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.

Kirsen brings to Santiam Crossing a wealth of experience in working with at-risk youth. Her expertise spans from supervision, counseling, to diversity and leadership training. She has worked in the wilderness therapy arena, in a residential treatment center, and with the YMCA. Kirsen holds a bachelor’s degree from Scipps College in American studies and studio art and a master’s in psychology/counseling with a concentration in sexual orientation from Goddard College. In her spare time Kirsen enjoys playing ball with her dog, Norman, hiking, mountain biking, running, cooking, and painting.

Dan is responsible for ensuring an effective integration of our academic, adventure education, therapeutic programming and day-to-day operations. Dan comes to us from Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Programs where he held the role of Extended Expeditions Field Supervisor. In this role, he was instrumental in enhancing and strengthening the program structure and curriculum and in training and managing the staff. Dan appreciates the opportunity to work with adolescents and is motivated by their energy level and their capacity to learn. Dan enjoys surfing, reading, traveling, mountain biking, primitive skills training, and sewing. He also holds a Wilderness First Responder.

Brian earned his BA from Carleton College and his MA from the University of Arizona. He has more than 32 years of experience working with at-risk youth and their parents and is uniquely suited for his role at Santiam Crossing. Being raised in a family with six kids where his major vacations were backpacking and canoeing trips, he learned early that the wilderness is a healthy place to be challenged, grow and learn. Brian and his family came to Oregon from Northern Idaho. For the past ten years he has worked as the program director of a wilderness program and has taught and directed the parent education program for a group of emotional growth boarding schools.

Tina’s more than 20 years of experience in program management and residential treatment ideally suit her for this position. Tina began working with young adults at a residential treatment program for troubled and at-risk girls in 1984. She has continued to work with families and youth since then. Her experience includes shelter care, assessment and stabilization, psychiatric residential, and community based family services. Her primary training is in cognitive, behavioral, and solution focused therapy. Tina has strong family and personal connections to the Willamette Valley and lives in Scio, an easy commute 15 miles from the Santiam Crossing Campus. She has worked as a professional river guide and continues to guide and raft in her spare time.

Dan’s experience in academia, adolescent treatment services, and adventure education make him a valuable faculty member. His background spans teaching in a classroom, managing a day treatment program, and working as an adolescent treatment team leader. He has also led wilderness adventure trips. Dan holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Environmental Studies with a minor in Biology from the University of Oregon. He holds Principal, Assistant Principal, and Conditional Life Science 7-12 certifications from the State of Maine. He has Red Cross CPR and Emergency Response certifications and holds a Non-violent Crisis Intervention Instructor Level certification. He also is certified as a whitewater guide.

Fred’s career in academia has included teaching, developing educational plans for students, designing curriculum, facilitating assessments, and presenting assemblies at multiple schools. Fred has also worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a helicopter rappeller providing aerial firefighting support. His volunteer service includes coaching high school football, working on a mountain bike trail crew, and helping the Bureau of Land Management with recreation and trail services. He has also volunteered for a wilderness outfitter as a guide. Fred received a Master’s in Teaching from Western Oregon University. His undergraduate degree is from Oregon State University. He also spent a term abroad at Macerata University in Italy.

Before joining the Catherine Freer team in 2000, Kevin worked with adolescents and families for 10 years in many arenas including tutoring and mentoring in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, adolescent service trips to Nicaragua, and working as a family therapist in Seattle. Kevin worked as an expedition therapist for two years before taking his current position as a clinical director. He received his MSW from the University of Washington. His clinical areas of interest include group therapy, family systems, and adolescent rites-of-passage. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys rock climbing, mountaineering and running, and spending time with his wife and newborn son.

Maria comes to Santiam Crossing from Marion County Children’s Behavioral Health in Salem where she provided outpatient services to clients ages 4-18. There she conducted mental health assessments, provided individual and family therapy, and ran therapy groups. Maria has a wealth of experience working with adolescents in a variety of settings from Salem Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, North Salem High School, Catholic Community Services, to the Boys and Girls Club. She also has experience using rafting and rock climbing to teach adolescents life skills. She holds a Masters of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from George Fox University and a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Education, and Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University where she graduated Magna cum Laude. As preparation for her role at Santiam Crossing, Maria took part in a Catherine Freer wilderness therapy expedition. Her position at Santiam Crossing is her “dream job” and she says she feels fortunate to be part of our team.

Mara has been working with youth for more than 10 years. She has a BS in Therapeutic Recreation and a Masters in Social Work. Mara enjoys the potential and possibilities in young adults and likes "all that is held within them and all that lies ahead." In her spare time she enjoys mountain biking, climbing, being quite in nature and reading a good book. Another one of Mara's free time enjoyments is western African dance and drumming.

Jeniveve has dedicated her professional life to serving the wide range of mental health needs of children. Her work allows her to teach adolescents skills to overcome abuse and trauma issues, improve relationships with their families, and to perform better in school. 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 case management services. Jeniveve is a certified Reconnection Youth Instructor. She received her master’s of social work degree from Portland State University and completed her undergraduate studies at Denison University.

Jon was a lead guide for Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Programs and took part in more than 15 expeditions before taking on the adventure education coordinator position at Santiam Crossing. He has a variety of experiences working with children from outdoor schools, public and alternative schools, to working as a camp supervisor. His personality, enthusiasm, and outdoors experience combined with his behavior management and counseling experience garnered at Catherine Freer make him an outstanding addition to our team. Jon holds Wilderness First Responder and Red Cross First Aid/CPR certifications.