Our Team
Our team of professionals nurtures a therapeutic and caring culture where acceptance and growth is acknowledged and embraced.
Leadership Team
Clinical Team
Academic Team
Medical Team
Residential Team
Leadership Team
Executive and Clinical Director
Jane Peterson, MSW, LCSW
Jane received her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. She has over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families in all levels of care including residential, day treatment, IOP, and outpatient. She has developed and managed programs in addition to directing treatment teams and supervising students and is on the faculty at the University of Utah College of Social Work. She has also provided extensive clinical care during this time treating children, adolescents and providing family therapy. Jane has treated a variety of diagnoses including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, complicated grief, PTSD, ADHD, ODD, ASD, and attachment issues. She is trained in DBT and EMDR and uses many approaches in her practice including CBT, developmental approaches, systems theory, trauma-focused CBT, Theory of Mind, and attachment-based therapies. Animal-assisted therapy has also been a part of her work with clients to help with attachment issues. Additionally, she has experience running many types of therapy groups including mindfulness, psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational ones. She emphasizes mindfulness practice to promote emotional regulation, as becoming and staying healthy requires a mind/body approach. Most importantly, she emphasizes a strength-based, relationship approach with clients. She has been married for 27 years, raised two children, enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, walking her dog, and spending time with family.
Director of Business Development
Kate Deily
Kate comes to Solstice with over 16 years of experience working as an educator, supervisor, parent coach, mentor, therapeutic boarding Admissions Director, and Educational Consultant. Kate chose this work due to her personal experience as an adolescent in a therapeutic boarding school. She knows firsthand the change that can happen when students and their families find a therapeutic program that offers growth and healing.
Colleagues, families, and students feel grounded by Kate’s energy, compassion, and experience in the programmatic side of treatment. Her own transformative life experience inspires her work.
When not at work, Kate enjoys spending time with her son, hiking, and watching sporting events.
Psychiatrist
Kirk Simon, MD
Dr. Simon is a triple board certified psychiatrist in the areas of pediatrics, child/adolescent and adult psychiatry. He completed his undergraduate degree at Creighton University, then attended the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Utah. Dr. Simon has presented on topics including eating disorders, somatization disorders and difficult diagnoses in patients and families. In 2003, Dr. Simon was honored as nominee of the year. In 2005 and 2012, he was awarded teacher of the year by the triple board and child psychiatry residents. He approaches students in a holistic, strength based manner to foster greater resiliency. Although he used to enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking and photography, his time has now been replaced with raising two little boys.
Academic/Special Education Director
Angela Johnson
Angela Johnson graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelors in Special Education and Physical Education. Angela has been working as a teacher in treatment centers since March 2013 and has a passion for working with students that struggle with executive functioning skills and confidence in school. She has been working at Solstice as the Special Education Teacher since November 2015 and teaches Executive Functioning and Study Strategies.
Angela specializes in teaching executive functioning skills and works one on one each week with her students to figure out what they need to work on specifically in school and to see if students need more one on one support in their other classes. She loves to motivate and push her students to reach their full potential and to be better individuals in school and in their lives.
Admissions Director
Kim Peterson, BS
Kim has a Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science & Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Corrections from Weber State University. She has been employed at Solstice since February 2011. She has traveled extensively around the world and has enjoyed calling various destinations home. This has given her the ability to empathize with the teens who may be at times homesick for home and family. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and socializing with friends and family.
Operations Director
Angie Michaelson
Angie worked in insurance for fifteen years, before selling her business and staying home to raise her family. She has been married to her husband for 22 years and they have three wonderful children. Angie has been with Solstice since 2013, and is currently in Human Resources. She loves Solstice and the environment that it provides for its staff, residents, and families. Angie enjoys spending her spare time watching her son play football, camping with her family, sewing, and reading true crime novels.
Program Director
Herbert Kendall
Herbert joined the Solstice team in July 2022 as the HR Assistant. Herbert was born and raised in Utah, graduating from Hunter High School. After school Herbert took a leap year and started work.
