- All
- Administration
- Clinical
- Education
- Residential
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Patrick Abney
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Barbara Barker
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Veronica Borges, MA, BHT
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Brandon Courtney BA, BHT
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Suzie Courtney
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Kate Deily
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Starr Denison, LPC
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Rick Derman
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Susan Dougherty
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Leslie Filsinger, MA, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NARM Therapist
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Teresa Flanagan, PT, MA, LPCC, LPC
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Cindy Fogel, MA, BHT
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Gretchen Foster
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Tara Fusillo, LASAC
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Matt Givens
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Haley Hansen
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Sarah Keefe, MSW, BHT
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June Lombardi
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Angie McFaddin
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Christine Monaghan
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Terri Oksen
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Dr. Shaili Patel, MD
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Heidi Reaves
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Andie Romeo
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Kelly Rudolf
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Amie Schleeter, AA
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Belle Shook, MA, LPC
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Clay Smith
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Erin Smith, Ph.D.
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Carol Sowards
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Ken Stubbe
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Kyleen Wolfson
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Justin Zych
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Patrick Abney
Math928-632-4602
Patrick Abney earned his Master of Science, Mathematics, from Northern Arizona University in 2016. He has lived in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Florida, working in technical customer service and human services.
The set of career fields has shown the specific skillset required in the field of quantitative reasoning and analysis. He pursued and achieved a Masters to further the knowledge of this skillset.
He comes to SRA, as of 2017, with both the raw knowledge of the field of mathematics coupled with the deep understanding of business needs of reasoning, and passion about logic and creative problem solving.
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Barbara Barker
Recovery Program Support Specialist928-632-4602
Barb joined Spring Ridge Academy 2013 and fell in love with the level of work she could provide to our young women. For the last 32 years, Barb has worked her own program of recovery. Barb spent most of her professional career in medicine .
A key component to Barb’s personal recovery is giving back, providing service to other struggling women, and this calling led to a career shift. Her “one day at a time” mantra is apparent every Halloween when Barb becomes a parrot one feather at a time. Her metamorphosis from Barb to a parrot takes one month.
In 2016, Barb inspired Spring Ridge to create the position of Recovery Program Support Specialist. In this role, she mentors students who are interested in or need of a recovery program supplementing their treatment plan and transition planning. Barb works with students who have issues with substance abuse and dependence, process addictions, and students who have been impacted by addiction through ALANON/ALATEEN. Barb utilizes a multi-modal approach including, 12 Step Programs and Traditions, Mindful Recovery, and Rational Recovery.
Barb directs students through various assignments including step work and exploring thoughts and feelings about substance use. Barb also works with parents in coordinating relapse prevention plans. Spring Ridge Academy students are exposed to on and off campus 12 step meetings. Off campus meetings consist of a variety of 12 step meetings in our community, including women’s and young people’s.
Barb customizes meeting attendance based on student needs. Students annually have the opportunity to attend Arizona State Council of Young People in AA Conference.
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Veronica Borges, MA, BHT
Therapist928-632-4602 ext. 1175
Veronica began working with battered women as a volunteer over 22 years ago, which prompted her interest in psychology. She began her education at Sonoma State University, where she received a BA in psychology.
At the same time, Veronica cut her teeth in the streets of some of the roughest towns in the San Francisco bay area counseling at risk adolescents, and managing programs at a non-profit clinic for youth in the criminal justice, and foster care systems. Veronica loves working with teens because they embody the process of transformation from caterpillar to butterfly.
Wanting to practice a holistic approach to counseling, Veronica pursued a MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from J.F.K University where she developed skills in Gestalt, Jungian, psychodynamic, and attachment theories. SRA is the perfect fit because her background aligns with the philosophy and mission of our community.
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Brandon Courtney BA, BHT
Program Director928-632-4602
Brandon began working with adolescents in 1994 assisting in workshops exploring self awareness and self esteem. Brandon’s tenure began at Spring Ridge Academy in 2001.
