Meet
Our Staff
Clay Cross
Clay Cross
CEO, Owner
Clay attended Ascend Recovery in 2012 after struggling for years with alcohol and drug abuse issues. He spent most of his early time at Ascend fighting back against the support that was being offered until he finally realized some changes had to be made. Through Ascend, Clay could grow and build a foundation that would be critical to his continued sobriety and, more importantly, his long-term recovery. After leaving Ascend, Clay continued to be involved in the Alumni program and weekly process groups until eventually joining Ascend as a staff member.For the last decade, Clay has been involved in Ascend in one form or another. Whether as a staff member, attending alumni events, or playing sober softball with Ascend. Clay has worked at all three levels of care and found a passion for helping each person who has stepped foot through the doors of Ascend. Recently, Clay served as the Sober Living Director before stepping into the role of Program Director. His continued passion for helping people has led him to become the new owner of Ascend Recovery. This unique opportunity allows us to keep the program in the hands of someone who deeply cares for Ascend and wants to make sure it stands the test of time.
Clay’s life revolves around Ascend and is a direct result of the care that was given to him. His wife is also an alumna of Ascend, and they have an amazing son that they love raising together. When not working, Clay can be found spending time with his family, playing softball with friends in recovery, or yelling at the TV while watching his beloved Eagles.
Ryan Salter, LCSW
Ryan Salter, LCSW
Founder, Clinical Supervisor
As the founder of Ascend, Ryan leads the clinical team with over 12 years of experience directly supervising the care of those suffering from addiction. Ryan has helped over 2,500 patients during his time in the field. For Ryan, addiction is more than just a field of study. He has watched addiction impact his own life and the lives of others around him. Many of his close friends have been lost due to addiction. Ryan has the ability to relate to his patients, which gives him the invaluable perspective of a bird’s-eye-view of the addiction recovery process. He can show patients that recovery is not just escaping addiction, but being able to truly extend healing beyond residential treatment. Ryan graduated in 2001 from the University of Utah with a Masters of Social Work.
Through Ascend’s relationship-based therapy, he is able to work hard to provide that relationship of care that can help clients be successful. He truly loves and believes in the 3-step process of recovery that Ascend employs to help clients integrate these concepts more completely. For Ryan, Ascend is the most clinically sound program with which he could associate himself.
Johanna Salter, BS
Johanna Salter, BS
Vice President & COO
Johanna has been with Ascend Recovery since the beginning. Before she joined Ascend, she owned, managed, and operated a holistic wellness educational company for nine years that she opened after graduating from the University of Utah with a bachelor degree in Behavioral Science and Health. She started her company and joined Ascend for the same reason: to create an addiction recovery program that utilized all the tools and resources that offered individualized treatment plans. Her work at Ascend has accomplished just that.
She knows that the individualized treatment plans are truly important because she married a recovering alcoholic. Due to this exposure, coupled with her experience in the holistic wellness field, Johanna knows that every client deserves to be treated with the dignity and respect that Ascend Recovery offers to its patients.
Johanna’s vision, passion, management, and problem solving skills have helped to mold and establish a program that searches for each individual’s freedom from the disease of addiction. That freedom from addiction lies at the core of her desire to help others achieve the physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness that everyone deserves.
Bogie Bowles, LCSW
Bogie Bowles, LCSW
Clinical Director
Bogie graduated in 2015 from the University of North Carolina with a Masters of Social Work. A former professional musician, Bogie expanded his perspective of the connection between mental health and addiction while working at the psychiatric unit at Duke Hospital. Following his time at Duke, he then worked with a large addiction treatment facility using his unique musical background to co-create a program specifically designed to treat music industry professionals. Bogie is the newest on our team and is seeking to further his experience in treating co-occurring disorders, and to continue pursuing his passion for music and service. Additionally, he co-wrote a curriculum for an Extended Care Program focusing on the challenges of recovery in everyday life. Bogie has been with Ascend since 2018.
Bogie entered his own recovery from addiction at the age of eighteen. He has toured and recorded with various artist for over twenty years. In his personal life, he continues to play and record music, enjoys being in nature, engages in the recovery community, and practices meditation.
Bobby Shaw
Bobby Shaw
Residential Director - Lake House
Bobby started with Ascend in September 2016 after gaining two years of prior experience inside the addiction recovery community. As Residential Director, Bobby assists the transition of clients from inpatient care to dealing with the real-world problems of early recovery. Bobby teaches through practice and example, demonstrating skills like how to effectively follow a schedule, keep a budget, and enter the work force clean and sober. Being in recovery since 2014, Bobby brings personal experience and empathy, never asking the clients to do what she hasn’t done herself. Since 2014, her passion remains helping other addicts like herself. A mother of three children, Bobby loves to camp, boat, and be with her children. With her children, in her own life, and with our clients, Bobby’s passion is to be the helping hand in the process of finding confidence, strength, and motivation.
