Drug Treatment Staff - Utah

Clinical Director

Ryan Salter, LCSW

Ryan Salter holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Communication and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Utah. He has worked in the addiction treatment field for nine years. He has served as the director of clinical services for 6 years at a large inpatient facility supervising the care of over 300 clients struggling with addiction and mental health related issues. Ryan is a member of several professional organizations and also serves as the head of a non-profit addiction research and education foundation called the Riley Foundation. Additionally, Ryan also is a professor at Utah Valley University and has helped develop courses and trained others for work in the field of addictions. Though Ryan has an extensive clinical background and has a proven record of success as a therapist the true value of his role goes beyond his professional accomplishments. Ryan has a passion for his work that is evident in his care and concern for his clients well being. Ryan cares about each client at Ascend not simply because of his professional responsibilities, but because he personally has dealt with his own addiction and related mental health issues. Ryan knows addiction from both a personal and professional perspective. There are certainly other therapists who have achieved professional notoriety in the field of addiction, but Ryan has that extremely rare combination of being both professionally and personally knowledgeable about addiction and being able to translate that into a relationship that is ultimately healing with the clients at Ascend.

Program Director

Johanna Salter, BS

Johanna is the Program Director of Ascend Recovery. She offers a varied background that adds greatly to the holistic nature of the Ascend Recovery program. With a Bachelors of Behavioral Science and Health from the University of Utah, she has been trained in both the mental and physical health arenas. For nine years she has owned, managed and run a holistic wellness education company. Johanna is very excited to be a part of something that can do so much good for each individual who is searching for freedom from the disease of addiction and for the entire community that we all live in. For her, helping people to become whole - physically, emotionally and spiritually - is not just a job, it is a passion and a way of life.

Residential Director / Personal Trainer

Greg Sheriff

Greg Sheriff is the Residential Director at Ascend Recovery. Greg's background includes an extensive passion for sports and training. He implements the motivation and team leadership he has developed to increase the camaraderie and cohesiveness of the group. Greg also has years of experience in behavior modification, group education and recreation rehabilitation. He understands the benefits of a healthy body, mind and spirit which coincides with the treatment philosophy at Ascend Recovery. Greg's adventuresome nature is always seeking new and awakening experiences. He has a love and respect for the outdoors and the spiritual contribution it can provide. When he combines the discipline of sports, integrity of leadership, group cohesiveness, and the spirit of outdoor adventure, Greg helps to facilitate a new experience in awareness. Greg's training comes by way of some of the most exclusive treatment centers in the country. Another passion of Greg's is his love and commitment to having fun, a critical part of recovery.

Case Director

Jill Bartschi, LSAC

Jill J Bartschi is a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor with the State of Utah and has practiced in the field for over five years. After completing the University of Utah's School of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, she went to work in a residential setting. Jill brings her certification and experience in EAGALA, Psychopharmacology, Inner Child work, Experiential groups, and Life skills to challenge personal growth for individuals in recovery. Jill is specialized in women's issues, teaching women how to find their self worth and championing their personal empowerment. She not only uses the specific training she's received but, draws from personal experience to encourage women to reach their full potential, not just in recovery but in all areas of their lives. Jill has worked primarily with adults in recovery and is committed to serving their needs with compassion and respect for the strength it takes to walk through active addiction and into recovery.

Medical Director

Dr. Daniel Faber, MD

Dr. Daniel Faber, MD received his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, graduating magna cum laude. He graduated from the medical school of the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Faber is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology with a special certification in pain medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine and the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Faber is also board certified in addiction medicine and licensed to prescribe Suboxone. He has been practicing medicine since 1983, in Utah Valley since 1998. You may visit his site for more information at SpinalInterventions.com

Medical Doctor

David Salter, MD

Dr. Salter is excited to be part of the Ascend Recovery healing team. With a doctorate in medicine from George Washington University and a board certification in family practice, he provides the necessary medical expertise to the program. Much of his work in medicine has been on addictions. He holds an additional certification from the Medical Review Officers Certification Council which deals specifically with managing drugs of abuse and those who use them. In addition to managing clients individually in his practice, he has also provided medical support to many large companies with regard to their drug policies, management of people involved with abuse, and Employee Assistance Programs. His other active area of interest is in functional and nutritional medicine. Having taken all the coursework offered to professionals, he is a certified practitioner from the Deepak Chopra organization in Aryuvedic and holistic medicine. This is in addition to the core Family Practice work which includes a considerable amount of counseling and lifestyle work on such issues as healthy eating, weight control, proper exercise, stress, anxiety, and depression management. He is sure you'll find our program medically sound, nutritionally sound, psychologically challenging, as well as nurturing and healing.

