Staff
Click here for a list of Staff email addresses and phone numbers
Paul Taylor, MS - Executive Director
Paul joined Copper Canyon Academy in June 2001. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology, a special education teaching certificate, and a master’s degree as a Comprehensive Behavior Specialist from the University of Utah. Paul began working in residential therapeutic programs in October 1989. He worked for Utah Youth Corrections programs for 12 years as a teacher, special education teacher, intake coordinator, youth supervisor, and group therapy facilitator. He also has specialty training in positive control techniques, behavior management, behavior consultant, assessments and testing, vocational training, female offender training, and criminology and corrections. Paul and his beautiful wife, Sara, are the proud parents of six amazing children.
Stevie Stanford, PHD – Clinical Program Director
Stevie first joined CCA back in 2006, working as a primary therapist. She has her B.S in Psychology from Arizona State University and her M.A. from Northern Arizona University. After returning to school in 2008 for her doctorate in Counseling Psychology, she has rejoined the CCA team as Clinical Director. She specializes in trauma, eating disorders, attachment issues and substance abuse. She has recently presented at several conferences around the country and published articles in the area of eating disorders. She is trained in EMDR, DBT and creative modalities of CBT. She is proficient in psychological testing and enjoys unlocking answers in complex psychological evaluations and report writing. Dr. Stanford is passionate about the stages of change and enjoys being a part of the transformative process she sees every day at Copper Canyon Academy. In her free time, Stevie likes to do yoga and compete in triathlons. She is also an avid traveler, having visited over 20 different countries and studied multi-cultural counseling in China. Through traveling, she feels that experiencing different cultures allows one to learn more about themselves.
Taylor Watts, MA, LMHC - Counselor
Taylor is a licensed mental health counselor trained in psychotherapy, expressive therapies, substance abuse, mind-body, relaxation, and cognitive restructuring with a specialization in child, adolescent, and family therapy. She graduated from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Taylor has worked with children and their families in various settings including outpatient clinics, schools, public housing projects, hospitals, community centers, and in private practice. She has worked in administration as a clinic director, coordinator for child/family, and educational services, but her heart and primary focus is in direct care and therapy with children and families. Her experience in counseling is augmented by an earlier career in the arts, which contributes to a unique skill set and a commitment to a multidimensional approach that recognizes the importance of the adolescent, family, culture, and community in providing the supports necessary for successful treatment.
Rodney Adams, M.S. Counseling Psychology - Counselor
Rodney has experience in substance abuse treatment, mental health residential programs, and residential programs for adults with developmental disabilities. He moved back to the Verde Valley area from Anchorage, Alaska. In Alaska he worked for a private substance abuse agency, providing treatment in both outpatient and intensive outpatient programs. Rodney earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology through Northern Arizona University and his master’s degree in counseling psychology through Alaska Pacific University. He uses an eclectic approach to therapy, understanding that each individual is unique. His main emphasis is on helping teenage girls understand their self-limiting thoughts and beliefs, which often lead to behaviors with undesirable consequences.
Belle Shook, MA, LPC - Counselor
Belle Shook is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is at the apex of the Equine Experiential Learning and therapy field. She has 2 decades of experience facilitating equine experiences helping a variety of populations enrich their potential through the guidance of the horse. Belle's therapeutic style is forthcoming and compassionate with a contagious enthusiasm for personal growth, recovery and the authentic life. She has a Master's degree in Counseling, Bachelor of Arts in Experiential learning and has lived and traveled around the world.
Juniper Campbell, MA, LAC – Counselor
Juniper is a licensed associate counselor with a Master's degree from Prescott College. Her undergraduate work was done at the University of Michigan where her emphasis was on neuropsychology and child psychology. She also obtained her teaching certificate from U of M and went on to work with at-risk students. Her areas of specialty are cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma resolution, anxiety disorders, and equine assisted psychotherapy. She has worked with both adolescents and adults in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and in SMI institutions. She chose this field of work because of her great fascination with how the human mind works. She bases her practice on the notion that in life obstacles arise for which we lack the proper tools. She considers herself to be a facilitator who provides coping tools through education, support and assisting the client in self-realization.
