Adaleen (Adie) obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Human Development from Utah State University. She received her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Santa Barbara, California. Adie’s education was highly experiential and focused on marriage, family, and multi-cultural therapeutic practices. Adie has worked in a variety of mental health settings. She began as a direct care counselor in a residential treatment center working with young women in 2002. While in Santa Barbara she worked as a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist for severely mentally ill adults and adolescents. Adie also worked as a dual diagnosis specialist for a prominent LGBTQ organization in Santa Barbara.
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 earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Family, Consumer, and Human Development with a minor in Sociology at Utah State University in 2004 She also earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work at USU in 2014. Bridget’s training focused on empowering clients through the use of a strengths-based approach with an emphasis in cognitive, behavioral, and existential individual, group, and family therapies. While working on her master’s degree, Bridget was a social worker at Sky View High School. Additionally, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, focusing on education.
Jess Geddes earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Utah State University in 2014. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Master’s of Business Administration in 2017. Prior to working at Uinta Academy, Jess has worked as an accountant in the private equity investment industry and as a business manager for Utah State University. Jess and his wife have three little girls and a dog at home that keep him on his toes. Jess also spent two years living in Russia and Kazakhstan as a religious and service missionary.
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.
Ariane was born and raised in Cache Valley. She received a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a focus on Addiction from the University of Phoenix. This made her the very first person in her family to graduate from college. She has always enjoyed helping youth and in high school she tutored ESL students and provided translation services to students’ parents.
Samantha studied at Utah State University, earning both a Bachelor’s in International Studies with an emphasis in world economy and development, and a Bachelor’s in German language and literature. In 2017, Samantha also received her Yoga teacher certification from Utah State.
Heather Viola graduated from Brigham Young University – Idaho with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. She grew up around horses and always hoped to use her passion for horses to help others who were struggling. In 2013, she began learning natural horsemanship and how to communicate with horses in a way they can understand. She began following the Parelli method and teaching horses the 7 games of communication.
Marlee Jacobs is a senior at Utah State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology and minors in math and Spanish. She is planning on continuing in school to pursue a Master’s degree in cognitive psychology. Marlee started working at Uinta in June 2021 as one of the equine managers and as a family teacher. Growing up on a ranch In Alberta, Canada, Marlee developed a love of horses and has seen their therapeutic value.
Sally initially graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Business. It took some time, but she recognized that her true passion was in helping others by helping to move minds and hearts. She returned to Utah State for a master’s degree in Social Work.
Sally has a lot of experience working with diverse individuals with many types of issues, including general bereavement and grief from the loss of a loved one due to suicide, substance use, personality disorders, attachment disorders, conduct disorders, PTSD, other types of traumas, suicidality, self-harm, autism, depression, and anxiety. She is extensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mind-Body Bridging (MBB), and Mindfulness. She is currently working on a certificate from grief expert David Kessler for Grief Education.
Diana graduated with honors from Utah State University with a degree in Family and Human Development, with an 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 services and court settings. Diana received a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix in 2007. She has experience working with clients suffering from substance use disorders and severe mental health issues, including schizophrenia, personality disorders, trauma, PTSD, suicidality, self-harm, autism, depression, and anxiety. Before joining Uinta’s team, Diana’s career included work in residential treatment, inpatient hospitalization and stabilization, intensive outpatient, transitional living, and in-home family therapy. Diana has worked with families, couples, veterans, young adults, teens, and children.
McKell earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Brigham Young University Hawaii with a minor in Psychology in __2014__. 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.
She also has experience working with LGBTQ+ persons and created Brigham Young University Hawaii’s first support group and seminar for students and allies. McKell worked as a therapist in Sydney, Australia before returning to Utah to work in an addiction rehabilitation facility. In addition, McKell worked as a behavioral specialist for the local school district writing and implementing behavioral plans utilizing Applied Behavioral Analysis.
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.
Dr. Ned Atwood is a native of Cache Valley Utah, and is a graduate of Utah State University. He obtained his medical degree at Albany Medical College in Albany, NY. He came back to Utah to complete a residency in general psychiatry followed by a 2-year fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry, both at the University of Utah and its affiliated University Neuropsychiatric Institute.
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.
Emma Meikle was born and raised in Cache Valley, Utah. She graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2020. Emma has been a part of the Uinta team as a family teacher and a shift supervisor since 2017. She has worked at all of Uinta’s homes and enjoys building relationships with the students.
Samantha Draney was born and raised in Tennessee. She received a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies from Asbury University in Kentucky in 2015. She moved to Utah to follow her passion of helping troubled youth through horses. In 2016, she was certified as an Equine Specialist through EAGALA, a world renown equine therapy organization, and was certified through Equi-Lateral Equine Assisted EMDR in 2019. Samantha served as the Equine Manager at Uinta from 2016 to 2020. She co-led the equine therapy groups, ran the Parelli program, developed and taught the equine courses, and was in charge of the breeding program.
CJ grew up in New York and moved to Logan in January 2021 to live with their fiancé. They studied Criminal Justice and Behavioral Psychology at George Washington University in Washington, DC. CJ, as a genderqueer individual and adoptee, especially loves working with LGBTQ+ youth and our kiddos who were adopted. When they’re not at work, CJ loves painting, drawing, making music, collecting crystals, and playing with their cats, Loki and Nugget. They love having the opportunity to work with the kids on self-care, individuality, and pride in oneself.
Cheryl Ewell is originally from Cokeville, WY. She moved to Cache Valley in 1983 where she worked for a yearbook publishing company. In 2010, she came to work for Uinta Academy as a night staff. She has been the assistant supervisor for the past few years until being promoted to supervisor in 2021. Cheryl has 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, 2 dogs, and 5 cats. She enjoys yard work, cooking, exercising with her husband, and spending time with her family.
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.
Zach received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education from Brigham Young University-Idaho. He also received his Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Kansas. He has a passion for learning and teaching math. He uses his interpersonal skills, developed from tutoring one-on-one at BYU-Idaho, to help the students at Uinta reach their educational goals. He is a licensed teacher in mathematics and enjoys helping the students at Uinta.
Mark graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education 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 taught English at a public high school where he also coached running backs and was an after school tutor. Mark states that he “really enjoys working with the students at Uinta Academy.”