Vantage Point by Aspiro Clinical Team

Gordon L. Day, Ph.D.
Creator and Director of the Vantage Point by Aspiro program
Director of Clinical Services, The Aspiro Group of Programs

Dr. Day, a recognized expert in the assessment and treatment of adolescents with neurodevelopmental and other learning and processing issues, joined the Aspiro team in April of 2008.

His vision and passion has been to create dynamic, individualized outdoor therapeutic programming. He has pioneered outdoor therapeutic approaches specifically tailored to the needs of adolescents and young adults struggling with complex learning and emotional issues. Over the years, Dr. Day has grown to deeply appreciate the healing and changing power of the outdoors.

Outdoor therapeutic programming provides rich assessment and treatment opportunities that are not available in traditional settings. Dr. Day enjoys the challenge of identifying individual strengths and needs and focusing on the development of resilience, self-efficacy, positive coping skills, academic success and improved family relationships. He loves the outdoors and enjoys a warm rapport with teenagers and families that quickly puts them at ease. Dr. Day grew up on a family farm in rural eastern Idaho. There, he enjoyed many outdoor activities; including kayaking, fishing and camping. He participated in wrestling throughout junior and senior high school. After high school, he spent several years in the Air Force and enjoyed his work as a physical therapy technician. After the Air Force, he worked in California as a Physical Therapist Assistant in geriatric, acute, residential and rehabilitation hospitals while pursuing his undergraduate education in Psychology. During his undergraduate training in psychology, Dr. Day conducted honors research on adolescents and children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. He also gained experience in school settings, in mentoring programs for youth and as direct care staff in a group home for adolescent males.

Dr. Day graduated with honors and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a Minor in Family Relations from California State University, Chico. Dr. Day completed graduate studies in Clinical Psychology at Brigham Young University. He had extensive clinical training in research, psychotherapy and assessment. His dissertation research involved confirmatory factor analysis of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and its’ use in inpatient mental health settings. His area of emphasis in his clinical training was child, adolescent and family psychology.  

Dr. Day’s graduate training included a variety of settings, including the Utah State Prison; the Utah State Hospital working with adolescents and adults; private practice clinics working with adults, adolescents and families; residential facilities working with at risk youth and in public and private schools where he conducted psychological and educational evaluations. Dr. Day also worked in organizational behavior and industrial/organizational psychology. He was the project manager for the software development division of a national, accounts-payable auditing firm. He received training and experience in software development and rapid development methodologies. It was in these settings that Dr. Day developed a love for project work and team leadership. He has also taught Organizational Behavior classes at Westminster College in Salt Lake City.  

Dr. Day interned with Valley Mental Health, a large community mental health organization with many sites in urban and rural Utah. Valley Mental Health serves adults and children with severe and persistent mental health issues. At Valley Mental Health, Dr. Day worked with adults in outpatient drug and alcohol treatment and in other outpatient settings. He also worked with at risk adolescents in residential treatment. He also conducted neuropsychological screening evaluations at the University of Utah.  Dr. Day was introduced to the incredible transforming power of outdoor treatment models through his work as a psychological evaluator in various programs. He has worked with adolescents and their families in a therapeutic boarding school in Montana.

Dr. Day also served as a primary field therapist in a wilderness therapy program in Utah before coming to Aspiro. When not working with children professionally, Dr. Day enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife are the proud parents of five children. They enjoy outdoor activities such as backpacking, camping and fishing. His favorite pastime is watching his own children grow and participate in activities like track, skiing, snowboarding, band, wrestling, soccer and baseball.

Dr. Brad Carpenter, Psy.D. 

Brad comes to Aspiro with over 10 years of clinical experience working with adolescents in both therapeutic and assessment settings.  His experience has brought him to understand the extraordinary and distinct characteristics of our students as well as the individualized needs of their families and consultants. 

Unlike most psychologists in traditional office settings, Brad has been fortunate enough to utilize and refine a model for “interactive assessment,” which we feel is uniquely suited to our program.  Brad is originally from Atlanta, Georgia where he worked in adolescent residential treatment while obtaining his Doctorate of Psychology from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology. 

During his education and training in clinical psychology, he specialized in psychological assessment and Neuropsychology.

He received advance training at the Emory University School of Medicine and completed a dual track pre-doctoral internship in health & clinical psychology at Tewksbury Hospital outside of Boston, Massachusetts.  He has most recently worked as the testing director and associate director of academics for a therapeutic boarding school where his responsibilities included assessment, therapy and research. 

