Your Staff

Discovery Ranch combines the two things that Matt feels passionately about – horses and working with youth. Whether he is stacking hay or riding a horse, Matt always seems to have his students with him. Having grown up on a family ranch, Matt is able to blend his therapeutic knowledge and skill with the daily tasks of ranch work in such a way that the students develop therapeutic insight without realizing it is happening. With a Masters degree in Social Work and nearly 25 years experience working with teens and their families, Matt brings a real-life perspective to some very clinically complicated family situations. The only things he enjoys more than horses and working with youth are his wife and his four wonderful children.

Craig has over thirty-five years assisting families and students to reach their highest potential and has spent his entire career working with adolescents. Craig doesn’t simply talk about memories, traditions, and experiences, he lives it. Whether he is attending a college football game with his wife and family or pacing the sidelines of one of his grandkids soccer games, Craig truly has a zest for life.Craig loves how an experiential therapeutic campus provides opportunities to create treatment traditions and insightful memories for the students who reside at Discovery Ranch.Craig has a BS in Sociology, a Masters in Social Work and is an LCSW. He loves the Ranch and the opportunity to teach skills and participate in experiences with all the students.

Dorothy began her professional career as an educator, working at a local high school as a special education and history teacher for 24 years. While still teaching, Dorothy began her transition to the behavioral health field in 2002, earning her Masters of Art in Educational Counseling, with an additional emphasis on mental health issues, while working on her Clinical Mental Health Counselor License. After earning her license, Dorothy continued to teach but began to work as a therapist at an adolescent residential facility, eventually becoming the Assistant Clinical Director. This work quickly became a life fulfilling experience. Dorothy cherished her time with youth, enjoying their unique personalities, optimism, and energy for life. She was grateful for the opportunity to guide, teach and help them to grow and begin to experience their potential. Eventually having retired from teaching and having practiced for 15 years as a therapist, Dorothy transitioned to working with adults, with a focus on substance abuse issues. She quickly became Program Director while working in this capacity. She is truly excited to now be working at Discovery Ranch and to return to work with youth. Dorothy remains dedicated to helping others see their own strength and ability, their power to overcome the most difficult of life’s challenges, and is a genuine, heartfelt, and fierce advocate for personal growth. Dorothy’s main areas of focus include anger management, assertive communication, family dynamics and codependency, academic issues, and trauma work. She also has extensive training in EMDR.

It is obvious when you walk into Ray’s office…there are bears everywhere. There are pictures of bears, carvings of bears and bear figurines on his desk. When asked why, he says bears have always been dear to him ever since he was a kid. His nickname growing up was “Bear”.It was his roots in Missouri, being raised on a large farm with horses and cattle that drew Ray to Discovery Ranch. With over thirty years experience working with youth and their families, Ray is able to bring a seasoned approach to the therapeutic issues facing the students and their parents.Starting out in Education, Ray went on to get his Masters Degree in Psychology and has become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Over the years Ray has been the clinical director at two different organizations so he brings to the students a wealth of knowledge, understanding and clinical expertise.Ray and his wife own six horses they love to ride and train when not involved in their children and grandchildren’s numerous activities.

The students at Discovery Ranch don’t really care that Wendy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology; a Masters Degree in School Psychology, a Doctorate Degree in Counseling Psychology and over 30 years of work experience. They just know that her infectious smile, caring attitude, and no-nonsense demeanor is a perfect blend as they struggle through some clinically complicated family concerns. Having the topic of her dissertation on the effectiveness of experiential therapy, Discovery Ranch was the perfect fit. “Outdoors & Active” has been her motto over the years as she has been involved in summer camps, winter camps and ski school. She has also had the opportunity to be involved in the compassionate service of “Dance Therapy” with preschool-aged children.“Every experience these boys have is an opportunity for therapeutic insight.”

