Founders
Jeff received his B.S. in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Nebraska. Jeff has a Masters degree in Child and Youth Care Administration from Nova University in Florida. He also holds a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. Jeff has directed programs at a number of residential treatment centers including Father Flanagan’s Boys Home in Nebraska, St. Labre Home for Indian Children in Montana, and the Youth Village in Utah.
Becky studied music education at the University of Arizona with the goal to teach high school music. She has spent her entire professional career working with adolescents, but in a different capacity than she originally envisioned. Becky started working with children in Arizona as a youth care worker at Desert Willow Ranch. She was a Certified Family Teacher at Father Flanagan’s Boys Town in Nebraska and was the Director of Training and Evaluation at the St. Labre Home for Indian Children in Montana.
Management Team
Lanae received a bachelor’s degrees from the University of Utah in Psychology and Interpersonal Communication and later went on to obtain her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. Lanae has worked in Residential Treatment Center’s for over 10 years in a variety of roles including primary therapist, program director, program development and implementation, admissions, transition coach and aftercare specialist. She has supported families throughout the treatment process with a goal of maintaining family relationships while supporting the process of self discovery and growth.
Bridget received a Bachelor of Science in Family, Consumer, and Human Development with a minor in Sociology at Utah State University. She also earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work at USU. Bridget's training focused on empowering clients through use of a Strengths Perspective with emphasis in cognitive, behavioral, and existential individual, group, and family therapies. While working on her Master degree, Bridget was a social worker at a local high school and also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA.
Kelly Chambers earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern Utah University. She graduated in 2004 from Utah State University with a Masters of Accounting with a Tax Emphasis. Prior to working at Uinta Academy, Kelly worked in government accounting as well as at a local CPA firm. Kelly has worked at Uinta since 2006.
Erin joined the Uinta team after working in the hospitality industry for 12 years. During her time working at a major hotel chain she gained a love of genuinely caring for people. She worked closely with guests from around the world. She was highly involved as acting GM and Front Office Manager.
Diane has worked at Uinta since it opened in 2003. Diane worked in supervisory positions at several companies before joining the team at Uinta. She has worked in the Boy Scouts of America for over 20 years in leadership positions and has coordinated and conducted staff training and workshops.
Therapists
Melissa completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy at Utah State University. She went on to receive her Master’s degree in Social Work and a Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies, with an emphasis in social development of adolescent girls. Melissa has extensive experience working with at-risk youth in a variety of settings. She worked with children with autism in the public school system in Pennsylvania, creating treatment plans, working with parents, and using Applied Behavioral Analysis to better integrate the clients into the mainstream school environment. She also worked with inner-city at-risk youth in Washington D.C. and Richmond, VA on issues ranging from addiction to anger management. Melissa believes that living and having the opportunity to work with kids from all over the country has allowed her to develop cultural competence and an appreciation for diversity. Melissa has worked at Uinta Academy for several years, including some valuable experience in the milieu. She loves working with the girls and their families.
Diana graduated with honors from Utah State University with a degree in Family and Human Development, emphasis in Community Services. Prior to becoming a therapist, Diana worked as an advocate for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes in community and court settings. Diana received a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She has worked extensively with clients suffering from substance use disorders and severe mental health issues, including schizophrenia, personality disorders, trauma and PTSD, suicidality and self-harm, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Diana worked as an in-home therapist for families with children with severe behavioral issues, providing therapy to children and teens while coaching parents on strategies to help their children succeed. She has also worked in inpatient hospitalization and stabilization.
McKell received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Brigham Young University Hawaii with a minor in Psychology. She then went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University. McKell has experience working with addiction, mental health disorders, and extreme behavioral issues.
McKell has experience working with LGBTQ+ persons and created Brigham Young University Hawaii’s first support group and seminar for students and allies. She also worked as a therapist in Sydney, Australia before returning to Utah to work in an addiction rehabilitation facility. McKell worked as a behavioral specialist for the local school district writing and implementing behavioral plans utilizing Applied Behavioral Analysis.
Cheyenne graduated from California State University Fullerton with her Bachelor of Science in Human Services. Cheyenne completed her Master in Counseling degree with an emphasis in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. Cheyenne has experience working in multiple residential treatment centers in California with adolescents and has extensive training and experience in substance abuse and mental health treatment.
