Ashley Valley Wilderness

Education:

• Masters Degree in Social Work, LCSW
• Dean’s List, University of Utah, School of Social Work
• Speaks Spanish

Professional Work Experience:

• Executive Director of Duchesne County and Uintah County Children's Justice Centers for several years
• 18 years experience working with at risk teens and young adults in state, and private agenecies.
• Private therapeutic practice

Interests:

I am an avid outdoorsman and enjoy ATVs, Hiking, Boating, and pretty much any outdoor activity. I have dedicated much of my life to helping troubled teens with specific diagnosis such as AD(H)D, ODD, Depression, Mild Tourette Syndrome, Conduct Disorder, Bi-Polar, Attachment Disorder, Anxiety/Panic, and Social Phobias.

Comments on AVW:

As a wilderness therapist I have had the pleasure of leading countless young people to a more rewarding path. The kids I work with have difficulty with a variety of issues. Many of them display negative attitudes, are apathetic, impulsive, ungovernable, irresponsible, have poor self-esteem, and lack accountability. In most cases I find their interpersonal relationships have been based, not on mutual trust and respect, but on manipulation and exploitation. I enjoy being a part of their experience at AVW, watching as they learn to talk things out, rather than act them out. The metamorphosis as they learn about responsibility, integrity, self-respect, self-discovery, and working as a team is a beautiful thing to see. Helping these kids find their true path and bringing forward the wonderful traits all of them possess is very rewarding.