Our Team

Jake Forsyth COO

Founder

Jacob founded Willow Tree Recovery with his father Craig in 2010 with the idea of delivering behavioral health treatment in the most patient centered way possible. Having worked in family business it was always paramount to treat the employee and the customer in front of you with dignity, integrity and respect. This truly creates culture and an environment where people can heal and feel safe. Willow Tree was founded on these principles and continues to operate in this fashion. The mission will never change. We are small by design and richly staffed by design, allowing us to deliver some of the most client-centered care in the country.

Jake received his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah and attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado. Jake has been the past president of the Lindon/Pleasant Grove Utah Chamber of Commerce and a past board member for multiple businesses and not for profit organizations. His greatest is joy is being a father to his two beautiful adult daughters. He is also an accomplished and well traveled fly fisherman.

Laura McBride Dischmann

Admissions / Referral Relations and Recommendations

Laura is regarded as a leading voice in the behavioral health industry.  With over 30 years of experience, her vision brings knowledge and compassion to all those she interacts with.

As a former owner of two nationally renowned treatment programs, her vision and leadership continue to set the path to customer service driven care.  Laura is a national speaker and trainer on topics such as the importance of integrity in admissions and business development, collaborative action training, and the importance of hospitality driven care throughout the treatment experience.  Laura’s commitment to client advocacy and professional collaboration are second to none.  “I learned long ago that excellence is not delivered from the top down, but rather from the inside, out.  Hospitality should never be an afterthought.  It is an absolute honor to work with the ownership and clinical team at Willow Tree Recovery.  Having trusted the treatment center as a referring professional since the opening in 2011 (?), it is wonderful to be part of the culture in (what I consider) one of the country’s best dual diagnosis programs”.

Derry L. Brinley, DO

Medical Director

Dr. Brinley received his undergraduate degree from Weber State University in 1984. He continued his educational endeavors at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences where he received his medical degree. Dr. Brinley subsequently completed a Family Practice Residency and a General Psychiatry Residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Brinley is Board Eligible in both General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition to his responsibilities at Willow Tree he maintains a private practice in American Fork, Utah.

Cathy Collins

PMHNP-BC

Cathy Collins is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She has worked in mental health for over 7 years with patients across the lifespan. She has a broad range of experience caring for individuals with substance use disorders, including managing detox symptoms in both inpatient and detox settings. Cathy has had the opportunity of working with a variety of treatment facilities and understands the unique needs of the patient that is experiencing the discomfort of withdrawal. Her involvement in the field of substance abuse and addiction medicine, has helped further her passion for providing patient-centered care that is compassionate and genuine.

Ryan F. Houston, PH.D.

Pyschologist

Dr. Houston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Psychology. He continued his studies at BYU where he received his Ph.D. in clinical Psychology. Dr. Houston has considerable experience as a therapist and specializes in diagnostic psychological assessment. His experience and knowledge will be invaluable in developing individualized treatment programs for Willow Tree residents.

Jerry Graves, FNP

Family Nurse Practioner

Jerry graduated from Utah Valley University as a Registered Nurse in 2002. Following graduation he pursued his academic objectives at the University of Utah where he received an advanced degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. During his career he has developed a diverse background in healthcare to include 4 years as an active duty Navy Hospital Corpsman, 7 years at the Utah State Hospital working with patients burdened with chronic mental health disorders, and 10 years as an emergency room RN. Most recently Jerry has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in family and urgent care. Willow Tree is pleased to have Jerry as a member of our medical team and appreciates the experience and knowledge he brings to our professional staff.

Jeff Forsyth

Clinical Director

Jeff received his graduate degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling in 2013 and has been a practicing therapist at Willow Tree Recovery since that time.  Jeff has an innate ability to quickly develop therapeutic rapport with clients allowing for a truly meaningful treatment experience.  With specific interest and advanced training in trauma responsive care and family therapies, Jeff has been an integral partner in helping his clients move into a life of balance and purpose.  “As a family member of a person in long term recovery I have a passion for working with people that suffer with addiction and mental health challenges.  Tremendous healing takes place when we recognize the uniqueness in everyone we serve.  When we become a partner, an advocate for our clients and families we can help to bring about a transformative experience”.

