriage and Family therapy from Brigham Young University
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Utah
- Clinical emphasis in emotionally focused therapy w/a special emphasis on emotional regulation techniques
Also specializes in:
Family Systems / ODD / ADD/ADHD / Mood Disorders / Chemical Dependency / Depression / Anxiety
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.
Vantage Point boys/girls 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.
Aspiro boys/girls 13-17
- 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.
Aspiro/Vantage Point boys/girls 13-17
- Masters of Science in Counseling and Guidance from Brigham Young University
- Doctorate in Counseling Psychology 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.
men/women 17-25
- 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.
Vantage Point men/women 17-25
- Graduate Degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology W/emphasis in wilderness therapy from Naropa University
- Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Chicago
- Clinical emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders encompassing Cognitive, Gestalt, and Mind/Body Practice therapies.
Also specializes in:
Autism Spectrum Disorders / NLD
Family Systems / Anxiety / 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.
Aspiro girls 13-17
- 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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Vantage Point boys/girls 13-17
- Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana, Monroe
- Masters of Art in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana, Monroe
- Clinical member and Approved Clinical Supervisor of AAMFT
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Utah
- Adjunct Professor, Utah State University
- Clinically focused on family systems therapy, Solutions Focused, cognitive Systems Theory
Also Specializes in:
Autism Spectrum Disorders / Non-Verbal Learning Disorders
Mood Disorders / Adoption Issues / PTSD Divorce Conflict / ADHD
Anxiety / ODD / Trauma Resolution / Depression
Shane brings a vast expanse of Clinical Research, Family Systems, and Solution Focused Clinical training to the Aspiro Vantage Point team. Shane’s training began as a clinical intern for inner city youth and families of Monroe, Louisiana. His focus was on presenting issues of, martial conflict, grief, anger management, and school related problems. During his clinical training Shane accepted a position as a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern through the University of Louisiana, Monroe. His clinical focus was working with court-mandated domestic violence offenders, child abuse/neglect victims, and teen-court mandated juveniles. As a Doctoral Graduate Assistant under Professor Dr. Wendel Ray Ph.D, Shane was responsible for the editing and transformation of all vintage video tapes of the many early MFT Solutions Focused Theorists. This work is now part of the Don D. Jackson (Founding Father of Family Therapy) archives located at the University of Louisiana, Monroe.
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Aspiro girls 13-17
- 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.
Aspiro/Vantage Point boy/girls 13-17
- 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.
Research and Program Evaluation
Dr. Smoot received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Utah and worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient treatment settings before co-founding Psychological Solutions, Inc. (PSI). He is a licensed psychologist and has over 15 years of assessment experience. He is well-versed in academic, neuropsychological, vocational, aptitude and personality assessment, including projective assessment tools.
- Masters in Mental Health Counseling from University of Phoenix
- Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Utah
- Bachelors Degree in Recreational Therapy from Brigham Young University
- Focus of personal interest in Stages of Change, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Choice Theory
Also specializes in:
Oppositional Defiance, Conduct Disorder, Substance Abuse/Dependence, Family Conflict, Identity Development
Trevor’s interest in becoming a therapist as a profession began when he was 15 on the island of Maui in a setting similar to Aspiro. As a teenager he came to realize that adventure and recreation were an important aspect to his well being and identity. Trevor had mentors on Maui that were engaging and supportive. These mentors didn’t know what they were getting Trevor into.
Janet discovered her passion for working with youth and their families over thirteen years ago. After working in various youth programs as a youth counselor and a home parent of 14-18 adolescents Janet wanted to become more involved with families. Her work as a Peer Parent, providing support and education to parents in one-on-one situations, increased her desire to do even more.
