The Evolution of Leadership and Programming at Cascade Academy

Cascade Academy delivers the most specialized long-term anxiety and OCD treatment for adolescent girls available. To date over 70 students and their families have been served. Following treatment students have returned to their homes, their High Schools, Boarding Schools and even Colleges with the skills and self-efficacy necessary to succeed. It has been an honor for all involved to guide students and families through the process of leaning into their avoidant behaviors and get comfortable being uncomfortable. This level of success and specialization is only possible through the efforts and dedication of staff who personify the attributes of growth and development in their own personal lives.

It is with great satisfaction that Cascade Academy announces that Bekah Schuler will be transitioning from her role as Clinical Director at Cascade Academy into a new role as Chief Executive Officer of Cascade Programs. This shift in roles will begin in January of 2023. Bekah will oversee the delivery of all aspects of treatment and operations at our long-term anxiety specific treatment center, “Cascade Academy”, as well as our new short-term OCD stabilization unit in Heber City, “Cascade House”, which will likely begin enrolling students in late February of 2023. This transition will provide an opportunity for growth and leadership for our very own Amy Griffin who will manage responsibilities of Clinical Director at Cascade Academy. Please take a moment to get to know these very impressive leaders who have been influential and essential to the success and development of Cascade Academy.

Bekah Schuler MS, CMHC
Bekah is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who has been working with teens and families for over a decade. She attended the University of Utah, earning two bachelor’s degrees and then a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Westminster College. Throughout her career she has held administrative leadership positions including Clinical Consultant, Clinical Director, adjunct professor, and CEO. These roles provided her experience in developing teams in various settings including an acute behavioral hospital, an outpatient and a day treatment facility, and residential programs. Bekah joined the team at Cascade Academy prior to opening and has been happily connected to each student and family served.

Bekah’s organizational leadership is driven by the requirement for the entire organization to deliver best practices through personalized, reliable, sophisticated approaches. Her clinical background informs organizational goals as the entire team is motivated to adopt practices and yield the best outcomes for students. Her training in Exposure Response Prevention, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and other models provides a framework to lead quality care in line with Cascade’s mission.

Bekah enjoys developing new hobbies and currently enjoys gardening, cooking, camping, and boating with her husband. She loves to spend time playing with her two kids and two dogs.

Amy Griffin MS, EdS, CMHC
Amy is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who began her personal journey with anxiety at a young age and therefore knows how debilitating it can be. Through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) treatment as a young adult, she discovered firsthand how powerful it can be to

have the right tools. Since that time, she has dedicated her work to empowering and guiding others on their journey to freedom from fear, panic, and avoidance.

Amy graduated from Florida State University with a combined Master of Science/Education Specialist Degree in Clinical Mental Health in 2014. Since that time, she has worked with teens and families in a variety of treatment settings, including outpatient, day treatment, and acute hospitalization. She joined Cascade Academy shortly after it was founded in 2020 and fell in love with their mission to help adolescents embrace life with courage and joy.

Amy’s clinical approach is primarily centered in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with specialized training in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP).

When not at work, Amy enjoys watching movies, live theater, and going to any kind of live music performance. She can also be found listening to records at home or off on adventures with her husband, Mike, and their dog, Rudy.

More
articles