DERRY O’KANE, Owner, Executive Director
Masters, Mental Health Counseling
National Certified Counselor
Board Certified Coach
Focus:
Adolescents age 10-17
Parents of adolescents ages 10-17
Program Design & Business Development
Attachment Trauma
I have over 15 years of experience offering therapeutic intervention and clinical support to adolescents and their families. My commitment to making a lasting, poignant impact on the entire family system drives the programming and team approach at Elevate Family. Having worked with families in crisis for many years in a wilderness therapy setting, I believe that the ability to initiate change comes from within but the magic of sustained change must be inspired by a committed and well supported family system. As Owner & Founder of Elevate Family, I strive to offer a sophisticated tandem-dyadic approach that allows for responsive support while promoting intra-family relationships as the prominent agents of change. Additionally, I hope to ensure that ALL families get the support they need at any point along their treatment journey.
email: derry@elevatefamily.org
LISA BROWN, Director of Family Programs
Masters, Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Addictions Specialist
Registered Drama Therapist
Board Certified Coach
Focus:
Parents of Adolescents & Emerging Adults ages 16+
Adolescents & Young Adults
Attachment, Trauma, Addictions
I believe in the human need to connect and bond which guides my coaching work. My experience includes working alongside adolescents, young adults, and their families since 2015 to enhance the felt experience of connection. I utilize an attachment-based approach grounded in family systems theory which explores underlying emotions to create moments of healing and growth. I enjoy highlighting the innate resilience of clients and families.
I welcomed my first son into the world March 2020 and have enjoyed the challenges and beauty of becoming a parent. When I’m not working, I am soaking up each moment with my little guys and getting outside as much as possible to play, hike, and swim wherever we can. I also enjoy rock climbing, yoga, and listening to live music.
email: lbrown.elevate@gmail.com
SARAH M. HOLSHAUSER, Adolescent & Family Coach
Masters, Social Work
Focus:
Adolescents age 13+
Identity development, Depression, Anxiety
As an adolescent and family coach my goal is to help young people discover more moments of confidence and peace within themselves. In my past work with families in residential, wilderness, in-home, and community-based therapy settings I’ve seen how paramount understanding and expressing our unique need to be seen, appreciated, and validated is to creating stronger family equilibriums. As a coach and mentor, I aim to inspire, support and direct through connection, creativity, and compassion. I love stepping out of my comfort zone whether it be hiking, trail running, camping, or exploring a new place. I value giving young people the nudge they need to step outside of their own comfort zone and explore their full potential.
email: smcgahran.elevate@gmail.com
SARAH HUTCHISON, Parent, Young Adult & Family Coach
Masters, Social Work
Focus:
Parents of Adolescents & Emerging Adults
Adolescents & Young Adults age 16-30
Trauma and Attachment
Substance Use, Neurodiversity
Sarah has worked in adolescent mental health for almost fifteen years. She began her career in 2009, working intensively with families of adoptive children, both internationally and domestically. She developed a special interest in supporting families to develop safe attachments and heal from trauma.
In 2017, Sarah joined a wilderness therapy program as field instructor, family therapist and ultimately, a primary therapist supporting females, ages 14-18. In the summer of 2022, after welcoming her 4th child, a baby girl, into the world, Sarah joined the Elevate Family team as a Parent and Family Coach.
email: shutchison.elevate@gmail.com
JASON MCKEOWN, Founder
Parent & Family Coach
Masters, Marriage and Family Therapy
Focus:
Parents of Adolescents & Emerging Adults
Neurodivergence, Attachment & Family Conflict
Jason’s extensive experience includes years as a wilderness therapist, Director of Family Services for a wilderness therapy program and most recently, Executive Director of a wilderness therapy program. Jason is passionate about helping family systems heal through awareness, learning and diligent practice of new skills and tools.
Jason is passionate about helping families succeed at home and helping families harness the magic of healing at any point along a family’s journey.
email: jasonmckeown.elevate@gmail.com
ASHLEY BROWN, Director of Programs Neurodivergent and LGBTQA+ Community
Masters, Social Work
Clinical Addictions Specialist
Focus:
Adolescents, Young Adults and their Families
Neurodivergence, Gender Identity, Addictions
I have worked with adolescents and their families in therapeutic programs since 2006. I believe no person can do this alone and that family support and connection is critical to healing and successful transition home. My licensure as a Clinical Addictions Specialist, tenure as a wilderness therapist, and creative and visual art background inform my dynamic and intra-family approach. Having worked with hundreds of diverse and unique families, I employ tenants of education, communication, and boundaries. I will always apply relentless compassion for every part of your family and look forward to working with you.
email: ashleybrown.elevate@gmail.com
MELISSA MARGOLIN, Parent, Adolescent & Family Coach
Masters, Social Work
Focus:
Parents of Adolescents & Emerging Adults
Adolescents age 14-18
ADHD, Attachment & Family Conflict
I have worked in therapeutic residential settings for years, supporting families rebuild and maintain their relationships with one another. I believe it is the family members’ connections to each other and personal growth that creates a lasting and meaningful change. I understand transitions can be scary and overwhelming; they can also be filled with momentum and potential. I use a strengths-based approach to support and coach families transition home more smoothly, understand themselves more fully, and reclaim their family connections.
email: mmargolin.elevate@gmail.com
KENZIE LARSEN, Parent, Adolescent & Family Coach
Masters, Mental Health Counseling
Focus:
Adolescents & Young Adults ages 16+
Parents of Adolescents & Emerging Adults
Neurodivergence, Attachment & Family Conflict
As a therapeutic coach, I help my clients tune in to their needs, learn how to ground themselves during moments of overwhelm, and develop trust and confidence in their abilities. I believe that establishing a collaborative and trusting relationship is crucial for us to create an effective roadmap towards achieving goals and overcoming obstacles, especially in times of transition. I have a background in wilderness, residential and outpatient therapy and love learning new things from each individual I work with.
email: kenzie.elevate@gmail.com
SERENA SACKETT, Program Manager
BS, Psychology
Focus:
Operations & Office Administration
Mentoring & Sibling Support
I began working in the mental health field in 2012 and have worked in clinical and educational settings with children and adults ever since. Through positions as camp counselor, tutor, paraprofessional and Director of Logistics at a wilderness therapy program for several years, I learned the value of meeting clients and kids where they are at and discovering underlying needs.
I believe in the value of fostering kids' strengths and the impact of family support and health on the overall growth and wellbeing of a young person. My desire as Program Manager and a mentor with Elevate Family is to help empower families in their development of deeper connection.
email: serena.elevate@gmail.com