Experts in the Field of Mental Health and Addiction
This may be a nonissue for some, but we are privately held and do not have investors. We put up our own money and risked everything to make Balance House happen—and that mindset still drives our behaviors as active owners who each play a key role in the organization. This is important because it allows us to make decisions based on what is best for our clients and their families. There is no one behind the curtain, pulling levers and pushing buttons. There is no standard algorithm, besides the benchmarks and a wealth of experience with the previous 550+ Balance House clients. Parents and their sons who attend Balance House will be dealing directly with the owners of the program. We are independently owned and always will be. This really is our life and our livelihood. If Balance House doesn’t thrive, we lose everything. So, it is of the utmost importance that we take care of all our relationships.
Mark Oerther, CADC
Mark Oerther, CADC
CEO, Partner
With over 25 years of experience in mental health and substance abuse treatment, Mark is a seasoned leader dedicated to building high-quality, ethical, and compassionate treatment programs. Mark has successfully helped launch and scale multiple startups, bringing a deep understanding of clinical care, operations, and sustainable growth.
Holding a bachelor's degree in business management from Coastal Carolina University and a degree in Addictions Counseling from Penn State University, Mark began his career working directly with individuals and families affected by substance use and mental health disorders in 1999. This clinical foundation continues to inform his leadership style, ensuring that patient care, integrity, and outcomes remain at the center of every decision.
Throughout his career, Mark has been known for developing strong teams, fostering collaborative cultures, and creating programs that balance evidence-based treatment with individualized, person-centered care. “Your program is only as strong as the team that is providing the care.” He is passionate about innovation in behavioral health and committed to expanding access to effective treatment for those who need it most.
Mark is married to his best friend Jackie, has a son, David, 3 dogs (Duke, Dakota, and Bella) and 2 horses (Gracie and Lil Bit) Go Birds!
Katie Slaughter, MSW, LCSW
Katie Slaughter, MSW, LCSW
Vice President, Partner
Katie earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Utah with a concentration in mental health. She brings extensive experience working with complex and high-acuity populations, including individuals with sexual behavior concerns, substance use disorders, homelessness, and men involved in the criminal justice system.
As Executive Director and a clinical supervisor, Katie provides both organizational leadership and direct clinical care. She approaches addiction through an attachment-based lens and is EMDR-certified. Katie works with individuals and families utilizing evidence-based modalities including Experiential Therapy, Psychodrama, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care. She is deeply committed to cultivating safe, relational, and experiential treatment environments that promote meaningful and sustainable change.
Tony Padjen, MSW, LCSW
Tony Padjen, MSW, LCSW
President, Partner
Tony received his Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degree at the University of Utah and is one of the founders of Balance House.. Along with being a clinician, Tony is also our president and oversees each phase of the Balance House Program. He has been an integral part of the organization since its inception in 2012. Tony excels in building meaningful, strong relationships and firmly believes in the principles behind the Balance House philosophy. He provides a strong foundation to our culture, and his personal experience in long-term recovery has helped him develop outstanding leadership qualities that have allowed him to guide many men through their own recovery journeys.
Catie Cartisano, MSW, LCSW, LSUDC
Catie Cartisano, MSW, LCSW, LSUDC
Chief Clinical Officer, Partner
Catie earned her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the University of Utah, along with advanced training in substance use disorder treatment. She spent a significant portion of her career in the public sector, working within nonprofit organizations as well as federal and state government agencies. Catie brings extensive experience working with high-acuity mental health populations, including combat veterans, individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, and incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison.
Catie is highly skilled in treating severe and complex presentations, including post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, trauma-related conditions, substance use disorders, and severe and persistent mental illness. She is EMDR-certified and approaches addiction through an attachment-based framework, emphasizing stabilization and behavioral change as foundational to relational healing.
Catie created and implemented the organization’s full clinical curriculum, built the clinical team from the ground up, and developed comprehensive training systems to support clinical excellence and consistency. Through this work, she has successfully trained and retained a highly skilled clinical staff, resulting in minimal clinical turnover. She has extensive training in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), is a Certified Trauma Therapist, a national presenter, and a Spirit-to-Spirit facilitator.
Brandon Wall
Brandon Wall
Chief Development Officer, Partner
Brandon serves as the Director of Business Development at Balance House. He holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing from the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah.
Brandon is passionate about his work because it allows him to support and witness men as they work toward becoming healthy, happy, and successful individuals. As someone in long-term recovery and an alumnus of Balance House himself, Brandon connects with clients on a deeply personal level, offering understanding, encouragement, and perspective through his own lived experience.