The fact that Discovery Ranch has horses and each student is assigned a newborn calf when they are enrolled in the program is something very familiar to Jeanette. You see, she was raised on a dairy farm herself, so combining the therapeutic experience of over twenty-five years with a ranch experiential setting was like coming home for her.She has an abundance of therapeutic experience assisting students and families to navigate the rough waters of depression, anxiety, and trauma. Jeanette exemplifies the notion of “Taking the time it takes” to learn and develop competency in what you are doing. This sense of patience and understanding is the key to providing safe, effective therapy and interventions.Jeanette enjoys doing activities with the students that she works with from growing a garden to cooking, building, and working with wood. Jeanette is skilled in wood carving. She has each boy carve or wood burn a walking stick that represents his therapeutic journey from their past, present and future. The boys enjoy these activities and the process allows for therapeutic conversations that would otherwise never happen.

With over 35 years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and related conditions and over 25 years of experience as a behavior specialist, William Perry Garso is more than qualified to fit right into the Discovery Ranch family. He has been happily married for over 40 years. He and his wife have raised 3 wonderful children to adulthood and they now continue as foster parents for children and young adults with intellectual and mental health issues. With numerous awards in competitive swimming, music, and martial arts, Perry is particularly excited to share his interests with our boys here at Discovery Ranch. But don’t let his enthusiasm for Harley Davidson motorcycles and his military background fool you. Perry has a firm but warm and supportive personality. His encouraging style of interaction will draw you in from the get-go and you can immediately see the passion he has for working with adolescents and helping families. We are thrilled to have Perry as part of the Discovery Ranch team!

Jonathan earned his BS in Social Work and a Masters in Clinical Social Work. Most of his career has been spent helping adolescents and their families achieve peace and unity based on shared values.Prior to the Ranch Jonathan has worked as an employment/education counselor for teens, foster care case manager, and a program manager of a specialized teenage foster child program.Jonathan finds joy working with teens and parents who are in crisis and desire change but need additional assistance to reach their goals. Because everyone is different, his therapeutic approach is based on the unique needs of each family. Always looking for a new challenge, Jonathan uses a strengths-based approach to empower others, while addressing the underlying issues necessary to facilitate healing and growth. He loves the rain and being outdoors with his wife and three active children.

Chris is originally from Southern California and graduated from Pepperdine University in the beautiful city of Malibu with his Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Shortly thereafter he transplanted to Utah hoping to build a career helping youth and their families. He brings to us many years of working with families of kids with autism, depression, ADHD, and anxiety.He is also Ropes Course Certified. One of his group highlights is creating and implementing a cross country group where we participated in 5Ks and 10Ks winning many racing awards across the State of Utah. He also took a year teaching as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University in the Family Behavioral Health Division teaching Interpersonal Communications, Family System, and Dynamics and Family Finance.Chris joined the Discovery Ranch team with over 15 years of experience working with adolescents. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has worked in numerous different settings.Chris enjoys being outdoors, jogging and hiking through the Utah Mountains or biking some of its scenic trails. Chris also enjoys being with family and friends, horseback riding and taking care of his three beautiful tortoises respectively named Spartacus, Andromeda, and Perseus.

Joseph Tenney, LCSW lives in Springville, is married to Alisha, and had 4 boys from age 8 to 17. In the last 18 years, Joseph Tenney, LCSW has provided over 15,000 hours of therapy. He worked for several years with Scenicview Center, and more recently 2 years with Discovery Academy in Provo. He worked for 13 years at LDS Family Services, a non-profit Counseling and Adoption Agency (10 years were in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio). He loves his own private practice, “Smile Again Counseling.” He has also directed social work in a hospital, a skilled nursing facility, and for an IOP program treating substance abuse and domestic violence. Throughout the years he also has also provided counseling and groups in Spanish. He is very experienced in helping clients heal from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), emphasis in sexual trauma, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, anger, and addictions. Joseph has a passion for helping his clients change and thrive. Using his natural therapeutic ability, Joseph assists others by removing barriers to succeed in life and relationships. He is energetic, optimistic, compassionate, and loves finding joy in life. He has a wide variety of therapeutic practices that include Brainspotting, Experiential, Rogerian, Mindfulness, Humanistic, Solution Focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Outside of work, Joseph enjoys building character in youth as a volunteer basketball coach. Other things that make him smile are his family, sports, spirituality, gardening (especially his 12 fruit trees), music, theater, literature, and technology.