Herbert started working in a warehouse, but knew it was not a career he was interested in. He knew he wanted to work with youth and eventually found a job working with a youth treatment center and found where his passion was. Herbert has enjoyed the influence, relationships and memories that he creates while working with youth. Helping to create a positive and effective change is what has made him stay in this field. Herbert’s end goal is to eventually have his masters in social work.
Herbert enjoys any sort of outdoor activity, such as summer concerts, festivals, fishing, hiking, rafting and camping. He enjoys making his own fun in his day to day life and his family is the most important thing in his life. He loves nights where we can just be together playing games and playfully making fun of each other.
Clinical Team
Executive and Clinical Director
Jane Peterson, MSW, LCSW
Jane received her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. She has over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families in all levels of care including residential, day treatment, IOP, and outpatient. She has developed and managed programs in addition to directing treatment teams and supervising students and is on the faculty at the University of Utah College of Social Work. She has also provided extensive clinical care during this time treating children, adolescents and providing family therapy. Jane has treated a variety of diagnoses including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, complicated grief, PTSD, ADHD, ODD, ASD, and attachment issues. She is trained in DBT and EMDR and uses many approaches in her practice including CBT, developmental approaches, systems theory, trauma-focused CBT, Theory of Mind, and attachment-based therapies. Animal-assisted therapy has also been a part of her work with clients to help with attachment issues. Additionally, she has experience running many types of therapy groups including mindfulness, psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational ones. She emphasizes mindfulness practice to promote emotional regulation, as becoming and staying healthy requires a mind/body approach. Most importantly, she emphasizes a strength-based, relationship approach with clients. She has been married for 27 years, raised two children, enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, walking her dog, and spending time with family.
Clinical Director
TJ Rowden, PhD, CMHC
TJ received his M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. He began his clinical work with individuals, couples, and families in 2000, and has since practiced in various residential and private settings. From these experiences, TJ’s interest in serving both youth and their families grew and emphasizes four areas of focus while engaged in helping efforts with those he serves: (1) principle-guided prevention & intervention, (2) character strengths and virtues, (3) the inevitability of “relationship” in daily living – the “what” and “how” of it, and (4) the reality that clients are the gatekeepers of change and true heroes in their own success stories!
With an eye on these areas when working with others, Tj has come to firmly believe that addressing our “problems” ultimately involves drawing on our strengths and the best that lies within us and our relationships! He has found that these strengths most often need to be reclaimed from struggle or developed from weakness as youth and families engage in their own healing process. With this background, TJ maintains ongoing interest and professional development related to Involved Fathering and Post-traumatic Growth literature and interventions. As a clinician, he is informed by Contextual Family Therapy (CFT), Family Systems and Ecology, and Arbinger’s attention to increasingly seeing others as people as valid as one’s self versus as objects to be resisted, used, or disregarded. In all of this, Tj continually looks for opportunities for “less talk, more action” by way of creative and experiential intervention efforts (i.e. equine, adventure, athletic, etc.).
Originally from Arizona, TJ is the oldest of four siblings, and is married to Becky. He is a proud “Daddy” to Haylea, James, Sterling, and Ellie. TJ’s personal interests and hobbies include many things – a sort of “Jack of all Trades, Master-enough of Those I Want To Be.” A sample of current interests and activities includes: fly tying and fishing, camping, various sports (his own and with his kids), cycling (both road and mountain), reading, and spending quality time with his wife, family, & friends. Tj also actively serves his local community via faith and intervention opportunities to ensure involvement and impact close to home.
Primary Therapist
Blake Taylor, MCoun, CMHC
Blake has worked in residential treatment since 1998. Prior to working in adolescent treatment, he worked in juvenile detention, college counseling, and county mental health. He has also taught parenting classes in the community since 2004. He enjoys working with students struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma and social skills issues, OCD, as well as the wide variety of complex issues and presentations seen in residential settings. Blake utilizes cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) modalities. Blake is also trained in trauma modalities, such as EMDR and Brainspotting. Blake completed his undergraduate studies in psychology at Weber State University, and attended graduate school at Idaho State and B.Y.U. In addition to his experience, Blake brings warmth and humor to the therapeutic setting. He enjoys the updates he gets from former clients, many of whom now have families of their own. Originally from Ogden, Utah, Blake now lives in Syracuse with his wife and three children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, collecting dusty old books, reading, and pretending to work with his computer.