He is also actively involved in the Balance House alumni network and strongly believes that a supportive community is one of the most important components of lasting recovery. A key part of his role is helping current clients build meaningful connections with alumni and with the broader recovery community in Salt Lake City.
Jon Witebsky
Jon Witebsky
Executive Director, Partner
Jon received his BS degree in the areas of Child Psychology, Social Work, and English Literature from the University of Minnesota. With years of extensive experience in the treatment industry, he uses these skills, along with his personal experience in the process of achieving long-term sobriety, to focus on building strong relationships with clients. He finds this makes it easier to help the client set and achieve goals for their future, work through their day to day problems, and share some laughs along the way.
Jon’s personal philosophy with clients is based around the concept of “I’m the same as you (the client), just a few years ahead in the process.” If Jon isn’t reading or watching Netflix, you’ll find him playing with his dog, Sir, or snowboarding at one of Utah’s many ski resorts.
Robert Simpson, MD
Robert Simpson, MD
Medical Director
Robert graduated from the University of Texas, and he completed his internship and residency at Baylor University Medical Center before moving to Utah to complete his fellowships.
His own experience with addiction was so profoundly moving that he felt compelled to help others find the kind of grace and freedom that he has been given in recovery.
Robert has worked treating patients with substance use disorders in a variety of settings, from clinics serving patients that are experiencing homelessness, to treatment centers that treat celebrities. He joined Balance House as the Medical Director in 2018. Robert finds the unique and personalized approach to caring for people at Balance House refreshing. He also enjoys the collaborative relationships that he has with therapeutic and programmatic staff and also enjoys working closely with family systems. Perhaps most interesting and rewarding to him is to follow patients from admission throughout their treatment at Balance House, seeing them transform into people who emerge with a new sense of freedom in recovery.
Robert is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, The American Board of Addiction Medicine, and the American Board of Preventative Medicine and Addiction Medicine. He is a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and is Adjunct Faculty at The University of Utah in the Department of Psychiatry. He also serves as the Medical Consultant to the State Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health and is the Medical Director of The Utah Professionals’ Health Program.
Janie Corbyn
Janie Corbyn
Director of Operations
Janie studied History and Political Science during college and is passionate about politics, human rights & immigration policy. She was also a professional pastry chef for years and enjoyed her experience working in celebrity kitchens.
Janie is one of our Program Directors and is also a person in long-term recovery. She is passionate about sharing her experience, strength, and hope with those in early recovery. Janie has strong case management skills, possesses high levels of engagement, and excels when working with families. She also does an incredible job when it comes to instilling hope and motivation in our clients. In addition, she assists clients with executive functioning and provides them with humor to help them through their hard days.
Nan Michaelis, MSW, LCSW
Nan Michaelis, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Director
Nan earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Utah State University and her Master of Social Work from the University of Utah. During her graduate studies, she participated in a study abroad program in Mongolia, where she focused on homeless youth and video game addiction. She began her clinical career in the nonprofit sector, working with men with substance use disorders, personality disorders, and individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Nan brings extensive experience treating complex substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Nan is a Certified Trauma Therapist with significant experience working with high-acuity populations, including veterans, individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, those with severe and persistent mental illness, and incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison. She utilizes evidence-based modalities including EMDR, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Moral Reconation Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy, and is currently a CSAT candidate.
Allie Lee, MSW, LCSW
Allie Lee, MSW, LCSW
Associate Clinical Director
Allie earned both her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the University of Utah. She began her career with the State of Utah, serving as a supervisor for the Division of Child and Family Services. Allie brings extensive experience working with complex and high-acuity cases, including severe child abuse, traumatized family systems, children in foster care, families involved in the criminal justice system, adoption and individuals with serious mental health and substance use disorders.
Allie believes meaningful and lasting change occurs when the family system heals together and has a particular passion for family-centered work. She is actively involved in the adventure therapy program and believes some of the most impactful clinical work takes place in experiential and wilderness-based settings. Grounded in an attachment-based framework, Allie utilizes Integral Breath Therapy (IBT), Psychodrama, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mind-Body Bridging, Emotion-Focused Therapy, EMDR, Sand Tray Therapy, Experiential Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care.
Samantha Meyer, CMHC
Samantha Meyer, CMHC
Director of Admissions, Primary Therapist
Sam is the Director of Admissions and a clinician at Balance House. She has worked in many areas of mental health and addiction treatment, including direct care, primary therapy, admissions, and business development.
