Amee earned her Master’s in Counseling from Boise State University in 2005. She has received training in the Trauma Resiliency Model, Social Thinking, the Ruler Approach and EAGALA Equine Therapy. She is a certified trainer for the Arbinger Institute and loves teaching the Outward Mindset. She specializes in a wide-range of diagnoses and clinical modalities including, but not limited to autism spectrum, NLD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, acute mental illness, transition planning, trauma and parent coaching. Prior to becoming the Clinical Director at Novitas Academy, Amee was the Clinical Director of a wilderness program for young adults and the Clinical Director at Cherry Gulch. When she is not working, Amee spends her free time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors enjoying running, rafting, and skiing through with her husband and two young sons.

Dr. Andrew Sapp is the Founder & CEO of both Novitas Academy and Cherry Gulch. He has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in the fields of mental health and psychology. Dr. Sapp earned a M.A. and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. He also graduated with honors from Oregon State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

In the early stages of his career, Dr. Sapp was a Field Supervisor and Therapist at a therapeutic wilderness program, the lead therapist on the adolescent unit of a locked inpatient psychiatric hospital, a therapist at a group home for foster boys where he did family preservation work. He also worked as a therapist at two community mental health clinics, a community college, an elementary school, and a youth correctional facility. Andrew is a veteran and honorably served as a Naval Lieutenant stationed at a Naval Medical Center where he worked as a therapist.

Dr. Sapp has served on the Government Relations Committee for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) and a committee that wrote best practice guidelines for small therapeutic programs, much of which was later incorporated into NATSAP’s best practice guidelines for members. He has also been honored to present at a number of national and regional conferences.

Dr. Sapp has worked with patients ranging from 4 to 80 years of age and truly understands psychology and human development. He believes that therapeutic intervention can prevent a child from throwing away their future. He truly believes that to reach adolescents, one’s therapeutic interventions must be supportive, creative, and engaging. He is an expert in working with adolescent boys and at using the natural environment and everyday activities to create positive change in a child’s life. He is a firm believer in the power of outdoor experiential activities, adventures, and animals to aid in the healing process. He also believes that to effect lasting change in an adolescent, a holistic (mind, body, and spirit) approach is necessary.

Cherry Gulch is arguably the best therapeutic boarding school in the world for the population of middle school boys that they specialize in. Dr. Sapp and his team started the school from nothing but dirt and sage brush and Cherry Gulch is now the largest private employer in the County. Cherry Gulch has been honored by the Idaho Psychological Association as the “Overall most psychologically healthy workplace” in the State and by the Idaho Business Review as “One of the best places to work” in the State. Cherry Gulch has also been selected numerous times for National recognition for “Excellence in Education”. In 2011, the Idaho Business Review selected Dr. Sapp as one of the top 40 “Accomplished Under 40” professionals in the State.

Dr. Sapp is deeply passionate about helping boys who struggle academically because learning differences run in his family and he too has undiagnosed learning disabilities that he has spent much of his life trying to overcome. Andrew believes that these challenges have helped him become more determined to reach his goals. By far his greatest accomplishment has been starting two successful programs and serving the many students and families that have benefited from this award winning and life changing programs. His greatest joy is spending time with his three precious little girls and his wonderful wife.

Dr. Chris McRoberts is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has spent the last ten years working with therapeutic boarding schools and boarding schools as both a therapist and clinical consultant. Dr. McRoberts received his Bachelors degrees in psychology and sociology and his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Brigham Young University.

His doctoral program focused on the assessment and treatment of mental disorders and cognitive functioning in both children and adults. After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. McRoberts served an internship and residency at a large community mental health center. Dr. McRoberts initially worked evaluating children and adolescents in the custody of the state and children with acute and chronic mental illnesses. He then became the Children’s Team Leader for a countywide community mental health center in rural Utah where he supervised a multidisciplinary treatment team.

He has worked in a variety of other settings over the years including the Utah State Prison, the Utah State Hospital, private practice clinics, acute hospital wards, schools for the developmentally disabled and public and private schools.

In 1998, Dr. McRoberts founded Psychological Testing Services Inc., a group of associated psychologists specializing in educational, neuropsychological and psychological evaluation of children, adolescents and adults. Dr. McRoberts has become a recognized expert and supervisor in the field of adolescent testing and evaluation and consults regularly with many therapeutic programs regarding program development and ways to effectively work with the children in their care. Many programs have come to rely on Dr. McRoberts for his objective, insightful and thorough understanding of even the most difficult children. He has a natural ability with adolescents and builds a sense of safety in children that leads them to be self- revealing. His expertise will be invaluable in establishing positive treatment plans for our students at Cherry Gulch.

Dr. McRoberts is a member of the American Psychological Association. He has long had a love of research and has presented at many conferences and published several articles regarding the effectiveness of psychotherapy. However, he is most fond of working with children personally and of his own four children at home.

Bernie Zimmerman is a licensed clinician with a M.A. from Boise State University. He is the Executive Director of Cherry Gulch. He has been with CG since 2008 and has served as a therapist, the Clinical Director and the Academic Director. Previously, he worked as a Professional Member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) with Dr. Janet Greenwood in Tampa, FL and helped develop the Greenwood Associates Classification System (GACS). Prior to this, he was the Clinical Director, and senior management team member, at a prominent residential treatment care facility.

Bernie is registered with the State of Idaho as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and as a Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor. In addition to his CG duties, he regularly supervises interns from both local and regional colleges and universities. Bernie has taught multi-cultural awareness workshops for college athletes and has a passion for diversity and tolerance education. He has presented at several national conferences on topics including Helping Special Needs Families Evaluate Out-of-Home Placement Options, Creating Psychologically Healthy Workplaces, and teaching programs how to apply best practices to their schools and programs.

