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 team harnesses top talent and field expertise, offering your family access to specialists that are approachable, communicative, and passionate about joint success.
Jennifer received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Millersville University and her master’s degree in social work from Temple University. She has worked in the mental health field for over 25 years, specializing in individual, family, and group therapy. Jennifer draws inspiration from the writings of Maya Angelou and a favorite quote of hers is, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Jennifer is also an artist and is known for utilizing creative modalities in her work as a therapist. She moved to Arizona from Pennsylvania in December 2022 and is excited to be a new addition to the Sedona Sky Academy team.
Carrie Fisher, Therapist
Carrie Fisher, Therapist
Carrie Kray, Therapist
Carrie has over 30 years of behavioral health experience in a wide variety of clinical
arenas as well as over 11 years experience in program development, leadership and
management. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, with dual concentrations in clinical
and administrative tracts, from Andrew’s University as well as in Organizational Management
from Spring Arbor University, and is a licensed master social worker in the state of Arizona. She
has worked with individuals who are dealing with serious mental illness, general mental health
issues, co-occurring issues and developmental disabilities as well as has experience with all
ages including children and adolescents, families, couples, and adults, Carrie has a special
interest in helping individuals navigate and heal from trauma and has specialized training from
the EMDR Institute in working through trauma utilizing EMDR. She loves that this technique
supports deep integrated healing without an individual having to use a lot of words. Having
benefited herself from this healing modality, she considers being a witness and support to
another person’s healing to be a great honor and one that is not taken lightly.
Carrie believes in treating the whole person (body/mind/spirit) and loves that Sedona Sky
Academy also holds this perspective. Employing different therapeutic modalities that may
align with each individual, she is passionate about promoting hope to individuals and belief in
one’s abilities, including the ability to heal. She utilizes families systems, strengths perspective,
and person in environment theoretical frameworks. Besides EMDR, she also employs
additional modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma release exercises
(TRE), neuroaffective relational model (NARM) and post induction therapy (PIT), and has
additionally used solution focused therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), play therapy
and motivational interviewing.
She co-authored an article based on previous graduate level research work: The Impact of
Child Abuse on College Students, published in The Journal for Christian Education in 2015.
A native of Michigan, she moved to Arizona in 2013 with her husband and loves this beautiful
(and warmer) area. . When not working, she enjoys writing, poetry, reading, fitness and holistic
health, hiking and exploring area archeological sites, kayaking, yoga, meditation, and visiting
her grown children and her granddaughter back in Michigan.
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.
Cindy Fogel, MA, Therapist
Cindy Fogel, MA, Therapist
Cindy Fogel, MA, Therapist
Cindy received her masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Prescott College in 1993. She has worked with teens and families since that time in social services, wilderness therapy and the last 10 years in a residential therapeutic boarding school setting. Cindy has years of training and experience in a multi-modal, trauma informed approach to therapy. Some of this training includes; EMDR, Attachment Focused EMDR, Post Induction Therapy, Neuro Affective Relational Model, Trauma Releasing Exercises, Grief & Loss Recovery Method, Addiction & Trauma, The Psychology of Adoption. Cindy has worked effectively with a diverse population of clients who struggle with developmental trauma, attachment issues, depression, anxiety, ODD, substance abuse, ADHD, PTSD, grief and loss and so many other challenges. As a mother of two amazing children, she is passionate & gifted in helping families heal and grow together. Cindy loves to spend time in the natural world, listening to live music, gardening, traveling, yoga & spending quality time with her family and fur babies.
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.
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 and Business Development
Marina Vidrine, Director of Admissions and Business Development
Marina Vidrine, Director of Admissions and Business Development
Currently, Marina Vidrine has not published any biographical information. Check back later for any updates. Thanks!
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.
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.”
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.
Yevonne Merlin, Teacher
Yevonne Merlin, Teacher
Yevonne Merlin, MA Mathematics Teacher
Yevonne has spent the last 17 years teaching high school mathematics, from pre-algebra to calculus at private college preparatory high schools and community colleges. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics Education from Northern Arizona University with a minor in physical science and a Master’s Degree in TESOL Education from Grand Canyon University. Yevonne loves all things math and science related!Prior to her teaching career, Yevonne worked as a bank operations manager and has owned and operated several small businesses. She enjoys accounting, scheduling, managing and helping people find solutions to their problems.Yevonne loves working with children of all ages. She loves their enthusiasm for life and hearing how they view the world. When teaching, she tries to share with them that it is okay to make mistakes, it is a necessary part of the learning process. One of her favorite quotes is “We learn more from our failures than we do from our successes.” – Samuel Smiles.In her spare time, Yevonne enjoys spending time with her husband and their four grown sons and their families. She enjoys being outdoors, walking, hiking or running. Two of her lifetime goals are to 1) run a marathon and 2) prepare every dish in her favorite cookbook!
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.