Georgia Fourlas, Executive Director for Rio Retreat Center at The Meadows, holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in social work. She has worked in the field of behavioral health for more than 20 years and has extensive experience working with adults and children as a crisis counselor, trauma therapist, and addictions therapist. More than a decade of Dr. Fourlas’ experience has been working with patients in an inpatient setting at both state and privately funded agencies. She also previously held positions as a program coordinator, program director, and clinical director, and she is an approved clinical supervisor through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

Dr. Fourlas is trained in Post-Induction Therapy (PIT), Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and psychodrama. She draws from an eclectic blend of theoretical perspectives and creative approaches to therapy designed to reach both motivated and resistant patient populations and to maximize the potential for personal healing and growth.

Born and raised in Wyoming, Alana Ham brings over 15 years of experience in trauma and addiction to her role as Clinical Director at Rio Retreat Center. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from the University of Wyoming and is EMDR-trained and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) candidate. Her career has been marked by a deep commitment to helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, a passion that led her to work as both an advocate and therapist. Ham’s experience also includes working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, completing alcohol and drug assessments, and running substance use disorder groups. Her path to becoming a therapist was driven by a lifelong dedication to service and a desire to help people heal from trauma.

Since joining Meadows Behavioral Healthcare in October 2022, Ham has played key roles, including primary therapist at the Claudia Black Center. In her current position, she oversees the clinical department, ensuring the delivery of top-tier treatment. She finds great fulfillment in witnessing patient transformations and working with a team of compassionate therapists. Beyond work, Ham is a mother of three and enjoys spending time with her family, engaging in water activities, and exploring new places.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Shaul Austin earned his Master of Education degree in counseling from Northern Arizona University. A Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona and Louisiana and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Nevada, Austin has been treating eating disorders, trauma, and addiction for more than 25 years. He is also certified in Post-Induction Therapy (PIT).

It was his own recovery journey, which started well over three decades ago, that led to a passion for helping others. His career with Meadows Behavioral Healthcare began in 2013 as program director at The Meadows Ranch. He then served as program director at Gentle Path at The Meadows and most recently in workshops from 2018 to January 2021. Austin returned to Rio Retreat Center in April 2022 as a therapist. He has also served as adjunct faculty in the counseling department at Webster University in The Netherlands and as an assistant professor (bio-behavioral science) at Louisiana State University School of Medicine-New Orleans.

In this current role, Austin facilitates a variety of workshops including Survivors I and II, Couples Repair & Reset, Mending Heartwounds, and Thrive, in addition to leading private intensives. Our workshops create a space for healing, and “seeing individuals and couples have a renewed hope and purpose after five days is truly amazing,” Austin says.

Austin is a very proud parent of three adult children. In his downtime he enjoys reading, sporting events, music and concerts, traveling, and visiting art museums.

An addictions counselor working primarily with young adults dealing with heroin addiction, Katherine Jensen earned a BA in business administration from the University of Nebraska. The native Nebraskan also holds an MA in counseling, specializing in trauma, abuse, and deprivation, and she is trained in EMDR I & II and Post-Induction Therapy.

Jensen discovered her calling through her own healing journey. At Rio Retreat, she serves as a Survivors therapist, facilitating the Survivors workshop process for patients. It’s a process she says she fully believes in, “as it helped me reclaim my own life.”

With four thriving adult children, Jensen enjoys watercolor painting, card making, scrapbooking, photography, or almost any arts and crafts during her downtime.

Born in the backwoods of Georgia, Detrial Williams was raised in Florida’s Tampa Bay area. She completed her undergraduate degree from Chaffey Community College then earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology, with an emphasis in marital and family therapy from California Baptist University.

A certified professional parent trainer and lay counselor, Williams is trained in trauma therapy, Post-Induction Therapy, play therapy, individual psychology (Adlerian therapy), and holds certifications in Rutgers Adoption Competency and from the Florida Department of Children & Families Substance Abuse & Mental Health. She is also a Licensed Associate Marital & Family Therapist in Arizona and Florida, and she currently sit on the board of directors for the Florida Adlerian Society.

Williams initially set out to become a surgical nurse, but her math skills were a barrier, so she took a career assessment and learned she is a humanitarian at heart. That led to a career in social work, mental health, and then marital family counseling “because it all starts with the family,” she explains. Over the course of her career, Williams has fallen in love with seeing individuals and families’ lives changed because someone listened. Past roles include 14 years as a lay counselor in the church, six years working with at-risk children in the education system, 12 years working with children and families in the foster care system, and five years working with families with substance use and in recovery.

A single mother of one biological daughter and four stepchildren, Williams enjoys cooking, playing board games, outdoor activities like camping and barbecues in the backyard, and traveling. She’s also a fan of Marvel comics and football.

Born in McAllen, Texas, Alex Hardwicke spent her first five years in Ireland before the family returned to Houston, Texas. As an adult, she traveled extensively, living in California, Oregon, and Mexico, among other locations. Hardwicke studied at University of California before completing her BA at Southern Oregon University. She then earned an MA in community counseling at the University of Texas. A Licensed Professional Counselor, she is also trained in EMDR and Natural Lifemanship.

Previously a program director for a large inpatient treatment center in Texas, Hardwicke has served as a therapist at outpatient programs, a private practice for families, and at addiction-focused treatment centers. She has also worked with young children suffering from severe trauma, adolescents at a residential treatment center, managed a high-acuity unit, and worked with those struggling with disabilities.

