On a tranquil desert oasis in Nevada, we’re writing success stories every day.
On our scenic campus in the breathtaking Verde Valley of Arizona, we’re writing success stories every day.
Our Vision
Striving for a bright future.
Students at our Academy are empowered with skills, knowledge, and attitudes that help them become successful members of their families and communities.
Serenity
Surrounded by scenic Arizona desert views, our sprawling 29-acre campus is the ideal setting for healing, learning, and self-discovery.
Safety
Every student is cared for as a member of our family in a compassionate environment of acceptance and support.
Structure
The daily routine combines academics, life-skills, recreational activities, and therapeutic services.
Success
As our graduates move into the next phase of their lives, they are equipped with valuable tools that ensure lifetime emotional well-being.
Enabling families to heal and thrive.
Sedona Sky Academy has been committed to impacting adolescents and their families for over two decades, since its founding in 1998. In a unique all-girls program that combines academic, therapeutic, and residential services, the Academy has made it possible for hundreds of graduates to develop their inner selves, reconnect with their families, and pursue impressive academic and career paths.
The redesigned and updated Sedona Sky Academy was opened in 2022 by the Epic Behavioral Health Group, a firm recognized for elevating the standard of behavioral health care across the country. Epic’s licensed team harnesses top talent and field expertise, offering your family access to specialists that are approachable, communicative, and passionate about joint success.
Andrea graduated from the University of Utah with a Master of Social Work degree. She has worked in the behavioral health field for over seventeen years specializing in children and adolescents ages 8-18. Andrea’s experience spans all levels of care including Residential, Day Treatment, Outpatient and Transitional Program. She has held many different leadership positions in treatment organizations.As her clinical foundation, Andrea believes in treating the “why” behind behaviors verses only focusing on the behaviors themselves. Through cultivating a space where the client feels loved and supported in their treatment process, Andrea focuses on creating a true relationship with the client. This relationship becomes a therapeutic container where there is enough trust, connection and safety to truly address the ‘why’.Andrea is highly trained in several treatment approaches including, relationship-based approach, narrative/expressive approaches, DBT and CBT.Andrea has extensive experience working with kids who may need a more sophisticated behavioral and or clinical approach. Andrea believes deeply in an interdisciplinary team approach and working closely with all departments inside a treatment organization to provide the space and support clients need for a successful treatment process.In her personal time, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family. She loves to attend her niece’s and nephew’s lacrosse and soccer games. She also loves cooking and, in particular, enjoys trying new recipes. Andrea also enjoys going to the movies, listening to music, podcasts and reading books.
Tim Mullins, Therapist
Tim Mullins, Therapist
Tim Mullins, Therapist
Prior to beginning his current doctoral studies in psychology, Tim received a BS in computer
science magna cum laude from Strayer University and an MA in counseling psychology from
Prescott College. He is completing his doctoral studies in clinical psychology at Cal Southern
University with a dissertation on the transformative power of wilderness therapy. In 2005, he
completed yoga teacher training in Montana and offered free community classes. In a
nonprofessional capacity, He has worked with incarcerated offenders in bridging the gap
programs in New York, Wisconsin, and Montana and with the Federal Probation office in
Montana as a mentor for parolees. Tim has over twenty-five years of sobriety in personal
recovery.
Using an Integral Psychology approach, Tim uses different methods to help clients address their
specific issues. He works with trauma using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
(EMDR) and Brainspotting, substance use with Motivational Interviewing, nature-based therapy,
12-step, and mindfulness recovery methods. Tim uses existential and depth psychology to work
with hidden influences and the subconscious. Integral Psychology is a theoretical framework that
involves the whole person, including the neurological or physiological basis for disorders, the
unique influences of the personal history, family systems, cultural influences, and the values of
the clients.
