Mark Lyga - Clinical Director
Mark has been at W.T.C. since 1998. He has a B.A. from State University of New York and an MSW from Syracuse. He is a Licensed Addiction Counselor and is a NAADAC certified Master Addiction Counselor. Before becoming Clinical Director, Mark has been a Primary Counselor and for the last 5 years has been the Continuing Care Coordinator. Mark hails from Upstate New York and moved to Montana to pursue his career at WTC. He enjoys the many outdoor activities that Montana provides including fishing and hunting with his kids. In addition, Mark has a great interest in primitive archery especially carving his own bows.

Patrick Hawkins - Clinical Director
Patrick is a Licensed Addiction Counselor. He has been working in the field of Chemical Dependency since 1995. He first came to WTC in 1996 but left for one year to pursue another job. He returned in 1998 after realizing there was no better program assisting young men with addiction. He has worked at Hazelden Center for Youth and Families and Way 12 Half Way House. He received his training at The College of Saint Catherine in Minnesota. He has logged over 500 days in the backcountry on over 30 expeditions. He is married and the father of 2.

Ben Dorrington - Director of Referral Relations/Counselor
Ben is a Licensed Addictions Counselor. Ben is a native of the Flathead Valley and graduated from High School in Kalispell. He has a degree in Psychology from Linfield University. In combination with his academic studies he enjoyed playing intercollegiate football while at Linfield. He received his additional training for licensure at the University of Great Falls. He started at WTC in 2000 but left for a short time to pursue other interests in San Diego where he worked with dually diagnosed clients at Mental Health Systems Inc. He enjoys the beautiful setting of Montana while fly fishing and playing golf.

Mary Tollefson - Admissions Coordinator
Mary joined WTC in September of 2003. She has an extensive history working in the field including Alcohol and Drug Services in Bozeman and Northern Montana Chemical Dependency Center. Her experience as an administrator and with insurance companies adds to her expertise in performing her role. She has 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren.

Doug Richardson - Counselor
Doug came to WTC in 1994 and has nearly 40 trips and 700 days of experience in the backcountry. His experience working with youth goes back to 1985 when he was working with an outdoor program in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Mid-America Bible College and also has a BA in Social work from Chadron State College in NE. Doug holds his family as a high priority and participates in a great deal of ministerial and pastoral work with his church and in the community. He participates in a great deal of outdoor activities and brings a vast knowledge of botany to his position.

Carsten McCarter - Counselor
Carsten is a licensed addiction counselor. He grew up in Kalamazoo, MI. After years of struggling with an addictive disorder, he moved to Missoula, MT and began sobriety in 1994. Carsten received his education at Montana State University, University of Montana, and Lane Community College in Oregon. He has worked with adolescents whom struggle with addiction his entire profession career. He was an intern with Wilderness Treatment Center in 1995 and has worked at Pathways in Oregon as well as Building Bridges in Thompson Falls, MT. He enjoys being a husband and a father, fly fishing, skiing, and running marathons.

John Rausch - Counselor
John has a BA in Criminal Justice and a MA in Addictions Counseling. He has worked in Illinois for the Circuit Courts and in Colorado as a residential counselor where he was promoted to Supervisor of Counselors. John is an avid skier and enjoys the outdoors and hiking.

Jason Prater - Counselor
Jason is a Licensed Addiction Counselor. He has a degree in Human Services and a Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Studies. He has been working in California for Mental Health Systems as a counselor and case manager. He has always wanted to assist young people in overcoming addiction. He enjoys snowboarding and other outdoor activities.

Robert Brekke - LACA
Robert graduated from Prescott College with a degree in Psychology and Social Change. He has coordinated teen outdoor programs in California, and taught outdoor education in South Carolina. He is a National Outdoor Leadship School graduate; completing courses in Alaska and Mexico. Robert is a native to Marion, MT and enjoys fly fishing and wakeboarding.

Kurt Fairbank - LACA
Kurt has a degree in psychology from Montana State University. He began working in the addiction field in 2000, at Building Bridges in Thompson Falls, MT. He brings a vast knowledge of wilderness therapy as he has worked at Peak Experiences Inc. Kurt enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including: skiing, hunting, fishing and waterskiing.

Alex Massey - Wilderness Instructor
Alex is an alumni of Wilderness Treatment Center. He began his recovery in 2000, and continues to be an active member of AA. We are fortunate to having him working here because he is a true success story of our program. Alex has degrees in Eco-Tourism and Outdoor Adventure from Hocking College. He has taught outdoor education in the public schools of Arlington, VA. Alex enjoys hiking and moutain biking in the Montana backcountry.

Andy Dennis - Wilderness Instructor
Andy is a graduate of Springfield College where he studied Outdoor Recreational Management. He is a NOLS graduate and has been a NOLS instructor in Patagonia, British Columbia and Alaska. He has enjoyed over 400 days of field experience including many with WTC. He is Wilderness First Responder certified. In his free time he enjoys fly fishing and needlepoint