well many of what i predicted would happen. i was torn down and i was accused of being someone else because i dared disagree with what people here were saying. i am person who blieves you do not condemn a whole field because of incidents that happen in it. i do not condemn the whole of police in the world because of incidents that happen. i label a bad a bad cop but continue to assume that most care about they do and do it well. i think most teachers care genuinely about their students and are not only trying to sleep with their students. it does not matter where these people came from....all i care about is what they do and what they are trying to do in helping teens and their families. i wish the people woud learn that not ALL programs are bad. does the industry need to be regulated.....yes moreso than it is....but not to the level you all believe in (from wha ti have read) let these people work and try to contact them and find out what they are doing rather than assuming.
Translation: we're onto something. That's why damage control (see above) is here.
I suggest we start looking at Staff connections to existing Aspen Group Schools.
I'm going to post the whole of the Staff Bios here, because, in my experience, they change rather quickly when the light starts to shine on them.
James Murray, M.S., is the Founder and Executive Director of Breakthrough Interventions LLC. He is a nationally recognized author and speaker. James has been creating interventions with adolescents and young adults for the last 12 years in therapeutic schools, residential treatment centers, after-care programs and individually all around the country. He has been a counselor, supervisor and director in various program capacities all the while utilizing his life experience and training to help individuals and families in crisis. James can reach people who are lost and need direction. He has brought together this extraordinary team to offer a powerful intervention service to families. James is also an avid skier, golfer, chef and sculptor. [now known he worked/works at ASR. Wonder why that isn't here...]
Candice Porter is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with a Masters in Clinical Social Work. She has been working over 8 years with children, adolescents, and families in multiple settings including residential treatment, therapeutic boarding school, wilderness therapy program, home based therapy, outpatient therapy, and public high schools. Candice’s passion is helping struggling teens and their families find a point of connection to progress forward and get the knowledge and resources they need. She has extensive experience with a range of issues facing adolescents and their families not limited to; substance abuse, learning disabilities, ADHD, mood disorders, grief and loss, eating disorders, behavioral issues, as well as trauma. In her spare time, Candice enjoys just about everything outdoors and considers it a successful day if she tired her dog out rather than the other way around! [Also an ASR/Aspen Staff member]
Bob Gillespie, MA is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who offers expertise in a variety of collaborative and evidence-based therapeutic models. Trained as a family therapist, Bob applies a calm, empathic listening style and a gentle humor along with his in-depth knowledge of complex family dynamics. Bob is renowned among his colleagues for repeated success with "difficult cases" and his ability to engage resistant adolescents in the treatment process. Authorized as a meditation instructor in a Tibetan Buddhist lineage, Bob has also integrated meditation practices into highly effective stress reduction and anger management programs for the University of Massachusetts Memorial Hospital System. Once upon a time, Bob was a wild teenager who abused alcohol and drugs, and put his divorced parents through hell. Using the perspective of his checkered past as a unique tool in the treatment process, Bob has a special affinity for troubled adolescents and an unshakeable confidence in their abilities to become fully functioning, delightful adults.[Apparantly used to work for Griswold Behavioral Health Center]
Gabriel Kuttner has worked as an interventionist with families and adolescents in a variety of settings including therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers and public schools. Gabriel began his career in London working in theater as an actor, director and producer after graduating from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He now lives in Boston where he spends half his time counseling families and young adults – allowing his theater background to inform his experiential counseling style – and the other half working with many of Boston’s best theater companies where he has been honored with awards and recognition from critics and colleagues for his work on the stage.
Mark Biagini MA, has been working with adolescents and young adults for over 15 years as a social worker, individual and family therapist. In addition to designing and facilitating family interventions, Mark has developed and implemented therapeutic programs for several agencies servicing youth and families. He has worked as a lead clinician in therapeutic boarding schools and as Clinical Director within the Massachusetts public school system. Mark has also worked closely with the Cree and Blackfeet cultures in Montana for the past twelve years. Mark lives in Western Mass with his wife and two children.
Caretia Fernandez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her history of working with teenagers and their families began at the Academy at Swift River in Cummington, MA and she has not stopped focusing on the needs of adolescents since. Her area of intensive focus at the Smith School for Social Work surrounded self-harming behaviors and addictive tendencies. She is currently the Admissions and Business Development Director for Cottage Hill Academy, a Girl's Residential Treatment Center in Baldwinville, MA. She is also an artist, musician and active outdoor enthusiast.
James Murray: Aspen
Candice Porter: Aspen
Bob Gillespie: Griswold Behavioral Health Center
Gabriel Kuttner: Former Actor.
Sister works for Aspen. First Generation program counselor or did he work somewhere before is unknown?
Mark Biagini: Unknown TBS/RTC Anybody know where the Cree / Blackfeet tribes are? Edit: my mom says they're in Montana. What Aspen Group programs are in Montana? Edit: I'm an idiot. It says it right there.
Caretia Fernandez: Aspen
Hey Damage control anon... Why aren't many of these things listed on their resumés?
