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About Our Team
We're very proud of our team, not only because of their impressive professional credentials, but because of their deep care for each other and the girls they work with. We've worked hard to construct a team of like-minded therapists and educators who are driven by Sunrise's mission to bring healing to hurting young women. The result is a group of professionals that functions like a team and cares like a family. Anyone who tours our facility will experience the warmth of a team whose work is informed not only by the latest clinical research, but by compassion, hope, and love.
Executive Director
Dave Prior, LMFT
"I love working at Sunrise because of the great people I get to work with and the progress I see in
the girls that come here. We have such rich opportunities to interact with families in need and see them
make life-changing decisions."
Dave earned his Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Utah State University. He is EAGALA certified
and trained as an Arbinger Facilitator. Having worked in several adolescent treatment centers, Dave has
developed clinical specialties that include family systems work and conflict resolution. He is particularly
savvy in his work with oppositional defiance, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and identity formation.
Dave has a very calming effect upon those he works with, a great sense of humor, and a fair and even method
of therapy. He has an expertise in helping families form and maintain meaningful relationships.
Dave and his wife enjoy spending their free time camping, being outdoors, and doing water sports with
their four children.
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can
the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved." -Helen Keller
Clinical Director
Jack Hinman, Psy.D.
"I love working at Sunrise because it allows me to work alongside wonderful people to improve the lives
of our girls and their families. Working at Sunrise provides me the opportunity to integrate my clinical
experience with my strong interest in giving back to others."
Jack is a licensed psychologist and received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri. He completed his APA accredited
pre-doctoral internship at the University of Utah's Neuropsychiatric Institute, and later finished his
post-doctoral residency in Community Mental Health in Texas. Jack's clinical experience is wide ranging
and includes psychological assessment; individual, family, and group therapy; and adolescent therapy.
He has provided psychological services in variety of settings, including psychiatric hospitals,
residential treatment centers, schools, wilderness programs, and outpatient settings. Jack is a specialty
trained and experienced Dialectical Behavior therapist, and his clinical interests include the diagnosis
and treatment of personality and eating disorders.
Jack is passionate about his work as a clinician, but he also loves to play. He is an avid snowboarder
and mountain biker and enjoys spending time with his wife and son.
"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy." -Thich Nhat Hanh
Educational Director
Kathrine Whittekiend, M.Ed.
"I love working at Sunrise Academy because of the opportunities to interact with parents, students,
families, and other professionals in furthering the education of our students. Assuring that the girls
are on track for high school graduation is an important part of the program and educational philosophy at Sunrise Academy.
I'm honored to be part of the Sunrise community"
Kathrine earned her B.A. degree from Southern Utah University in English Literature with an emphasis in education.
She is certified to teach middle school (grades 5-9) and high school (grades 7-12) in English, Reading, English
as a Second Language (ESL), Geography, and German. She received her M.Ed. degree from Utah State University in
education and educational administration and is certified as an educational administrator.
Kathrine taught public school and administered the ESL and Homebound programs for Iron County School District.
She went on to work at the Utah State Office of Education as the Education Specialist for English language learners
where her responsibilities included creating, presenting, and administering professional development for ESL teachers
in Utah's 40 districts. In addition, she held the position as the Compliance Specialist for Title III programs for the State.
Kathrine has a husband, 4 boys and 6 grandchildren who fill her spare time. She also likes to read and garden.
"We must not only prepare our children for the world, we must prepare the world for our children." -Author Unknown
Admissions Director
Mollie Mylar, BS
"I love working at Sunrise because of the people. Our treatment team is comprised of dedicated, caring professionals who are committed to providing the best care possible to every student and family at Sunrise. To watch girls transform into healthy, happy, and successful young women is truly inspirational!"
Mollie received her Bachelor's Degree in Family and Human Development from the University of Utah. Mollie has over 13 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. She began her career working with abused children at Children's RTC. She then went on to become a House Supervisor and later Admissions Director for The Oakley School. Mollie continued her admissions work at Second Nature Wilderness Program and most recently as Admissions Director at Willow Creek Residential Treatment Center. Mollie is a seasoned professional who demonstrates the highest level of integrity and is well known in the industry for her compassion and dedication to the students and families with whom she works.
Mollie grew up in New York City and spent many years enjoying traveling around the world with her family. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and five year old son. She enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, road riding, and most of all spending time with her family.
"What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what kind of a person you are." -CS Lewis
Residential Life Director
Corey Hickman, CTS
"I love working at Sunrise because each day I get to have interactions with students and families that
are meaningful, fun, and challenging. I also love being part of an organization that facilitates the healing
of families."
Corey earned his degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Brigham Young University and is a
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (Recreational Therapist). This education and certification
have allowed him to enhance the recreational programming at Sunrise. Corey also conducts Experiential Recreation Therapy
groups and adds that modality to the clinical component at Sunrise. He is a strong believer that wholesome recreation
is therapeutic in nature and that Sunrise students benefit greatly from exposure to new avenues of leisure and recreation. Corey has worked in the field for the last five years, and also worked with the residential staff at New Haven for the last three-and-a-half years.
True to his profession as a recreational therapist, Corey loves to play! Corey's hobbies include distance running,
golf, snowboarding, and wakeboarding. He loves watching college football and visiting America's national parks.
He and his wife Jessica have a son Colin; they love living in an area that is so rich in culture and the outdoors.
"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children, to earn
the approbation of honest critics; to appreciate beauty; to give of one's self, to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm
and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived-that is to have
succeeded." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Psychiatrist
Dr. Cantril Nielsen
"I love to work at Sunrise because it is interesting, challenging and an enjoyable experience to work
with young people who have significant psychopathology and who are striving to make improvements in their lives."
