Joint Commission AccreditedYour Team
Administrative Team
Steven DeMille, Ph.D. LCMHC
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Darcy Holt
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
John Buckener LMFT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Will Henderson
FIELD DIRECTOR
Scott Schill
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Dr. Brian Burrows
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Cheryl Meibos
INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT
Rob Petersen
HR MANAGER
Steven DeMille, Ph.D. LCMHC
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
When a teen’s life gets off track due to significant emotional distress or dysfunctional behaviors, it is not uncommon for their life and their family’s life to unravel. My passion is to bring families the healing experiences they need to reconnect as a family and help their child put their life back together. Using nature and outdoors as our setting, we help struggling teens reconnect with their families. We also help them find happiness, and develop the maturity to handle the challenges ahead of them.
Growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, I spent much time in the outdoors of Southern Utah. Whether hiking in Zion or rock climbing in Veyo, the outdoors was a place of peace and growth. Hence as a Mental Health Professional, I believe that the best environment for healing individuals and relationships is in the outdoors.
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have worked with teens in various capacities. I began working with adolescents as a field guide at RedCliff Ascent in 2000. Subsequently, I’ve held numerous positions at RedCliff. These include Senior Field Instructor, Field Support Manager, Assistant Medical Coordinator, Primary Therapist, Research Director. And I am currently the Executive Director for RedCliff Ascent.
As a clinician, I bring a wealth of experience. This experience includes Experiential Therapies, Narrative Family Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have also worked with adolescents and families in many different settings over the years, including residential treatment, community mental health, and foster care.
My educational experience includes an MA in Mental Health Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. My research focus is on wilderness therapy, nature, adolescent development, and counseling ethics. I am actively involved in the counseling and psychology profession and hold regional and national leadership positions. I publish and present on wilderness therapy and the use of the outdoor. This is done around the world at the national and international conference level.
When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife (who was also a field staff at RedCliff Ascent) and four children. Living just outside of Zion National Park, I enjoy spending time in nature with the family. I also like history and art, and enjoy visiting fine and contemporary art museums when I travel.
Darcy Holt
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
Darcy has been a member of the RedCliff team for over 6 years. She came to us from the public school system where she taught preschool and then moved to an administrative position at the local elementary where she was for 8 years. Working with kids and families has been Darcy’s passion and focus for many years. Having struggled herself as a teen and now a mother of 2 teenage boys she brings a unique perspective to RedCliff and our families. "Sending your child away to treatment has to be one of the hardest things a parent would have to do", Darcy says. "I want our families to know we understand and are here to help heal their families!"Darcy has over 24 years of experience working as a mentor and sponsor with adolescents and young adults suffering from the disease of addiction. She spends many hours speaking at rehabilitation centers, treatment centers, and even local high schools to share her experience strength and hope with others. "To be able to combine my personal passion with my work is a dream job! I love that I get to give back to families what was so freely given to me when I was younger and hopeless!" explains Darcy. "RedCliff is my job but being a part of the healing in the wilderness is my joy!"Darcy grew up in Greenbrier, Arkansas where she graduated high school and attended Arkansas College in Batesville. After her parents retired, they moved to Enterprise, Utah and Darcy transferred to Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. Darcy lives in Enterprise, UT with her husband and two boys ages 15 and 18. She has served on the Enterprise City Council for eight years and has run the local Easter Egg Hunt for 12 years. She feels that being of service to her community and being a part of RedCliff is her chance to pay it forward.
John Buckener LMFT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
John started working with adolescents and their families in the residential treatment industry in 2006 as a line staff. Over the years John has worked with hundreds of struggling teens and their families. John has worked in many roles helping families and adolescence heal. Some of these include but are not limited to a frontline staff, milieu director, primary therapist at an RTC, and even a School administrator. Even through John enjoyed working in these roles he decided to fulfill a lifelong goal of becoming a wilderness therapist. He jokingly reports that working for RedCliff Ascent is like the cherry on top of his career.John is trained in or has experience in DBT, CBT, EMDR, positive psychology, and most family therapy models. He specializes in working with adolescents who have emotional dysregulation and trauma. When John is not working he loves to day dream ways to make his dreams into memories. He loves spending time with his wife and 5 kids, he loves to read books, mountain bike, and doing Crossfit.
