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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Kevin Riley, LCSW, CADC-III
Clinical Director
Before joining the Catherine Freer team in 2000, Kevin worked with adolescents and families for 10 years in many arenas including tutoring and mentoring in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, adolescent service trips to Nicaragua, and working as a family therapist in Seattle. Kevin worked as an expedition therapist for two years before taking his current position as a clinical director. He received his MSW from the University of Washington. His clinical areas of interest include group therapy, family systems, and adolescent rites-of-passage. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys rock climbing, mountaineering and running, and spending time with his wife and son.
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Amy Cirincione, LSW, CADC-I, WFR
Coordinating Therapist
Amy has a BA in Sociology and a MSW in Clinical Practice. She is a transplant from the East Coast and has over 12 years experience in working with youth. While Amy admits that working with youth keeps her on her toes, she enjoys their capacity for change and their honesty. Amy enjoys rock climbing, running, yoga, and performing spoken word poetry. She gives direct honest feedback and treats youth with a level of respect and compassion while keeping them accountable.
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Jeff Payton, MA, WFR, CADC-I
Coordinating Therapist
Jeff has been working with young people for more than 20 years and loves their humor, their desire to learn and their honesty. He particularly enjoys when the "ah-ha" moment takes place — when they "get it"! Jeff enjoys bringing ceremony, storytelling, ritual and silence to the child's experience of the wilderness. Jeff received his BA from George Fox University, his MA from the Juilliard School, and PhD studies at the University of Oregon. Jeff is a triple threat at Freer, having worked as a wilderness guide, wilderness therapist, and as a coordinating therapist. Jeff is also a professional musician, and when not in the field can be seen on stage with the Oregon Symphony. Jeff is the father of two boys, 8 and 11 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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Michelle "Micki" Bachand, MA, LLPC, NCC, CADC-I
Wilderness Therapist
Micki has been working with adolescents for more than 17 years. She appreciates the opportunity to work with children in a wilderness milieu which enables her to use a variety of therapeutic tools to help them discover their own strengths and passions. Micki has a MA in K-12 School Counseling, a BA in Psychology, and a BS in Art Therapy/Art Education. In her spare time Micki enjoys reading, hiking, backpacking, yoga, swimming, creating art, spending time with loved ones and enjoying life.
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Shayna Carter, LPC, CADC-I, WFR
Wilderness Therapist
Shayna has over 12 years experience working with youth. She loves the resilience, energy, and creativity of youth. In the past Shayna has worked as a triage counselor, outdoor educator, and wilderness guide (among other positions). Reading, traveling, visiting friends/family, and climbing mountains are what she enjoys. Shayna's firm yet nurturing spirit is what makes her style so helpful in our program.
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Pauline Dargis, M.Ed., CADC-I
Wilderness Therapist
Pauline has been working with youth for over eight years. She enjoys watching them develop into caring people. "They have so much energy and enthusiasms that can help them achieve their goals in life," Pauline states. In order to help youth explore the world around them, Pauline tries to harness their creative talents. Pauline has a BS in Biology and a BA in Psychology from the University of Delaware. She went on to get her MSE in Counselor Education from the University of Wisconsin. In the past, she was a match advisor for Big Brothers Big Sisters and has worked as a therapist for the Boys and Girls Club. Pauline was a senior counselor for Eckhart Youth Alternatives. When Pauline is not in the field, she enjoys mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, reading, playing drums, taking photos, and doing volunteer work. Pauline is a treasure here at Freer.
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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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Todd Embree, MS, NCC, CADC-I
Wilderness Therapist
Todd has been working as a professional therapist since 1996. He operates under the belief in the proverb "It takes a village to raise children." The Native America culture is important to him and enjoys being an ally for them. Todd gets pleasure from the outdoors with skate and backcountry skiing, bicycle riding, and just spending time in nature, yet also enjoys independent foreign films and improve comedy. With a BS in Management and a MS in Counselor Education, he is a good fit for our expedition teams.
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Adam Goddard, MA, WFR
Wilderness 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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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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Tanya Sue Kramer, WFR, CADC-I
Wilderness Therapist
Tanya has been working with youth for more than ten years. She comes to us from Wisconsin where she received a double major in Criminal Justice and Sociology with a concentration in Human Services. "Children inspire me to see new experiences as the best way to enjoy life," she states. She enjoys exploring new hiking trails with Max (her dog), mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, sea kayaking, traveling, and reading.
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Grace S. Leu, MA, CADC-I
Wilderness Therapist
Grace's experience working with youth ranges from working as a school counselor, English teacher, and intern therapist. Her drive to work with youth comes from her belief in their potential for success and hope for healing and change. She received a BA in Psychology for the University of Rochester and a MA in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. In her spare time, Grace enjoys reading, writing, traveling, biking, church activities, and photography.
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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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David Niess, MA
Wilderness Therapist
David has been working with youth for more than 13 years. He explains, "Helping children is rewarding beyond a paycheck. They demonstrate resilience and courage that is inspiring." David received a BS degree in Exercise Science and Psychology from the University of Oregon. He holds a MA in Counseling Psychology from National University. When not working he enjoys traveling to the coast, crabbing, fishing, biking, playing basketball and soccer, and road trips in his VW bus.
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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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Jessica Weatherby, M.Ed.
Field Therapist
Jessica has worked with children and adolescents for more than 10 years in various settings including summer camps and residential treatment programs. Her work on behalf of adolescents is inspired by their courage, strength, and resiliency as they face and overcome life challenges. Jessica holds a BA in Psychology and a M.Ed. in Marriage and Family Therapy. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys running, backpacking, spending time with family and discovering new recipes. She is an avid chef and baker.
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