Primary Therapist
Jennifer Navarro, CMHC
Jennifer holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M International University. She has experience working in various environments including community, school, and residential settings. She is knowledgeable and passionate about working with individuals and families who experience trauma, interpersonal strain, anxiety, ADHD, substance use, and other complex issues.
Jennifer’s own trauma experience is what led her into the field of counseling and she utilizes her empathy in these areas to create a safe space for healing. In her personal and professional life, her values of honesty, fairness, and genuineness shine through and help her form a strong working alliance with her clients. Her aim in therapy is to provide clients with a nonjudgmental environment in which they can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. She believes that as clients gain greater self-awareness, they are empowered to make the changes they want for themselves.
In her leisure time, she enjoys playing volleyball and golf, hiking, biking, and skiing. She takes her dog, Rye, with her wherever she is able. Her other hobbies include playing the piano, reading, crafting, and listening to music of all kinds.
Addictions Program Director
Rod Russell, MS, SUDC
Rod has extensive background in working with adolescents in educational and residential treatment settings. He spent seven years in Asia, teaching at the American Village International Institute, working as an Education Director for the largest private language school in Taiwan, and acting as an English Advisor for the Kaohsiung City Secondary Education System. He received several awards for his teaching methods and service to education. Before taking over as Solstice’s Addiction Program Director, Rod worked as the Residential Director, a Team Manager, Substance Abuse Counselor, and Program Director. Drawing on his clinical knowledge, milieu management skills, and pedagogic background, Rod has affected a climate for change for troubled adolescents.
Rod loves to vacation in Barbados, where he met his Bajan wife. Rod and his wife were “promoted” to grandparents in June 2016 and September 2018. They consider it to be one of their best promotions. His family consists of his wife, two sons, his daughter and son-in-law, and grandchildren, Tatum and Tayla. Maximus, the family cat, is still an active part of the family. Max tends to spend a lot of time outside when Tatum is visiting, as Tatum hasn’t learned the fine art of petting animals the correct way. Rod loves spending time with his family, swimming in the Caribbean Sea, and reading mysteries and westerns.
Psychiatrist
Kirk Simon, MD
Dr. Simon is a triple board certified psychiatrist in the areas of pediatrics, child/adolescent and adult psychiatry. He completed his undergraduate degree at Creighton University, then attended the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Utah. Dr. Simon has presented on topics including eating disorders, somatization disorders and difficult diagnoses in patients and families. In 2003, Dr. Simon was honored as nominee of the year. In 2005 and 2012, he was awarded teacher of the year by the triple board and child psychiatry residents. He approaches students in a holistic, strength based manner to foster greater resiliency. Although he used to enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking and photography, his time has now been replaced with raising two little boys.
Primary Therapist, ACMHC
Shayley Warner
Shayley is an Associate Clinical Mental Health Therapist. She graduated from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions with a dual Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. She has experience working in school, residential, and outpatient settings. Shayley is passionate about working with adolescents and families who experience trauma, substance use, and other complex issues. She takes a client-centered therapeutic approach while integrating additional therapeutic modalities to empower and strengthen clients. Shayley believes that walking a parallel path with clients in a non-judgmental space empowers clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, leading them to develop healthy mechanisms for transformation.
In her spare time, Shayley enjoys attending concerts with a passion for country concerts. Shayley is known to have impromptu dance breaks and spends many hours with her loved ones laughing. She is also happy to settle down with a book to recharge.