Cameron Cann
Cameron Cann
Director of Admissions & Business Development
Cameron, a Virginia native, developed a love for the outdoors, which later drew him to Utah. In his early 20s, he sought treatment for addiction and returned to complete his BA in Finance at Wofford College. After graduation, Cameron moved to Colorado to pursue a career in finance while continuing his recovery. Despite securing a job at a financial firm, his substance use worsened, leading to a personal crisis. Facing the loss of his job due to opiate dependency, he entered an long-term treatment program in April 2016. Spending 11 months in a structured therapeutic environment fundamentally reshaped Cameron’s perspective on sobriety and recovery. The program provided the support and structure he needed to rebuild his life and embrace a path of long-term recovery.
Inspired by his own journey, Cameron transitioned into a career in substance abuse treatment, where he has held key roles in operations, admissions, and marketing for the last 7 years. His passion lies in guiding families and individuals through the complexities of the treatment process. In his personal life, Cameron enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and two dogs in the Wasatch Mountains. An avid skier, mountain biker, and live music enthusiast, he continues to embrace the outdoors as an essential part of his well-being.
Brooke Etherington, PA
Brooke Etherington, PA
Medical Team
Before Brooke joined the Ascend team, she received her Master of Physician Assistance Studies degree from the University of Utah in 2007. She brings a variety of experience to Ascend from her work in family practices and urgent care facilities. Brooke’s knowledge in other fields helps the staff to recognize medical issues and how they may contribute to an individual’s addiction.
Brooke decided to join Ascend because she appreciates knowing that the patients to whom she prescribes receive the proper therapy during their stay with Ascend. She was also impressed by how the treatment and therapy is customized to each individual. In addition to the treatment and therapy, she was impressed by the other programs and focus areas offered to clients, such as: Nutrition, Fitness and Recreation, Family Involvement, and the Aftercare program.
John Livingston, PHD
John Livingston, PHD
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. John Livingstone completed his doctorate at Brigham Young University in clinical psychology. He completed an APA-approved pre-doctoral internship at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He is currently licensed in the state of Utah as a psychologist (Utah license #4923696-2501). Dr. Livingstone was born and raised in Canada. He has been married for 19 years and he and his wife have four children. His personal interests include playing golf, playing the guitar, and spending time with his family.
Dr. Livingstone has specialized training and experience in psychological evaluations and assessments. Psychological assessments includes testing for diagnostic clarification, treatment planning, academic concerns, court-ordered assessments, and child-custody evaluations. Dr. Livingstone also teaches psychology at Brigham Young University (BYU) as an adjunct faculty member. Courses that he has taught in the past include General Psychology, Life-Span Development, Child Development, Psychology of Gender, Abnormal Psychology, and Psychological Testing and Measurement.
Susie Wiet, MD
Susie Wiet, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Wiet is an integrative developmental psychiatrist with expertise in holistic treatment of trauma-addiction, dual diagnosis, and complex psychiatric disorders. She synthesizes functional medicine principles, honed therapeutic skills (trauma-informed, psychodynamic and EMDR trained), and allopathic medical training to provide comprehensive treatment for optimal healing and conservative use of medication.
Working with diversity of patients and colleagues, some highlights across her career include: Trauma-Resiliency Collaborative (TRC, founder and chair), author of the Health-Resiliency Stress Questionnaire (HRSQ), Psychiatric Consultant (Clinics of Utah, Dept. of Health: Primary Care Integration Project), sequential Medical Directorships (University of Utah and community mental health organizations), Course Director of Adolescent Addiction (U of U), and educator/presenter on trauma-resiliency and adolescent addiction (locally, regionally, and nationally).
Dr. Wiet is Adjunct Volunteer Faculty (Assistant Professor) at the University of Utah (Dept. of Psychiatry) and partakes active roles on community-based committees. She is an active board member of the Alumni Board School of Medicine (U of U) and the Academy on Violence and Abuse (AVA). She has received many awards for teaching, service, initiative, advocacy and excellence of care. She graduated from Northwestern University Medical School and trained at the U of U in General Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry (fellowship). She holds three American Medical Board certifications: General Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. She is a member of several professional organizations, most recently Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Wiet has been with Ascend since 2016.
Ashley Lingwall – LCSW
Ashley Lingwall – LCSW
Group Specialists, Trauma
After getting her Master of Social Work from the University of Utah in 2018, Ashley Lingwall began working in the substance use disorder field after her own personal struggle with addiction and has been working with Ascend since 2012. Ashley was the Resident Manager of Ascend’s sober living facility for its first five years. She is passionate about working with others and has a gift for creating safe and impactful group experiences for clients. In addition to her efforts at Ascend, she has worked vigorously to educate the public about the current opioid epidemic, as well as the life-saving treatments that are available. Ashley has been with Ascend since 2012.