He obtained his Bachelors of Science from Northern Arizona University and attended graduate course work in Counseling and Psychology at Prescott College. He has worked as a direct care staff, Community Life Director, and member of the therapeutic team.
Brandon is currently in facilitating Family workshops exploring family dynamics and communication. He is currently the Program Director overseeing program and staff development. Brandon’s role offers staff development in areas of attunement, values driving care giving and the role of humor in parenting. He is the father of 5 children including triplets.
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Suzie Courtney
Executive Director928-925-5965
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Kate Deily
Admissions Director928-899-5839
Kate Deily grew up in Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC. She has an avid love of the ocean, seafood and Washington sports. While in the Admissions role since the summer of 2013, Kate has been close to Spring Ridge since its inception; she was one of the first students enrolled.
Kate obtained an Early Childhood Certification from Frostburg State University and spent four years as a preschool teacher. She also obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kaplan University. Throughout her 20s Kate served Spring Ridge in many capacities ranging from Direct Care staff to Community Life Director.
In 2013 she moved into the Admissions role. Kate knows thoroughly and believes deeply in the Spring Ridge philosophy, and finds tremendous gratitude in offering hope to families.
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Starr Denison, LPC
Therapist928-632-4602 ext. 1240
Starr grew up near Los Angeles, California, then moved to Sedona, Arizona in her late teens to pursue her educational goals. She earned a BS degree from Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Zoology/Chemistry which led her to a career in the Animal Behavior and Training field for 30 years.
She enjoyed training animals for movies, service animals for people with disabilities, and consulting for rescues and sanctuaries. She found her passion for helping others while working in the sport of equestrian vaulting (gymnastics and dance on the back of a moving horse), and volunteering with helping young people with physical and mental difficulties in Malibu, CA.
She obtained her BS in Psychology from NAU and her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College specializing in trauma-focused therapy with a concentration in experiential and animal-assisted mental health.
As a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Starr uses an integrative holistic approach in therapy focusing on the client’s whole person while treating the client as an integral member of the treatment team. Starr’s specialties include working with those struggling with trauma, mental health issues, addiction tendencies, and life skill difficulties. Her goals are to motivate clients, have fun in therapy, and develop a client’s willingness and passion for healthy life-change.
She is owned by several animals including dogs, a pig, horses, and a parrot. She has a wonderful teenage daughter who inspires and teaches Starr daily.
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Rick Derman
History, Social Science928-632-4602 ext. 3080
Rick has been teaching history in Arizona schools since 2008, AP US History since 2014, and animation since 2006. Having grown up in an arts-oriented environment on the east coast, Rick’s interest in art and history led him to an interdisciplinary doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania.
After earning a bachelor’s degree with honors in history, Rick earned a master’s degree from Penn in American Civilization. During his doctoral studies, Rick became interested in television’s effect upon children, and he left his doctoral program prior to dissertation to develop educational television programming.
Rick had taught developmental reading at colleges and prep-schools in the east and spent over twenty years on the creative side of television production in broadcast and cable. He worked in New York City government as an Urban Fellow in the Office of the Special Assistant to Mayor John V. Lindsay and as a free-lance writer for the Village Voice and various Ski publications. During his career in the television industry Rick was a guest lecturer in animated graphics at Cooper Union. He received numerous industry honors, including two Emmy Awards.
Then, after witnessing the collapse of the World Trade Center and picking up debris from the catastrophe that had blown into their front yard in Brooklyn, Rick and his wife, Maria, moved to Prescott in 2005.
Maria is a retired clinical psychotherapist. Rick and Maria have a son who lives in Brooklyn and a dog who lives with them in Prescott.
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Susan Dougherty
Residential Director928-632-4602
Susan Dougherty started working at Spring Ridge Academy only six months after the school opened in 1998 and has served as a community coach, a community supervisor, and the assistant residential director. As the current residential director, Susan works closely with community coaches, community life directors, medical staff members, therapists, students, and parents. She is primarily responsible for developing and implementing SRA’s community programming, including training community staff and overseeing the milieu’s daily activities.