Will Henderson
FIELD DIRECTOR
Scott Schill
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Scott has been with RedCliff since 1998. After graduating from BYU in Outdoor Recreation and Youth Leadership in 1991, Scott began his career in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare. Scott’s greatest asset to the organization is his love and compassion for the RedCliff students and staff he oversees and manages.Scott’s philosophy is simple:“All RedCliff staff work on the same curriculum, eat the same food, carry the same pack and wear the same clothing as the students. RedCliff counselors, will not ask the students to do anything they are not willing to experience themselves.”This philosophy has promoted respect and rapport among RedCliff students and staff. It is priceless while providing a great foundation for treatment progress. In addition to his RedCliff responsibilities, Scott is busy with a wife he adores and five children of his own.
Dr. Brian Burrows
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Cheryl Meibos
INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT
Cheryl graduated from Brigham Young University in Accounting. She has been with Ascent Companies for 13 years.Cheryl grew up in Southern Utah and enjoys very active family life. With three sons, including a set of twins, Cheryl keeps up by running marathons. She and her family are also avid boaters and visit Lake Powell multiple times a year.Cheryl is a professed nerd at heart and has a passion for accounting and numbers. She also loves going on location to our different programs and supporting those staff members that are directly involved in making a difference in our student’s lives. She is so proud to work for an organization that helps families become whole again.
Rob Petersen
HR MANAGER
Rob grew up in Southern Utah with a family of 4 boys and 4 girls and a Father that loved camping fishing, hiking and all things outdoors. He brings this passion for the outdoors with him and his first experience at RedCliff was as a young adult working as a field staff in 2003. This experience had a large impact on his life thereafter, continuing with a career in helping troubled teens. He took what he learned at RedCliff and has worked in other RTC’s and Therapeutic Boarding Schools but his love of wilderness and his belief in its capacity to heal and transform families eventually brought him back to Redcliff where once again he worked as a field staff and then as HR Manager. He is inspired daily by the staff who work so hard to keep students safe and enabling them to experience all the benefits the wilderness offers.
Admissions Team
Darcy Holt
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
Jody McMillan
ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR
Darcy Holt
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
Darcy has been a member of the RedCliff team for over 6 years. She came to us from the public school system where she taught preschool and then moved to an administrative position at the local elementary where she was for 8 years. Working with kids and families has been Darcy’s passion and focus for many years. Having struggled herself as a teen and now a mother of 2 teenage boys she brings a unique perspective to RedCliff and our families. "Sending your child away to treatment has to be one of the hardest things a parent would have to do", Darcy says. "I want our families to know we understand and are here to help heal their families!"Darcy has over 24 years of experience working as a mentor and sponsor with adolescents and young adults suffering from the disease of addiction. She spends many hours speaking at rehabilitation centers, treatment centers, and even local high schools to share her experience strength and hope with others. "To be able to combine my personal passion with my work is a dream job! I love that I get to give back to families what was so freely given to me when I was younger and hopeless!" explains Darcy. "RedCliff is my job but being a part of the healing in the wilderness is my joy!"Darcy grew up in Greenbrier, Arkansas where she graduated high school and attended Arkansas College in Batesville. After her parents retired, they moved to Enterprise, Utah and Darcy transferred to Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. Darcy lives in Enterprise, UT with her husband and two boys ages 15 and 18. She has served on the Enterprise City Council for eight years and has run the local Easter Egg Hunt for 12 years. She feels that being of service to her community and being a part of RedCliff is her chance to pay it forward.
Jody McMillan
ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR
Clinical Team
John Buckener LMFT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Fotu C. Soliai, MSW, LCSW
Therapist
David Cacamis, LCSW
THERAPIST
Danielle Schneider, MA, LMFT
THERAPIST
Kaylie Corrigan, CSW
THERAPIST
Jory Hatfield, LCSW, SUDC
Therapist
John Buckener LMFT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
John started working with adolescents and their families in the residential treatment industry in 2006 as a line staff. Over the years John has worked with hundreds of struggling teens and their families. John has worked in many roles helping families and adolescence heal. Some of these include but are not limited to a frontline staff, milieu director, primary therapist at an RTC, and even a School administrator. Even through John enjoyed working in these roles he decided to fulfill a lifelong goal of becoming a wilderness therapist. He jokingly reports that working for RedCliff Ascent is like the cherry on top of his career.John is trained in or has experience in DBT, CBT, EMDR, positive psychology, and most family therapy models. He specializes in working with adolescents who have emotional dysregulation and trauma. When John is not working he loves to day dream ways to make his dreams into memories. He loves spending time with his wife and 5 kids, he loves to read books, mountain bike, and doing Crossfit.