Rebekah Puccia
Rebekah Puccia
Admissions and Business Development
Rebekah spent most of her life in upstate NY and is an alumna of SUNY Oswego. In 2010 she relocated to Asheville, North Carolina and began her own recovery journey. Her work in addiction treatment started in 2011, and she has since held many diverse roles including assisting in the startup of five programs, one of which is in the nonprofit sector. Her commitment to values and ethics have remained core for her over the years; she applied this passion to service as the Vice President of NCARR (North Carolina Alliance for Recovery Residences) from 2017—2018, and shortly after completed her credentialing as a NC Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor.
Rebekah believes in living life to the absolute fullest, and spending time with her two daughters and life partner takes precedence above all else. Outside of work she enjoys climbing, running, snowboarding, skiing, watching documentary films, hiking with dogs Hank and Josie, and seeing live music whenever possible.
Emily Mecham, CSW
Emily Mecham, MSW
Therapist
Emily graduated from the University of Utah with a Masters of Social Work. After a lifetime of her own personal struggles with mental health and being in and out of treatment centers for an eating disorder, it is Emily’s passion to help people find the serenity, empowerment, and authenticity that she has found in her own personal recovery. Emily integrates CBT, IFS, EFT, ACT and mindfulness as core elements to her therapeutic approach; and has experience working within the population of substance abuse, mental health, and eating disorders.
Emily loves the outdoors and spends her free time trail running. She is a firm believer in empowering yourself to discover your potential and push beyond your once believed limits.
Danielle Dunn, LCSW
Danielle Dunn, LCSW
Therapist, Womens Aftercare
Danielle Dunn has spent over a decade working in the field of addiction. She enjoys working with attachment issues, eating disorders, DBT and trauma. Danielle’s passion is helping others discover their personal journey to recovery, being in long term recovery herself. She believes finding a sense of spiritual growth, community, and purpose in life has been her most valuable asset. Danielle is a mother to an adorable boy. She is active in the recovery community in Salt Lake City and is passionate about hiking rock climbing, yoga, hula hooping, and mediation.
Shianne Frakes
Shianne Frakes
Residential Director - Eagle View
Shianne has worked with Ascend Recovery and in the world of addiction for years. Her favorite part of the job is witnessing the journey of change and growth each client undertakes. As Patient Care Coordinator at Transitional House, Shianne helps model and teach budgeting, goal setting, personal nutrition, and other essential life skills during the formative months of early recovery. Using her previous work experience as a hiring manager, Shianne helps coach clients on interview skills and resume building. Like any other skill, finding the right opportunity in early recovery takes practice and preparation. Shianne helps clients bridge the gap between early recovery and new commitments. Shianne is the mother of three boys and in her spare time loves to camp and connect with the great outdoors.
Sam Bennion, CSW, CTT-III
Sam Bennion, MSW
Therapist
Sam Bennion
Sam has been a valuable member of the Ascend team since 2012. His journey at Ascend began in the programming side of addiction care, which provided him with a solid foundation for his later role as a therapist. As a Residential Director, Sam played a key role in developing and implementing programming that equipped clients with essential life skills such as resume building, job interview preparation, budget management, and community engagement. Sam's focus on executive functioning and his previous experience as an administrator for an international pharmaceutical company have given him a unique perspective on the practical application of these skills in everyday life.
Sam's approach to therapy is characterized by his personal understanding, compassion, and firsthand experience in addiction recovery. He is a firm believer in the power of analogy and uses his love for gardening to illustrate the process of growth and development in life. As a trauma-trained therapist, Sam helps guide individuals through the complexities of healing and recovery.
Sam's passion and joy come from being a dad. Being a father to a neurodiverse child has profoundly influenced his therapeutic practice and instilled in him a deep sense of empathy and advocacy. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from Utah Valley University and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Utah.
Nicole Lampinen, BS
Nicole Lampinen, BS
Alumni Director
Marysa Cardwell, MS, RDN, CPT, CD
Marysa Cardwell, MS, RDN, CPT, CD
Nutritionist
Kayla Mcknight
Kayla Mcknight
Head of Culinary Services
Chris Collins
Chris Collins
Residential Manager, Eagle View
Chris is a Utah native and loves spending time with his girlfriend and her three kids. Loves his family and the outdoors and spending time playing disc golf.
Vicky Anderl
Vicky Anderl
Creative Arts Facilitator
Vicky has lived a life of art. Attending both BYU and USU, she has a teaching degree and an Art Endorsement through the State of Utah. Vicky has taught art in high schools, middle schools and privately for 20 years. Her favorite mediums are pen, pencil and watercolor. She is expanding work in 3-dimensional “woodsy walls” – bringing a little of the outside in. Vicky has a deep passion for working with people through art and helping people discover (or rediscover) the joy of the creative process.
Vicky has a love of the outdoors, horses, dogs and running/hiking mountain and sandy trails. Vicky is married with five adult kids, and a granddaughter. Other interests include: pickleball, paddle boarding, skiing, gardening, traveling and going to lunch. Vicky is always up for an adventure.