Susan was born and raised in Arizona, graduating halfway through her senior year in 1981/1982 from Cactus High School in Peoria, Arizona. She worked for the Child Oriented Occupational Program (COOP) for 2 years while at Cactus High School. After graduation, Susan was employed with a daycare center while attending Arizona College of Medical and Dental Careers. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Dental Assisting and X-ray Technician and worked in the field until her son was born. Susan received her bachelor of science degree in 2013. Susan loves the outdoors, camping, horseback riding, boating, and off-roading in her razor. She is a diehard Cardinals football fan. Susan has been married since 1983, has a son, daughter-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, and three grandsons.
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Leslie Filsinger, MA, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NARM Therapist
Clinical Director928-632-4602 ext. 1140
Curiosity about people and a desire to help those in need has always been a driving force in Leslie’s life. Dedicating her professional life to assisting others toward insight and growth has proven to be the most gratifying to her.
Leslie was raised in Michigan and completed her undergraduate work at Olivet College in Michigan. She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Cleveland State University in Ohio. Licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Ohio, she worked in community mental health and private practice.
Leslie and her husband moved to New York in 1989 and Leslie joined a hospital staff to assist them in developing the family therapy component of a newly opened in-patient adolescent psychiatric unit. Licensed as a LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) and also a NCC (National Certified Counselor), Leslie spent 18 years working with adolescents and their families as a therapist at a co-educational residential treatment center in Jamestown, New York. In addition to her work as a therapist, Leslie taught Psychology as an Adjunct Professor at Jamestown Community College.
Leslie has expertise in treating trauma, neglect, attachment disruption, sexual abuse and sexual deviancy. She utilizes a trauma-informed, psychodynamic and relational injury approach to treatment. Leslie has specialized training in emergency mental health, trauma-focused therapies, Post Induction Therapy, EMDR, Hypnosis, Trauma Release Exercise, NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), Neurofeedback, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
After raising their four children, Leslie and her husband transitioned to the warmer climate of Arizona. Obtaining her Arizona licensure (LPC) Leslie was excited to join the Spring Ridge Academy team in June 2014.
Leslie finds her work with the students and their families at Spring Ridge Academy inspiring and she appreciates the opportunity to contribute to Spring Ridge Academy through her administrative responsibilities as Clinical Director.
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Teresa Flanagan, PT, MA, LPCC, LPC
Therapist(928) 632-4602 ext. 1270
Teresa obtained a BS degree in Physical Therapy at California State University, Long Beach. She moved to Northern Arizona, taught at NAU in the Physical Therapy Department, worked in the Indian Children’s Program, and obtained a MA in Forensic Medicine from NAU. She worked in the field of physical therapy for 30 years.
After working with families around addiction, physical and medical trauma, she found a love for psychology and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to attend the graduate program at Southwestern College, where she earned a Counseling degree with specialties in Transpersonal Eco-psychology and Grief, Loss and Trauma. She had a private outpatient practice for 5 years in Santa Fe that focused on the connection between addiction and trauma. She is excited to be back in Arizona both to be closer to family and also as a therapist at Spring Ridge Academy.
Teresa has an integrative style designed to meet the individual needs that can foster connection, healing, and hope. Her philosophy as a counselor is to offer support by creating a nonjudgmental and heart-centered environment that allows everyone to find balance and wholeness in their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. She uses trauma-informed techniques to enter gently into tender areas and finding safe ways to help clients negotiate life’s obstacles and work toward greater personal freedom.
By using the most effective and evidence-based therapy tools–including Brain Spotting, Trauma Resiliency Model, EMDR, Narrative Therapy, and Trauma-based CBT—non-working thought and behavior patterns can be unlocked that are holding the client and the family back. These tools uncover the inner truths that to inform choices, relationships, and brings awareness to the wholeness that has been there all along.
