Admissions Team

Emily is an Iowa native that now calls the Northwoods of Wisconsin home. As an undergraduate, Emily double majored in Exercise Science and Human Performance and Fitness, then went on to pursue her Masters in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. Emily fell in love with working outside during graduate school while managing a challenge course and climbing tower at Horn Field Campus. Emily’s graduate course work also led her on a variety of other adventures including backpacking a section of the Ozark Trail in Missouri and sea kayaking in the Apostle Islands. After working as a Recreation Therapy Intern at Lurie Children’s Hospital inpatient psychiatric unit, Emily knew she needed to get back outside. New Vision Wilderness Therapy was the perfect fit combining the population of students she loved serving and being outside. Emily is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and is passionate about incorporating this skill set into her time with students in the woods and educating students through experiential activities. In her free time, Emily enjoys reading, paddling, traveling and spending time with family, friends and her dog Diesel.

Patrick McAvoy is the Admissions Director at New Vision Wilderness Therapy.  Throughout his career Patrick has helped adolescents and their families find solutions in times of crisis. 

Patrick has a bachelor’s degree in Management of Music and Communications, and then began his work in wilderness therapy by providing care and field coordination to students entering treatment.  Since then he has served in Admissions Director, Program Director, and Executive Director roles.  Patrick has additional experience in admissions at a therapeutic boarding school and was a founding member of two treatment programs for at-risk teens. 

In his free time, Patrick can be found outdoors hiking, kayaking, and skiing with his family.  He is a bass player who dreams of one day starting a family band with his wife and two kids.