Jacob Thomason, MA, LPC
Family Therapist
Jacob Thomason, MA, LPC is the Family Therapist at New Vision Wilderness Therapy in Medford, WI. He has held multiple roles during his tenure at NVW including Clinical Director, Lead Therapist, and Family Services Director. Jacob is passionate about clinical work and is currently dedicated to providing direct care to our students’ parents/caregivers. …
Nicole Prescott, LPC, LCPC
Clinical Director
Nicole Prescott, LPC, LCPC, is the Clinical Director at New Vision Wilderness Therapy. She has worked with children and adolescents in a variety of settings including wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment centers, community mental health agencies, and private practice. After her years as a Lead Therapist for NVW, she naturally grew to the role of…
Kayla Davenport, MS
Wilderness Therapist
Kayla comes to First Light with a passion for wilderness therapy and family programming. She received her BS in Psychology and MS in Community Counseling from University of North Georgia (then North Georgia College and State University). She completed her practicum and internship at an all-girls boarding school and stayed there for 3 years. For…
Mary Jo DeGrandi
Senior Director of Professional Relations
Mary Jo brings more than 20 years of experience in therapeutic settings to her role at First Light Wilderness. She began her career as a child advocate, working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in native Alaskan communities, where she discovered how impactful it could be to provide therapeutic treatment in outdoor settings.…
Jean Coyle
Field Director
Jean began her career in the outdoors when she was attending Loyola University Maryland by leading outdoor trips for incoming freshman as well as fellow students. During this time, she began volunteering with Outward Bound and working with the Police Youth Program. It was then, that she realized that she wanted to find ways to…
Luke Cottom
Field Staff
Henry Thomas
Field Staff
An avid reader and outdoor enthusiast, Henry spends his free time near the river, in the woods, or reading a book. He began his foray into the outdoor industry through white water rafting on the Chattooga River, where he learned that wilderness can be a powerful force for growth of self-awareness and self-confidence. He gravitated…
Emily Hartke, B.S.
Field Specialist
Emily is an Illinois native that has always had a love for the outdoors. She graduated from University with a degree in Recreation and Sport Management with a concentration in Outdoor Recreation and a minor in Leadership Studies. However, Emily’s love for the outside world started way before her college years. Emily fell in love…
Maddie, B.A.
Academic Specialist
Maddie feels most alive when she is connecting with others, learning through literature, and laughing. Maddie’s passion for learning, and desire to empower young people drove her to study Secondary Education, English, and History at Grand Valley State University. Maddie has worked with adolescents in a variety of settings for the last 7 years, including…
Lauren Lingenfelter, BA
Field Director
Lauren grew up in Hudson, Wisconsin where she spent time exploring the many forests and rivers in the area with family and friends. Lauren initially attended College for Biology and quickly realized she was more passionate about understanding and working with people leading her to switch her focus to Psychology. Lauren graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree…