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.

Courtney Macon-Arnold is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master of Science Degree in both Counseling and Psychology from Troy University. With over 16 years of experience with adolescent, adult and family counseling, Courtney has as developed a strong belief in restorative healing and positive change. She believes that every client is special and uses an integrative approach to therapy – blending elements from different concepts and tailoring treatment to meet each individual’s specific needs. Courtney has had therapeutic experience in a variety of settings – including mental health, substance use, life coaching and private practice, and is trained in several therapeutic approaches, including: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); Cognitive (CBT and Dialectical (DBT) Behavioral Therapy; Motivational Interviewing; and Short – term Dynamic Therapy treatment modalities.

Rebecca Criddle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a master’s degree from Brigham Young University and bachelor’s degree in Human Development from University of Utah. Her passion is to help her clients grow and develop to overcome challenges in their lives and is truly invested in helping her clients best create positive outcomes and healing. As an experienced family therapist, she has worked in a variety of mental health settings with client’s working to overcome trauma, attachment and relational difficulties, depression, substance abuse, addiction, suicidal ideation, processing/developmental delays, and anxiety. Rebecca uses a strengths-based perspective and works to create a warm supportive environment where the process of change can be supported. She has worked with teens and young adults navigating difficult challenges and believes that change occurs best in the context of the family system, while encouraging the process of personal development and differentiation. Rebecca has spent time developing advanced study of DBT and EFT and has advanced training in family and relational therapy. Rebecca loves exploring, meeting new people, and traveling with her husband and two daughters. She also loves learning, reading, gardening, interior design, and is currently trying to learn to make homemade bread.