Jennifer Mellum, Therapist
Jennifer Mellum, Therapist
Jennifer Mellum, Therapist
Leadership Team
Julie Sheppard, Executive Director
Julie Sheppard, Executive Director
Julie Sheppard, Executive Director, Sedona Sky Academy
In 1999, I started working at Merit Medical Systems, a worldwide medical manufacturing company. I spent nearly 17 years there, working in the Customer Service, Marketing and Sales departments. As my responsibilities grew at Merit, I made the decisions to leave corporate America and focus on my family. In 2017, I joined the team as Solstice West RTC as Director of Business Development. Although my role primarily focused on marketing, outreach, admissions, and business development, I also worked closely with the operations, residential, adventure and clinical teams. Changing courses to work in the mental health field helped me grow professionally but more importantly had an even greater impact on me personally. Being in this field allowed me to get the help my family needed as we guided our own adopted son through mental health struggles and ultimately the difficult decision to place him in a residential treatment program. I have been married to my husband Jason for over 20 years and I have two boys. My oldest son Bridger is almost 21 years old, working and living on his own, and my younger son Logan is 17, working and about to graduate high school next month. I also have two dogs, Bruno, and Charlie. Charlie is a service dog who goes everywhere I go. He is a goldendoodle, that is the sweetest pup I have ever had. In my personal time, I love traveling, meeting new people, going to concerts, and being outdoors. Spending time with my family and friends is what recharges me. I have been blessed with an amazing family and loyal, loving group of friends.
Erin Smith, Director of Operations
Erin Smith, Director of Operations
Erin Smith
Erin Smith, PhD, is a dedicated advocate for high-quality mental health care and education, based in Prescott, Arizona, United States. With a firm belief in the transformative power of education and compassionate mental health services, Erin has dedicated her career to nurturing individuals’ creativity, intelligence, and capacity for happiness.
Her doctoral research focused on trust in teacher-principal relationships in therapeutic environments, with a particular emphasis on reducing burnout and compassion fatigue among educators. This research laid the foundation for a leadership model designed to enhance well-being in educational settings.
Erin’s journey in education began in 2008 when she joined Spring Ridge Academy as an English teacher. Her passion for creating tailored educational experiences for students in therapeutic schools led her to co-develop a curriculum centered around internal motivational strategies. Her exceptional dedication and innovative approach earned her recognition as a Claes Nobel Top Ten Teacher of the Year in 2014.
Serving in multiple leadership roles, with a focus on operations, Erin collaborates with executive, clinical, academic, and residential teams, leveraging the latest research to develop and implement best practices in programming, human resources, accreditation and legal compliance, and finance. Her aim is to create a culture of growth and evolution for all involved, while making mental healthcare more accessible and affordable.
Erin holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership and Administration, an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Secondary Education and Teaching, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Language and Literature. With her extensive expertise and unwavering commitment to improving mental health care and education, Erin Smith continues to make a profound impact in her field.
Andrea Jones, Clinical Director
Andrea Jones, Clinical Director
Andrea Jones
Andrea graduated from the University of Utah with a Master of Social Work degree. She has worked in the behavioral health field for over seventeen years specializing in children and adolescents ages 8-18. Andrea’s experience spans all levels of care including Residential, Day Treatment, Outpatient and Transitional Program. She has held many different leadership positions in treatment organizations.As her clinical foundation, Andrea believes in treating the “why” behind behaviors verses only focusing on the behaviors themselves. Through cultivating a space where the client feels loved and supported in their treatment process, Andrea focuses on creating a true relationship with the client. This relationship becomes a therapeutic container where there is enough trust, connection and safety to truly address the ‘why’.Andrea is highly trained in several treatment approaches including, relationship-based approach, narrative/expressive approaches, DBT and CBT.Andrea has extensive experience working with kids who may need a more sophisticated behavioral and or clinical approach. Andrea believes deeply in an interdisciplinary team approach and working closely with all departments inside a treatment organization to provide the space and support clients need for a successful treatment process.In her personal time, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family. She loves to attend her niece’s and nephew’s lacrosse and soccer games. She also loves cooking and, in particular, enjoys trying new recipes. Andrea also enjoys going to the movies, listening to music, podcasts and reading books.