Ariella Allaman, MA, LAC - Counselor
Ariella Allaman is a licensed associate counselor with the State of Arizona. She graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2004 with a Bachelor in Psychology. She obtained her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Argosy University in 2009. During her career in behavioral health Ariella has served a variety of populations including adults with chemical addictions, teenagers in a residential treatment center, adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system, and children with severe behavioral challenges. Through her work, Ariella has found a passion in working with adolescent females. She specializes in working with children diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder and with Personality Disorder traits.
Debra Logan, LCSW - Counselor
Debra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Arizona and Wyoming. Debra is passionate about working with young women and their families to help them develop positive communication, rational thinking and relationship styles. Her therapeutic style is a blend of compassion, humor and honesty which helps her clients to discover their own passion and become strong and independent young adults. Deb graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and from Colorado State University with a Master’s in Social Work. She holds the honor of belonging to Phi Beta Kappa and a Phi Kappa Phi. She has a multifaceted background specializing in working with children, adolescents and women for over twenty years. Deb holds certifications in play therapy, school social work, grief and loss, working with trauma, and cognitive behavioral therapy. She has had extensive experience in working with post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, abandonment and attachment issues, autism and developmental issues. Debra moved to Arizona from Wyoming to leave the snow behind. She enjoys reading, weaving, yoga and ‘hanging out’ with friends.
Kathleen Buri-Baca, MA, CPRP, LAC - Counselor
Kathleen is passionate about the therapeutic process and serving adolescent females. She is licensed as a counselor in Arizona, a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) and has been licensed as an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) in New Mexico. Kathleen acquired her Master's degree (M.A.) in Counseling from New Mexico Highlands University with an under graduate degree from the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque. Kathleen’s background includes a strong foundation in Motivational Interviewing with a person-centered approach to an individualistic process. Kathleen has served many different populations including: Severely Mentally Ill (SMI) adults with and without co-occurring disorders, incarcerated youth, as well as children, adolescents and families. Her true passion lies with adolescent females as these young ladies are her preferred clients. Kathleen has extensive experiences addressing many different personal and family behavioral/mental health challenges some of which include the following areas of treatment: substance abuse and chemical dependency, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma (PTSD), personality disorders, identity issues, and self-esteem.
Daniel Harner, MS, MA, LPC - Counselor
Daniel is a licensed psychotherapist in the state of Arizona. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Psychology from the University of Salzburg, Austria. Additionally, he holds a M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology from Prescott College. Daniel worked in community mental health, residential substance abuse treatment centers, and psychiatric inpatient facilities.Daniel brings to Copper Canyon Academy a great passion for doing counseling with adolescents and their families. His therapeutic approach is eclectic/integrative, drawing upon a wide variety of techniques in order to adapt to each students individual needs. He believes that sincere self-examination carried out in a therapeutic setting of warmth and understanding unveils the hidden blocks to lasting happiness, authenticity, and acceptance of self and others.
In addition to his therapeutic duties at Copper Canyon Academy, Daniel is working on a dissertation and a book on developmental aspects of narcissism across life span. His leisure time usually consists of spending time outdoors, playing soccer, tennis, swimming, and hiking. Additionally, Daniel likes to cook, travel, and spend time with his wife, family, and friends.
Mike Gurr, MS, MA, LPC - Residential Program Director
Mike received his Master of Science from the University of Utah in Exercise and Sport Science, with a concentration in Sport Psychology. He worked with various high school and college teams as well as with the coaching staffs. Mike completed another Master's degree from Argosy University in Professional Counseling. For three years Mike was a counselor at Paradise Valley Community College as well as an adjunct facility member where he was involved in career counseling, individual counseling and group work. He taught classes in stress management, peak performance in activated learning, career exploration and study skills. Mike is a certified instructor for Maricopa Community Colleges of Arizona. Mike had a private practice in Phoenix for 3 years where his cliental included; athletes at all levels (elite, college, and elite juniors), individuals, and parents. He is a licensed professional counselor in the state of AZ. For the past four years he has been the facilitator and director of the emotional growth seminars for Aspen Family Seminars and has worked with thousands of families during that time. Mike is the Residential Program Director at Copper Canyon Academy. He has received certifications as a family plan counselor and also a certified Arbinger facilitator. Mike is a sought after speaker for various groups and associations on topics such as relationships, communication, parenting, overcoming doubt, self-concept, behavior change, power of belief, and strengthening one's mind.
877-617-1222