Dr. Nielsen has practiced psychiatry for almost 40 years. He is from Pocatello, Idaho and is married
with 4 children and 6 grandchildren. He received his bachelor's degree from Utah State University
and his M.D. from George Washington University. He did his child, adolescent and adult psychiatric
training at the University of Utah Medical Center. He is board certified in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry.
He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
"It is always a learning experience."
Residential Manager
Lisa Van de Water
"I love working at Sunrise because I get to be involved with the process of the girls reclaiming healthy
family relationships and recognizing their self-worth value. I believe in the values we teach and the quality
of our program to instill the desire for change and growth for a better life for our students."
Lisa was raised in the South and came to Southern Utah in 1990. She attended Longwood College in
Farmville, VA. Lisa has worked with children and adolescents for the past 20 years. She worked in the
Special Education department for our local school district in different capacities assisting kids with
special needs. Lisa has been with Sunrise for four years, and has a strong understanding of and passion
for helping our students reach their full potential.
Lisa loves southern Utah because it provides year round opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities such as
hiking, golfing and running. She is a voracious reader-especially of historical fiction relating to the
Revolutionary War. She considers her family, friends, religious beliefs, and work with the girls at Sunrise
to be the most valuable things in her life.
"Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." -Frank Outlaw
Therapist
Brad Simpson, CSW
"I love working at Sunrise because of the relational work environment and way the needs of individuals
are met. Sunrise provides girls the opportunity to safely learn from their mistakes and find lasting change."
Brad received his Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Brigham Young University, Idaho and a Master's
Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. His experience includes working with individuals with
disabilities, as well as working with Child Protective Services in the areas of placement, investigation,
and family reunification. Since completing graduate school, Brad has worked with adolescents in an intensive
outpatient program for chemical dependency at the University of Utah. Brad's specialties include
substance abuse treatment, mood disorders, couples and family therapy, and motivational interviewing.
Brad loves running, hiking, mountain biking, lifting weights, long boarding, and spending time with his
family. He's also a big fan of spectator sports of all kinds.
Therapist
Michele Peterson, LCSW
"I love working at Sunrise because I have the opportunity to be a part of helping the girls' get to a
place where they are at peace with their pasts. I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of something
bigger than myself-the growth of these girls is the 'something bigger.'"
Michele received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been working with children, adolescents, and their families
for the past 12 years in a variety of settings. Her specialties include working with children and adolescents
in helping them overcome issues of depression, anxiety, oppositional/defiant behavior, and trauma.
Michelle's interests include boating, traveling, watching movies, and horses. She loves watching her daughter
dance in recitals. Michelle is also passionate about the equine therapy program, and has seen horses melt
therapeutic resistance and get to issues that the student wasn't even aware of!
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve
the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates
others." -Marianne Williamson
Program Nurse
Sarah Flygare, RN
"I love working at Sunrise because of my friendships here and because I love seeing the girls progress,
take responsibility for their own health, and make the positive changes that they desire."
Sarah Flygare is the Program Nurse at Sunrise. She studied Social Work at Weber State University in
Ogden, Utah, and obtained her LPN degree in Bellingham, Washington. Before coming to Sunrise, Sarah
worked in a hospital and a family clinic, and has volunteered in the community working with outreach
services for adolescents. Sarah is very involved with our students in promoting overall health.
She teaches monthly health-education classes to our students and helps them to see the rewards of
making new healthy lifestyle choices. Sarah likes to model what she teaches, and actively researches
health and wellness, incorporating the most current research and philosophies to her own life.
Sarah greatly enjoys working with the Sunrise girls in such a positive atmosphere.
Originally from Southern Utah, Sarah is enthusiastic to be back; she takes advantage of many of Utah's
great outdoor activities, including swimming, hiking, and walking. She also loves reading, participating
in monthly book clubs, and spending time with friends and family. Her children are her purest passion
and she loves playing with them and making memories together.
"Moderation in all things." -Anon
Teacher
Tracy Davis
"I love working at Sunrise and helping the students with their school work. I feel like I can make
a difference in each girl's life in helping her become a lifelong learner. I really like the program
here at Sunrise because I think it helps each girl reach her potential in all aspects of her life. I
know that teaching each girl to become a better student will help her find success in life."
Tracy has lived in Southern Utah most of her life. She and her husband have raised four children and
enjoy spending time with them and their two grandchildren. Tracy has been an educator for ten years.
She received her BA in Social Studies, and then furthered her education and received a Master's Degree
in Education and Special Education. She loves working with students and helping them to realize their potential.
Tracy has diverse interests that include reading, camping, watching sports, playing with her grandkids,
working out, and learning about history. She also loves shopping for shoes and getting massages!
Tracy's dream is to travel to the many places around the globe that she teaches about.
"If you do what you have done, you will go where you have gone." -Anon
Office Manager
Heather Black
"I love working at Sunrise because of the people, our mission and the girls.
There is a lot of support for individual development and there are opportunities for leadership.
Most of all, this is a place where we I feel recognized as a person of worth."
Heather has served in a number of professional settings as an office manager, applying her
gifts in organization to make companies function more efficiently. Her focus is on providing
organized, reliable information while maintaining a positive attitude of service to those around her.
She enjoys helping keep Sunrise organized and efficient and appreciates the higher purpose that her work supports.
Heather lives in La Verkin with her husband Jim and dog Jackson. Together they enjoy traveling
the West in search of great rivers for fly fishing, beautiful desert vistas for photography, and
low-key restaurants for good food. While at home, Heather enjoys riding her bike and reading.
"Who can tell what far-reaching impact we can have if we are only kind?" -Anon