Fotu C. Soliai, MSW, LCSW
Therapist
Fotu Soliai is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Utah and is a primary therapist for RedCliff Ascent. He has been working with youth and families since 1998. Fotu began his career working with families and individuals struggling with the negative impacts of trauma, specializing in sexual trauma. His early work with trauma greatly shaped much of his professional activities and has created a unique sense of compassion for those he works with. Because of the natural effects of Trauma included but not limited to Attachment, Fotu is well equipped and creative in how to rebuild attachment that may have been affected due to some severe trauma. Fotu has been a therapist for many years working with families struggling with the complex and distressing consequences of abuse and trauma. The consequences of abuse and trauma reach far beyond just the victims but impacts the entire nuclear and in many cases extended family members. Because of Fotu’s rich Polynesian background and communal upbringing his approach to treating trauma is very inclusive of the family unit and not just the victim.Fotu’s clinical work also includes working as the The Executive Director and clinical director for a few private and corporately owned residential programs that works with adolescents and families struggling with emotional, behavioral, and substance use disorders. Additionally, Fotu has been a Board Member for NIPSA or the National Independent Private Schools Association and is the Clinical certifier for This national accrediting body. Fotu’s work with families has been extensive and he enjoys applying his approach to families and individuals seeking treatment in a wilderness treatment setting. Fotu has been very surprised how at home he feels working with these young students in the woods and has easily acclimated to using the field as a powerful stage to naturally teach life’s lessons.
David Cacamis, LCSW
THERAPIST
David graduated from the University of South Alabama with a BA in Psychology. After spending several years with the Ascent Companies, split between RedCliff and Discovery Ranch for Girls, he went back to school and completed his MSW at Radford University in Virginia. David started working with adolescents during his undergrad through a community based out-patient facility and has made it his goal to continue working with young people ever since. Since he was a child David has always had a passion for the outdoors and the powerful experiences it provides. Being able to combine his passion for helping young people with the outdoors has been an incredibly fulfilling experience.
Danielle Schneider, MA, LMFT
THERAPIST
Danielle Schneider earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Southern Utah University, and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. She has a passion for helping young people and their families change their lives and has worked with adolescents in residential treatment settings, as well as in boarding schools and detention centers. Danielle loves swimming, the outdoors, playing music and playing with her dog.
Kaylie Corrigan, CSW
THERAPIST
Kaylie Corrigan is a therapist with RedCliff Ascent. She has been working in the wilderness therapy context for the last nine years. Kaylie holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Fort Lewis College. She has a master’s in social work from Arizona State University as well.Kaylie’s journey began in 2008 as a field guide. She has since has worked her way into various leadership positions. Some of the positions include the Outdoor Program Director for an adventure therapy program and Executive Director for a residential women’s dual diagnosis substance abuse facility.She has been actively involved and responsible for developing and designing various programs. In addition to developing programs, Kaylie is involved in creating policies and procedures and administering treatment programs over the years. These experiences are also combined with various community mental health positions. At those positions, she worked with low-income children and families as well as working at a holistic health center that detoxed clients off of prescription medications.These diverse and unique practices allow her to tailors her therapeutic interventions to meet the needs of each individual. She uses a holistic, strengths-based, humanistic approach, believing that unconditional positive regard allows for a foundation of rapport and healthy therapeutic alliances. She believes that a client-centered approach allows clients to identify their authentic self and partners with her clients to actualize the best version of themselves.Kaylie specializes in working with drug and alcohol abuse clients. She is deeply passionate about supporting and assisting people on their road to recovery. She has particular experience in working with oppositional defiance, borderline personality disorder, mood disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and failure to launch clients.When she is not being of service to others she enjoys hiking, climbing, snowboarding. Other activities she also enjoys include yoga, meditation, exploring, and anything that makes life an adventure with her dog Luna.
