Clinical Team
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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Katherine Eastlake, LPC, CADC II
Clinical Director
Katherine's experience working with adolescents ranges from working in the field as a wilderness therapist, 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. Her clinical interests include thinking errors and their manifestation in interpersonal relationships; depression among adolescents and growth through empowerment; trauma impact upon body, thinking, and emotion. Katherine holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon and a master's 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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Marie Deshazer, MACP, CADC
Primary 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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Adam Goddard, LPC, WFR
Primary Therapist
Adam's training is in family-systems. His area of expertise include: anxiety, depression, physical/sexual abuse, substance abuse, grief/loss and family dysfunction. He is also skilled at working with adolescents who have been adopted and that are challenged by ADHD. When asked what inspires him to work with youth he states, "It's the times when you can see a kid 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
Family Services Clinician
Jeff has been working with young people for more than 25 years as a public school educator, private music teacher, and university professor. Since 2005 he has committed himself to the healing and empowerment of adolescents and their families as a counseling professional. Jeff's areas of specialization include the treatment and management of substance abuse and addiction, co-occurring disorders, developmental trauma (including adoption), depression and low self-worth, and clients who struggle with emotional and behavioral self-regulation. In particular, Jeff is passionate in supporting young men in accessing their innate capacities of resilience to move into young adulthood with honesty, integrity, self-efficacy and confidence. He believes that self-awareness and insight arise from a personal, experiential process, which wilderness therapy is uniquely suited to provide. Jeff utilizes a collaborative and strength-based approach with parents and clients, finding solutions and strategies the entire family can access to move forward and create change. He is also committed to exploring and utilizing the most recent advancements in mental health and substance abuse treatment, particularly in the areas of trauma resolution and disorders of attachment, and the role of somatic, sensorimotor, and mindfulness-based approaches to healing. Jeff previously participated in many expeditions as a field therapist, and brings his first-hand experience of the wilderness expedition to his work with participants and their families. Jeff received his BA from George Fox University, his MA from the Juilliard School, and PhD studies at the University of Oregon. In addition to his work at Catherine Freer, 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. A life-long educator, Jeff serves on the faculties of Portland State University, Pacific University (adjunct) and George Fox University (adjunct). Jeff is the father of two boys, 13 and 15 years old, and enjoys cycling, hiking, exploring the Oregon coast, and time with his family, including his dogs Fisher and Oliver.
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Wren Anderson, MSW, WFR, CADC-I
Wilderness Therapist
Wren has been working with adolescents for more than 10 years. Her experience includes counseling families and adolescents, working as a case manager for teens leaving foster care, and as a case worker for the Department of Human Services. Wren is inspired in her work with adolescents by witnessing family relationships change, which she finds is often initiated by children. She is also inspired by the strength and resiliency that teens bring to challenging circumstances. In her free time, Wren enjoys whitewater kayaking and taking part in contemplative dance.
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Michelle Bachand, MA, LLPC, NCC, CADC-I
Wilderness Therapist
"Micki" has a MA in K-12 School Counseling, BA in psychology, and a BS in Art Therapy/Art Education. She has been working with youth for over 17 years in one capacity or another. Experiencing and sharing time with youth motivates her, especially seeing them discover their strengths and passions. In her spare time; Micki likes to read, hike, backpack, do yoga, spend time with loved ones, swim, create art and just enjoy life. Her ability to use a wide range of therapeutic tools helps youth be successful in the field.
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Lesley Krakauer, MSW, WFR
Wilderness Therapist
Lesley has worked with adolescents for more than seven years. Her past experience includes work as an individual therapist, for a suicide crisis hotline center, a wilderness guide, and a camp counselor. Lesley holds a master's degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor's degree in English and History from the University of Michigan. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder. In her spare time she can be found running, biking, playing soccer, reading, writing and doing jigsaw puzzles.
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Christopher Murray, MSW, CADC
Wilderness Therapist
Chris is inspired in his work by the creativity children bring to their own lives and their immense capacity for growth and change. His experience includes work at an adolescent residential treatment program, school counseling, and as an English language teacher in Japan. Chris holds a master's degree in Social Work from Portland State University and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Lewis and Clark College. He has practiced martial arts since the age of 11 and currently trains in mixed martial arts. He also enjoys snowboarding and ultimate frisbee in his spare time.
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Sebastiaan Zuidweg, MA, WFR
Wilderness Therapist
Sebastiaan has worked with adolescents for more than eight years. He has extensive experience working as a therapist in the wilderness and has also worked as a school counselor, treatment coordinator, and as a ski and snowboard instructor. He holds a master's degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Wilderness Therapy from Naropa University and his undergraduate degree is in Anthropology with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Colorado.
