Becca has worked in residential therapeutic girl programs since 2004, beginning as a residential staff at a therapeutic boarding school. Becca was able to apply her professional and nurturing skills to creating a Program Director position in the first year of her time with the program and since has been a founding program staff for two other programs.
Becca is dedicated to working with families and young girls to promote healthy living emotionally and physically. “I truly feel that my mission in life includes empowering and educating young women through their healing process.” Becca is a native to Western North Carolina and enjoys all the outdoor activities, and delicious foods, that the Asheville area offers. As a mother of a little girl, her main focus is her daughter. She also values time with her family and friends who provide strong support and inspiration daily, music and recently has began learning to care for and ride horses. Email Becca with your admissions questions at: becca@solsticeeast.com
Rick brings his extensive and varied experience to be our Executive Director and received his Masters in Educational Leadership from Mercer University. He was employed as a retail District Leader for 16 years before he began his life-changing career in schools. In 2004, he began with the inaugural team of New Leaf Academy of NC, an all girls’ therapeutic boarding school that he helped lead over 5 years. He continued his career in therapeutic education as he led admissions teams for wilderness programs, assisting families with placements for a variety of diagnoses. During the 3 years prior to joining the team at Solstice East, he was Assistant Head of School at Brandon Hall School, an independent boarding school in Atlanta, GA. Rick joined Solstice East in 2015 and considers it a privilege to lead the caring Solstice East team that brings so much positive change and healing to the lives of adolescents and their families. Outside of Solstice East, Rick is pursuing his PhD and with occasional free time, he enjoys a variety of activities including kayaking, hiking, singing, printmaking and painting. He loves his daily walks and time with his Yorkshire terrier daughters, Katy and BeBe
Kaitlyn will graduate from Lenoir-Rhyne University with my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling the Summer of 2019. As a practicum student, she has worked in a day treatment program and outpatient services with youth. She counseled a diverse caseload of children and families using trauma-informed psychotherapy while integrating expressive therapy modalities including art, movement, and play. She had previously done a clinical internship at Solstice East and has specialized training in Brainspotting therapy. She worked with residents on issues of attachment, trauma, family systems, and issues related to identity and relationships. She has also worked at Solstice for three years as a Senior Lead Mentor. Kaitlyn said, “I am grateful to be apart of the sacred work that happens at Solstice, and I am looking forward to becoming apart of the Journey Home family and do the work alongside you all to guide these incredible humans to be ever braver, bolder, and brighter.” When she is not working, Kaitlyn enjoys the simple and small joys — mornings with her husband, a good cappuccino, thrift store finds, a home cooked meal, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway. She is also an avid explorer and enjoys finding new places to adventure.
