Wingate Hires 2 New Therapists

Megan Franz, MS, ACMHC, NCC
Meg received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Oswego and is Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Western Washington University. While working with diverse clients from all walks of life in Washington she learned to use the powerful combination of mindfulness, cognitive therapy, self-acceptance, and an understanding of the complexities of human nature to foster self-acceptance, hope, and real change for her clients.

After three years working as a field staff in a wilderness therapy company, Meg was inspired to pursue a clinical degree and is currently a Nationally Certified Counselor. Her favorite part of those three years was using experiential learning and metaphor to help the teens apply their experiences in the program to life after wilderness.

She grew up in upstate New York playing in the woods and the lakeshores of the Adirondacks, and moved west to seek adventure in the great outdoors. Before wilderness, living in Denver, Meg worked in a school during the year and a camp just outside of the Rocky Mountain National Park in the summers. She found the summer camp mountains more satisfying for both her and the kids she worked with, and has been using the outdoors as a catalyst for change for years. She believes in the powerful healing effects of wilderness and spends as much of her own free time as possible outdoors, typically trail running, skiing, canyoneering, swimming, hammocking, reading, or doggedly learning a new outdoor pursuit.

Aaron Johnson, MSW, SSW
Aaron has been helping families for the last six years to navigate difficult life systems. Aaron received a Masters of Social Work from Portland State University with an emphasis in the practice of narrative therapy. Aaron is trained in other treatment approaches, including emotion based therapy, motivational interviewing, and CBT. He connects easily with people and is able to form quick bonds with individuals and families. This helped Aaron find his niche working with families by helping each person reconnect with the family system.

Aaron began his journey of working with families when his family moved to Mexico to adopt Aaron's brother. "Seeing how difficult it was for my family to navigate the process of adoption, I knew I wanted to work with families, helping them overcome roadblocks to reach their goals." Aaron has experience working in residential therapeutic treatment programs, promoting and ensuring child safety and family growth with the state of Utah, as well as working with youth that have sexual behavioral problems. His primary areas of interest in the therapeutic process include families of adoption, process addictions such as pornography, video games and gambling, and working with youth with learning disabilities.

Growing up in Utah, Aaron learned to love and find peace in the nature. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. Aaron says, "We love to just go exploring and find something new to do as a family." Aaron also enjoys singing, mountain biking, and finding exotic food to eat.

WinGate Wilderness Therapy
WinGate has a deeply-seated belief that every person, including each of the students we serve, is capable of dramatic internal change. Part of real change is the return to, or discovery of oneself. When detrimental issues are effectively addressed, personal characteristics are uncovered, revealing a unique, talented, and gifted person.

WinGate Wilderness Therapy creates an awakening of the heart through healing the pain of the past, understanding the value of today, and gaining a sense of strength for the future.