Staff at Passages to Recovery a 12 Step Recovery Program

The quality of any wilderness treatment program is directly linked to the quality of its staff. Passages To Recovery is utilizing some of the therapeutic wilderness industry's most experienced and gifted guides and therapists. Our staff is selected for their years of proven leadership, therapeutic skills, wilderness experience, personal recovery experience, spiritual depth, and commitment to the vision and mission of Passages To Recovery.

A Native of Utah, Gil has a BS in Geography and a MS in History from Utah State University. He spent five years teaching history at Ohio University and three years at Labette Community College in Kansas before returning to Utah to join Aspen. Gil has served as the director of Aspen Achievement Academy since 1996. He has significant experience working with teens in a variety of volunteer and professional capacities, and has raised five children of his own. In his spare time, Gil loves to hike and cross-country ski with his wife across the mountains surrounding Loa.

Dr. Smoot received his Ph.D. from the University of Utah in Counseling Psychology with an advanced training psychological/neuropsychological assessment. He has worked with a diverse group of clients, including adolescents, families, and older adults. Dr. Smoot has over ten years of assessment experience and consults with a diverse group of mental health treatment facilities. His professional interests include: program consultation, group therapy, object relations, and psychological assessment.

Arizona State University BS 1961 University of Oregon M.D. 1965 Internship Riverside County, C.A. 1965-1966 USPHS Anchorage AK 1966-1968 Kotzebue AK 1968-1970 BYU health center 1970-1971 Utah valley Regional Medical center E.R. 1971- present Board Certified Emergency medicine 1982- present Co Founder Aspen & AYA and medical director 1985- present Paramedic advisor Provo, Utah & Lone Peak District Team physician with Utah climbers on Mt. Everest 1992 EMS Physician of year for Utah 1985 Physician advisor for Utah County Search & Rescue Emergency Physician at Utah Valley Regional medical center E.R. Prove, UT 1981- present.

Lucy has spent most of her personal and professional life going out into the backcountry. Her love for the outdoors began as soon as she was able to escape her mother’s eye. Combined with a love of ancient stories and myth, it is quite natural that she would find her passion in the mystery of wilderness healing. She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, and has worked in this industry with adolescents, young adults and their families for over seventeen years.

While Ken was attending Utah State he worked as an assistant manager of the Outdoor Recreation center, which began his love for the outdoors. After he finished his degree and with the skills he learned at Utah State, he began working as a Field Staff for Aspen Youth Alternatives. He then went on to work for Oakley school which is a therapeutic boarding school. He earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling at The University Of Phoenix. While achieving his Master’s Degree he interned at an adult outpatient substance abuse treatment center. Ken felt he was losing touch with his connection to the outdoors, so he went on to work for Aspen Achievement Academy and then to Passages to Recovery. Which keeps him connected to the outdoors and enhances his experience in substance abuse.

Ray has spent years of his life in the wilderness. As a young man he began professionally guiding trips in the mountains and deserts around south central Utah. Over time he continued to guide, but also spent time working at a ski resort, in outdoor sporting goods stores, and at several Utah backcountry wilderness jobs with the Department of Fish and Game and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. His B.S. degree is in Zoology with an emphasis on wildlife biology. Ray's therapeutic foundation is extensive as well. He is a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor. His certifications include QPR Suicide Prevention Certification, Wilderness Clinical First Responder certification and Wilderness Risk Management certification. Ray is also trained in counseling models and techniques that include Stages of Change, Motivational Interviewing and is a Positive Control Systems Certified Instructor.

Mike graduated from Kokomo High School and is attending Utah State University, majoring in Education. Mike also graduated from Passages to Recovery and came back to work as a Field Guide and a lead Counselor at the Valley Site. He is currently Family Workshop Coordinator. Mike has been involved in 12 step programs for five years.

Mike has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and English as a Second Language teaching programs, and enjoys basketball, golf and fishing.

Devon has done a little bit of everything, from working on a Ski Patrol, to life as a Mountain Ranger, Lifeguard, Emergency Medical Technician, School Nurse and Guidance Counselor. He is a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid Instructor, Certified Ropes Course Instructor, and Certified Mental Health Worker. Devon has been honing his skills in the field of behavioral health for 10 years. From working with students in the middle school setting, through outpatient, inpatient, and residential programs, Devon feels as though his life has been moving him toward this position as a leader in the wilderness setting.

Devon’s interests include serving as a soccer coach and referee, as a leader in 4H, playing basketball and volleyball, hiking, and canoeing.

Mark has been in his own personal Twelve Step recovery since August 2002. He has worked in the outdoor industry since 2003. Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Iowa, is certified as a Wilderness First Responder, National Outdoor Leadership School Alumni, and he has a Leave No Trace Trainer Certification. Mark is married and has a son.

Mark’s interests include backpacking, archery, hunting, fishing, reading, and taking care of his son.

Paige lived in Denver, Colorado for twenty years before moving to Utah. She owned her own businesses and worked in the Accounting and Administration field until October 2005. At that time Paige moved to Loa, Utah, and began working for Aspen Ranch as a residential staff. In November of 2005, Paige began working for Passages to Recovery at the Valley Site and excelled as a compassionate and inspiring counselor. In the fall of 2006, Paige moved over to the office and back in the administration field as the Office Manager. Currently, Paige is the Admissions Counselor for Passages To Recovery. Paige feels working with our client‘s families is very rewarding. Because she has been in their shoes, she can really connect with them. Paige believes there is a magic that happens when our clients spend time out in the wilderness. It seems to simplify their lives so that the currant burdans are lifted and they are able to focus on themselves and figure out what makes them make the choices they make and what direction they want to take next in their life.

Kim’s work in therapeutic settings began in 1997. She and her sweetheart had recently married, united families, and settled in south central Utah. Prior her move, Kim’s professional experience was almost exclusively in business. She had co-owned a tile store and had several positions working as a bookkeeper. If fact, her first position in a therapeutic setting was in the business office of Aspen Ranch.