Staff » Therapeutic Staff
Therapeutic Staff
Freer Clinical Team: Coordinating Therapist Chris Rahm, Clinical Director Amy Cirincione, Coordinating Therapist Jeff Peyton, and Coordinating Therapist Adam Goddard.
Our therapists are mature, committed professionals with advanced clinical training in chemical dependency and mental health issues, working under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist.
Our therapists are either an experienced adolescent addictions counselor who has a good knowledge of family and individual therapy or a competent psychotherapist or clinical social worker who is also knowledgeable about alcohol and drug treatment and Twelve Step work. Our therapists hold an MA or MSW degree and/or are a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor or have equivalent training and experience.
The clinicians working with your child and family are skilled in the basic therapy areas: behavioral and cognitive therapy, addiction treatment, family, group and individual therapy, and psycho-diagnosis. Many specialize in client areas such as family dynamics, depression, ADHD, below average and/or very superior intelligence, and personality disorders.
Our staff-to-client ratio is 3 to 8 on our wilderness expeditions. At least one staff member is a master's level therapist or certified drug and alcohol counselor who lives in the field with clients throughout the duration of the expedition. Here they facilitate powerful "in the moment" therapy in addition to planned group and individual therapy, and psychoeducational groups. This creates an unmatched therapeutic intensity resulting in remarkable outcomes for troubled adolescents. Catherine Freer is the only program in the industry using this model.
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Amy Cirincione, LCSW, CADC-I, WFR
Clinical Director
Amy was raised in Washington D.C. and has over 12 years experience working with at-risk adolescents. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Wesleyan University and her Master's in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Amy's training in family systems, trauma-focused psychotherapy, and drug and alcohol counseling informs her work with adolescents and their families. Prior to becoming Clinical Director, Amy worked as a field therapist on Freer's 21-day therapeutic expeditions for over 2 years, and still misses her old "office" in the backcountry.
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Adam Goddard, MA, WFR
Coordinating Therapist
Adam enjoys working with youth for their energy and enthusiasm for life. When asked what inspires him to work with youth he states, "The times when you can see someone who really has had a rough time and made lots of mistakes, finally start to figure things out." Adam received his BA in Psychology and a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Harding University. His graduate school internships were at Pinnacle Point Hospital and Capstone Treatment Center. Adam has also worked as a rock climbing instructor and counseling minister. In his spare time, Adam takes pleasure in hiking, rock climbing, camping, and playing basketball.
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Jeffrey Peyton, MA, CADC-I, WFR
Coordinating Therapist
Jeff has been working with young people for more than 20 years and appreciates their resilience, capacity to learn, and their honesty. Jeff received his BA from George Fox University, his MA from the Juilliard School, and PhD studies at the University of Oregon. Prior to his current role as a CT, Jeff participated in many expeditions as a field therapist, and brings his first-hand experience of the wilderness expedition to his work with the participants and their families. Jeff values working collaboratively with parents, finding solutions and strengths the entire family can access to move forward and create change. In addition to his work at CFWTP, Jeff is a professional musician (percussion), and can be seen on stage with the Oregon Symphony or in the orchestra pit with the Portland Opera and Oregon Ballet. Jeff is the father of two boys, 11 and 13 years old, and enjoys yoga, photography (many of the pictures on the Freer website are his), travel, running with his dog Fisher, reading, and cooking.
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Chris Rahm, MA
Coordinating Therapist
Chris has been working with youth for more than 10 years. Before joining our team he has worked as a school counselor, in private practice, and at a residential treatment facility. "I love the wilderness and I love kids. I feel working with teenagers I can really make a difference in their life. The wilderness is an amazing, positive experience for the kids," he states. Chris received his MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, painting, camping, hiking, and currently is learning how to work with wood and build furniture.
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Wilderness Therapists
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Marie Deshazer, MACP, CADC
Wilderness Therapist
Marie has been working with youth for more than eight years in a variety of different venues. Marie gets her inspiration from the creativity and potential young adults possess as well as their capacity for insight about their lives. She values giving kids a space for their voices to be heard. Marie received a BA in English from University of Washington and a MA in Psychology from Mars Hill Graduate School. She did an internship at Caritas Social Services in Bilbao, Spain and is currently training to become a minority mental health specialist. In her spare time she enjoys running, hiking, rock climbing, spending time with family and friends, and traveling abroad.
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Katherine Eastlake, LPC
Wilderness Therapist
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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Averyl Growden, MA, NCC
Wilderness Therapist
Averyl has been working with youth for more than seven years. Before joining the Freer team, Averyl worked as a mental health counselor, caseworker, treatment counselor, and volunteered in an orphanage in Nepal. When asked why she chooses to work with youth Averyl states, "Children and adolescents are in a constant state of motion, and growth. Their ability to be resilient, open, honest, and to think outside the box, inspires me to continue my own personal growth. I feel honored to witness and support children and adolescents through their journey towards positive change." She received her BA in Sociology from Whittier College and a MA in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College. In her spare time Averyl enjoys running, biking, yoga, reading, watching movies, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
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Kraig Mead, MS
Wilderness Therapist
Kraig has been working with children and adolescents in wilderness settings since 1995. An avid outdoorsman, Kraig has experience guiding white water rafting trips, skiing and snowboard instruction, and was once a horse wrangler. He strongly believes in the positive, lifelong impact that a wilderness experience can have on adolescents and it is this belief that inspires him in his work on behalf of adolescents. Kraig received his undergraduate degree and a master's degree in Cognitive Psychology from Portland State University. For fun, Kraig enjoys mountain biking, surfing and doing handstands.
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Allison Sullivan, MA
Wilderness Therapist
Allison has worked with adolescents for more than five years. Her experience includes work as a counselor at a therapeutic boarding school, a school counselor, therapist at a day treatment program, wilderness field instructor and camp counselor. She graduated Cum Laude from Kenyon College with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and holds a master's in Counseling Psychology from Loyola College.
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Adrienne Tauses, MSW
Wilderness Therapist
Adrienne has been working with youth for more than eight years. She has worked for PACE center for girls, the Hillsborough County Courthouse, and was a volunteer with the Peace Corps. Adrienne received her BA in Social Work and Spanish from University of South Florida and a MS in Clinical Social Work from Columbia University. In her spare time she enjoys exploring and meeting new people.
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