Advanced Practice Nurse

Cathy Black, APRN

Catherine R. Black received her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from Brigham Young University. She has done research in open-heart surgery and artificial heart transplantation. Catherine is certified as an advanced practice registered nurse and a nurse practitioner with a license in controlled substances. She has been working in general family practice, adolescent medicine, and psychiatry since 1978.

SheriAnn Rollins, FNP, APRN

SheriAnn Rollins received her bachelor's degree in nursing from Brigham Young University. SheriAnn also received her master's degree from Brigham Young University as family nurse practitioner, where she interned in pain management. SheriAnn had extensive practice in various nursing fields as a registered nurse prior to completing her master's program. She is board certified by the American Board of Nursing and is licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse. She has been working in pain management since 2001.

Psychologist

Darin Featherstone, PH D

Dr. Featherstone has an extensive background and experience in psychological counseling and evaluations.  He received his Ph.D. from Brigham Young University.  In 1995, Dr. Featherstone began Utah Family Institute in Orem, Utah where he runs his private practice and is Clinical Director of a professional staff comprised of Psychologists and Licensed Social Workers.  Dr. Featherstone’s professional interests include Substance Abuse – assessment and treatment, Treatment of Victims of Trauma or Abuse, Forensic Assessment, and Adolescent and Children Disruptive Disorders.  Dr. Featherstone has been an instructor of doctorate level students in Doctoral Practicum in counseling psychology at Bingham Young University.  He is also a publish author and has done several presentations for the community

Therapist

Kim Garner, LCSW

Kim Garner, LCSW, has eight years experience working with addiction and dual diagnosis. As Clinical Director of the House of Hope, a residential addiction treatment program for women and children, she specialized in trauma, intergenerational addiction and successful recovery. She comes from the philosophy of both the disease model of addiction, understanding the bio-psycho-social component, but also approaches addiction treatment through a dual diagnosis mind body spirit philosophy. She worked in Eating Disorder residential treatment as a therapist and art therapist. Kim has experience with medical and psychiatric treatment teams through her work as a crisis social worker at the University of Utah Hospital and University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Unit. Kim's clinical focus is mood disorders, addiction, individuation and emotional development and utilizes a therapeutic approach of insight based therapy, cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral therapy, and experiential and art therapy. Kim loves the outdoors spending her extra time skiing, surfing and enjoying nature.

Lance Dome, LFMT

Lance is a licensed, master's level therapist and is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. His extensive substance abuse treatment experience began in North Carolina after obtaining his master's degree from Appalachian State University working in an outpatient substance abuse program. Lance helped in the creation of a model treatment program for addressing addiction from a systemic perspective from the ground up. He was on the advisory panel and steering committee for the Family Solutions outpatient treatment program, was co-chair of the Drug Endangered Child team, and was a staff therapist performing individual, couple, family, and group substance abuse therapy both in-office and in-home. He has been highly trained in various substance abuse treatment modalities, including Motivational Interviewing, and is certified in the Matrix Model of substance abuse treatment. Lance has also given many presentations around the state of North Carolina on substance abuse treatment in conjunction with Child and Family Services. He returned to school at Brigham Young University in 2007 to seek a doctorate degree, and has since finished his coursework and is completing his dissertation. In addition to his work here at Ascend, Lance is also in private practice in Provo, Utah as a Marriage and Family therapist. Lance has a passion for helping others in their recovery and enjoys the healing atmosphere and amazing staff here at Ascend. www.lancedome.com

Life Skills Instructor

David Lowe, BS

David Lowe graduated from BYU in 2008 with a Bachelor's in Marriage, Family, and Human Development, and a minor in Psychology. He is passionate about three things. First is his family, his beautiful wife Laurel, and his boys Zackary and Patrick. Second is his music, he loves to listen to and also perform music as a drummer and vocalist. Third is his career, David loves working with people, he stays up nights thinking about how he can influence people, and how he can let them influence him in return.His main focus in therapy is helping people to redefine the way they understand power, and re-direct their efforts at controlling the outside world to controlling themselves and attaining self-mastery. His successes at both the Utah County Jail, and Slate Canyon Youth Center, have prepared him for working with addiction. He has deep respect for the courage of all the residents at Ascend Recovery.