Donovan Tagaloa, Residential Director
Donovan Tagaloa, Residential Director
Donovan Tagaloa
Donovan was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and began working in the behavioral health industry at a very young age. Donovan has worked in many different positions in treatment organizations and worked his way up through these roles to where he is today. Donovan feels that having worked, himself, in the same positions that he supervises, and trains is instrumental to his success as a program director.
Donovan feels very fortunate to have had great mentors along his career who have believed in and develop him into the leader he is today. Donovan specializes in developing programs and has worked ages 8 to adult. Another key to Donovan’s success is his passion. He loves using his experience and sharing his knowledge to make a true difference.
When he’s not at work, you can find Donovan either watching or playing sports. His personal motto being simply: ‘GO CHARGERS!’. Donovan loves playing basketball and has jumped on the pickle ball craze as well. Donovan is so excited to have joined the team at Sedona Sky and hopes to offer the best possible care to our kids!
Bethany Becker, Academic Director
Bethany Becker, Academic Director
Bethany Becker, Academic Director
Bethany has earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work and her Bachelor of Art in Spanish at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Bethany has been teaching for 11 years. At SSA, she teaches Spanish and Health. Bethany enjoys witnessing the moment when students understand a concept that they have been struggling with and seeing the growth and change in our students.Bethany believes that learning does not just take place in the classroom. In class, Bethany uses a variety of supplemental resources; movies, field trips, Internet, and smart board activities. In her free time Bethany enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, scrap-booking, painting, running, hiking, reading, and baking.Bethany likes to quote � Ralph Waldo Emerson- “When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object.”
Marina Vidrine, Director of Admissions
Marina Vidrine, Director of Admissions
Marina Vidrine, Director of Admissions
As the Admission and Marketing Director at Sedona Sky Academy, Marina is the first point of contact for families and Educational Consultants looking for residential treatment. Marina is available to answer questions about our program, schedule tours of our campus and move families along the admissions process. Please feel free to reach out to her by phone call, text or email at 303-886-2883 or [email protected].
Marina has worked in behavioral health for 9 years. She began her career as a clinical coordinator for a transdisciplinary clinical evaluation team that assessed and diagnosed children from 18 months to 13 years old with spectrum disorders.
Spending the majority of her time alone with her computer and piles of medical records, she knew she needed more of the human aspect to the clinical support role she enjoyed so much. She decided to accept the role of clinical outreach ambassador for a teen dual diagnosis program. In this role, she participated in clinical meetings, serving as the discharge planner for all clients leaving the program and admissions meetings, helping direct families who were not appropriate for admission to educational consultants, resources and programs that would better serve their needs.
Marina loves the beautiful campus at Sedona Sky and the surrounding lands that are like a living piece of art. She enjoys hiking, floating on the Verde river and anything that involves her dog Oliver and eating food.
Sarah Kirwan, Equine Director
Sarah Kirwan, Equine Director
Sarah Kirwan, English/History Teacher
Ms. Kirwan is a native of Gilbert, Arizona. She started riding horses at age 8, competed in hunter/jumper schooling shows locally, and was given her first horse, Megan, (a Thoroughbred) at age sixteen. Since she always enjoyed reading and writing, she decided after two years at Mesa Community College to pursue a degree in English Literature at Arizona State University in the hopes of becoming a teacher. She made the Dean’s list in 2008 while taking several courses on teaching English.
While in college, she was a habilitation and respite provider for children with autism. This work was very close to her heart because she grew up with a brother with autism.
In 2010, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from ASU and began teaching first at a credit recovery school for at-risk youth and then at the renowned charter school BASIS Phoenix.
Over the course of five years teaching sixth grade, she refined her craft and gained very valuable experience teaching gifted children a rigorous curriculum. She was an active member of the school community by putting on the annual talent show in collaboration with the music department, hosting multiple after-school tutoring hours, and sending out weekly newsletters to parents.
When Ms. Kirwan saw a teaching opportunity at a therapeutic boarding school with a horsemanship program in beautiful Rimrock, AZ, she jumped at the opportunity. She loves supporting the girls in their education and personal lives and is so glad to be a part of the Sedona Sky Academy family.