Sam was raised in Utah and spent several years living in Mexico, where she found sobriety in a small fishing village. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Colorado and a master's degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Utah Valley University.
Her clinical interests and areas of focus include expressive arts, crisis management, and attachment theory. Sam is deeply passionate about working with adults and families who are struggling with mental health and substance use challenges. She values the opportunity to connect with clients through shared experiences and believes that recovery often follows unconventional paths.
Sam understands how important it is for individuals to find treatment that aligns with their unique goals and needs. In her role at Balance House, she works closely with families and clients to ensure they feel supported, understood, and clinically guided on the very first phone call.
Rusti Townsend, MSW, LCSW, LASUDC
Rusti Townsend, MSW, LCSW, LASUDC
Primary Therapist
Rusti earned her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the University of Utah, along with advanced training in substance use disorder treatment. She began her career working in the criminal justice system and has since gained extensive experience working with both men and women in outpatient and residential treatment settings. Rusti excels in treating trauma, high-acuity mental health presentations, and complex diagnostic profiles.
As a clinical supervisor, Rusti approaches addiction through an attachment-based lens. She is EMDR-certified and has specialized training in DNMS and Psychodrama to support the reprocessing of trauma and attachment-related wounds. Rusti works with individuals and families using evidence-based modalities including EMDR, DNMS, Psychodrama, Sand Tray Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care.
James Silverstri, MSW, LCSW
James Silverstri, MSW, LCSW
Primary Therapist
James earned his Master of Social Work along with advanced training in substance use disorder treatment from the University of Utah. He approaches clinical work with the understanding that sustainable change develops through consistency, safety, and strong therapeutic relationships. James brings a relational and developmentally informed perspective to treatment, emphasizing engagement, trust-building, and collaborative goal setting.
James specializes in family systems work, with a particular focus on strengthening attachment, improving communication, and supporting reconnection between clients and their families. He is highly skilled in working with treatment-resistant young men, individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and clients presenting with complex and co-occurring mental health conditions. As a clinical supervisor and lead clinician for family intensives, James utilizes Psychodrama, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care.
Tara Reid, MSW, LCSW
Tara Reid, MSW, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Tara earned her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the University of Utah, along with advanced training in substance use disorder treatment. She brings extensive experience working with individuals who have experienced multiple treatment episodes and chronic relapse. Tara has particular strengths in family systems, group facilitation, and couples and family therapy.
As a clinical supervisor, Tara approaches addiction through an attachment-based framework. She is EMDR-certified and has specialized training in Psychodrama to support the reprocessing of trauma and attachment-related wounds. Tara works with individuals and families using evidence-based modalities including EMDR, Psychodrama, Sand Tray Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care.
Annie Tasse, MSW, LCSW
Annie Tasse, MSW, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Annie earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Utah. She began her clinical career working with homeless individuals experiencing serious and persistent mental illness, developing a strong foundation in trauma-informed and systems-based care. Annie brings experience utilizing evidence-based interventions with high-acuity populations across diverse treatment settings and is highly skilled in working with the severally mentally ill.
Annie specializes in family systems and group-based treatment, with a clinical focus on restoring attachment, improving communication, and strengthening relational functioning. She is highly skilled in group facilitation and integrates Trauma-Informed Care, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Psychodrama to support emotional processing, insight development, and relational repair. Her approach emphasizes safety, structure, and experiential interventions to support sustainable healing within complex family systems.
Zach Bunnell, MSW, LCSW
Zach Bunnell, MSW, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Zach is a highly skilled and compassionate clinician with extensive experience treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. He specializes in individual, group, and family therapy, bringing a thoughtful, integrative approach that meets clients where they are while challenging them to grow. Zach is deeply grounded in evidence-based modalities, including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), allowing him to tailor interventions to each client’s unique needs and stage of change.
Known for his authentic presence and ability to connect, Zach creates a therapeutic environment rooted in trust, accountability, and genuine care. His work emphasizes helping clients build insight, develop emotional regulation skills, and take meaningful action toward lasting recovery and improving mental health. He has a particular strength in engaging clients who may be ambivalent about treatment, using curiosity and collaboration to foster motivation and ownership of the recovery process.
In addition to his clinical work, Zach serves as an Associate Instructor at the College of Social Work at the University of Utah, where he contributes to the development and mentorship of future clinicians. His sessions are characterized by passion, energy, and a relational depth that supports both individual transformation and stronger family systems. Zach is committed to helping clients and their families navigate complex challenges with clarity, resilience, and hope.
