Colleen Croff, LCSW Clinician Colleen received her Bachelor's Degree from the Univeristy of Utah in Psychology. While obtaining this degree she worked on a large research study, which targeted the affects of pregnancy on inner city youth, with one of the top psychology professors at the university. She then took 2 years off to explore the field and think over what she would do next. During this time she worked full-time in a residential treatment center for a well respected children's hospital in Salt Lake City. At the same time she also worked part-time in 2 separate adult psychiatric inpatient hospitals in the city to expand her experience to all age groups. While working at these facilities she became impressed, in particular, with the clinical social workers that surrounded her who did such incredible work with the clients and their families. So she moved on to pursue her Masters degree in Social Work at Arizona State University, where she concentrated on studying the use of alternative therapies in the clinical setting. During this time Colleen also enjoyed working with high-risk inner city families on mental health issues, parenting skills, and assistance in obtaining resources for better household management so that the families could remain together as one unit. After graduation she returned to Salt Lake City to pursue what she knew she had been meant to do and found herself blessed with the opportunity to work with Alpine Academy and the wonderful families sent to the organization for hope and healing. Colleen is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Resonance Repatterning and is Master Track Certified in Neuro Linguistic Programming. Colleen has also completed research and study and has particular interest in the following areas: adoption & attachment disorders, substance abuse and chemical dependency, eating disorders, autism and other related spectrum disorders, Trauma, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder.

Dr. Clark Hammond, Ph.D. LMFT Primary Therapist As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Dr. Hammond brings a vast degree of experience and success in working with families. His knowledge of family systems and their inherent challenges brings a significant focus on the underlying needs of students. Clark has served on the faculty in various capacities at the University of South Dakota, Brigham Young University, and Oregon State University, and has worked with individuals, couples, families, and businesses though his private therapy and consulting practice. Most recently, Clark has worked in both wilderness and residential program settings and developed a recognized name in working with teens struggling with a wide variety of issues. With a great deal of patience and wisdom, Clark reaches students at their level and helps them create a desire for change for themselves. His clinical depth and understanding creates strong assessments and treatment plans for each family's future success.

Ashley King, MFTI Therapist Ashley King grew up in a rural farming community in southeast Idaho, where she learned the value of hard work, accountability, and strong family relationships. After obtaining a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in Psychology, Ashley worked for three years in a day-treatment program for emotionally-disturbed children and adolescents, where she was able to see the value of social skills training for youth. At the same time, however, she also recognized the importance of involving the entire family system in the treatment process in order to bring about more lasting progress, and during this time, she began a master's degree in Marital, Couple, and Family Therapy. While working on and completing her master's degree, Ashley obtained three years of clinical experience providing in-home family therapy in the Salt Lake Valley and the surrounding regions. This job provided a stronger foundation in family systems and increased Ashley's awareness of family dynamics and interaction patterns in the home environment. Whereas Ashley loves her office at the Alpine school, she also understands the value of working with families in their homes in order to help them generalize behaviors and apply new patterns independently. In the year prior to transferring to Alpine Academy, Ashley provided individual, group, and family therapy for juvenile sex offenders in a residential setting. Since transferring to Alpine Academy, Ashley has discovered the joy of working with adolescent girls and their unique challenges, and she has observed the progress that comes through consistent effort, openness, and determination. Ashley is currently in her fourth year with the agency.

Allison Wright, CSW Therapist Allison Wright graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brigham Young University with her Bachelors Degree in Social Work and Psychology. As part of her degree requirements, she completed two year-long internships with the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice Services and the DCFS Alpine School Project. Allie then continued her education at the University of Utah, receiving her Masters of Social Work Degree. During this time, Allie worked with adolescents struggling with maladaptive coping skills and addictions at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute. In an effort to further magnify her skills and abilities, she decided to specialize in the treatment of eating disorders, drug and alcohol dependence, and adolescent depression at a local residential treatment center. Allie has consulted and trained colleagues working with clients struggling to overcome eating disorders, distorted eating, and body image issues. She is very passionate about her work and loves to help youth realize their full potential. Allie strongly believes in Alpine Academy's ability to produce positive change and is grateful to be a part of youth and their families' healing journey. In her free time, Allie enjoys skydiving and traveling. Her favorite hobby is spending time with her husband.

Cassaundra Burgi, CSWI Therapist Cassaundra received her Bachelor's degree of social work from Brigham Young University. While obtaining this degree, she completed an internship with the Division of Child and Family Services where she became acquainted with in-home services and foster care casework. After graduating from BYU, she spent time serving within various communities in the upstate New York area. Cassie returned to Utah and worked as a day counselor at a residential treatment facility for some time until she moved to Denver to begin graduate school. Cassie earned her graduate degree from the University of Denver; she obtained a Master's degree in Social Work there, focusing especially on strategies for working with high-risk youth. While in Colorado, Cassie worked with inner-city youth, helping them overcome the challenges of gang involvement and drug abuse. Cassaundra is a dedicated mentor, encouraging youth to: gain a greater understanding of their personal value, create their vision of who they can become, and develop the capacity to achieve their goals. She feels strongly about increasing youth's resiliency by accentuating their strengths so that they can become happy and productive members within their communities. In her free time, Cassie enjoys working and playing with her family, hiking, camping, rock climbing, snowshoeing, reading, and playing her violin. She reports that she feels happiest when she is helping to empower those around her to become who they are capable of becoming.

Alpine Academy Staff