Teresa grew up in Southern California and enjoyed an active lifestyle of bike racing and surfing. She nurtured this love in her family and continues an active lifestyle of backpacking around the world.
“Together, let’s discover the human connection we all long for. Together, we can find healing and hope.”
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Cindy Fogel, MA, BHT
Therapist928-632-4602 ext. 1070
Cindy grew up in Minnesota and moved to AZ where she completed her Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Prescott College. Cindy was always the kind of person who people trusted and opened up with. It made sense that she would pursue counseling psychology as her career.
Cindy has been working therapeutically with children and families since 1991. Her career started in social services where she became a supervisor. Always being drawn to the healing of the natural world Cindy moved in to wilderness therapy in 2001, working therapeutically with a diverse population of adolescents and their families.
Cindy has spent years developing advanced techniques in counseling psychology. After many fulfilling years as a wilderness therapist, Cindy moved back to AZ in April 2013 to work at Spring Ridge Academy.
She chose to come to work at SRA because of their extensive family therapy component as well as their stellar clinical team and cutting edge therapeutic approaches to addressing trauma and mental health issues.
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Gretchen Foster
Dance and Yoga928-632-4602
Gretchen has been teaching Dance and Yoga at Spring Ridge since 2005. She earned her BA in Wilderness Therapy with a minor in Dance from Prescott College in 2001.
Gretchen is a National Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor, a certified TRE (Trauma Releasing Exercises) practitioner, and she is currently working on her Master of Education.
Gretchen has been working with adolescents in both therapeutic and adventure settings since 1998.She has extensive experience teaching yoga, dance and outdoor adventure skills in settings ranging from charter schools, private studios to therapeutic wilderness programs.
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Tara Fusillo, LASAC
Therapist928-632-4602 ext. 1272
Tara grew up in New York State, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland and her master’s degree in Special Education from The University of Albany. Tara developed a love of teaching with special needs children of all ages. She decided to move to Arizona in 1999 to be close to her parents and continue teaching. Tara taught in the field of Special Education (K-12) for 20 years. She decided to become an Exceptional Student Coordinator, which involved leading a team of professionals dedicated to supporting students with unique needs. Her love of interacting with students and their families led her to pursue a degree in counseling.
Tara obtained her master’s degree in Addiction Counseling in 2013 from Grand Canyon University. After, she worked as a therapist at a rehabilitation center with clients of all ages who struggled with various addictions, trauma, and mental health issues. As a mental health therapist, she utilizes a holistic, integrative approach. Tara is a life-long learner who has completed several classes in Somatic Experiencing Therapy and is looking forward to continuing her education, as well as working toward her independent licensure.
Tara believes in living by example. She is thrilled to be at Spring Ridge Academy and to be part of a team that is committed to empowering teens to cultivate resilient life skills and shine their best selves.
In her free time, Tara loves spending time with animals and enjoys hiking, biking, and anything outdoors.
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Matt Givens
Community Life Director928-632-4602 ext. 1250
Matt Givens was born and raised in the mountains of Jackson, Wyoming, which ignited a passion for the outdoors at a young age. He went to college in Oregon and studied criminal justice. After college, he worked in the education field as a public school teacher in Bozeman, Montana, and spent eight years leading wilderness trips for youth ages 10 to 20 for various organizations. These trips ranged from overnight trips to 40-day mountaineering trips.
After getting married, Matt spent the first year working as a corrections officer at a juvenile detention center in Arizona while his wife worked at Spring Ridge Academy. After talking with Amanda and working closely with the juveniles at the detention center, he decided he wanted to work with the kids before they were brought into the detention center, which is what brought him to Spring Ridge.
He is very excited to be on the Spring Ridge team and working with the girls and to share his passion for the outdoors.
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Haley Hansen
ScienceHaley has been working with youth since 2010, first volunteering as a mentor, then moving on to tutoring and advising, and finally serving as an educator. She has had a passion for both math and science since she was young, which led to a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott.
