This is a  staff list for Vista Programs in Utah

(aka Vista Adolescent Treatment Center, Vista Counseling Services, Vista at Dimple Dell Canyon, Vista Private School, Vista Teen Living, LLC, Vista Teen Living--Teen Horizon, and Vista Magna)

(we are working to acquire the complete records for ALL years)

 

We advise current and/or former staff to report any abuses you may have witnessed while working at Vista.  For information on your rights and how to take action, visit www.heal-online.org/blowthewhistle.htm.  If you were fired or forced to resign because you opposed any illegal and/or unethical practices at Vista, you have the right to take action. 

 

If you were harmed (family or survivor) by Vista, please contact [email protected] if you remember the long-term employees and from which years.  This will help!   Also, if you recognize any of these staff as having worked at another program, please send in any information about their past or present employment at other facilities and/or cults.

 

HEAL is currently investigating Vista.

 

Name

Unit/Position

Additional Information
Kathy Larson Office Manager Vista Adolescent Treatment Center--Magna, UT  The title of Office Manager does not suggest that the duties would require professional licensure.  As such, HEAL has chosen not to check Larson's professional licensure.
Jeff Kovnick Medical Director (all locations)  Kovnick is a licensed physician (medical doctor) and has been since 1991.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Allen Fife Team Leader (all locations)  Allen Ray Fife (may be a different person) is a licensed psychologist in Utah and has been since January, 1910.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Jason Seavey Therapist Seavey is a licensed clinical social worker and has been since August, 2008.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Bobbi Carter Therapist Carter is a licensed clinical social worker and has been since 1998.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Steven Sawyer Clinical Director Sawyer is a licensed clinical social worker and has been since 1985.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Victor Tua'one Therapist Tua'one is a licensed clinical social worker and has been since October, 2010.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Haylee Winget Counselor Winget is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Marshall Harding Counselor Harding is a licensed substance abuse counselor and has been since June, 2008.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Aaron Aldridge Therapist Aldridge is a licensed professional counselor and has been since March, 2008.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html  Aldridge reportedly no longer works for this program and is now working for a "transitional program" called Spruce Mountain Inn in Vermont.  To see the results of a lawsuit against Spruce Mountain Inn, click here.
Cammy Notarianni Counselor Carmela Regin Notarianni has an administrative hold placed on her license as a private security officer.  HEAL was unable to determine the cause of the administrative hold.
Name: CARMELA REGIN NOTARIANNI
City, State, Zip: MAGNA, UT 84044
Profession: SECURITY COMPANIES & GUARDS
License Type: UNARMED PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICER
License Number: 218905-6303
Obtained By: UNKNOWN
License Status: ADMINISTRATIVE HOLD
Original Issue Date: 09/17/1996
Expiration Date: 07/31/1998
Disciplinary Action: NONE
Docket Number: N/A

Carmela Notarianni (may be a different person) is a licensed substance abuse counselor in Utah and has been since February, 2006.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html

