Outback staff members are highly trained and dedicated individuals. All staff members have successfully completed the industry-leading Outback Training Program. Each staff member has passed an extensive background check. Outback also maintains a two-on-one practice, never allowing a student and staff member to be alone together. Your child's safety is our utmost concern. In order to ensure their safety, staff members have been trained in first aid, CPR, and outdoor living skills. Additionally, the staff participates in weekly in service training.

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Rick Meeves, Ph.D.
Executive Director

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Primary Therapist, Second Nature Wilderness Program, Duchesne UT
• Clinical Director, Aspen Ranch, Loa, UT
• Primary Therapist, Aspen Achievement Academy, Loa, UT
• Private practice and therapist, Family Services, Provo, UT

Tim Lowe, Ph.D.
Clinical Therapist

• Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• AAMFT Approved Supervisor
• "The Choice" Presenter
• Clinical Supervisor, Anasazi Foundation
• Faculty Member, Brigham Young University
• Primary Therapist, Heritage School, Provo, UT
• Primary Therapist, La Hacienda, Redlands, CA
• Private Practice, Mesa, AZ

Kimberlee Garner, MSW, CSW
Outback Therapist

• Masters in Social Work, Licensed Clinical Social Worker candidate
• Primary Field Therapist, Aspen Achievement Academy
• Primary Therapist and Art Therapist for Women with Eating Disorders, New Life Center
• Adolescent Social Worker, University of Utah Neuropsychiatry Unit
• Crisis Worker, University of Utah Hospital
• Replacement Field Therapist, Passages to Recovery
• Primary Therapist internship, Primary Children's Hospital Residential Treatment Center
• Founder and Director for Youth at Risk non-profit, Salt Lake Artist Exchange

Sandy Smith, LCSW
Outback Therapist

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Ut, NV.
• Clinical Case Manager, Therapeutic Family Care Program, Las Vegas, NV.
• Adolescent Sex Offender Therapist, Dept. of Corrections, Southwest Utah Youth Center
• Outpatient Therapist, Division of Child & Family Services, State of Nevada
• Adolescent Sex Offender Unit Supervisor, Specialized Adolescent Treatment Program, Las Vegas, NV.
• Teaching Parent Relief, Adolescent Psychiatric Group Home, Las Vegas, NV.
• Mental Health Tech III, Adult Mental Heath Psychiatric Services, State of Nevada
• Private Practice, Las Vegas, NV.

Neal Christensen, Ph.D. Candidate
Outback Therapist

• Ph.D. Candidate, University of Kansas
• M.S., University of Kansas
• Primary investigator on effectiveness study of wilderness therapy sponsored by Outback
• Marillac Center for Children-residential treatment therapist, Overland Park, KS
• Counseling and Psychological Services-outpatient therapist, Lawrence, KS
• Leavenworth’s Veteran’s Affairs-Neuropsychological assessment technician, Leavenworth, KS
• Center for Psychoeducational Services-Psychological and academic assessment technician, Lawrence, KS

Dr. Keith Hooker, M.D.
Medical Director

• Arizona State BS
• University of Oregon M.D
• Medical Doctor in California, Alaska, and Utah
• Board Certified Emergency Medicine
• Co founder Aspen and AYA
  
• Paramedic Advisor
• Utah and Lone Peak District team physician
• Physician of the year for Utah 1985
• Physician advisor for Utah county Search and Rescue

Erin Grover
Field Director

• Field Management
• Staff Training
• Staff Scheduling
• Recreation Leadership Degree form Brigham Young University-Idaho
• Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS)
• Two years field experience at RedCliff Ascent, and Outback as senior staff
• Transitions camp coordinator, Outback
• Assistant Field Director, Outback
• Five years experience working with adolescents in programs ranging from wilderness therapy, high ropes course/initiative (Badger Creek), residential and adventure therapy (The Children's Village)

Andrew Powell
Field Director

• Field Management
• Staff Training
• Staff Scheduling
• BA, Gordon College
• Over 5 years experience in adventure challenge/recreational therapy field, including over 300 days on the trail (2 years) at Outback
• Peace Corps, El Salvador

Blaine Fisher
Quality Assurance Manager

• 19 years Wilderness Program experience
• Risk Management at Outback
• Positive Control System (PCS) Instructor
• Transportation and Logistics
• Staff Training and Evaluation

Jeannine Thalman
Office Manager

• Program Support
• Office Management
• Manager, Client Service Support at Franklin Covey Co.
• Office Manager at Word Perfect Corp.