Certified Yoga Instructor

Katarina Felsted

Katarina Friberg Felsted has been practicing yoga for over a decade and has been teaching yoga for the last five years. She is certified through Baptiste Power Yoga, having completed the 400 hour level Teacher Training with D'ana Baptiste. Katarina has also completed the requirements for Yoga Alliance's 200 hour level certification. She has taught in studios, gyms and fitness centers along the Wasatch Front, and now works with private clients in the Salt Lake and Utah Valleys. She teaches specialty yoga courses-Yoga for Seniors, Prenatal Yoga, Recovery Yoga, Chakra Workshops-and enjoys tailoring the yoga experience to meet the needs of her students. She feels lucky to earn a living doing something she loves.

Professional Chef

Jennifer Winder

Jennifer has a passion for all things food. Not only is she skilled in her cooking and baking abilities, but also has a passion for making healthy and healing meals. She has worked as a trainer and supervisor to other chefs wanting to learn the fine art of food preparation. She is always striving to learn and experiment with new tastes and textures, while still perfecting the comfort food of a good home cooked meal. Jennifer is a mother of six, a dedicated fisher woman (in the summer often getting in a session at 6 am before she starts her day), and loves to read a good book.

Psych Techs

Jesse Cuthbert

Jesse Cuthbert has a lot of experience working with people with addictions and disorders. He has been a Head Instructor/Counselor for a wilderness therapy program for at-risk youth. There he taught primitive skills (making fire with sticks, stone tools, rope with bark, etc.) and led the youth on hikes through the desert. He has also worked at a lock-down boarding school for at risk youth. Jesse has worked as a job coach and care giver for adults with disabilities. He has lived in Ecuador where he volunteered at a twelve-step drug rehab center to give spiritual counseling. He hopes to help the clients at Ascend Recovery to overcome their addictions and to enjoy their time here. Jesse was born and raised in Utah Valley. He loves the area for its beauty and the recreation it provides. He loves to be outdoors, whether he's climbing, hiking, biking, rafting, skiing, or snowshoeing.

Nathan Evans

Nathan Evans is currently a student at Salt Lake Community College. He is still in the process of trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up. Nathan has been working in the addiction arena for a few years. He has witness close friends get lost in addiction and it's nice to know that there is help. His summers are filled with rock climbing and snowboarding in the winter. He loves to travel, try to new foods, and attempt to draw. He really enjoys working at Ascend Recovery and sharing with others

Emily Beesley

Emily Beesley is from San Jose, California. She is a recent graduate from Brigham Young University. She has worked in a residential treatment setting helping youth build confidence and trust on their path of recovery. She has led at risk youth in outdoor adventure programs in the US and abroad. She has also worked as a residential health care assistant, watching and tending to the needs of individuals. Her passion is people and seeing them change and progress. She loves to swim, hike, and travel.

Bill Ungricht

Bill Ungricht is currently a Behavioral Science major at UVU with an emphasis in Social Work with a minor in American Indian Studies. He is a member of the Behavioral Science Club at UVU. He is also a member of the UVU Men's Rugby team. Bill is EMT certified. As a PE teacher for 5 years in the Provo and Nebo school districts, Bill gained valuable experience. He continues to serve the youth of the area by volunteering with Safety Net Mentoring and being an Assistant Varsity Scout Leader. Bill is married and has two children.

Dietitian

Kristen Rasmussen, MS, RD

Kristen enjoys working as a consultant dietitian in a variety of capacities including policy development for sustainable food and health initiatives at UC Berkeley, nutrition consulting for patients and care givers, menu planning at hospitals and child care centers, as well as creation of public relations materials for healthcare services. She originates from the Northern California coastline and received her BS in dietetics from UC Berkeley then went on to obtain a Masters in Human Nutrition from Arizona State University. Kristen resides in San Francisco where she enjoys exploring the local food scene on foot and experimenting with goods harvested nearby. She currently acts as the Bay Area Dietetics Association President-Elect, Co-Chair for Slow Food East Bay, and eZine Editor for the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition subgroup of the American Dietetics Association. Kristen has a strong passion for nutrition and food sustainability and believes a healthy lifestyle necessitates the enjoyment of great food.