Robert C. Simmons, PhD, MFT
Clinical Psychologist
CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Simmons received his BS from Brigham Young University in Mathematics, Physics and Secondary Education. He then received a Masters in Science Education from University of Utah with an emphasis in Mathematics, Science Education and Educational Psychology. His PhD is from University of Utah emphasizing Counseling Psychology and Educational Psychology. He has been a Licensed Psychologist since 1971 and a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor since 1973. He is also Lead Faculty and a member of the Steering Committee for the Mental Health Counseling program. Dr. Simmons was the Executive Director and Clinical Director for the First Step House, a 60-bed residential treatment facility. He developed the cognitive therapy modality for the center and implemented it from 1982-2002. Dr. Simmons has been an instructor at the University of Phoenix’s Utah Campus since it opened in 1984. He has taught multiple courses in undergraduate and graduate business, educational counseling and nursing. He is currently the Clinical Resource Specialist for the Masters of Mental Health Counseling program. In addition, he has served at all levels of academic governance, including Senior Faculty at the Utah Campus Academic Council, and ADC for Counseling and Business. He was an Associate Professor and Administrator in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Utah College of Medicine and received the Distinguished Faculty of the Year award (1987). In 2006 he received the Educator of the Year award from the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce. If you ask Dr. Simmons why he’s involved, he’ll tell you, “Turning Point, the Utah Drug Rehab of choice, offers the most innovative, progressive program that I have had the pleasure of being involved with in the entire 30 years of my career. I am proud to be a part of it!” 

Scott A. Erickson, MD
MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Erickson received his under graduate from University of Utah with a Spanish major and a minor in Chemistry. He graduated Cum Laude. Upon graduation he moved on to Saint Louis University School of Medicine where he was awarded MD with Distinction in Research. He is a Board Certified Family Physician with his own practice in Family Medicine emphasizing Substance Abuse. He holds the following; Utah Controlled Substances Law and General Law, Utah Physician and Surgeon License to name a couple. He is also the Physician Director for Special Care Management Corporation who is the parent company of New Vision. New Vision detox centers are located in over 40 states across the country. His is Suboxone Certified and one of 2 MD’s in the state of Utah who can perform the Naltrexone implant…an “opiate blocker.” Dr. Erickson is versed in Prometa, which helps with alcohol, cocaine and methamphetamines. “Out of all the things I do as a practitioner, I have the greatest success and feeling from helping clients get away from substance abuse…it’s certainly the most rewarding!”

Melanie Tackett, LSAC
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Melanie was the first person brought on board with Turning Point. She has been in the substance abuse field for over 19 years and truly understands and appreciates the power of sobriety. She has designed many programs that have helped facilities successfully treat clients. Because of her energy and knowledge, Turning Point asked her to design and implement the innovative and successful program it utilizes. She receives respect from her staff and the clients because she always puts them first. “I’ve been in the field long enough to enjoy all kinds of different philosophies,” she says. “What I like about our program is the unique approach of defusing the abuse in all areas, not just the ‘substance’. I realize the importance of challenging the beliefs of what people think they’re doing. Our clients take a look at their internal thought process and realize it’s those thoughts about what they’re doing that enable them to stay sick. This ideology, combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, helps our clients see the truth.”

Jonathan H. Horne, MD
STAFF/CLIENT PHYSICIAN

Jonathon has been an MD since 1971. He completed his BS of Sculpture and Medical Biology from University of Utah. He went on to receive his MD from Cornell Medical College in New York City. After completion he did his intern and resident hours at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago, IL. Dr.Horne is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery, a Member of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, International Intra Discal Therapy Society, North American Orthopedic Laser Society, Western Orthopedic Association and both Utah State Medical Society and the Salt Lake City Medical Society. He is licensed in MA, IL, CO, UT, MT, CA, WA, and WY. Dr. Horne has treated over 74,000 patients over the years and is still going. “At Turning Point clients learn to appreciate the duality of our existence and how to choose the positive. Turning Point shows the clients the importance of appreciating the presence of life and their relationships and also how to understand what’s pulled them out of that awareness and how to get back.” 

Trudy Bond, CPCI
DUAL DIAGNOSIS THERAPIST

Trudy’s BA degree is in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Utah. She received her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix and has been in the field ever since. She started her profession with the First Step House in Salt Lake City where she worked with an all-male population of 61 – thus, 8 clients at Turning Point is much more manageable. She has also worked with House of Hope. She loves “watching people progress and make positive changes in their lives.” Trudy feels the “small steps taken towards sobriety reward the positive, healthy lifestyle everyone deserves.” Her strengths as a dual diagnosis therapist enable her to work well with any client and communicate directly, while still being able to empathize with the clients’ challenges. “We control our own destiny and have the power to create the life that we want,” she says. “What I love about Turning Point is that it focuses on the ‘whole’ person and not just the substance abuse…it’s very balanced.”

Natalie Walch, PCI
DUAL DIAGNOSIS THERAPIST

Natalie graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and a minor in Criminology. She continued her education pursuing a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix where she earned the “Student of the Year” award presented by the Utah Mental Health Counselors Association. Natalie joined Turning Point after having been mentored at A/D Psychotherapy. Natalie brings a unique dimension to Turning Point offering 20+ years experience in meditation and 12 years of mindfulness practice. She is also a certified hypnotherapist and offers clients training in self-hypnosis, guided meditation and progressive relaxation techniques stating “substance abusers are generally seeking an altered state of consciousness either to seek pleasure or avoid pain. Through meditation and self-hypnosis these clients can learn to enter these states without the use of drugs or alcohol.” Natalie is a certified NLP practitioner and is trained to teach EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique.) Natalie was drawn to Turning Point “because of its unique blend of Cognitive Behavioral and holistic approach to recovery.” According to Natalie, “Addiction is a symptom of a larger problem and addressing not only the mental component, but the emotional, physical and spiritual issues as well provide the best possible therapeutic environment.”