Sophie Kretschmer, MSW, CSW
Sophie Kretschmer, MSW, CSW
Primary Therapist
Sophie earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction Counseling from Colorado State University and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Louisiana State University. During her undergraduate studies, she completed a semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, examining the historical and cultural foundations of clinical psychology. Sophie brings multiple years of experience in the mental health and addiction field, working with dual-diagnosis populations, LGBTQ+ youth, and autistic individuals.
Sophie approaches clinical work from a family system and a trauma-informed framework. She integrates evidence-based and experiential interventions, including mindfulness-based practices, experiential therapy, meditation, and motivational interviewing to support emotional regulation, insight development, and behavioral change. Her work emphasizes safety, attachment, and individualized treatment planning to support sustainable recovery and psychological well-being.
Ally Stewart, MSW, CSW
Ally Stewart, MSW, CSW
Primary Therapist
Ally is a trauma-informed, client-centered therapist committed to supporting individuals and families through connection, embodiment, and growth. She integrates experiential, somatic, and strength-based approaches to help clients navigate recovery, relationships, and life transitions.
Ally is trained in Integral Breath Therapy (IBT) and Psychodrama and is a 300-hour certified yoga instructor. She incorporates mindful movement and grounding practices into her clinical work to support emotional regulation, resilience, and self-awareness. With a strong focus on community-based recovery, Ally is actively involved with Fit to Recover (FTR), where fitness, creativity, nutrition, and service support sober connection.
Ally brings extensive experience working with families, supporting improved communication, healthier relational patterns, and navigation of complex dynamics related to substance use and trauma. Her clinical approach is collaborative, nonjudgmental, and grounded in empathy, emphasizing belonging and connection as essential components of sustainable change.
Jessica Wahl, OTR-L
Jessica Wahl, MS, OTR-L
Occupational Therapy Clinician | Functional Cognition Specialist
Jessica earned both her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science and her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Utah. She brings over 15 years of elite clinical experience to Balance House, including a decade as a Senior Therapist at a Tier 1 Trauma and Rehabilitation Hospital. Jessica has managed high-acuity, medically complex cases across the lifespan, specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), and critical care within ICU and heart failure populations. This deep neurological foundation informs her specialized approach to cognitive habit formation and young adult mental health.
Jessica is a specialist in Functional Cognition and is currently spearheading the investigation and development of the foundational Occupational Therapy curriculum at Balance House. Grounded in the Multi-contextual Approach (MCA) and the Dynamic Interactional Model (DIM), her work focuses on bridging the gap between clinical theory and daily execution. She is currently pursuing advanced certification in the MCA framework, integrating global perspectives such as MOHO, PEOP, and CMOP-E to ensure a holistic, client-centered approach. By utilizing standardized AOTA-approved assessments like the Weekly Calendar Planning Activity (WCPA), Jessica is building an action-oriented framework centered on metacognitive strategy training to help clients master executive functioning barriers.
A Utah native and Holladay resident, Jessica is a mother of two who views Occupational Therapy as a lifelong calling. She finds her deepest purpose in the navigation of complex recovery for others during their most challenging seasons, providing steady guidance and action-based tools necessary for profound transformation. To sustain her own resilience, Jessica engages in cycling, yoga, and the restorative practice of cold plunging. As a multidisciplinary creator, she is deeply connected to the tactile fabrication process—from horticulture to intricate mixed-media design. This passion for ‘making’ informs her clinical lens, as she helps the young men at Balance House reconstruct not only their daily routines, but the very foundations of a life worth living.
Colin Smith, WFR
Colin Smith, WFR
Outdoor Director
Colin Smith had the opportunity to go through treatment for his alcoholism in December of 2007. He became actively involved with 12-Step recovery programs while he was in sober living and was able to find his first love, the great outdoors. While he was cleaning up the wreckage that his addiction caused he was able to engage in many adventures and was able to hone his skills in backpacking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, white water kayaking and rafting, and wilderness emergency medicine. He knew how important it was for his sobriety and general life satisfaction to engage in the activities that he loves.
Colin entered the field of addiction treatment early in 2010 working for a young adult male wilderness program. This is where his passion for being in the wild places of the western united states and working with newly sober young men merged. He spent most of the last decade working with young men at a number of different programs before he landed at Legacy Outdoor Adventure where he ended his career in wilderness therapy as the Assistant Field Director. After leaving Legacy, he was in charge of recreation therapy at a young adult program here in Salt Lake City before he joined the team at EVNSQ to build out and manage the adventuring element here.
