Courtney Merrill (she/her/hers) grew up in Littleton, Colorado. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Purdue University.  She pursued her interest in politics, working on Capitol Hill, and later traveled and lived around the world. She earned a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Courtney began her career as a therapist at a wilderness therapy program in Arizona.  She continued on to become a therapist in a Residential Treatment Center for adolescent girls.  Over the next six years, she would occupy the role of Therapist, Clinical Director, and Executive Director.  Courtney went on to join a practice of Educational Consultants in one of her favorite cities of Washington, DC.   During her four years there she became acquainted with programs and talented people all over the country as she assisted hundreds of families in finding the right places to attain the help they needed.  It was during this time that she developed a relationship with the team at True North, whom she trusted implicitly with her students and their families.

There is a special place in Courtney’s heart for the wilderness.  She believes in its power to open hearts and make room for change.   She joined the True North team in 2015 as the Director of Admissions and soon took on outreach as well.  She loved putting her assessment skills and natural empathy to the task in making that first connection with families in need of help and hope.  Over the years Courtney’s leadership expanded in support of clinicians and into development and program quality assurance.  As of February, 2021, Courtney is thrilled to take on more of these opportunities as the Co-Executive Director.

When she’s not on the phone, you might find her playing with her daughter Sabrina, training for a triathlon, knitting something for one of her many nieces and nephews, or enjoying the theatre with her husband.