She’s always been an empathetic individual, and Hardwicke finds helping others “the most fulfilling thing I could imagine.” In recovery herself, she now wants to give that gift to others. She joined the staff at Rio Retreat and The Meadows in 2021. In her current role, Hardwicke provides trauma-informed care for clients that attend our workshops, facilitates clinical lectures, and teaches clients about trauma — how it’s affected them and how to develop healthy coping skills and other clinical tools. Some of her favorite parts of the job include watching clients release carried shame and other painful emotions they’ve held onto and their entire lives as well as seeing how clients progress so much in a five-day workshop.

When not working, Hardwicke enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending recovery meetings and events, baking and making homemade ice cream, advancing her counseling field knowledge, dancing, interior design, journaling, bike riding, and traveling.

Originally from the Bay Area, Chris Herrera holds an AA in psychology, an AS in psychiatric technology, a BA in psychology, and dual MAs in forensic psychology and mental health counseling. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona, Herrera is also a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP). Her career in behavioral health began at a community mental health facility, where she encountered clients struggling with process addictions—a relatively new concept at the time. Intrigued, she delved deeper into the field of sex addiction, which became a significant focus of her work. Her diverse experience spans forensic and inpatient facilities, outpatient clinics, and community mental health settings, working with populations ranging from the seriously mentally ill to inmates, probationers, youth, and couples.

Herrera has held several roles since joining Meadows Behavioral Healthcare in July 2020, including primary group therapist and trauma therapist at Gentle Path at The Meadows. In February 2023, she transitioned to facilitating Rio Retreat Center workshops, where she finds fulfillment in guiding groups through recovery and trauma healing. Trained in several therapeutic modalities, including SSP, EMDR, ART, and TF-CBT, Herrera also enjoys martial arts, perfume making, and volunteer work in her free time.

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Andrew "Houston" Hough pursued his passion for understanding human experiences by earning a BA in philosophy, politics, and economics from The King’s College in New York City and an MA in clinical mental health counseling with a trauma certificate from Wheaton College, Illinois. Before joining The Meadows, Hough interned at a private practice in downtown Chicago and gained diverse professional experience in immigration, finance, and tech across NYC, Dallas, Washington, DC, and Chicago. His journey into therapy was inspired by his love for deep, meaningful conversations and a desire to help others find strength in their stories.

At Rio Retreat Center, Hough provides psychoeducation and empathetic support, relishing the instant gratification of seeing patients begin to overpower their trauma and shame. He creates a safe, supportive space for individuals to explore their stories, reduce shame, and discover that they are not alone. Outside of work, Hough enjoys working out, baking, cooking, and spending time at local coffee shops. He also loves traveling whenever possible and has a fraternal twin brother.

Idaho native Alexis Staeb brings a deep well of experience and compassion to her role at Rio Retreat Center. She earned her BA in social services with a focus on Child Life Specialist from Concordia University Ann Arbor, and her MSW from Simmons University in Boston. Staeb is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Child Life Specialist, trained in EMDR and PIT, and adept in Somatic Experiencing, polyvagal theory, attachment theory, and experiential methods.

Before joining Meadows Behavioral Healthcare in the spring of 2024, Staeb worked as an independent trauma-informed therapist, helping individuals of all ages navigate their healing journeys. She is passionate about creating spaces where clients feel “seen, heard, understood, and known.” At Rio Retreat, Staeb facilitates healing through group processes and supports clients in connecting with their authentic selves. She values the diversity of her work, enjoys continuous learning and teamwork, and takes pride in guiding clients through transformative experiences. In her personal life, Staeb cherishes time with loved ones, enjoys traveling, reading in a hammock, and participating in both artistic and athletic activities. She is also pursuing training to become a death doula, reflecting her commitment to supporting individuals throughout all stages of life.

James Randall Sisk (Randy to those who know him) has built a distinguished career in behavioral health. Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Western Kentucky, Sisk earned a BA in liberal arts from Charter Oak College and a master’s in behavioral science with a focus on addictions from Wheaton College. His journey into the field began unexpectedly when he was recruited as a behavioral health technician and quickly realized the profound impact he could have on others. This newfound passion for counseling was so rewarding that he never looked back.

In the mid-1990s, Sisk worked at The Meadows, where he honed his skills and embraced the therapeutic philosophy that would later guide his private practice in Prescott, Arizona, where he served the community for over a decade. His extensive professional experience includes roles at Prescott House, The Ranch in Tennessee, and A Sober Way in Prescott, and six years as a probation officer. Now, as a Survivors Therapist at Rio Retreat Center, Sisk is dedicated to creating a safe space where participants can explore their stories, reduce their shame, and find hope. Outside of work, Sisk enjoys working out, playing pickleball, watching movies, and spending quality time with his wife and their beloved Rat Terrier.

Born in Ventura County and raised in Riverside, California, Carla Roddy brings a diverse background in customer service, youth ministry, business, and accounting to her role at Rio Retreat Center. Her career took an unexpected turn when she and her husband joined pastors from their church in relocating to Wickenburg, Arizona, where she fell in love with the unique community. Although she had no prior experience in mental health, Roddy was felt called to pursue her passion for helping others by applying for an admissions coordinator position at Meadows Behavioral Healthcare.

Since joining MBH in 2019, Roddy has held several roles, including Lead Admissions Coordinator and Manager of Rio Retreat, before becoming the Director of Specialty Outpatient Services. In this position, she oversees all workshop admissions, ensuring that each participant receives a seamless and supportive experience. Roddy’s most rewarding aspect of her job is making a meaningful impact on individuals’ lives and helping them find hope during their darkest moments. In her free time, Roddy enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter, spending time with loved ones, and singing on her church’s worship team.