Bernie has been married to his high school sweetheart, Krista, for 21 years. During his spare time, you can find him at several Treasure Valley sporting events, either coaching or watching his three sons (ages 13, 16, 17) compete.

Dr. Si Steinberg was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and obtained an undergraduate Bachelors of Science degree in Anthropology-Zoology. Dr. Steinberg’s primary undergraduate focus was on Medical Anthropology. He graduated Honors with High Distinction.

Dr. Steinberg attended the University of Michigan Medical School where he was admitted to Alpha Omega Alpha, an honorary medical society for top students. Following his graduation from medical school in 1986, he attended UCLA where he spent the first two years of his psychiatry residency. The latter three years of his residency training, including his Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, were at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. In addition to his Child and Adolescent Fellowship, Dr. Steinberg also obtained subspecialty training in Family Therapy through an externship at The Brattleboro Family Institute. He also obtained additional independent training and supervision for the treatment of victims of child abuse and adult survivors of trauma. Dr. Steinberg then went on to serve as the Clinical Director at a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital in Lewiston, Idaho. He simultaneously became the primary consulting psychiatrist at a regional residential child and adolescent treatment center as well as consulting with rural community mental health clinics in the Lewiston-Clarkston area.

He has consulted with various school districts in the Lewiston/Clarkston/Boise/Nampa/Ontario areas. Dr. Steinberg is currently the primary consulting psychiatrist for the State of Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections, Ada County detention center, and several group homes for adults and children with developmental disabilities. In addition, he is the Medical Director and treating psychiatrist for numerous community mental health clinics in the Treasure Valley. Dr. Steinberg regularly conducts trainings for physicians, other mental health professionals and the general public in the areas of diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders with particular emphasis on differential diagnosis, child trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and medication management.

In 2008, Terry moved to Idaho from Arizona with his family to start a business and was excited to resume his career in education thereafter. He went back to school and earned his Masters of Education from the University of Idaho in Educational Leadership. Terry has a diverse background in education, business and the technical sector and has worked as a teacher, principal, business development executive, network consultant, and entrepreneur. All those positions taught him valuable lessons, but he is most passionate about working with students and helping them achieve their academic and personal potential. He loves spending time with his wife and two kids exploring the outdoors, watching a good movie, visiting a museum or attending a sporting event.

On a personal note and as an educator, I have a passion for helping young people recognize their potential regardless of past, present or future setbacks. I personally have experienced some challenges and had to work my way through them. However, adversity can be a great teacher and education coupled with compassion and perseverance can greatly empower and enhance our lives. I bring this passion and perspective into my teaching and feel that Novitas provides me with a wonderful opportunity to give back. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be here and work with these young men.

Amber joins the Novitas Academy team with a solid background in working with young adults ranging 18-25 at a transitional living program in Idaho where she served as an Internship Manager and Career Development Coordinator. Over the years Amber has been employed in many different fields of education. These include Learning Center Director & Manager, Special Education, transitional living, experiential learning, and College Prep.

Amber grew up in Idaho and truly loves the people, surrounding mountains, and outdoor recreation opportunities. She holds close to her heart any time that she can spend with her wonderful husband, 3 talented children, 4 beautiful grandchildren, and extended family. If she is not at work or with family and friends, you will find her on a horse, with her dog, hiking, biking or just enjoying the great outdoors and being on the go!

Bobbi Geiger has over 25 years of experience in child welfare and human services as a practitioner and a senior manager. Bobbi began in a Therapeutic Foster Care program in North Dakota in 1992. She served as a case manager for seven years before moving into progressive managerial positions. In the fall of 2009, Bobbi relocated to Idaho to develop a statewide therapeutic foster care program as an Executive Director. Under her leadership, the program grew to five locations throughout the state. In addition to her work in therapeutic foster care Bobbi has worked in various roles in community-based treatment programs including a youth detention center, group home, and day treatment programs.
She holds degrees in Social Work and Criminal Justice from Minnesota State University, a Master of Education in Counseling from North Dakota State University, and a Masters of Nonprofit Administration from North Park University, Chicago. She is a Licensed Social Worker in Idaho. She was the 1998 Child Welfare League of America’s Western Region Child Welfare Worker and the recipient of the PATH Don Crompton Award of Excellence in Social Work in 2001.
Bobbi was drawn to Novitas Academy because of their approach to treatment, their focus on collaborative relationships, and their commitment to helping adolescents move towards a healthy start to adulthood. Bobbi believes wholeheartedly in using a relational approach as the foundation to join with others to help them address the obstacles that life brings to us all in different ways.
Bobbi strives to create a nurturing and safe atmosphere in which individuals are respected and can be supported in their efforts to change and grow as well as become connected to their strengths. She is genuine and passionate about helping adolescents and families. Adolescents and parents appreciate her nonjudgmental approach and her compassionate, calm and sincere style.
Bobbi is dedicated to equipping young people with the tools and techniques for embracing their growth and supporting their transformation during adolescence. Her areas of interest include transitions, conflict resolution, depression, self-injurious behaviors, anxiety, trauma, grief, parenting skills, social skills, and independent living skills. Bobbi integrates techniques from a variety of approaches in her practice that include family systems, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, experiential, mindfulness, systemic and structural therapy. She believes helping is an honor, therapy is a collaborative adventure and that we all do well when we can.
Outside of Novitas, Bobbi enjoys time with her husband and adult children, gardening, caring for her pets, reading and relaxing in the sun.