Tiffany Thiede, Director of Business Development
Tiffany Thiede, Director of Business Development
Tiffany Thiede, Director of Business Development
Academic Team
Bethany Becker, Academic Director
Bethany Becker, Academic Director
Bethany Becker, Academic Director
Bethany has earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work and her Bachelor of Art in Spanish at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Bethany has been teaching for 11 years. At SSA, she teaches Spanish and Health. Bethany enjoys witnessing the moment when students understand a concept that they have been struggling with and seeing the growth and change in our students.Bethany believes that learning does not just take place in the classroom. In class, Bethany uses a variety of supplemental resources; movies, field trips, Internet, and smart board activities. In her free time Bethany enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, scrap-booking, painting, running, hiking, reading, and baking.Bethany likes to quote � Ralph Waldo Emerson- “When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object.”
Sarah Kirwan, English Teacher
Sarah Kirwan, English Teacher
Sarah Kirwan, English Teacher
Ms. Kirwan is a native of Gilbert, Arizona. She started riding horses at age 8, competed in hunter/jumper schooling shows locally, and was given her first horse, Megan, (a Thoroughbred) at age sixteen. Since she always enjoyed reading and writing, she decided after two years at Mesa Community College to pursue a degree in English Literature at Arizona State University in the hopes of becoming a teacher. She made the Dean’s list in 2008 while taking several courses on teaching English.
While in college, she was a habilitation and respite provider for children with autism. This work was very close to her heart because she grew up with a brother with autism.
In 2010, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from ASU and began teaching first at a credit recovery school for at-risk youth and then at the renowned charter school BASIS Phoenix.
Over the course of five years teaching sixth grade, she refined her craft and gained very valuable experience teaching gifted children a rigorous curriculum. She was an active member of the school community by putting on the annual talent show in collaboration with the music department, hosting multiple after-school tutoring hours, and sending out weekly newsletters to parents.
When Ms. Kirwan saw a teaching opportunity at a therapeutic boarding school with a horsemanship program in beautiful Rimrock, AZ, she jumped at the opportunity. She loves supporting the girls in their education and personal lives and is so glad to be a part of the Sedona Sky Academy family.
Kathleen McCabe, Teacher
Kathleen McCabe, Teacher
Kathleen McCabe, Science Teacher
Kathleen is passionate about Science and the Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s in Education Leadership both from Northern Arizona University. She is certified to teach high school Science and English and teaches a variety of other courses including sewing, business, ceramics and agriculture.
Ms. McCabe has been teaching for 26 years and feels it is important to build a relationship with a student and then provide experiential learning opportunities that connect to their personal lives. She believes it is more important for students to be able to research and find valid information than it is to memorize facts. This will enable them to make important life decisions based on self-acquired knowledge.
She asks them to, “Rise above low expectations and do difficult things.” In her free time, Kathleen loves to cook, ride her horses, grow her own vegetables, kayak, dance and quilt. She feels it is very important to stay active and eat quality food.
Diana Wade, MA (Vice President of Client Services)
Diana brings her 30+ years of experience in the mental health field to NGUYHC, where residential treatment brings her full circle back to her beginnings. She has served at-risk youth and their families for more than 3 decades, including owning a successful outpatient mental health facility, working in foster care and adoptions and providing direct care to youth. Working with youth has always been a passion for Diana and being able to bring a strong leadership foundation to the team is a self proclaimed major accomplishment. Program Development is also a passion of hers.
Diana has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and is ABD in a doctoral program in Organizational Leadership. In her free time, Diana enjoys riding the sand dunes in her sandrail, or traveling the world. Some of the best places she has visited are India, Vietnam and Fiji. Diana is also a dog lover and currently has 6 rescue Chihuahuas.
Sedona Sky Academy is a top-tier residential treatment center and boarding school that provides evidence-based therapeutic programming and nationally recognized, data driven academics for girls struggling with anxiety, trauma, and depression.