Academic Team
Academic/Special Education Director
Angela Johnson
Angela Johnson graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelors in Special Education and Physical Education. Angela has been working as a teacher in treatment centers since March 2013 and has a passion for working with students that struggle with executive functioning skills and confidence in school. She has been working at Solstice as the Special Education Teacher since November 2015 and teaches Executive Functioning and Study Strategies.
Angela specializes in teaching executive functioning skills and works one on one each week with her students to figure out what they need to work on specifically in school and to see if students need more one on one support in their other classes. She loves to motivate and push her students to reach their full potential and to be better individuals in school and in their lives.
Science Teacher
Jamie Murphy
Jamie is originally from north Georgia, but has spent most of her life in Utah. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. After tutoring and substitute teaching at an RTC, she decided to obtain her secondary teaching license. Jamie has been teaching at RTC’s for 10+ years and loves the treatment setting. Working at an RTC allows her to do more than just stand in front of a class and teach science. She loves being involved in the whole treatment of the students and getting to know each one of them. Jamie loves spending time with her husband and three kids, ages 6, 12 and 16. Her hobbies include crochet, hanging out with her farm animals, and watching as much Atlanta Braves baseball as she can!
Fitness Instructor
Mason Huff
Mason is a certified trainer through the International Sports Sciences Association. He focuses on and specializes in overall functional fitness and training. Mason was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew up in Layton, Utah. He graduated from Layton High School in 2015. Mason was involved in various athletics growing up which helped peak his interest in fitness. After graduation he started to pursue a career in fitness which led him to becoming a certified trainer and joining the team here at Solstice West.
Mason enjoys working with the students at Solstice. He helps everyone he trains take a holistic approach to fitness and overall health and wellness. His goal is that everyone he works with will be able to use fitness to become more functional in the overall use of their body, to find and build confidence in themselves, and to find joy in the process of self improvement.
In his free time, Mason loves doing things outdoors, spending time with his family, and playing golf. In the future he hopes to continue a career in fitness working with all types of athletes ranging from beginners to professional level athletes.
English Teacher
Shea Hamilton
Shea and her husband have spent the last twenty one years traveling the country as motivational speakers, to youth ages 14-18. She also spent that time training young adults to work, and counsel, with teens. Shea is currently working on getting her marriage and family therapy degree. She has been employed at Solstice since 2017, and loves the friendly environment found there. Shea loves to see the progress each girl makes, on their journey through treatment, to help them reach their full potential.
Shea has been married for twenty three years to her best friend. She has three beautiful children, who are teenagers, and are growing up faster than she likes. Shea loves to laugh and have fun. She enjoys traveling, crafting, music, skiing, gardening, reading, baseball, football, going to the beach, and being with her family as often as possible.
Art Teacher
Danielle Tenerelli
Danielle is an accomplished artist and concept designer, with a diverse background that includes stints on both coasts of the United States as well as in England. She holds a BFA in Art from Weber State University and has also attended the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where she studied Entertainment Design. In addition to her work in film and video games, Danielle has also lent her talents to local theater companies, and has even been known to perform on stage herself. Her wide-ranging interests include music, film, and all manner of artistic expression, making her a truly multifaceted and passionate creative force.
Math Teacher
Stephani Crook
Stephanie is originally from New Jersey and has recently relocated to Utah. She graduated from Montclair State University completing a dual degree with a B.S in Mathematics and a Masters in Teaching Students with Disabilities. She worked as a high school geometry teacher and tutored students after school in preparation for their SAT/ACT exams.
Stephanie loves to spend her free time traveling, scuba diving, skiing, and spending time with her friends. She looks forward to exploring Utah and all it has to offer.
History Teacher
Sian Jones
Sian grew up & went to school in the United Kingdom. She came to the United States where she attended Weber State University. Sian obtained her Bachelor’s degree in History with minors in Political Science, Geography & Anthropology. Sian returned to Weber State for my teaching License, where I also received the ‘Outstanding Student’ award from my graduating class. Sian then went on & earned a ‘Master’s in Teaching’ from National University in 2009. She became a U.S. Citizen in May 2008.
