Clinical Services
Empowering Student Independence through Personalized Therapy Selection
At Mountain Springs, we are dedicated to fostering independence in our students across all aspects of their lives. A key part of this journey involves empowering them to take charge of their own therapeutic process by interviewing and selecting their own therapists, rather than having one assigned to them. This autonomy not only enhances their investment in the process but also ensures they find a therapist who is a perfect personality match.
Handpicked Experts for Optimal Care
We’ve partnered with a network of highly qualified therapists, all rigorously vetted and boasting extensive experience with adolescents in residential treatment and wilderness therapy. Many of these professionals have served as clinical or executive directors at renowned residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, and wilderness programs. This collaboration guarantees that our students receive top-tier, specialized care.
Tailored Therapeutic Engagement
Therapy at Mountain Springs is an additional expense, paid directly by parents to the therapist, allowing for a highly customizable approach. This model offers several unique benefits:
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Individualized Frequency and Intensity: Every student's therapeutic needs are unique. Our flexible model allows therapy sessions to be tailored to the specific requirements of each student, ensuring the right level of support.
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Comprehensive Therapy Options: Students have the option for both individual and family therapy sessions, promoting holistic healing and growth.
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Independent Advocacy: Since therapists are not employed by Mountain Springs, students benefit from having an impartial advocate. This setup enhances the confidentiality of the therapeutic process, fostering a safe and trusting environment.
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Real-World Preparation: Engaging with outpatient therapists during their stay helps students practice essential skills such as assertiveness and active participation in their therapy. This experience is invaluable when they transition back home and continue outpatient therapy.
Seamless Integration with School Life
Our therapists are actively involved in the broader school community, attending weekly school board meetings (in person or via telephone) alongside key administrators. This collaboration ensures that student needs, concerns, and issues are promptly addressed. Additionally, therapists contribute to the monthly progress reports sent to parents and reviewed with students, maintaining clear and consistent communication.
At Mountain Springs, we believe in the power of choice and the importance of personalized care. By allowing students to select their own therapists, we not only enhance their therapeutic experience but also support their journey towards greater independence and self-advocacy.
COMMUNITY THERAPISTS
Scott Jakubowski, PhD, LMFT
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Dr. Jakubowski studied Psychology and Human Development at Brigham Young University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He then completed his Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Auburn University before going on to earn his Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University.
Upon completion of his education, Dr. Jakubowski began working in the field of adolescent residential treatment, which he has been doing since 2003. He has experience working with several different programs as a therapist providing individual, family, and group therapy to adolescents and their families. He has since designed his private practice specifically to work with students and families at Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy. He loves not only working with teens, but their families as well because he believes that strong family work is essential to individual progress for adolescents. Dr. Jakubowski prides himself on adapting to the individual needs of each specific family and child in order to get the best possible results while they attend MSPA. Scott is trained in cutting edge techniques known for their effectiveness including DBT, EMDR, and CBT therapies.
Scott Jakubowski Cover Letter and Resume
Helen Johnson, LCMHC
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Helen has extensive experience working with adolescents. She has held positions as Clinical Director and Primary Therapist in a number of different residential treatment settings. Since 2005 Helen has also been in private practice where she provides clinical services to individuals with depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Anxiety, Oppositional Defiance, Level 1 Autism and Substance Abuse. She also specializes in working with individuals who have experienced sexual trauma and also those with attachment challenges. Helen is a certified Equine Therapist and provides this to clients as part of her practice.
Stephen Marten, LMFT, LCPC
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Stephen has extensive experience working with adolescents in residential treatment settings and within his private practice. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Stephen especially enjoys working with families. He believes that everyone deserves happy and healthy relationships with themselves, their family, and others. Stephen feels that every family is unique and he tries to tailor to their special needs. Stephen is be down to earth and gives those he works with a realistic and practical way forward. He pulls from my experience working with young couples, kids of all ages, parents, families, equine therapy, residential treatment, and more.
