Aaron Huey, Director
Aaron is considered one of the world‘s leading experts in the empowerment of children and families. He has been working with children and parents for over 15 years. Since then he has been an elementary, middle school, high school and college teacher, a kids life coach, mentor, professional story teller, director, trainer, camp counselor, parenting coach, and a father as well as a step-dad. He teaches seminars to children and adults all over the United States and Canada and speaks at parenting centers about authentic play, the dance of masculine and feminine energy in relationships, and using archetypes for understanding and empowerment. Aaron believes that people have more power than they acknowledge. His mission is to awaken confidence and leadership. “It‘s not about being better, it‘s about giving up the struggle to be different from who you are.” Read more…
Aaron understands the struggles kids and families go through because he has been there. “I was diagnosed with ADHD/ADD when I was 12, and was also told that I had learning disabilities. I was bullied unmercifully, struggled to try and get any kind of grades at all, and I basically had zero self-esteem. I started to get into trouble at school, because I just couldn‘t fit into the mold that t
hey were trying to put me in. I developed substance abuse problems, and really hit rock bottom.”
How did he turn it around? “I finally found out the style of learning that WORKED FOR ME! And then, I discovered how to work with others in a way that tapped into the style of learning that WORKS FOR THEM!”
Aaron was raised in Longmont, Colorado and has 2 younger brothers He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1991 and is a certified EMT and Red Cross 1st Responder instructor as well as a Wilderness First Aid Instructor.
Jeff Hamilton, Instructor
Jeff lives in a cabin on 5 acres amidst the Roosevelt National Forest. Being in the mountains gives him a chances to live simply in harmony with nature as well as a chance to cruise his motorcycle on some pretty great windy roads. With degrees in Psychology and Anthropology, Jeff is a Reiki Master and hypnotherapist. He has taught Martial Arts for 20 years and is in his 15th year teaching at a Boulder, CO alternative high school where he is a favorite mentor and guide for young adults. How does he view what he does? “I work with energy: energy inside oneself, energy between individuals, and energy in relationship to nature.” An avid reader of philosophy, mythology and history, Jeff infuses his teaching with lessons from our greatest story tellers and heroes. He has been with Fire Mountain since the beginning. Why? “Because I love what I do. It’s amazing to facilitate the awareness and growth in people that come through our programs.” As a warrior and sage, Jeff believes the most valuable things he has learned in his life have come through relationships, especially with his daughter.
Tyler Conderino, Instructor, Sober Home Lead Staff
(pictured here with Flurry a.k.a. Bear Biter)
A true spiritual Warrior, with a degree in Outdoor Education and Wilderness Leadership, Tyler is our lodge master, director of logistics, and a favorite counselor among the kids. He has put his sweat, heart and soul into Fire Mountain’s mission and participants since the beginning. We call him the Ninja because he magically appears whenever he is needed. We call him a Shaman because he intuitively knows what the spirit of each individual needs and what the camps require at any given moment. At only 20 years old, Tyler is a support facilitator for the world famous Predicament, assistant trainer for Fire Mountain Martial Arts, and an inspiring role model for children.
Patty Ramey, Leader of Ceremonies, Financial Advisor
Patty leads some of our most fun, transformational and sacred events. Her grounded wisdom is an inspiration to everyone. She also keeps Fire Mountain thriving by managing our books and budgets! She is the owner of Sacred Ceremonies, an inspired company that creates and delivers life-changing ceremonies for people in times of transition and celebration. Her 6-year old son Kylon is a force at our Warrior Camp (he’s the littlest guy in the video on our home page).
CLINICAL TEAM
Sam Elmore, MA, Therapist, Wilderness Leader, Consultant
For over 15 years Sam has been honing his expertise in somatic psychology, group process, systems theory, play, creativity and theatre to create unique solutions for every client he serves.