Jory Hatfield, LCSW, SUDC
Therapist
Jory started working as a therapist over 10 years ago and has worked in several different settings with adults and adolescents. He has been passionate about the power that outdoor therapy has to change people for the better and help them develop the confidence they may not have felt they possessed. He graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and later on with a Substance Abuse Counseling Degree. Jory also has a master's in social work from Utah State University. He is currently a doctoral candidate at California Southern University in clinical psychology. Jory has held many positions over the years such as Director of Recreation, Supervising Therapist, and Clinical Director at several facilities. He has also created outdoor recreation programs for a number of treatment centers. Jory is confident in many therapeutic models such as psychodynamic play therapy, exposure therapy, existential therapy, CBT, and DBT. Jory specializes in working with individuals who struggle with emotional regulation, ADHD, defiance, substance abuse, and depression. Jory enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, canyoneering, camping and rock climbing. He also takes pride in building these outdoor activities with his wife and three daughters. He loves to learn more about anything related to human growth and spirituality.
Medical Team
Dr. Brian Burrows
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Sharlee Slack, RN
MEDICAL COORDINATOR
Dr. Brian Burrows
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Sharlee Slack, RN
MEDICAL COORDINATOR
Sharlee was raised on a farm in Modena, Utah. She loves the quiet, serene valley, the beautiful morning and night skies, and the mental clarity that the beautiful mountain views can give. Sharlee can hardly believe that she gets to be in such an amazing setting for her job. It is a dream come true! Sharlee earned her Associate RN in the Spring of 2014 and immediately began doing what she loves, taking care of others. Sharlee's #1 job is being a wife, and a mother to her three beautiful children, who keep her super busy! But if she has to be away from them she is so happy that she can be doing something she loves! Sharlee says she is so excited to be able to be a part of such an amazing program that helps heal kids and mend families.
Field and Operations
Will Henderson
FIELD DIRECTOR
Josh Finicum
ASSISTANT FIELD DIRECTOR
Marcus Taylor
ASSISTANT FIELD DIRECTOR
Brad Lundell
RECREATION AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
Matt Gleason
INTAKE AND LOGISTIC COORDINATOR
John French
FIELD SUPPORT MANAGER
Zach Ciaglia
FIELD SUPPORT MANAGER
Will Henderson
FIELD DIRECTOR
Josh Finicum
ASSISTANT FIELD DIRECTOR
Josh was raised in a small town on the Utah-Arizona border and spent much of his time wandering the desert landscape. He first began working in the wilderness therapy industry in 2011 and has since worked in multiple wilderness and residential programs. Josh is passionate about the healing and clarity that the wilderness brings and is proud to be a part of the RedCliff team.Josh met his wife in 2013 when they were both working as field staff in the same wilderness program. They spend a lot of time hiking, camping and paddle boarding with their two daughters and their huge Alaskan Malamute.
Marcus Taylor
ASSISTANT FIELD DIRECTOR
Brad Lundell
RECREATION AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
Brad has been working as a wilderness professional since he was 15. Since he began working as a wilderness guide he has taken countless groups of teens into the wilderness Backpacking, Climbing, Repelling, Biking, and many more outdoor activities. He has not only lead groups but trained staff in safely facilitating such activities. He has served in many outdoor positions over the years, Nature Director, High Adventure Director, and Program Director. He joined Red Cliff Ascent as a field guide and is now facilitating our recreation program by doing weekly activities with our students and adult program.
Matt Gleason
INTAKE AND LOGISTIC COORDINATOR
John French
FIELD SUPPORT MANAGER
Zach Ciaglia
FIELD SUPPORT MANAGER
Office Admin
Milton Hatt
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
Rob Petersen
HR MANAGER
Eunice Cole
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Crystal Sevy
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Jennifer Chambers
ASSISTANT
Lindsey Robertson
CONTROLLER
Rachael Spaulding
ACCOUNTING
Emily Novakovich
RECRUITER
Milton Hatt
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
Milt was born in Burley, Idaho and lived there until after high school. He grew up in a family of 6 boys; he was the 4th. They spent time fishing, hunting, camping, playing sports, and swimming. Milt received an Associates Degree from Ricks College and went on to further education at Idaho State University where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Business.Milt has worked in sales for over 20 years, spending most of his career in the sporting goods market. In 2006 he joined Redcliff Ascent as their warehouse manager and purchasing agent. Milt met his wife in college and they have two grown married children. Milt has spent time traveling to England, South Africa, Scotland, Mexico, Canada, and around the US.