After graduation, she taught STEM with a hands-on learning approach in eastern Arizona and taught English to university students in China. Her experience as an educator has fostered an enthusiasm for inspiring students and empowering them on their educational journey.
Haley is eager to combine her love of working with youth, her passion for science, and her enthusiasm for education while teaching students at SRA. She hopes to inspire her students through innovative hands-on teaching methods and through encouraging them to ask questions and discover answers through reasoning and research.
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Sarah Keefe, MSW, BHT
Therapist928-632-4602
Sarah has always had a passion for helping teens and families. This passion fueled her desire to obtain her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work from Northern Arizona University. Sarah started her career in behavioral health in 2010, working with young adults struggling with addiction, trauma, and other varying mental health issues. Sarah loved helping those struggling with addiction but came to realize her passion was helping those work through trauma. She joined the Spring Ridge Academy team in 2013 as a community coach, became the Transition and Alumni Coordinator in 2014, and served as a CLD in the spring of 2020 before becoming part of the clinical team as a therapist. Sarah considers Spring Ridge to be her second family and loves seeing and contributing to the growth of the girls and their families.
Sarah utilizes an attachment-based approach to intervene in all aspects of the family system. Sarah implements a holistic, integrative approach through the use of TF-CBT, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Techniques.
A native Arizonan, Sarah is a mom to two children and enjoys watching them grow. When she is not with her family, Sarah enjoys relaxing in the sun, being in the water, reading, and baking.
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June Lombardi
History928-632-4602 ext. 3022
June Lombardi has been in education for over two decades. Her love of teaching began with the Equestrian sciences, where she worked with Thoroughbred Race Horses as a rider and liaison to Pimlico Race Track’s youth outreach program “Pony Pals.” Her formal teaching career began in Czech Republic followed by Russia, where she taught English as a second language and worked on her history research. She has traveled and worked extensively throughout the world and is thrilled to be returning to Arizona and joining the SRA community as a History Teacher. Student growth in a safe and structured classroom is Ms. Lombardi’s focus. She tries to provide learning in the content areas, as well as information on the processes of learning, so students will be prepared to move forward and be successful in whatever they choose to do in the future.
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Angie McFaddin
Community Life Director928-632-4602
I was born in Springfield, Missouri and lived there for most of my life until moving to Arizona in 2005. I have raised three children, and I graduated from Drury College by bartending and serving before I went to work at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners as a Correctional Officer for nine years and Correctional Counselor for two years.
After this time, I decided that I wanted to do something to give back and try to help others before they ended up in the criminal justice system.
After moving to Arizona and relocation from Phoenix to Cordes Lakes, I began work at Spring Ridge Academy and have held a number of different jobs here and have been a Community Life Director for over 4 years. I love working with our population of teenage girls and even though they can be challenging I find the work very fulfilling and rewarding.
I have black belts in two different styles of martial arts, and my hobbies are exploring abandoned mines and ghost towns, camping and hiking.
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Christine Monaghan
Community Life Director928-899-6272
Christine has a background primarily in behavior analysis, working with individuals who have neurodevelopmental disorders. Over the years, Christine has worked as a behavioral respite caregiver, early interventionist and CBT/Crisis counselor, and most recently, Christine worked as a case manager within the homeless youth system. While working in this position, Christine worked with therapists to create behavioral and therapeutic interventions, primarily with transitional aged youth. It was during this time that Christine chose to change her career direction and apply for a Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Christine is excited to be a CLD at Spring Ridge Academy and learning more about providing therapeutic services to young people.
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Terri Oksen
Medical Assistant928-632-4602 ext. 1120
Terri Oksen has worked in patient care for over 20 years and is excited to utilize her skills at Spring Ridge Academy. She has mainly worked with teenagers and especially enjoys working with young women.
A California native, Terri has spent the last 18 years in the Pacific Northwest before moving to Dewey in early 2018 to be close to her family. During that year she and her husband, Brian, took on the challenge of completely remodeling their home themselves. They celebrated 25 years of marriage that year as well!
