Embark at Hobble Creek

Brent has spent his career of almost 20 years working with teens and their families in a variety of settings including residential treatment, acute care, intensive outpatient and home based services. He has served in various leadership capacities over the years including clinical director, admissions/business development director, intake director and director of utilization review. Brent relates comfortably and professionally with families and clients alike. Although Brent has a wide range of clinical knowledge, his true passion and skill set lie in working with people. He finds great joy in guiding families out of a crisis situation and into peaceful solutions. Brent’s experience working within the field of mental health in admissions allows him to have the breadth of knowledge when assessing the needs of clients in acute situations, as well as less critical circumstances. Brent played an integral part in creating an operational psychiatric facility within a community unfamiliar with such practice. Brent is an active member of his community and finds the most joy spending time with his family. His wife, Julie, and their three teenagers thoroughly enjoy hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. Julie is an elite marathon runner and Brent rides his bike along side her to keep up. Brent and Julie love attending their kids sporting events including high school football, soccer and cheerleading.

Noel started her journey with Embark Behavioral Health in 2012 as a Mentor at Sunrise RTC. There she was able to build deep relationships with the students and staff; she had a passion for working closely with families and for helping to heal the entire family system. Noel went on to serve as Residential Director for over three years. She then left Sunrise for a year and worked as the Executive Director of New Haven Residential Treatment Center. She returned to Sunrise as the Director of Operations for a short time before becoming the Associate Executive Director Potomac at Hobble Creek. Noel is committed to the highest standards of quality and knows how to create a culture of empowerment for her colleagues, clients, and their families. She is a proven leader who inspires others with a compassionate heart and determination to provide the best quality of services. Her ability to build and lift others is what makes her a great leader. She has been responsible for building leaders who continue to provide for students, families, and employees and will carry on the great legacy she has created. Noel grew up in northern Utah and has a degree in Criminal Justice from Southern Utah University. Noel’s experience and training include comprehensive training in DBT and experience in implementing trauma work with adolescent females. She has had extensive leadership roles and responsibilities throughout her academic and professional careers. Noel’s passions include hiking, camping, and traveling.

Lauren Disner brings her extensive background as a therapist, clinical leader, entrepreneur, educator and treatment innovator to Potomac at Hobble Creek. From her early work in direct care responsibilities in an adolescent treatment program to her more recent leadership of a successful group practice and an adult recovery center, Lauren is at home working with families with challenges. Lauren’s work and interest areas, both personal and professional, have allowed her to connect powerfully with clients while utilizing a rich set of clinical skills, including DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, family systems approaches, addiction recovery strategies and focused trauma work. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Lauren’s life outside of work encompasses a wonderful multi-cultural family, musicianship, a regular mindfulness practice and a variety of other interests. Lauren and her husband Carlos are parents to four kids. She and her family enjoy learning new skills in handicrafts and homesteading, engaging in a variety of sports such as baseball and soccer, practicing dance, reading popular fantasy series books aloud, and watching historical fiction dramas.

Steve White is a prime example of someone who has followed his passion. Throughout a highly successful career managing several regional departments of a national diesel manufacturing company followed by oversight of marine operations and repairs of large, ocean-going vessels Steve could not get away from his true calling as a chef. So, he went back to school, completed a culinary four year degree and began refining his natural talents into a career where he is noted for his versatility, professional knowledge, and for his unique ability create delicious and nutritious meals that range from mouth watering American fare to several variations on international cuisine favorites. Working with our dietician, Steve is able to address unique dietary needs of our some of our clients while appealing to all of our staff and clients with his rotating menu. Steve is also a great teacher who hopes to light the passions in our clients when it comes to becoming more versatile, less fast food dependent, and more competent as they move into adulthood.

Maylan Peterson has spent the last 9 years gaining knowledge by working with youth in many different types of programs. Maylan has had experience working at other programs as a mentor and a supervisor, before leaving to expand her knowledge in various new organizations. Maylan has always had a passion for helping people heal and grow into healthy versions of themselves. She enjoys supporting adolescent females overcome challenges as they flourish as adults. In her free time Maylan enjoys spending time with her family, especially her dog, Trigger. She enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, and most of all she loves being an aunt to her many nieces and nephews!

Joanne Staheli has not been surprised by the fulfillment and joy she has experienced with Embark at Hobble Creek since August 2020.  She brings 18 years of experience as an executive assistant, previously in the corporate field of Training & Consulting. Her background in education adds a balance to serving with teens and families. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Health and PE, with a teaching credential from Brigham Young University, she coached both high-school and club gymnastics. Also Nationally certified as a judge for club, high-school and college gymnastics as well as serving in leadership positions with USA Gymnastics Utah. All this has given her connection with fantastic young women.  Joanne has volunteered in many community organizations and has enjoyed serving in church youth programs. She enjoys the outdoors, exercise, golf, music and dance, and spending time with family. She and her husband are the parents of 4 children.

Kylie Waters joined Embark at Hobble Creek at it’s opening in May 2020. Kylie has always found joy in serving and helping others, with many opportunities in her life to do so. Mental health has been a challenge within generations of Kylie’s family and she is always looking for ways to help, motivate and positively impact those who also struggle. One of her main passions is influencing others to see the worth they possess – particularly the admits here at Hobble Creek. Currently working on an undergraduate degree in Statistics at Utah Valley University, with plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in the same field, Kylie hopes to work as a statistician for major sports teams, politics or mental health. Her interests include many sports, which love she shares with the students and staff. Basketball has been a favorite for most of her life, and she played on the Pleasant Grove High School basketball team. Kylie also enjoys hiking, traveling, reading and is a huge sports-fanatic!

Renae Anguiano did not plan to focus on adolescent girls when she started working in mental health. However, she quickly realized how much she loved it. This came about unexpectedly when she took her first job in treatment after getting a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marriage and Family Studies. At a previous facility where she worked, many of the girls were struggling with overwhelming depression, abuse and trauma. Renae found she loved the experience of supporting and mentoring young women–particularly those who were considered tough cases. While at times the demands of her work were exhausting, Renae felt she gained much valuable experience and understanding. Additionally, learning opportunities soon presented themselves during an internship for Renae, working in a trauma center for children and families. In May 2020, Renae started at Hobble Creek. She was looking for a broader opportunity and more involvement in the overall workings of residential treatment. From the opening of the facility and the admit of the first student, Renae has enjoyed seeing all the layers and elements of running a quality program come in to play and become a reality. Renae loves to go on activities with the students, find ways to laugh with them and see their amazing successes. She feels that getting to know each one’s personality and their individual needs is the challenge that matters most to her. Renae brings warmth and insight to her position from experiences raising her own children. She loves mountains and beaches, reading a good book and hiking with her family.