In addition, Brad has facilitated psychological assessments for a short-term wilderness program. 

Here, he served as an academic consultant, helping to develop experiential curriculum and eventually guiding the program through accreditation. 

In his spare time, he served as an adjunct professor for North Georgia College and State University where he taught psychological theory, assessment and therapy for their undergraduate program as well as their nationally accredited Graduate School of Counseling.  For the past few years, Brad has volunteered the majority of his resources and time to the development of the music program and business club with students in a long-term therapeutic boarding setting.  He enjoys playing guitar, performance and music production.  He loves competitive sports and other outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, boating, wakeboarding and snow skiing.

Dr. David Hillstead, Ph.D.

Dr. Hillstead is a nationally recognized expert in the treatment of depression and anxiety in adolescents and young adults. With over 12 years wilderness experience he is approaching over 700 adolescent and family cases. In the last 5 years he has developed a special interest in understanding the underpinnings of oppositional defiant disorder, particularly as it relates to emotional regulation/mood disorders. With a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy he is naturally conscious of how the family system can play a strong role in the healing and resolution of these complex emotional regulation themes in both adolescents and young adults.

Born and raised in Wyoming, Dr. Hillstead is familiar with the wilderness environment and is comfortable connecting and relating to both adolescents and young adults in this setting.

David began his studies at Southern Utah University where as a student athlete; he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in the Social Sciences. He then attended Brigham Young University where he completed both a M.S. and Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. 

David started his wilderness therapy career as an intern and later field therapist at Aspen Achievement Academy, and was later recruited to Second Nature Wilderness Program, Uintas. It was at Second Nature that David developed his specific interests in emotionally focused therapy, with special emphasis on emotional regulation techniques that provide adolescents and young adults with specific tools to manage their acting out/reactivity.

David believes in a practical approach, and loves working with the passion and energy of adolescence and young adulthood. His compassionate and direct style has resonated with hundreds of students and their families. He finds that students want a therapist that can listen but also has an opinion founded in experience. Ultimately, honest connecting conversations that are sincere and sometimes difficult seem to produce greater resolve and commitment to change.

David has been married to his amazing wife Kara for 17 years and they are the parents of four boys, including two adolescent sons. He is continually learning that living in theory is different than practicing theory and reality.

David is excited to be with the Aspiro group, and is looking forward to the new growth and insight that adventure wilderness therapy will provide.  

 
Jamie Kaczmarek, LCSW

As a youngster, Jamie was climbing trees and catching fireflies in the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois.

Her love for the wilderness influenced her decision to obtain a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation with an emphasis in Environmental Education from Indiana University in 1999.

With the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Baja, Mexico, Jamie was educated in leadership and team dynamics through an experiential adventure approach. She then began her career in 2000 serving adjudicated youth in the wilderness working for Alternative Youth Adventures (AYA), in South Central Utah.  

After working at AYA, Jamie joined the Aspen Achievement Academy ( AAA) team in 2003.

Through wilderness therapy Jamie has had experiences as a therapist, team leader, trainer, field specialist, and senior field instructor.

Jamie understands and believes in the healing power of the wilderness and considers it to be her sanctuary. Jamie earned a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Utah in 2007. There she studied clinical social work with an emphasis in adolescent and young adult treatment. While in graduate school Jamie’s educational internships included: inpatient substance abuse and addiction work with adults and young adults, mental health work in a residential and day treatment facility for adolescents, and wilderness therapy for adolescent youth at Aspen Achievement Academy.

Jamie’s areas of clinical focus include autistic spectrum disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar, attention and impulsivity deficits. Her clinical approach encompasses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

For the past two years Jamie has worked closely with a clinical team (psychiatrists, therapists, and team leaders) in a psychiatric residential treatment center focusing on effective therapies for autistic spectrum disorder clients.

Jamie has worked intensely with these clients and their families using the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) model, individual therapy, and family therapy to increase effective communication, school successes, and social interactions of their child.

When Jamie is not working she enjoys spending the majority of her time with her four-legged pal, Hank. You might find Jamie and her buddy camped out in the desert exploring unknown areas looking for aspects of history and taking in the desert beauty.

While living in Salt Lake City, Jamie takes advantage of skiing “the greatest snow on earth”.

Jamie enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, tossing horseshoes, and enjoying friends over a home grown, home cooked meal.

Caitlin Galt, MA, CPCI

Caitlin received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago focusing on Art therapy, sculpture, and painting.