Justin Seliga
Justin Seliga
Assistant Outdoor Director
Justin is originally from New Jersey. After struggling with alcoholism and addiction for a decade he finally found a solution through 12-step programs. Having been through several treatment programs in the past, he wanted to be able to help those early in recovery the way he was helped. After over six years, the passion and love he has for helping others has only grown. Outside of work, Justin is an active member of several 12-step fellowships. In his free time he loves to climb, hike, and play video games.
Ryan Townsend
Ryan Townsend
Alumni Director
Ryan was born and raised in the Bay area of California and moved to Utah to attend residential treatment. He has been an involved and active member of a 12-step fellowship since he got sober. He is a person in long-term recovery and spends his free time with family and friends, working out, and barbequing. He is passionate about helping men in early recovery recognize the beauty that comes along with living a sober lifestyle.
Nick Edwards
Nick Edwards
Phase I Program Director
Chris Bell
Chris Bell
Phase II Program Manager
Chris was born and raised in New York and spent a lot of his adult life in Colorado. He found his way to Utah to get sober and is an EVNSQ and Balance House alumnus. He is active in the Salt Lake recovery community and views it as a large piece to how he stays sober. He is passionate about helping clients on their road to recovery, skiing, fishing, snowmobiling, and spending time with his pets.
Mason Keller
Mason Keller
Executive Director
Mason is currently a student at Salt Lake Community College pursuing a degree in business. He is an alumnus of Balance House and has been working in the field of recovery for three years. Due to his extensive personal and professional experience with addiction, he has a unique perspective that allows him to build meaningful relationships with the men that he works closely with at Balance House. In his free time, Mason can be found hanging out with his friends and family or hitting the links on the golf course.
Megan Martin
Megan Martin
Medical Operations Manager
Megan was born and raised in Houston, TX and came to Utah 4 years ago for treatment and loved it so much that she decided to make Utah her permanent home. She loved living at Balance House so much that she was thrilled when a job opened up; she has worked in recovery since getting sober in 2015 and is dedicated to helping other addicts get back to living the life they want.
Kim Harrison
Kim Harrison
Operations Manager
Austin Wyman
Austin Wyman
Phase III Program Director
Austin was born and raised in the South, growing up in Mississippi and North Carolina. Having been in addiction for most of his life, he moved to Utah in hopes of establishing a foundation of living a fulfilling, sober life. As a Balance House alum, he realized that one of the most important parts of his recovery is working with fellow alcoholics and addicts. He is an active member in the 12-step community, avid fly fisherman and outdoorsman, and sports enthusiast.
Russell Erickson
Russell Erickson
Case Manager
Russ is a S.L.C, native. He has a passion for family, playing drums, mountain biking, and the outdoors.
Russ has been involved in health care since he sustained a traumatic brain injury after a car accident when he was in his 20s. After a year of speech therapy, he started volunteering in nursing homes before getting released to go back to work. He eventually worked as a recreational assistant and later began working with individuals with autism by helping them gain independence in their lives. Russ worked in marketing for a home health company for seven years developing relationships with medical clinics, hospitals and nursing facilities. Russ has always had a passion for helping others in need.
Nate Slaughter
Nate Slaughter
Facilities Director
As a native to Utah, Nate has lived most of his life in the Salt Lake Valley. Raised by parents who taught him to love the outdoors, Nate enjoys spending as much time as possible, camping, fishing, and snowboarding. Nate graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Communications and Public Relations. Professionally, Nate has worked in Sales and Sales Management for over 20 years, in industries ranging from outdoor recreation to hearing aids and everything in between.
As a self-taught chef, Nate has been cooking since the age of 9. With a love of working with his hands and a need for creative expression, Nate has decided to leave the corporate world and dive into his one true passion…cooking delicious food for people who can appreciate it.
When Nate is not cooking at EVNSQ or spending time outdoors, he can be found in his home kitchen cooking for his wife, listening to Depeche Mode, and watching YouTube videos about 4X4 van modifications.
Logan McGoodwin, NASM CPT
Logan McGoodwin, NASM CPT
Personal Trainer
Logan is originally from Dallas, Texas. He struggled with addiction for most of his life and had no idea how to live as a responsible man while in active addiction. He is a Balance House alumnus and an active member of a 12-step fellowship in Salt Lake City. He loves participating in the sober sports leagues in the Valley, and he is passionate about helping other men find their self-worth in early recovery.
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