Ron Crossman Principal (all locations)  HEAL is in the process of verifying the credentials of all educational staff.  We will post the information as it becomes available.
Heidi Alder Teacher (all locations)  HEAL is in the process of verifying the credentials of all educational staff.  We will post the information as it becomes available.
Sam Johnston Teacher (all locations)  HEAL is in the process of verifying the credentials of all educational staff.  We will post the information as it becomes available.
Ned Heitz Teacher (all locations)  HEAL is in the process of verifying the credentials of all educational staff.  We will post the information as it becomes available.
Amber Carlston Counselor Carlston is a licensed associate professional counselor and has been since December, 2008.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Tim Grayson Special Education (all locations)  HEAL is in the process of verifying the credentials of all educational staff.  We will post the information as it becomes available.
Michelle DeMoss Nurse (all locations)  Angela Michelle DeMoss (may be a different person) is a licensed registered nurse in Utah and has been since December, 2005.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Mike Larson Recreation HEAL requires the middle name or middle initial of Michael Larson to determine whether or not he holds any professional licenses in Utah.
Marci Lee Recreation Lee is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Soni Spencer Director of Nutrition (all locations)  Spencer is a certified dietitian and has been since 1998.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Kim Wilson Kitchen Manager Wilson does not appear to hold any professional licenses.
Robin Caveness Admin. Coordinator Vista Dimple Dell Canyon--Sandy, UT  Administrative/Office personnel would not be expected to hold any professional licenses.  Therefore, HEAL chose not to verify Caveness' licensure or lack thereof.
Ryan Pepper Therapist Pepper is a licensed clinical social worker and has been since 2007.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Jason Capel Therapist Capel is a licensed clinical social worker and has been since 1997.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Kaylee Davidson Therapist Davidson is a certified social worker and has been since July, 2010.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Dennis Wilson Teacher HEAL is in the process of verifying the credentials of all educational staff.  We will post the information as it becomes available.
Joanne Ethridge Nurse Ethridge is not a licensed mental health nor medical (nursing) professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Wendy Checketts Yoga Instructor Checketts does not appear to hold any professional licenses in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Christy Green Kitchen Manager Green does not appear to hold any professional licenses in Utah related to food preparation.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Matthew B. Checketts Executive Director Vista Counseling Services--Salt Lake City, UT  Checketts is a licensed clinical social worker in Utah and has been since 2003.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Lana Nelson Counselor Nelson is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Lori Neeleman Therapist Neeleman is a licensed psychologist and has been since 2003.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Jeff Larson Therapist HEAL requires Larson's middle name in order to verify licensure or lack thereof.
Kim McKee Therapist Kim McKee is a licensed associate professional counselor and has been only since July, 2010.  McKee earned her degree at University of Phoenix.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html

"The Justice Department announced today that the University of Phoenix has agreed to pay the United States $67.5 million to resolve allegations that its student recruitment policies violated the False Claims Act.  This case began as a whistleblower action filed in the Eastern District of California under the False Claims Act, which permits private citizens to bring lawsuits for fraud on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Whistleblowers Mary Hendow and Julie Behn, two former University of Phoenix employees, alleged that the university accepted federal student financial aid while in violation of statutory and regulatory provisions prohibiting post-secondary schools from paying admissions counselors certain forms of incentive-based compensation tied to the number of students recruited. Though the United States did not intervene in this action, the Government provided support and assistance to the whistleblowers at many stages of the case, including filing friend-of-the-court briefs when the case was on appeal to the Ninth Circuit. The two whistleblowers will receive $19 million from the settlement."

The University of Phoenix does not have the specialized accreditation necessary for degrees in psychology.  (Source: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx)   It is accredited for teaching and nursing degrees.

Rafael A. Flores Counselor Flores is a licensed substance abuse counselor and has been since March, 2008.  He does not list any college or higher education.  Highest degree claimed with the Office of Licensing is a high school diploma from Highland High School in 1991.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Jason Utley Mentor HEAL is in the process of verifying the credentials of all educational staff.  We will post the information as it becomes available.
Mike Scholes Mentor HEAL is in the process of verifying the credentials of all educational staff.  We will post the information as it becomes available.
Sara Rowan Stockton Staff  
Chris Wightman Therapist  
Liz Laraway Olsen Chemical Dependency Counselor  
Bridger Ogden CD Counselor for VTL and "Foster Parent"  
Lindsay Ogden Foster Parent  
Ben Browning (Foster Parent VTL), Staff Member Vista  
Kenneth Skaggs Office Manager/Staff  
Jeff Larson Therapist  
PJ Mannion Therapist  
Steven Puente CD Counselor  
Danielle Tanner VCS Therapist  
Kourtnee Gillespie Heise Staff  
Niki Cherico Behavior Health Nurse  
Lana Nielson Royle Psychologist  
Karen Checketts Therapist Reportedly employed by Vista-Dimple Dell Canyon in 2007.
*(Vista, like many other programs in this industry, keeps a "tight lid" on any specific information regarding their staff, qualifications, and practices.  Please contact us with the names of any staff of which you have firsthand knowledge or experience.  Thank you for your help.)
This program does not provide program details or enrollment materials online or provide such information to the public for review. 
Police Reported Complaints involving Vista include reports of rape, assault, child neglect, domestic violence, and life-threatening environmental conditions.  Click here to view the calls.

 

 Last Updated: June 28th, 2021

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