Our staff is comprised of professionals with the experience, maturity, qualifications and enthusiasm necessary to create a nurturing learning atmosphere for our students.

Santiam Crossings therapists are mature and experienced master’s level clinicians that specialize in working with adolescents and families. Our teachers demonstrate the enthusiasm and expertise necessary to get our students excited about learning, are certified and have success working with non-traditional learners. Our youth counselors hold bachelor's degrees, preferably in psychology, social work, or a related field, and have experience working with adolescents.

Dan Coyle received a degree in Genetics & Developmental Biology from Cornell University. After a seven year career as a research scientist (in which he developed observational and procedural skills that serve him well at Santiam Crossing) he followed his passion and began working with struggling teenagers and their families. For five years he worked as a field guide and counselor at two different wilderness therapy programs earning his Wilderness First Responder and Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor certifications along the way. He then worked for Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Programs and was responsible for program development and management. He has ten years experience working with adolescents. Dan believes in developing effective systems that create security and safety and, at the same time, create new opportunities and support constant growth for both the program staff and the families they serve. In his personal life Dan most enjoys the time he has with family and getting outside to create his own adventures with people close to him.

Jeniveve has dedicated her professional life to addressing the wide range of mental health needs of adolescents. Her drug and alcohol training, clinical education and diverse work experience allow her to teach adolescents skills to work through abuse and trauma issues. Additionally, she helps students develop skills for sobriety, perform better in school, and improve relationships and communication with their families. Jeniveve is a strong believer that all students are capable learners and has created a therapeutic environment to support healing and education. Before joining the Santiam Crossing team, she worked as a clinical counselor for Lincoln County Health and Human Services. Here she was responsible for providing mental health assessments, individual and family counseling sessions, psychiatric medication referrals, and facilitated a drug and alcohol treatment and education class at Toledo High School. She received her Master’s of Social Work from Portland State University and completed her undergraduate studies at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Jeniveve is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor. She enjoys horseback riding, backpacking, and softball.

Nicole’s clinical focus is with children with depression/anxiety, ADHD, language deficits, processing disorders, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. Prior to joining the Santiam Crossing team, Nicole worked at Heron Creek Therapeutic School supervising a therapeutic classroom team, providing family clinical care coordination, and working with students to address mental health and education needs. She has worked at the YMCA Counseling Center providing individual, couples and family counseling, including crisis intervention. Common clinical foci here include: trauma recovery, eating disorders, depression/anxiety, and addictions. In addition, Nicole worked in the Portland Public Schools providing individual, family and group counseling for adolescents ages 14-19. Nicole was once Santiam Crossing’s Academic Director and a secondary school teacher, before enhancing her clinical training. Nicole completed her undergraduate work at Smith College and holds a master’s in Education from Brown University. She obtained a master’s degree in Social Work from Portland State University. Nicole enjoys hiking, raising her son, and yoga.

Patrick is a creative therapist with an extensive educational background in psychology and social work. He has worked as a counselor at two wilderness therapy programs and a therapeutic boarding school. He holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas. He is also a professional level hiker/backpacker, rock climber, and has back country and primitive survival skills experience. He is also a Certified Public Responder.

Keith has worked with children for more than six years. His previous experience includes work as a wilderness therapist and working with clients suffering from mental health and addiction issues as an outpatient therapist. He is also experienced in running Dialectical Behavior Therapy groups. Keith has also been a teacher and his academic experience combined with his counseling ideally suits him to work with students at Santiam. He received a master’s degree from Lewis and Clark College in Counseling Psychology, a master’s degree in Teaching from East Tennessee State University, and a bachelor’s of science degree from Murray State University. Keith is also a licensed teacher in Oregon, proficient in a variety of artistic media, and can speak Spanish.

Dave has a diverse background as a biologist, teacher and has worked with at-risk-youth with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Hannah Neil Center for Children. His work at Santiam Crossing allows him to combine his passion for wilderness, education, and helping young people reach their full potential as learners. Dave earned his undergraduate degree at Ohio State University in Environmental Science and earned his master’s in Education at Western Oregon University.

Jason has a diverse work background with a common theme of working with young adults. He has taught in public schools, worked as a special education assistant for a behavior support program, as a counselor at a sex-offender treatment program, and as a camp instructor and challenge course facilitator. He is working on completing his Master of Arts for Teacher degree from Concordia University. His endorsement areas are in Secondary Integrated Science and Basic Math. He completed his undergraduate studies at Southern Oregon University and received a degree in Environmental Studies. He is a member of the Association for Experimental Education, the National Science Teachers Association, and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics. In his spare time Jason enjoys fly fishing and ultra marathon running.

Dave has been working with adolescents for more than four years. He enjoys the challenge of discovering where each individual student is at, and finding a common ground to connect with them. Fortunately his job is all about creating opportunities for these youth to challenge themselves in discovering where they are at, and likewise, what they can become. Dave has worked as a Head Instructor at a therapeutic wilderness program and as a custom experience coordinator at Indiana University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Radford University and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder, in First Aid, CPR, and as an Ocean Lifeguard. He has also taken tracking and search and rescue courses. In his spare time Dave can be found exploring foreign lands, visiting with family, cooking, hiking, and surfing.