Stephen Marten Cover Letter and Resume
Kyle Petersen, LCMHC, NCC, MRC, CCRC
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Kyle Peterson, a native of Cedar City and grew up hiking some of the most
beautiful country in the world. He has been providing counseling and psychological services for 11 years and has specialities in trauma-focused and attachment-related therapy. His primary approach to therapy stems from a persons-centered approach with approach with foundations in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Existentialism. He is certified to provide Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR),Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Brainspotting therapy, Sand Tray therapy, and is currently working towards certification in Internal Family System (IFS) therapy.
Brent Holm, LCSW
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Brent Holm is a mental health professional with expertise in trauma, grief and loss, addiction, mood disorders, and stress management. He specializes in attachment issues, crisis intervention, and helping clients build the capacity to navigate life’s challenges, relationships, and joys.
Trained in Brainspotting, Trauma-Focused CBT, Lifespan Integration, and DBT, Brent combines evidence-based methods with a strengths-based approach. He is passionate about connecting with and understanding his clients' stories, believing that everyone has a story to share and live. Through this connection, he empowers clients to heal, build resilience, and create more fulfilling lives.
Outside of work, Brent enjoys reading, watching movies, spending time with family and friends, and exploring the outdoors.
Allison Rencher, MS, LMFT
Therapist
Currently not accepting new students
Allison received her Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Utah State University. She has also received certification in EMDR, Sand Tray Therapy, and RYT Yoga. Allison has worked with teeagers in residential treatment settings for over a decade, most of them coming from wilderness-type programs. She has been both a primary therapist and a Clinical Director. She was also a transition director for several years helping families adjust at home. Allison is familiar with many different types of clinical approaches and loves to build off of what has worked. Allison is sure that you and your family are therapy tired. You’ve been there, done that, and have several t-shirts to show for it! Allison likes to be creative and help families experience change not just talk about it. She loves helping individuals and families heal from trauma. Allison enjoys empowering families and individuals to figure out how to work through the struggles. Having the tools on how to handle those moments, that’s key to long term success.
Allison Rencher Cover Letter and Resume
Craig Rodabough, MS, LMFT
Therapist
Currently not accepting new clients
Craig Rodabough, LMFT earned a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Craig has worked with adolescents and their families for over 30 years. He is adopted and has worked with many students facing attachment challenges. Craig is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Natural LIfemanship Equine Therapy, EMDR and Brainspotting. Craig has held positions as Chief Clinical Officer, Executive Director, Clinical Director, Admissions Director and Therapist. Craig is one of the owners of the CERTS Group. He has worked at all of the CERTS Programs during his time with the CERTS Group. During his career, Craig has served on the Board of Directors for both NATSAP and the Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Maria Salsberry, LCSW
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Maria started working with adolescents in 2006 as a front-line mentor staff at Kolob Canyon and Moonridge Academy. Through the inspiration of the therapists and staff, she went back to school. Maria earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Utah. Maria is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She has worked closely with children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum for 2 years. Maria is EMDR trained. She specializes in using art therapy, and Integrated Family Systems (parts work) to heal trauma.
Jennifer Hedrick, MS, LCMHC
Therapist
Currently not accepting new students
Jennifer has extensive experience working with teens and their families. She has worked as a primary therapist and a Clinical Director in both residential and wilderness programs. Her primary focus for working with young adults and older adolescents, ages 15-19, is to foster an environment that promotes mutual trust and accountability. Jennifer believe this is a crucial ingredient to the health of their current and future relationships. She strives to help young people gain confidence in the understanding and expression of personal emotion.
