Clients with whom
Devan works well
Steve is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience treating adolescents. He believes that a diverse group makeup is a benefit to treatment, wherein students can learn from and support others of different ages, backgrounds, and therapeutic issues. However, he specializes in more internalizing disorders such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. School avoidance, OCD, learning differences, excessive video game use, neuroatypical features, and self-esteem issues are commonplace among his group makeup.
Steve DeBois is also recognized for his work with adolescents newly diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1, as well as those who have been navigating the diagnosis for years. He helps teens build self-awareness, social understanding, and practical skills that translate into everyday life. He is passionate about working with students who often see themselves as “incapable” or blame others, helping them develop the confidence, self-esteem, and accountability to fully embrace their true capacity. He incorporates strong family work into the therapeutic experience so that the student’s treatment can be enhanced by the family connection.
Devan's Education &
Prior Work Experience
Co-Founder of Second Nature, Devan Glissmeyer has worked with adolescents in treatment for over 25 years, 24 in nature-based therapy. Prior to founding Second Nature, he taught college psychology and communication courses. Devan waited tables as a college undergraduate and ran a landscaping business during junior high and high school, where he employed many of his friends and regularly cared for 40 homes per week during peak summer season.
Devan began his studies at the University of Utah where he received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He attended Ball State University in Indiana and received a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. He returned to Utah and completed his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Brigham Young University. Devan’s doctoral studies focused on family systems and adolescent development and treatment. His doctoral research focused on the influence of parental and peer relationships on maladaptive behaviors (e.g. substance abuse, oppositional defiance, and mood disorders). He began working with adolescents during graduate school as a front-line residential staff member. It was during this work that he began to focus singularly on adolescent development and treatment.
Devan's
Strengths
Devan’s strengths lie in his clinical training in adolescent development and family therapy. He has empathy for students being away from home and those struggling with social limitations. Devan is able to deliver clear expectations and boundaries with focus on accountability, improved self-care, and work ethic. He also focuses on emotional development and competence of students. After initially engaging students in the program, Devan challenges them to focus on identity development – who they want to be. He is able to manage challenging family dynamics well. Devan knows the importance of flexibility with substance issues and the importance of realistic commitments with them.
Devan's
Interests
Devan’s greatest passion away from work is coaching basketball. He recently passed the 600-win mark, coaching his sons, during his youngest son’s AAU tournament. He is looking forward He plays tennis regularly and enjoys his Chocolate Lab and Bernese Mountain dog. Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Kansas City, Devan has resided in Utah since 1985. Married since 1990 with three sons and a daughter, Devan appreciates any time he is able to share with his family.