This is a  staff list for Elements Wilderness Program in Huntington, UT

(we are working to acquire the complete records for ALL years)

 

We advise current and/or former staff to report any abuses you may have witnessed while working at Elements Wilderness Program.  For information on your rights and how to take action, visit www.heal-online.org/blowthewhistle.htm.  If you were fired or forced to resign because you opposed any illegal and/or unethical practices at Elements Wilderness Program, you have the right to take action. 

 

If you were harmed (family or survivor) by Elements Wilderness Program, please contact info@heal-online.org if you remember the long-term employees and from which years.  This will help!   Also, if you recognize any of these staff as having worked at another program, please send in any information about their past or present employment at other facilities and/or cults.

 

 

Please don’t place your loved one in Elements Wilderness Program and rescue them if they are there now.

 

Name

Unit/Position

 Additional Information
John Karren Admissions Director John Karren is not a licensed mental health nor social work professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Lynn Smith Clinical Director Smith formerly worked at a number of unnamed/unidentified facilities.  He also worked for confirmedly abusive Aspen Achievement Academy.  There are multiple Lynn Smith's licensed under various categories in Utah.  The only Lynn Smith that is a licensed clinical social worker is Lynn Arthur Smith and he has only been licensed since May, 2008.  This may not be the same person as listed here as clinical director.  Even if it is the same person, he is not a licensed psychologist, therapist, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Jennifer Rapp Therapist Formerly worked for confirmedly abusive Stone Mountain School (another Aspen Education Group program), Second Nature Wilderness, and Gateway Academy.  Rapp received her degree from the fraudulent University of Phoenix.  Jennifer Taylor Rapp is a licensed professional counselor and she has only been licensed since June 28th, 2011.  Rapp has been acting as a "therapist" at this program since at least 2010.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html

"The Justice Department announced today that the University of Phoenix has agreed to pay the United States $67.5 million to resolve allegations that its student recruitment policies violated the False Claims Act.  This case began as a whistleblower action filed in the Eastern District of California under the False Claims Act, which permits private citizens to bring lawsuits for fraud on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Whistleblowers Mary Hendow and Julie Behn, two former University of Phoenix employees, alleged that the university accepted federal student financial aid while in violation of statutory and regulatory provisions prohibiting post-secondary schools from paying admissions counselors certain forms of incentive-based compensation tied to the number of students recruited. Though the United States did not intervene in this action, the Government provided support and assistance to the whistleblowers at many stages of the case, including filing friend-of-the-court briefs when the case was on appeal to the Ninth Circuit. The two whistleblowers will receive $19 million from the settlement."

The University of Phoenix does not have the specialized accreditation necessary for degrees in psychology.  (Source: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx)   It is accredited for teaching and nursing degrees.
Tara Feeney Therapist Feeney formerly worked for Second Nature Wilderness, Americorps, Vista Adolescent Treatment Center, and Copper Hills Youth Center.  Feeney is a licensed clinical social worker.  She is not a licensed therapist, counselor, nor psychologist.  She has only been licensed since March 28th, 2011 and has been working under the title "therapist" at this program since at least 2010.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Karen Hesselman Program Director Hesselman formerly worked for Second Nature Wilderness in Duchesne, UT.  There is no additional information on staff for this facility at this time.*  Hesselman holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Todd Merrill Field Director Merrill formerly worked for Second Nature (UT, GA, OR), Dragonfly Transitions (OR), Landmark Learning (NC), Three Rivers (CLOSED) Montana (MT), SOLO Wilderness Medicine (Southeast), and Aspiro Adventures (UT).  Merrill holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
John Elliott Shift Lead John Elliott holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Josh Chrisman Shift Lead Chrisman holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Cory Coppersmith Group Lead Coppersmith holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Lauren DouBrava Group Lead DouBrava holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Elements Wilderness Program uses the same Positive Control System methods as Eagle Ranch Academy and WWASPS.

 *(Elements Wilderness Program, like many other programs in this industry, keeps a "tight lid" on any specific information regarding their staff, qualifications, and practices.  Please contact us with the names of any staff of which you have firsthand knowledge or experience.  Thank you for your help.)

 Last Updated: January 10th, 2012

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