Rex Albertson, CMHC

Primary Therapist

Rex Albertson has been a licensed therapist since 2004 and has worked at Willow Tree Recovery since 2012. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Kinesiology from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado in 1995 and went on to receive his Master’s degree and clinical training in Contemplative Psychology from Naropa University, a small Buddhist University established in 1976 in Boulder, Colorado. Being trained in both Western and Eastern philosophy and therapy modalities gives him a unique balance in perspectives, allowing him to use a variety of therapeutic interventions to help clients begin healing. Rex has worked in residential treatment since 1999 and specializes in the treatment of substance use disorder, trauma, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, PTSD, emotional dysregulation, and mindfulness-based practices. He was trained in EMDR in 2006, Attachment Focused EMDR in 2018 and then renewed his EMDR training in 2019. He is a certified instructor in DBT and has been training in the practice of DBT skills since 2004. Rex also has education in Internal Family Systems, Brain Spotting and Neurofeedback, which have proven valuable in helping him develop individualized treatment plans for clients. He hopes that he can be a positive influence in his clients’ lives and give them the tools they need to be healthy and productive.

Monica Rawlings

Primary Therapist

Monica Rawlings started her career in the field of mental health and recovery in 2013. She attended Utah Valley University where she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology. At this time, she also pursued licensure as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor.  Her passion to offer hope and recovery to those battling mental health complications led her to further pursue a master’s degree at the University of Phoenix. She is currently licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Her approaches to therapy include an eclectic perspective that utilizes creative expression, cognitive behavioral techniques, and trauma based interventions. Areas of specialized training include master level training in accelerated resolution therapy (ART). She is also trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), both empirically validated interventions for the treatment of trauma. 

Claire Groll

Primary Therapist

Claire Groll comes to Willow Tree with a vast history in the field of addiction and mental health treatment.  She has had a relationship with Willow Tree for years before deciding to join the team and work in the residential space.  The majority of Claire’s professional experience has been in different areas in addiction treatment including outpatient facilities, on the groundwork with addiction recovery, and inpatient work.  She has witnessed addiction from multiple perspectives within her personal and professional experiences for decades.  Claire holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Utah State University and after assessing the needs of families, individuals and communities living with substance use disorder she decided to pursue a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University to better serve in the addiction space.  Through her professional work, educational pursuits, work with families struggling with addiction, and personal experience she brings a multidimensional approach to her role as a primary therapist at Willow Tree Recovery.  Claire is dedicated to facilitating an experience which can bring about healing and reconnection with one’s true self and loved ones through group and individual therapy. 

Wayne Sears CMHC

Staff Therapist

Wayne is licensed as a clinical mental health counselor and has worked in addiction recovery for over twenty years. He believes change is always possible and enjoys helping people realize their potential to change. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Utah University in Sociology and completed his Masters Degree in Educational Counseling at the University of Phoenix. Besides working at Willow Tree he is a school Counselor for a local Junior High School.

Shalise Morgan, CNC

Certified Nutritionist / Women’s Case Manager

Shalise Morgan has worked for Willow Tree Recovery since 2014. She has extensive experience in the field of addiction recovery including managing sober living facilities and working closely with people in early recovery. Shalise is passionate about helping clients find a sense of purpose and excitement. She works diligently in helping clients transition from Willow Tree Recovery through national aftercare resources, as well as helping clients find their motivation post treatment.

Shalise is a Certified Nutritionist and Certified Wellness Coach. Along with Case Management Shalise offers nutrition groups and individual consultation to clients at Willow Tree. Shalise teaches the importance of implementing exercise, and healthy nutrition into their daily routine as well as the importance of balanced diet on mental and emotional health.  She believes in the value of treating your body well inside and out both in early recovery and beyond.
 
Shalise holds the female record for 7 Mount Timpanogos summits and has run over twenty-four 100-mile races since becoming sober. She recently completed a 250-mile race in Arizona. During her nutrition and wellness groups Shalise emphasizes the benefit of not only being sober, but living with determination.

Pablo

Therauputic Concierge

Woof!