Rashell Stubbs, LCMHC
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Offering Equine Assisted Therapy
Rashell is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She has been working with adolescents, parents, and families in therapeutic settings since 2008. Rashell has worked as a Clinical Director, Associate Clinical Director and Primary Therapist in residential treatment programs. She has training in Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) and Brainspotting. Her experience with adolescents has been with mood disorders, attachment, trauma, family systems, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Link to Silver Lining Equine Therapy
John Buckner, LMFT
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
John started working with adolescents and their families in the residential treatment industry in 2006 as a line staff. John worked as a wilderness therapist, a milieu director, primary therapist at an RTC, and even an advisor at Mountain Springs. He worked for Mountain Springs for a handful of years before switching over to be one of their community therapists. John is currently the Executive Director at another one of the CERTS Programs.
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 anxiety and depression issues, trauma issues, and electronic addictions. When John is not working he loves to day dream, spend time with his wife and 5 kids, read books, mountain bike, and doing crossfit.
Sidney Dang, Psy.D.
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Dr. Sidney Dang is a graduate of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago with a specialization in working with
Dr. Dang has been trained in the following evidence-based practices: Managing Adaptive Practices (MAP), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Crisis Oriented Recovery Services (CORS), and Seeking Safety. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. Dang was a therapist and Director of the Addictive Behaviors Program at Discovery Ranch for Girls. Additionally, he was the Clinical Director of Northpointe Recovery, an addiction-focused intensive outpatient program for adults.
Amanda Mosse, LCSW
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Amanda is a highly engaging and interactive trauma and attachment therapist and programming specialist with over 10 years of experience providing counseling and education with a trauma-informed context. She is committed to fostering self-esteem, empowerment, and personal growth for all involved. By utlizing her experience in previous roles as a residential therapist, Amanda can identify and understand issues that my hinder academic progress, while recommending appropriate therapeutic interventions. In addition to these skills, Amanda possess a range of strengths she believes are fundamental to providing exceptional therapeutic care.
Suhad Saadeh, LCSW, RYT
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Suhad earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. She received her Yoga Teacher certification in India and training in Nutrition Therapy to provide a holistic approach integrating various health component’s effects on mental health and well-being. Suhad’s experience includes individual and family therapy ranging from outpatient substance use prevention and treatment to the public school setting for English and Spanish speaking youth and families. She draws from multiple theories and cultural awareness to help surface internal thought processes and schemas into tangible behavioral changes geared toward aligning the young person and their family with their dreams and goals.
Jack Hinman, Psy.D
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Jack is a licensed clinical psychologist who is a passionate and committed clinician and administrator in helping young adults cross that bridge into healthy and engaging independence. He believes through the power of connection we thrive. Jack’s clinical foundations are driven in attachment theory and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Jack has been providing mental health and administrative services to individuals and families in a variety of treatment settings including hospitals, wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment centers and community mental health for over 20 years. He is currently the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Engage Young Adult Transitions. Jack has been on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). He is also a favorite presenter at many industry conferences.
Matthew Bartlett, M.Ed, LMFT
Therapist
Currently not accepting new students
Matthew received his Masters in Education with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR. Prior to this he received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Boise State Univeristy. In his professional life Matthew has worked extensively with youth in residential treatment. He has held the positions of Executive Director, Clinical Director, Director of Transitional Services and as Transitional Specialist.
Over the years Matthew has worked with at-risk teens and young adults dealing with issues of anxiety, depression, addiction, adoption/attachment, school refusal, self-harm, suicidality, oppositional behavior, transitions to college, and failure to launch. He also specializes in the challenges facing individuals with personality disorders (or personality traits).
Matt Bartlett Cover Letter and Resume
Tawny Thomas, LCSW
Therapist
Currently accepting new students
Tawny has worked in the residential treatment field for over twenty years. She has worked with teens in a variety of settings, as a clinician, and enjoys the opportunity to help adolescents heal and change their lives. During her career, Tawny has held the positions of Executive Director, Primary Therapist, Residential Director and Director of Business Development. She is currently the CERTS Chief Operating Officer. Tawny is an LCSW, with a Master's Degree in Social Work from University of Utah and a Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University.