New Leadership and New Vocational
Testing at Passages To Recovery in Utah

Dori Them has been named Executive Director for Passages To Recovery, Aspen Education Group's adult recovery program in central Utah. In this capacity, Dori will oversee all field operations and clinical activities for the company, managing the MAPS House in Loa and all affiliated personnel. Ms. Them assumed her new duties on November 27th, 2006. Passages To Recovery's wilderness treatment program provides comprehensive primary care substance abuse and dependency treatment for young adults and their families.

Dori Them has the experience, management ability and vision to successfully lead our endeavor, and her knowledge and insight into the dynamics of wilderness therapy will strengthen our approach to the 12-step process and the mental health issues that accompany dependency and abuse.

She has a long track record in the industry, serving as a School Head and teacher at Mount Bachelor Academy in the early 90's before shifting over to wilderness therapy in 1997. Dori has served as a Field Supervisor at SUWS Adolescent Program in Idaho and at SUWS of the Carolinas. She later became Program Director of Family Services. Other outdoor programs she has served include TREX and Three Rivers Montana. This is her first assignment as Executive Director within Aspen Education Group. Dori's considerable experience working with young adults and their families will be greatly appreciated at Passages To Recovery.

Passages To Recovery's brief residential component, the MAPS House, frames the wilderness expedition to provide stabilization and seamless transition for our clients. Upon enrollment, each client stays a minimum of 3 days in the MAPS House. This is an opportunity for them to acclimate to the altitude, learn basic hard shills, complete their life story and First Step, and receive a psychiatric evaluation, a medical examination, and vocational testing. Dori has endorsed the addition of vocational testing to broaden our client's understanding of their talents and propensities as well as define more clearly some of the opportunities they may pursue to support a personalized sober and sane lifestyle.

After completion of the wilderness component of treatment, clients return to the MAPS House. During this time, clients engage in a two-day family workshop, complete Steps Four and Five, and work with family members and referring professionals toward identification of and commitment to an aftercare plan.

The MAPS House curriculum includes daily in-house or external 12 Step meetings. In addition, our Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor leads experiential groups focusing on substance abuse and chemical dependency education and issues.

The MAPS House is a rich environment for learning and growing in which our clients begin to apply the new sober living skills learned in the field and at the family workshop to their lives. Graduates serve by sharing their experience, strength and hope with clients preparing to go to the field.

You can reach Passages To Recovery at 866-625-8809, or visit our website at www.passagestorecovery.com. Dori can be reached directly at dthem@passagestorecovery.com
or on her cell phone at 435-691-3634.