The other love of her life is her big, fat, orange cat, Mango! In her spare time, Terri enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her friends & family.
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Dr. Shaili Patel, MD
Psychiatry928-632-4602 ext. 1360
Dr. Shaili Patel was born and raised in Orange County, California. She is a Board Certified Psychiatrist specializing in the mental health treatment of children, adolescents and adults. After finishing her General Psychiatry Residency, she went on to complete her Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Maricopa Integrated Health System in Phoenix, Arizona. She was awarded special recognition for excellence in therapeutic alliance, psychological mindedness, clinical skills, and the intuitive understanding of family process.
Prior to starting her own private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, she served as a psychiatrist at the Phoenix Veterans Administration, Corazon Integrated Healthcare Services and Arizona’s Children Association. Dr. Patel integrates academic and evidence-based clinical approaches with practical experiences in an empathic, trusting, and collaborative environment. She has extensive experience in the treatment of PTSD, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety and OCD, Bipolar and other mood disorders. A particular area of interest for her is treating her patients in a holistic manner, using natural supplements and obtaining lab work to address vitamin deficiencies and/or hormonal imbalances which may be contributing to mental health issues.
Dr. Patel is an active member of several professional medical associations, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists.
Dr. Patel was also awarded one of Phoenix’s Top Doctors for 2017 for her work in the community.
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Heidi Reaves
Art928-632-4602
Heidi Reaves has been an art instructor for both public and private schools since 1994. She earned her BS in art education with an emphasis in art history at Northern Arizona University in 1994.
She began her teaching career at Woodard Junior High School, teaching 7th and 8th grade art, and taught there for eight years. She was active in yearbook, “Odyssey of the Mind” as a coach and judge, and participated in the after-school program.
She was an active member of the Yuma Area Art Educators and served a year as their secretary. Heidi has been teaching at Spring Ridge Academy since 2002. She is certified to teach art in grades K-12.
With her creative and organizational abilities, she has developed a working rotating curriculum for the girls here at Spring Ridge Academy and is always changing their artistic experiences based on her own work as a real artist.
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Andie Romeo
Community Life Director9286324602
Andie was born and raised in southern Arizona. As the youngest child in a military family, she spent much of her childhood moving around the United States, but always considered Arizona home.
After attending Northern Arizona University, Andie joined Spring Ridge as a Community Coach in 2017. She loved working and getting to know the girls, so she leapt at the chance at filling in as a Transition and Alumni Specialist for a period of time and getting to work with and know their families more too.
In her personal life, she is an avid reader, dog-lover and runner- and is currently training to run a marathon. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and creating personal challenges and new experiences for herself.
As a life-long learner, she is currently working towards obtaining her Master’s Degree at Northern Arizona University, and is excited to gain experience and use her knowledge to help the families of Spring Ridge Academy. She is excited for this new role as a CLD, and being able to give back to girls and their families and help give them hope for the future.
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Kelly Rudolf
Transition and Alumni Specialist928-632-4602
Kelly was born and raised in New York, and moved to Prescott, AZ, seven years ago. She first joined the Spring Ridge Academy team back in 2013, working as a Community Coach and then a Team Lead. Kelly credits Spring Ridge Academy with introducing her to her life passion; working in a therapeutic setting with adolescents.
Kelly later moved to Phoenix where she continued to work in residential treatment, specializing in addiction work. When she moved back to Prescott in 2019, she was thrilled to return to Spring Ridge Academy to work as a Community Life Director.
Kelly is currently pursuing her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, with the aspiration of becoming a licensed counselor. She is passionate about social justice advocacy, focusing on making college education available for people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. She also volunteers with a nonprofit crisis counseling center that offers free services to those in need.
In her personal life, Kelly enjoys hiking and spending time with animals. She believes in the importance of continual personal growth, and enjoys attending self-help groups and exploring eclectic forms of personal healing.