Nancy Jenkins, LPC
DUAL DIAGNOSIS THERAPIST

Nancy has been serving the field and helping clients find their way back to sobriety for over 13 years. She holds a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling and is currently completing her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. She prides herself on understanding and acknowledging the importance of the family and enjoys working with the clients and their families in rediscovering the happiness and joy of their relationships. Nancy comes to Turning Point from Utah Alcoholism Foundation’s Serenity House where she was the Program Director. Nancy also works as the Clinical Director for First Step House Intensive Outpatient Program. “I know if I can show someone how to change their way of thinking, they will feel empowered to act in ways that are healthy and bring peace into their lives.”

Loralee Curtis
Facilitator of “The Work” of Byron Katie
CLIENT RELATIONS
EXPERIENTAL EDUCATION

Loralee wears a few hats at Turning Point. She’s the direct contact for all of the local detox centers, hospitals, attorneys and religious organization. She also conducts educational groups at the center. Her passion is to facilitate “The Work” of Byron Katie and conduct experiential groups based on present moment awareness and unconditional self-acceptance. She holds many accolades. She is a graduate of the School for The Work of Byron Katie, The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and is an Integrative Life Coach. She is also currently working towards becoming an Internationally Certified Facilitator of The Work. She has participated in several intensives and workshops with Gary Zukav, Adyashanti, Gangaji and Genpo Roshi. This October will be attending an intensive with Eckhart Tolle. Loralee says, “What I love about our program is hat it’s radical in that our tools give the client a clarifying lens through which to see the world, themselves and others. This gives them a clear, simple and direct path into their own freedom in the last place they ever thought to look…themselves.”

Melanie Thygerson, MSC, CPCI
INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT DIRECTOR

Melanie designed the Intensive Outpatient program to address clients’ core issues and teach various techniques towards the accomplishment of life-long sobriety. She also facilitates the groups and each client’s one-on-one session. She graduated from University of Utah with a BS in Psychology. She then went on to study at the University of Phoenix where she received her Masters in Counseling. Upon graduation she successfully completed her requirements with the state to receive her CPCI. Melanie is also a certified NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness) and because of her knowledge, can teach a variety of mental health classes to coincide with substance abuse. Anger Management and Domestic Violence are two categories that certainly can be associated with our industry…Melanie is certified in both arenas. “My passion is working in therapy with clients on their core issues. At Turning Point we understand that if clients fail to work on their core issues they never really get well.”

Lisa Parmley
CHEF

Having grown up in a family of chefs, Lisa is very comfortable cooking for many people. She doesn’t believe in “tearing open a package of trans fatty foods and calling it dinner.” Her specialty is preparing meals that are low in sodium and have no sugar or caffeine. Her balanced meals, which are prepared on a daily basis, always include fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish, meat or poultry. She does not cook with processed foods and understands the necessity to control the ingredients and preservatives that go into each dish. This knowledge is crucial in the healing process. Within days of entering, each client starts to learn and enjoy proper eating habits. Because of Lisa’s ability to prepare her dishes in this manner, the clients also realize “true” energy and notice there’s no need for sugar or caffeine in their lives.

Logan Kotkas
SUPPORT STAFF

Turning Point was fortunate to bring Logan onboard. He came with experience from Utah Alcoholism Foundation’s Serenity House where his Clinical Director gave high praises for his reliability and understanding of clients’ needs. His career goals are to obtain his MSW from Weber State University and then apply his degree toward better serving the clients at Turning Point. “The atmosphere at Turning Point is unlike any center I’ve been involved with. The energy with both the staff and the clients always seems to be positive. The clients come in here and learn new tools that really show them how to rely on themselves. Since it’s an 8-bed facility, I notice everyone is always helping and watching out for each other – I’m sure that’s why we’re so successful.” 

Mark Naylor
SUPPORT STAFF

“It’s amazing to me that I get paid to come and work at Turning Point,” Mark says. “I love working with the clients and being able to share my experience and show them that anything is possible!” Mark plans to continue his education at University of Utah to receive his LSAC so he can “give back” in a therapeutic manner. He conducts reflection groups with clients and also started one of Turning Point’s Open AA meetings where he focuses on Living Sober – an approved AA literature. Mark has worked with large populations of clients and feels the “smaller” population at Turning Point is conducive to healing. 

Shelly Call
EQUINE THERAPIST

Shelly grew up with horses, starting with her first pony to working with her quarter horses and Arabians. Through her 40 years of experience with training horses she has worked with countless people to help them overcome many disabilities such as behavioral, emotional and addiction problems. She understands the importance of Equine Therapy in treatment. "Horses are wonderful creatures to work with. Each has their own personality and vices just like humans. They don't judge, learn to trust and can teach us a lot about ourselves." Turning Point offers an effective program that will show the clients they can conquer personal challenges that apply to every day life. "Equine Therapy can teach trust, patience, love and understanding. It's a very powerful experience. I thoroughly enjoy working with the clients here at Turning Point Centers and feel lucky to watch their growth during this therapy."