Executive Team

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  Robert Cooley, PhD

  Executive Director and Clinical Supervisor

  Dr. Cooley grew up on the McKenzie River in Oregon, where he learned to row a whitewater boat at age four. He made his way through college and graduate school by spending his summers logging, doing Forest Service trail work, and working as a river guide. He earned his PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Oregon in 1979 and has specialized in family and adolescent therapy. He has lived abroad several times and speaks French, Spanish, and German. Dr. Cooley developed and directed a family therapy program at Oregon's child welfare department and had a private therapy practice, while taking summers off to run a whitewater rafting company. In 1988, he combined his outdoor and therapy interests in founding Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Expeditions. Dr. Cooley and his wife Ingrid, a family therapist, live in Albany, Oregon, and have four children.

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  Rob Koning, WFR, CADC-I

  Chief Executive Officer

  Rob has been working with youth for more than 11 years and his first role at Freer was as a wilderness guide. He is now using his skills and expertise in the office. Rob states, "I am amazed by the lessons that the wilderness and expeditionary learning offer. Being able to connect youth to these lessons, their community, their family and themselves is an honor and inspiration." With a BA in Recreation with an emphasis on Outdoor Leadership he is the right person for the job. In his spare time, Rob snowboarding, mountain biking, traveling, and playing the guitar.

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  Katherine Eastlake, LPC, CADC

  Clinical Director

  Katherine's experience working with adolescents ranges from working at an adolescent day treatment facility to an adolescent detention center. It is a child's potential for growth that inspires her work on behalf of adolescents. Katherine holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Oregon and a MA in Forensic Psychology from the University of Denver. During her free time, she enjoys playing ultimate Frisbee, hiking, reading and spending time with friends and family.

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  Sarah Mack, CPC

  Director of Referral Relations and Marketing

  Sarah began working with Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Programs in 1995 and co-founded the transition home program with Dr. Cooley that same year. Prior to coming to Catherine Freer, Sarah worked as a program manager for a community based mental health program that provided in-home mental health and case management services for high-risk families. She began working as the director of referral relations in 1999. Sarah is active on the public relations and conference planning committees for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, spending time on the coast, and working in her garden.

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  Natala Larson

  Director of Admission

  Natala began working in the admissions team in 2001, and became the director of the department in 2005. Natala graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. Prior to joining the Catherine Freer team, Natala worked with at-risk adolescents and teenage mothers participating in self-improvement programs. Outside of work Natala enjoys being outdoors with her husband and their dog, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.