Meet The Team
Our Family Is Here to help yours:
Meet Our Team of Experts
Jennifer Charrier-Isenhour
Jennifer has always been drawn to helping people and has volunteered both locally and internationally educating, working alongside, and advocating for others. She had dedicated her life to serving adolescents and young adults in treatment. Over the last 19 years, Jennifer has helped developed and run two residential treatment centers and has served as the Admissions and Outreach Director at Second Nature Wilderness Family Therapy. While working with adolescents in these various settings, Jennifer noticed a common pattern in the long-term success outcomes of the students with whom her programs have worked. This pattern included a consistent struggle transitioning into independent young adult settings. While these students learned to successfully navigate adolescent challenges, they struggled to launch into adulthood with the necessary executive function skills needed to succeed outside a structured environment. While this pattern began to manifest and draw Jennifer’s attention, she was simultaneously launching her own son into young adulthood in a university setting. While preparing her own young adult for college it occurred to Jennifer that many of her past students could benefit from the same tutelage from which her son benefitted. These experiences inspired the development of Rite Passage.
Jennifer also has a passion and interest in academic research. Early in her career, Jennifer understood the connection between early experiences, neurobiological development, and later mental health outcomes. This understanding propelled Jennifer towards neurobiological and cognitive developmental research at the University of Utah. Jennifer is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in developmental psychology. She hopes to integrate her research findings into her program community in order to promote brain-based approaches in work with young adults.
Jennifer was born and raised in Huntington Beach California. When Jennifer is not working, she enjoys spending time with her three sons, two dogs, and wonderful husband. Jennifer’s children range in age from 21 to 8 giving Jennifer a unique and simultaneous perspective on human development. “Raising a child with special needs has helped me understand how heartbreaking and scary it can be to be a parent. I understand how desperately we want our children to heal and grow and I understand the fear-induced when trusting others with your child.” This first-hand knowledge and experience with a struggling child have given Jennifer empathy and understanding to help other parents going through similar struggles.
Sarah Mack
Sarah has spent several years coaching parents of young adults in various stages of treatment and transitional independent living programs. Being a parent of a young adult herself, she understands the unique challenges that young adults (and subsequently their parents) are facing today. The journey toward independence can be a difficult one, and letting go can be a daunting task for parents. Sarah provides an additional layer of support for parents as they navigate their way through the process and work toward creating the relationship they want with their emerging adult. By partnering with parents, she helps generate creative approaches and new communication tools, and helps them adjust to their new role in their adult child’s life.
Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Linfield College. She is a credentialed Parent Coach through the International Coach Federation, as well as a trained mediator. She has undergone advanced training in positive psychology coaching, parent coaching, family systems and addiction treatment.
Sarah has coached hundreds of parents as they transition their children into or out of therapeutic placements. She began her career providing in-home support services for underserved families in rural communities. Sarah was introduced to the field of outdoor behavioral health in the early nineties and found her passion. She spent twenty years working in a therapeutic wilderness program providing support for families and adolescents. She founded and directed a home-based transitional program for wilderness therapy graduates, and was instrumental in developing an adventure-based therapeutic boarding school. She worked closely with Indian Health Services to increase access to wilderness therapy for Native American adolescents. When she was introduced to the field of parent coaching, she jumped at the opportunity to support parents throughout their child’s treatment experience.
Sarah was raised on the Oregon Coast and returns to the beach as often as possible to adventure with her family. Her greatest joy is being a parent and she is constantly learning from her sons. She enjoys camping and traveling with friends and family. When time allows for a quiet moment, she enjoys tucking into a good book.