In 2008, she merged her love of art therapy and the outdoors by earning her graduate degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis in Wilderness Therapy from Naropa University in Colorado.

From 2007 through 2008, Caitlin worked as a clinical intern at Second Nature Wilderness Program in Duchesne, Utah. Prior to her graduation from Naropa University, Caitlin guided mountaineering and Rites of Passage trips for adolescents in Washington.

As a Wilderness Therapist, Caitlin’s concentration combines psychological counseling skills with disciplines such as adventure therapy, nature awareness, and outdoor interventions. Caitlin supports her clients in healing from anxiety, depression, addiction, Oppositional Defiance, pervasive developmental disorders, trauma, and attachment issues through a wide range of cognitive, Gestalt therapy, and mind/body-based practices.

Her work at Vantage Point helps students develop insight into their decision making and emotional growth.  She seeks to bring out the best in others while challenging them to try something new; exceeding what was once thought impossible. Caitlin believes that while traditional therapy in an office setting can be perfectly effective, sometimes an adventure or even just a walk in the woods can truly enhance the therapeutic experience. When not working, Caitlin loves to spend her time tending to her garden, camping, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, rock/ ice climbing, fly fishing, biking, mountaineering, creating art, and listening to live music. 

Sandy Smith, LCSW

Sandy is a Utah native who grew up in the coal country in the eastern region of the state in Price, Utah. From her father, an avid outdoorsman, she learned to fish and camp in the wilderness at an early age. These early outings fueled her love for the wilderness that continues to this day. Sandy feels it is amazing to see the changes and growth that take place in students in a relatively short period of time. Because of her early life experiences in wilderness settings Sandy understands the power to affect one’s character and way of being. She is continually drawn to the beauty and peacefulness that remains a constant when interfacing with the outdoors.

While living in Las Vegas she earned a master’s degree in social work at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and attained her LCSW credentials as a licensed clinical social worker. She was employed by the State of Nevada in the Division of Child and Adolescent Services for over 15 years. During her time in public service Sandy worked in a variety of setting. She has an extensive resume that includes time in group homes, hospital settings, Corrections, intensive outpatient services, foster care, residential treatment centers, and over 20 years in private family practice. She was a unit supervisor in a residential treatment program for adolescent sexual offenders, teaching parent relief in a group home, clinical case manager for a specialized therapeutic foster care program, night shift worker in an adult psychiatric unit, and in-home therapist for intensive outpatient services. In addition to working for the state, Sandy has maintained a private practice where she has been working with both adolescent and adult patients for over 20 years. She has worked extensively with clients who have been diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ADHD, Anxiety and Depressive Disorders, as well as sexual abuse.

While Sandy is relatively new to wilderness therapy, with just over four years of experience, she is certainly not new to clinical work. Her lifelong love of the outdoors and her wealth of clinical experience give her a strong edge in working with adolescents and their families. Sandy is a warm and compassionate individual who puts her soul into the work she performs with each person she has the opportunity to work with and is dedicated to helping families heal and learn to live healthy and functional lives.

When Sandy isn‘t working she enjoys quality time with the love of her life, her 8 year old son. Her return to Utah now affords her the opportunity to once again be surrounded by her immediate and extended family. She also gets the added benefit of hitting the slopes to ski and enjoy the greatest snow on earth.

Paige Crawley – M.S. CCC-SLP

Paige provides Speech and Language services as needed at Vantage Point by Aspiro. 

Paige grew up in Texas but has lived in Utah for the last 23 years. She spent 2 ½ years in Monument, Colorado.

She graduated with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Brigham Young University.

She received her Certificate of Clinical Competence after graduation and has been a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association since 1990. Paige specializes in working with children from as young as 18 months through high school age. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings including school districts, clinics and private practice.

Paige has experience in working with children with a variety of challenges including autism, hearing impairment, ADHD, Aspergers, apraxia, Down’s syndrome, stuttering, premature births as well as teenagers in a rehab setting. Paige enjoys getting to know her students and finding out what their needs are to help them become better communicators.

Paige and her husband have six children who are very active in sports, music and other activities.

When she has free time she enjoys reading, sewing and working in her yard and garden.

Troy Faddis, LMFT

"I know of no more effective way to work with teens than wilderness therapy. The experience of nature, peers, staff, engaging with parents through letters, working with a therapist, and doing family therapy outdoors, has a profound effect on personal growth. All of these tools combine to allow a person to look at themselves without defensiveness or justifications. Nature allows you to see yourself for who you really are without your excuses; like a magic mirror. I love taking my own family outdoors as a place to bond and grow. I spend my free time taking my kids out on the boat, cutting firewood, and riding ATV’s in the desert. I belief that some of the best family therapy time is spent by having the entire family within the same 19 feet of each other on the boat or outdoors working together."