Rob Petersen
HR MANAGER
Rob grew up in Southern Utah with a family of 4 boys and 4 girls and a Father that loved camping fishing, hiking and all things outdoors. He brings this passion for the outdoors with him and his first experience at RedCliff was as a young adult working as a field staff in 2003. This experience had a large impact on his life thereafter, continuing with a career in helping troubled teens. He took what he learned at RedCliff and has worked in other RTC’s and Therapeutic Boarding Schools but his love of wilderness and his belief in its capacity to heal and transform families eventually brought him back to Redcliff where once again he worked as a field staff and then as HR Manager. He is inspired daily by the staff who work so hard to keep students safe and enabling them to experience all the benefits the wilderness offers.
Eunice Cole
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Crystal Sevy
OFFICE ASSISTANT
I grew up in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains raised by all the southern critters. I attended Greenbrier, Arkansas Schools up until my junior year when, as a family, we moved to Enterprise, Utah. I completed high school in Enterprise and then attended Dixie University. During this time I found the first love of my life. The sky! Once upon a time, I became a Skydiver, having now made just fewer than 300 jumps from perfectly good airplanes and helicopters. This experience changed me and made me more confident and focused in all my life experiences.After completing my time at Dixie, I went on to a career as a Lab Tech. / Phlebotomist at Cedar City Hospital.After battling infertility for over 17 years I found the second love of my life. I had my first and only baby girl at age 41. She indeed is a miracle. I left work at the hospital to fully enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity of being a Mother. This is the most amazing experience of my life. She’s the only thing that has topped the Blue Skies.My baby is now attending school and having adventures of her own. Therefore, I’ve had the opportunity of joining the RCA family in a part-time position.I thought I had a pretty good grasp on what RCA was all about before joining. I was pleasantly surprised after realizing the depth of this program and the strength that it holds in healing so many families. To see it happen before my eyes are so humbling. I’ve already learned so much in a short time being here.A little bit of what I do goes a long way. I provide the connection of loved ones with their children through our Parent Portal. This is where parents and loved ones have access to letters and pictures from their students. This is also where my relationship with the students comes from. It is so exciting to see the growth they experience even if just in their pictures. To be even just a small part of the miracles happening here on a daily basis is an honor and privilege.
Jennifer Chambers
ASSISTANT
Lindsey Robertson
CONTROLLER
A graduate in Accounting at Utah Valley University, Lindsey handles the daily cash flow and manages the assets of Ascent. She has been with Ascent Companies for 6 years and married for five. Lindsey and her husband are outdoor enthusiasts. They enjoy camping, fishing, and snowboarding to name a few. Lindsay loves participating in Parent Days and watching the progress students make as a result of being at one of our programs. She is so grateful to be part of an organization that truly changes lives.
Rachael Spaulding
ACCOUNTING
Working at Ascent Companies is truly a family affair for Rachael whose husband is the clinical Director at OxBow. Rachael has been with us for 21 years. She’s has a love for learning and has attended multiple institutions to gain her unique skill set in office management and accounting. Rachael’s family is very busy. They enjoy being out in nature, playing sports, and watching movies. Rachael recently received an earth name (Solstice) which is a big honor here. She attended a RedCliff Graduation and it made an everlasting impression. She loves working for Ascent and the new beginnings they provide for their families.
Emily Novakovich
RECRUITER
Emily was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She first joined the RedCliff Ascent family in the summer of 2013. As a Head Instructor, she worked with both students and staff in the field. This helped her witness first-hand the real transformative power of wilderness therapy.Emily left RedCliff Ascent to finish her bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Utah State University. While a student, she also interned in the United States Senate during the 2016 presidential election. After graduation, Emily returned to Southern Utah and rejoined RCA. She now combines her passions for law and the remarkable people who make wilderness therapy possible through working in Human Resources at RedCliff Ascent.When not working, Emily enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and otherwise enjoying the beauty of the Southern Utah desert and ample public lands of the area. She also has a border collie named Mckinley whom she enjoys training, and who often joins in on the adventures.