Cheyenne has previously been a Clinical Compliance Manager and Clinical Director for Recovery Centers in California. Cheyenne believes in using a family systems model while integrating Attachment Theory, Gestalt interventions, Adlerian, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Narrative approach. Cheyenne began working in the mental health field at a group home, in southern California, where she worked as a child care worker for young female adolescents.
Bryan Shores graduated from Radford University in Virginia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with a minor in Criminal Justice. Bryan then went on to receive a Masters of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University in Colorado. He has worked extensively with clients suffering from severe mental health issues, including schizophrenia, personality disorders, trauma and PTSD, suicidality and self-harm, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and co-morbid substance abuse.
Bryan worked as a traveling in-home therapist for families and individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through this experience he was able to provide psychotherapy to teenagers and young adults, as well as their families. He has worked in a private practice setting, providing therapy and treatment for clients struggling with attachment issues, substance abuse, and mental health disorders.
Katherine (Katie) completed a bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Utah State University. She then went on to earn a master’s degree in the Advanced Standing Social Work program at Utah State University. Katie has experience working with adolescents, families, trauma, mental health disorders, and behavioral issues.
Katie has worked extensively with adolescents with Depression, Anxiety, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, a variety of substance use disorders, and PTSD. As an intern in the Juvenile Probation mental health court, Katie used Cognitive Behavior Therapy and the Stages of Change Model to help adolescents overcome their behavioral issues. She worked closely with probation officers, families, and school officials to provide clients with as many resources as needed to succeed.
Medical Team
Jenny attended Ogden Weber Applied Technology College for her Licensed Practical Nurse Degree in 2010. She attained her Associates Degree in Science in General Studies as well as her Associates Degree in Science when she graduated from the Weber State University Nursing program in 2012. Jenny has provided nursing in long term care facilities and rehabilitation centers. She was responsible for people who had just been released from the hospital and/or surgery, and needed help before they went home. Jenny also truly enjoyed working with the older generation as a hospice nurse. She particularly enjoyed their stories. Jenny also moved to China for two years and Studied at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. There she received her Certificate for Acupuncture, Cupping and Moxibustion.
Home Managers
Karalee is a native to Cache Valley where she grew up exploring the outdoors and continues to do so to this day. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Utah State University in 2016 (Go Aggies!) Karalee started as a direct care staff back in 2017 and became the Achievement home manager in 2018. Due to an opportunity to work for the Walt Disney Company in Florida, she moved away for a few years.
Elizabeth Matthews was born and raised in central Iowa. She moved out to Utah in order to complete her degree at Utah State University, which included an internship at a non-profit domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape recovery center serving Cache County and the Bear Lake area. Elizabeth graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Family Life Studies. Elizabeth has always had a passion for working with the youth of the community; including coaching, tutoring, and providing respite care for families with children with special needs.
Heather has been a family teacher at Uinta Academy since 2013. She attended University of Phoenix and graduated with an associate degree in Criminal Justice with a focus in Human Services in 2013. She is currently working towards her bachelor’s degree.
Kamille Knoppel was born and raised in Cache Valley. She graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. Kamille plans to go back to school to earn her Master’s degree in Psychology. She has experience working with several different non-profit organizations including Little Lambs Foundation, The Family Place, and Hyrum Humanitarian Center.
Eryn moved to Cache Valley six years ago to attend Utah State University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She hopes to someday pursue a Master’s in Clinical Counseling. After spending some time working in public schools, she learned that her strengths lie in making personal connections. When she is not at Uinta, you can find her crocheting with her cats or looking for new recipes to try out.
Teachers
Gabbie Rigby earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education with a Minor in Animal Science from Utah State University. This is Gabbie’s second year teaching. Prior to teaching science at Uinta, she was an FFA Advisor at a high school in Utah. Gabbie grew-up in Idaho but has made Cache Valley her home after attending USU.
Mark graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English, and a minor in Social Studies. He began teaching at Uinta Academy in 2020. Mark has been teaching since 2015. He grew up in Utah County and moved to Cache Valley to go to school and start a family. Prior to teaching at Uinta Academy Mark was a teacher at a high school where he was coaching running backs and also an after school tutor. Mark states that he “really enjoys working with the students at Uinta Academy.”
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