Troy has over ten years of experience working in wilderness therapy. Troy’s clinical experience includes working with adults and adolescents with substance abuse. Troy also works with difficult family systems, divorce, easily frustrated and chronically inflexible children, developing self-efficacy/resiliency skills, dual diagnoses and gifted intelligence.Troy has worked as a field therapist and clinical director for Aspen Achievement Academy. While at Aspen Troy spend years taking parents out to the wilderness to see their children and do family therapy.

Troy began his studies at Brigham Young University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in family sciences. Troy attended Seattle Pacific University where he received his Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. Troy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an AAMFT supervisor. Troy has been a board member for The Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy since 2005 and is currently serving as the treasurer.

Troy was raised in Seattle, WA and Utah. Troy spent a lot of time growing up outdoors hiking and playing in the mountains of Utah and the Pacific Northwest. Troy is the oldest of seven siblings, three of whom are adopted. Troy is married and has five children, including three teens. This experience as a father to teens gives Troy perspective when doing therapy with families. Troy was raised on Celtic music and likes to play the bagpipes.

Hannah D-Harting, MSW, CSW

Hannah D-Harting received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. She also holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology. During graduate school, she became passionate about substance abuse counseling and pursued that emphasis in the course of her education and subsequent internship. While working at a youth residential facility, Copperhills Youth Center, Hannah enjoyed the opportunity to design and implement a Chemical Dependency Program for adolescents. Seeing the positive changes that occur in the adolescents’ judgment and behaviors after effective counseling (with specific emphasis on Stages of Change) continues to inspire her.

Hannah is educated and experienced in applying motivational interviewing techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and attachment theory. She has utilized these theories in her work with adolescents and young adults who face an array of disorders such as depression, oppositional defiant disorder, eating disorders, anxiety disorders and mood disorders.

Hannah grew up in rural Montana under particularly stressful and challenging circumstances. The mountains became her sanctuary. The wilderness experience provided her with the opportunity to lay the pain from her past to rest, stop her self-destructive behaviors, and move forward towards a more fulfilling and productive future.  

Hannah has been happily married for eight years. She and her husband are raising two wonderful children, a girl and a boy. In her spare time Hannah enjoys camping, soccer, rock climbing, and playing with her family.

As an Aspiro Therapist, she has experienced the peace and sense of purpose that the wilderness provides. Hannah has made it her mission to help bridge the gap between the struggling adolescent and their committed family members and support systems. Hannah has experienced firsthand, that Wilderness Therapy has the potential to reach the very heart of the individual and change it for the better.

David Jubelirer, Developmental Pediatrician

Email: djubelirer@aspiroadventure.com

David Jubelirer M.D. is a medical consultant to Aspiro Group programs, with a private practice in Salt Lake and Park City, Utah. His area of expertise is applying current neuroscience of brain function to better understand behavior, academic performance, and social competence.

"It is my belief that teenagers who do not fit into expected cultural or performance norms do not understand why they are different from their peers and suffer from lowered self esteem. This can be expressed as defiance, poor academic or job performance, deviant social behavior, lack of motivation, or substance overuse. Many families assume these actions are willful, but in my experience, often result from unrecognized differences in brain function coupled with genetic and family dynamic influences. Finding the underlying neurologic difference can be the key that unlocks the unrealized potential many of these children have struggled to reach. Many of these same children also have poor Working Memory capacities (a form of short term memory) which lead to frustration in social and academic settings despite being smart. Identifying strengths and weaknesses in Executive Functions, or the management system of the brain, also helps with organization, time management, motivation, regulation of emotions, and attention. It is through a recognition of these brain differences that individuals, families, and teachers can begin to properly direct intervention to things that truly contribute to intellectual, social, and emotional growth."

Dr. Jubelirer is married, has five children, and has been practicing medicine for nearly 30 years and is the founder of BrainWorks Academy and Brainwave Diagnostics, and one of the principals of the Attention Disorders Clinic. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Southern California. Further training and practice opportunities have taken him to Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Tulsa, before moving to Park City, Utah spurred by his love of the outdoors. Dr. Jubelirer enjoys skiing, hiking, reading, architecture, art, photography, and traveling to explore other cultures and historical sites.