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Amie Schleeter, AA
Registered Nurse(928) 632-4602 ext. 1191
Amie has worked in the medical field for over 23 years, 17 years as a Registered Nurse, with specialty in Women’s Services and Pediatrics. After 16 years as a hospital staff nurse, Amie resigned to pursue a different path of nursing, as school nurse at Spring Ridge.
Preventative medicine and education are a passion for Amie and she’s excited to be on a team, treating the whole mind and body of the young women at Spring Ridge.
After 25 years in Kingman AZ, Amie and her husband and 4 children relocated to Prescott Valley, excited for their new adventure among the pines and lakes, with their kayaks and bicycles in tow.
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Belle Shook, MA, LPC
Therapist928-632-4602 ext. 1260
Belle is so inspired to work at Spring Ridge Academy with a team of experts who share her same passion for helping young women and their families heal. With 12 years of experience working as a licensed therapist in residential treatment prior to SRA, she continues to be grateful for the life-changing transformation this level of treatment and expertise provides.
Belle was born in England and moved to Greenwich, Connecticut when she was six. She moved west at 18 to begin Prescott College where she attained an undergraduate degree in Experiential Learning. She earned her Master of Counseling degree from the University of Phoenix and has been licensed in Arizona since 2008.
Belle is currently Licensed at the independent level (LPC) in Arizona since. She has spent most of her career working in therapeutic boarding schools; though, she also has experience in adult drug and alcohol residential treatment and adult psychiatric units.
Belle specializes in treating trauma and is a student of Peter Levine’s 3-year Somatic Experiencing trauma training. Belle is certified in Pia Melodies Post Induction Therapy, Brene Browns Daring Way and Rising Strong programs. She also has training in EMDR, positive parenting, grief and loss, CBT, DBT, and was a pioneer in the field of equine therapy.
Belle joined the Spring Ridge Academy team in June 2016.
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Clay Smith
English928-632-4602 ext. 3180
Clay Smith’s love of great literature and commitment to lifelong learning brought him to the teaching profession and to Spring Ridge Academy in 2014 after he attended the Parent Challenge and Action trainings.
SRA’s philosophy of personal growth through self-knowledge, acceptance, and hard work closely mirrored his own, so he jumped at the opportunity to share his skills and enthusiasm with SRA’s remarkable students.
At SRA, Mr. Smith has designed curricula with a focus on student individuality, choice, and discovery. Mr. Smith holds a BA in English Literature from Grand Canyon University and has completed a post-baccalaureate certification program in Secondary Education.
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Erin Smith, Ph.D.
Director of Operational Excellence928-632-4602 ext. 3090
Erin Smith has been at Spring Ridge Academy since 2008 as an English instructor and moved into the role of vice principal in 2016. Prior to Spring Ridge, she served as an adjunct English professor at Yavapai College, taught at a Prescott-area charter school, and worked with elementary school students in a before and after school program.
Erin earned her Ph.D. in leadership in educational administration in 2019. She also has an EdS in the same specialization that was completed in December 2015. She received her BA in English from the University of Arizona in 2006, and her MEd in secondary education and teaching from Grand Canyon University in 2010.
She is certified by the state of Arizona in secondary education in English and as a principal. She is an active member of the ASCD and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In 2014, she was nominated by a student as a National Society of High School Scholars educator of distinction and later in that year was named a Claes Nobel Top Ten Educator.
Erin has presented at the Utah Regional NATSAP conference, Southwest Regional NATSAP conference, published two novels, and serves as the director of the youth and family ministry at her spiritual center.
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Carol Sowards
Foreign Language, French and Spanish928-632-4602
Carol has spent a major part of her life exploring and learning about language, whether her native English, or another one, such as French or Spanish. She has been teaching at Spring Ridge Academy for eight-and-a-half years now.