Devan Glissmeyer, Ph.D
As Co-Founder of Second Nature Wilderness Family Therapy, Devan has worked with adolescents in treatment for 22 years. He understands that the intense structure of wilderness and residential treatment must be followed by autonomy in college. Prior to co-founding Second Nature, he taught college psychology and communication courses. Devan began his studies at the University of Utah where he received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He attended Ball State University in Indiana and received a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. He returned to Utah and completed his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Brigham Young University. Devan’s doctoral studies focused on family systems and adolescent development and treatment. His doctoral research focused on the influence of parental and peer relationships on adolescent maladaptive behaviors (e.g. substance abuse, oppositional defiance, and mood disorders). He began working with adolescents during graduate school as a front-line residential staff member. It was during this work that he began to focus singularly on adolescent development and treatment.
Co-Developing Rite Passage is a natural extension of Devan’s work with adolescents. Through his own challenges and successes in college, he developed awareness for the importance of a balanced college experience. Devan understands that replicating residential treatment programs for young adults won’t meet their developmental needs. Among other things, his contribution to the Rite Passage program is the balance between independence and emotional connection, that so many families struggle with during early college years.
Devan’s strengths lie in his clinical training in adolescent development and family therapy. He has empathy for students who have spent significant time away from home and those struggling with achieving stability and independence. After initially engaging Rite Passage clients, Devan challenges them to focus on identity development (who they want to be). Devan is passionate about gender identity issues and the urgency of teaching clients to shift from the denial of emotions and unhealthy coping mechanisms to emotional awareness and empathy. As the father of a daughter he also understands the impact of bravado on girls and their development.
Devan’s greatest passion away from work is coaching basketball and playing tennis. He has coached all four of his children and they have competed in 750 games over 18 years. He plays tennis regularly and enjoys his Bernese Mountain dogs. Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Kansas City, Devan has resided in Utah since 1985. Married since 1990 with three sons and a daughter, Devan appreciates any time he is able to share with his family.
Naomi Baende, RP
Naomi was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to the U.S as an adolescent. Though young and far from her home country, Naomi found a new place to call home here in Utah. Her immigration experiences shed light on the challenges that life transitions bring and found resilience navigating a new culture, language, and social environment. Naomi was not only able to lay down roots of her own but has since worked tirelessly to help other students adapt to their new environments and find success.
Naomi brings her passion for helping and advocating for others to the work she does with Rite Passage clients and parents. Naomi’s pursuit of a medical degree has allowed her opportunities to give back to her community through community service, clinical research, medical practice and with her involvement in university services designed to support students. Naomi’s passion, positivity, authenticity, and optimism are contagious and touch all who interact with her.
Naomi has held many professional positions including service as a nationally certified Medical Assistant, pain researcher, the Director of the Advocacy Board with the Residential Hall Association, Assistant Director of the Student Immersion and Outreach Board with the Associated Students of the University of Utah, Co-chair and Treasurer of the African Student Association, and Ambassador of the Study Abroad Office. These positions have armed Naomi with incredible leadership and advocacy skills and uniquely qualifies her to assist Rite Passage students in learning how to navigate the transition into young adulthood, vocational and college life. Naomi continues to collaborate with school authorities at the University of Utah in order to improve student life on campus for all individuals. This advocacy work includes facilitating important conversations around topics such as student involvement, diversity, inclusion, leadership, civic engagement, campus safety, study abroad, research and higher education.
Naomi holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Health, Society and Policy from the University of Utah with three years studying Biology and Chemistry as a pre-medicine student. She also holds a minor in French. Naomi is currently continuing her education to obtain a Master’s of science degree in International Affairs and Global Enterprise.
Naomi is a trained leader, mentor, and community partner who also values the importance of family and the community, and the impact each has on the other. She believes that bringing the right resources to a community can change lives and solve so many problems society faces while also preventing new ones. She believes that learning never ends and stems from the interactions and connections we share with one another. While Naomi isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, as dancing, singing, cooking, graphic design and tutoring young students.
Did You Know?
30% of college freshman across the country drop out before completing their second semester. Rite Passage provides a light scaffolding of support to help freshman navigate the complexities of adult living and a rigorous academic cirriculum.