Sian was recognized & honored by the Davis School District with the district CARE award in 2010. In 2012, she was also honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution, with the ‘State of Utah Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award’.
Sian loves teaching & seeing her students find a love for history & finding ways that they can learn from the past.
Medical Team
Psychiatrist
Kirk Simon, MD
Dr. Simon is a triple board certified psychiatrist in the areas of pediatrics, child/adolescent and adult psychiatry. He completed his undergraduate degree at Creighton University, then attended the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Utah. Dr. Simon has presented on topics including eating disorders, somatization disorders and difficult diagnoses in patients and families. In 2003, Dr. Simon was honored as nominee of the year. In 2005 and 2012, he was awarded teacher of the year by the triple board and child psychiatry residents. He approaches students in a holistic, strength based manner to foster greater resiliency. Although he used to enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking and photography, his time has now been replaced with raising two little boys.
Residential Team
Spring Team Director
Jessica Christensen
Jessica started at Solstice West as a mentor in January 2020. She worked to advance through each of the mentor levels and has always been excited for the opportunity for growth and in her roles at Solstice. Jessica loves working with teens and helping them become strong, independent and helping them to reach their full potential.
Jessica was born in the Marshall Islands and moved to the United States when she was 2 years old. She has grown up in Utah and is currently attending Weber State University to earn a degree in Social Work.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys backpacking, raising alpacas, traveling, and trying new things….she also makes really good chocolate chip cookies.
Summer Team Director.
Mathilda Evans
Tilly was born in Layton Utah and has lived there her whole life. She attended Weber State University and got her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice.
Tilly began working at Solstice in 2019. When she started she was looking for a lot of direction in her life and Solstice has had a huge impact in her growth. Tilly has also found a passion for working with adolescents.
Tilly currently lives in Ogden with her husband and 2 dogs, Elle and Leia. She is attending the MSW program online at University of Denver in the fall. Her goal is to become a therapist to continue to help kids process their trauma and improve their lives.
During her free time she enjoys being active and getting outside. Some of her hobbies are climbing, hiking, running, drawing, and attending concerts. Tilly loves to travel and has been to many places in and outside the U.S. and hopes to continue to travel as much as possible. She is very driven and clear on what she wants and determined to have fun and enjoy life as much as she can.
Student Services Coordinator
Jenna Franks
Jenna started at Solstice as a mentor and very quickly became passionate about the program and especially about helping the kids. Jenna is currently pursuing an education in social work and loves to spread awareness about mental health. She has taken on many roles while exploring her career path from caretaker, special education aide, nanny, receptionist, cosmetologist, mentor and more.
She is very dedicated to being an advocate for the kids at Solstice and wants to work side by side with them in creating a healing, positive and unique environment as they tackle some of their biggest challenges.
In her free time, Jenna enjoys spending time with her husband and their two pets Poppy (cat) and Bennie (dog). Together they like to go on walks and spend a lot of time outside. Jenna also enjoys yoga, meditation, and is always up for an adventure!
Jenna’s job responsibilities will include check-ins with each resident once a month to see how they’re doing at solstice, monthly email to parents to check in, transports, resident council, helping with new admissions, setting up family bridge, treatment team and helping with transitions to and after solstice.
Program Director
Herbert Kendall
Herbert joined the Solstice team in July 2022 as the HR Assistant. Herbert was born and raised in Utah, graduating from Hunter High School. After school Herbert took a leap year and started work.
Herbert started working in a warehouse, but knew it was not a career he was interested in. He knew he wanted to work with youth and eventually found a job working with a youth treatment center and found where his passion was. Herbert has enjoyed the influence, relationships and memories that he creates while working with youth. Helping to create a positive and effective change is what has made him stay in this field. Herbert’s end goal is to eventually have his masters in social work.
Herbert enjoys any sort of outdoor activity, such as summer concerts, festivals, fishing, hiking, rafting and camping. He enjoys making his own fun in his day to day life and his family is the most important thing in his life. He loves nights where we can just be together playing games and playfully making fun of each other.