She possesses a bachelor’s degree from the University of California in Santa Barbara in Comparative Literature, French and English. Her master’s degree is from Eastern Washington University in English and Creative Writing. She has an Arizona Teaching Certificate at the Secondary Level.
Carol has had the chance to travel quite a lot to countries where French and Spanish are spoken and to experience the richness of the cultural exchange. When she spent a year as a university student at the University of Aix-Marseille in southern France, she had the opportunity to completely immerse herself in the richness of another language and to experience a great variety of student exchanges with others from around the globe. This was one of the most exciting times of her life and truly inspired her about the possibility to become more that foreign languages and cultures can provide.
Meanwhile, she has been struck by the intimate connection each of us has with our own tongue, and this has prompted her to believe that crossing the bridge to speak to someone else in their own language is a worthy thing to do.
At our present time, Carol believes that nothing could be more important than to convey the possibility of creating wider understanding and empathy in our world. Learning a foreign language is one of the most dedicated and deep-seated ways we can demonstrate that we desire to be more than insular and self-absorbed, whether as an individual or a country. This is why she finds teaching foreign languages is a very compelling endeavor.
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Ken Stubbe
Math928-632-4602
Ken was born, raised and lived most of his life in central Iowa. Following high school, he worked for a manufacture of zinc and aluminum die-castings for 21 years. During those 21 years, he had a broad spectrum of duties ranging from machine operator, machine shop foreman, shift supervisor, tool designer and process engineer.
He entered college full-time in 2001 earning his BA degree in Mathematics Education from University of Northern Iowa in December of 2005. Ken is certified to teach grade 6 – 12 mathematics in the state of Arizona. He taught at charter schools in the Prescott area and has been at Spring Ridge Academy since August of 2007.
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Kyleen Wolfson
Crossfit Trainer928-632-4602
Kyleen has been involved with physical fitness for the majority of her life. During the past four years, her workouts have evolved into rigorous training in the sport of CrossFit.
Kyleen has experienced both emotional and physical transformation through her CrossFit training, which has fueled her passion for health and wellness. Kyleen’s passion for physical fitness, and the desire to help others, has positioned her to train and coach individuals toward overcoming physical barriers and to promote their emotional healing.
In 2014, Kyleen obtained her CrossFit Trainers Certificate and has since obtained additional certifications in specialized areas of CrossFit techniques. She continues to challenge herself by competing in local, regional and national level CrossFit and lifting events.
Kyleen has lived in the Prescott area for the past 10 years, working in the areas of substance abuse and trauma recovery. She earned a BA in human development and visual arts from Prescott College and she is very excited about bringing her passion, training and experience to Spring Ridge Academy.
The results Kyleen experienced, both emotionally and physically, were so transformative, that her passion for the sport of cross training continues to grow. Within the community of her local CrossFit gym, Kyleen learned the power of coaching others and the emotional healing that results from overcoming physical barriers. Kyleen obtained her CrossFit trainers certificate in 2014, and has since obtained certificates in certain CrossFit specialized training’s.
While living in Prescott Arizona, for the last 8 years, Kyleen has worked in the field of substance abuse and trauma recovery; along the way, earning her BA in human development and visual arts from Prescott College in 2010. Kyleen is excited to contribute her skills in physical fitness, coupled with trauma recovery to the community at Spring Ridge Academy; and to build excitement amongst the students as they develop a strong and confident version of themselves.
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Justin Zych
Principal928-632-4602 ext. 3050
Justin has worked in education since 1999 functioning as a mentor in collegiate graduate programs, instructing as an English and Environmental Science teacher (grades 9-12), and administrating as an educational leader.
Justin is certified in the state of Arizona to teach English and Environmental Science. He is also certified as a K-12 Principal. He earned his BA in environmental science and his M.A. in humanities at Prescott College. He also earned an MEd from Northern Arizona University in education leadership. Justin has been at Spring Ridge Academy since 2001.
His present role as Principal at Spring Ridge Academy allows him to lead with the firm belief that “education is the number one source of renewable energy.”