His approach is grounded in the theory and science of change, while remaining playful and caring. As a change artist, Sam guides his clients on their journey from stagnation to innovation. He seeks to uncover the unique wisdom within every individual and group and he leverages the power of creativity and play to create stability, sustainability and joy. Read more…
Sam holds a Masters degree in Somatic Counseling Psychology from Naropa University, where he focused his studies on creating non-clinical applications for the creative arts. He received his BA from Middlebury College in Theatre/Dance and has acted and directed in film and theatre professionally since 2001. He has additional training in Authentic Leadership and Matrixworks and his informal education has taken place in kitchens, conference rooms, wilderness areas, roomfuls of children, beside a horse, onstage, and along miles of shoreline. He lives in Boulder, CO with his fiance and their dog.
James Bell, MA, LPC, CAC III, Supervising Therapist
James L. Bell, MA, LPC, CAC III, has practiced in the field of mental health since 1989 specializing in the integration of spiritual, psychotherapeutic and clinical issues. James provides counseling to families, couples and individuals on a variety of concerns such as substance abuse; mood disorders; diversity and multicultural affairs; career, education and vocation; gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, and queer issues; and terminal illnesses. James has been on the staff of nationally known young adult transitions programs. Most recently he has been clinical program director for On Purpose Transitions.
Having attained advance training in supervision, James also provides clinical supervision consultation, mentor and business coaching for psychotherapists. Read more…
In 2006 he was selected by the Colorado Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT) for the Supervisor of the Year Award. He is currently chair of the CAMFT Public Relations Committee. James has been a Teaching Assistant in the Contemplative Psychology program at Naropa University. A DBS approved trainer, James is on the faculty of the Colorado School for Family Therapy.
Joe Soma, LPC, Supervising Therapist
Joe has worked in private practice as a psychotherapist since 2003 in both Boulder and Denver. He has a degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University and an MS in Biochemistry from the University of Scranton. He is a certified Hakomi therapist, certified in EMDR and a senior adjunct faculty member at Naropa University.
At Fire Mountain, Joe is a valued supervisor for interns and an insightful consultant for the program as a whole.
Mike D’Angelo, Intern Therapist
Mike has over 5 years of experience working with at-risk adolescents struggling with addiction, attachment issues, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, oppositional defiance, identity development, and learning differences. He specializes in working with families, adventure and wilderness therapy, ceremony, and rites of passage.
BA in Clinical and Social Psychology, Minor in Brain and Cognitive Science from the University of Rochester in New York. He is currently in the final months of Masters program in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Wilderness Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Read more…
Mike’s certifications include Wilderness First Responder with the Wilderness Medicine Institute, Clinical First Responder with Peak Experiences, and in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention.
When not working, Mike enjoys traveling, outdoor sports, and spending time with his family and friends.
Angela Schmidt, Intern Therapist
Angela is in the process of completing her MA in Transpersonal Therapy from Naropa, here in Boulder. She has a BA in Human Growth and Development and with an AA with honors in Child development and Early Childhood Education.
Angela has 16 years of experience of working with children in various settings with numerous diagnoses and issues. Her love was working with dolphins in the a therapeutic setting in assisting children. This therapy setting encompassed many therapy modalities that included behavior modification, physical therapy, speech, educational and occupational therapy. This setting was rich in experiences and exchanges with child and family. Read more…
Angela also live in the wilderness with 60 young males that were on their last stop before these young men entered into a detention system that would be their permanent home until they turn 18 and could be release out on their own. This program had her working with the families as well as the child, case workers, teachers and the psychologist.
Angela has taken all these valuable skill-sets and uses them in a effective, organic and authentic manner to assist each client.
Fire Mountain is be a great place for her bring all these skills into one place that allows her creativity and freedom to really be present to working with you and your kids.
Gretchen Leezer, Intern Therapist
Gretchen has been facilitating personal growth and working with children, teens and families for nearly ten years. She has a background in outdoor guiding, experiential education, teaching and wilderness therapy. She leads all Fire Mountain wilderness trips as well as programs for women and girls at The Women’s Wilderness Institute.
She is currently completing her Masters degree at Naropa University in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with a concentration in wilderness therapy. B.A. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Missouri. Read more…
Certifications in Wilderness First Responder, CPR and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
Gretchen enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her two dogs.
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