Nate Wilkinson began working in a residential treatment center setting in 2002 as a staff/mentor. After 15 years, he decided to attend graduate school at the University of Utah where he received his Masters of Social Work (MSW). While at the University of Utah he completed his second year practicum at Discovery Ranch. This has given him a unique experience to make a smoother transition within the culture of Discovery Ranch.He is now licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and he utilizes equine therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy informed approaches, Solution Focused Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, and the relationship model as a means of helping his clients along their journey of self-discovery and healing.Nate was raised in Southern Utah and grew up to love the outdoors, horses, desert, and mountains. Nate also rode horses competitively from an early age into high school. He has trained with his father and with a world champion reiner. He has enjoyed working with horses for over 30 years. The most rewarding part of working with horses is seeing the kids he works with develop an increased sense of self-awareness and connection.He loves to play piano, guitar, ukulele, and sing. He believes in helping those that he works with identify their own gifts and talents to heal, create self-worth, and confidence. Nate wears three hats during a therapy session: Therapist, Parent, and Staff. He can offer a unique perspective when it comes to treatment and the therapeutic process.Nate is very thankful for the team at Discovery Ranch

Shuri is a recreational therapist at the Ranch. She has worked in residential treatment for over 15 years and can’t imagine herself doing anything else. She is originally from Florida and her heart aches for the ocean and sunshine, although she does love all the beauty and adventure that come with living in the mountains. She is the mother of two daughters and enjoys spending her free time going to her family cabin in southern Utah and creating new memories. She is passionate about hiking, traveling, and learning new things. Working at the Ranch allows her the opportunity to learn something new and meaningful every day and that adds tremendous value to her life.

Karen has always led with strong and passionate activities – music, outdoor adventures, sports, and everything in-between. Karen’s life experiences and drive to help others led her to become part of Discovery Ranch’s team as a Recreation Therapist. Professionally, she has seen Recreation Therapy make extraordinary impacts on others. Karen has worked in behavioral health, skilled nursing facilities, addiction recovery, and adolescent treatment centers. She loves creating experiences for others to help them grow and develop vital skills for their overall well-being. In her spare time, she can be found hanging out with her husband, extended family, and friends doing all of her favorite activities – rock climbing, hiking, creating music, watching documentaries and movies, cooking (and eating) healthy and delicious food, playing sports, planning future traveling adventures, and playing board games.

In 2014, Marissa took the leap and moved more than 2,000 miles away from home in hopes of figuring out what she wanted to become as she continued to navigate this thing called life. A few years into college, she hit a pivotal period of time where she struggled with her beliefs and everything that made her who she was. During that time, a friend introduced her to rock climbing, and soon after she bought her own gear and began climbing several times a week. But going climbing meant more than just ‘going climbing’. It was therapeutic and freeing. Being tied into the rope and 50 ft up off the ground meant she couldn’t give attention to anything other than “the here and now”. She learned very quickly of mindfulness and being present. Her commitment to climbing not only made her physically stronger but, more importantly, mentally stronger. She gained a newfound confidence and strength in herself. It all started with climbing but eventually led to new adventures and fostered her curious nature and energy towards mountaineering, mountain biking, trail running, canyoneering, and so much more. Her experiences and adventures have given her gifts that are priceless and lifelong.In her studies, she started out with music composition and violin performance which then somehow led to studying biochemistry and organic chemistry. After a while, she switched over to Nutrition and Dietetics which led to her final stop, Recreation Therapy. The combination of her own experiences along with her studies opened up a world of possibilities to give other people the opportunity to grow and learn through Recreation Therapy.Marissa has felt the pain of struggling in life, of not knowing what to do or how to do it. She has also struggled with the idea of therapy and if it would be helpful. Through time and the love from the people around her, she came to know of the joy and happiness that comes from learning to trust again and putting in the effort even though it is difficult in all aspects. As a Recreation Therapist, she believes that everyone deserves a chance to trust again, to grow, to be happy, and to be loved. Through her work, she strives to work with the boys on the Ranch to give them what they need to flourish in life.