About Dr. Tim Thayne
Dr. Tim Thayne is best known as a pioneer and innovator in adolescent treatment and family systems, driven by one goal: to help families create lasting, long-term change. With master’s and doctoral degrees in marriage and family therapy from Brigham Young University and Virginia Tech, Dr. Thayne has combined clinical expertise with entrepreneurial vision to transform how families and organizations approach resilience, trust, and leadership.
He is the co-founder of Outback Therapeutic Expeditions and Homeward Bound, groundbreaking wilderness and in-home aftercare programs that redefined how struggling teens and their families are supported. In an era when most treatment models focused solely on the child, Dr. Thayne was a pioneer in bringing parents and family members into the center of the treatment process. Research shows that family engagement is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success during and after treatment, and Dr. Thayne built practical systems to make that engagement possible.
His work often focused on what others considered “too hard,” but that made the real difference. For example, he developed practices where parents identified neighbors, extended family, clergy, coaches, and teachers to join the inner circle of support, ensuring teens returned home to a robust community rather than isolation. He also created Family Bridge, a technology platform that engaged parents and their support networks in treatment long before digital family engagement was common. Family Bridge became the precursor to Trustyy, today’s scalable platform that equips families with trust assessments, coaching, and practical tools through an interactive app.
At the heart of this innovation is a principle-based, practical model forged through years of intensive in-home coaching with families. This model equips parents, teens, and couples to apply timeless truths to everyday challenges in communication, emotional regulation, trust, and leadership in the home.
Today, Dr. Thayne and his team provide coaching for parents—both in groups and one-on-one—ensuring that families don’t just learn concepts but live them, supported by structured tools and accountability. His books Taking the Reins and Not by Chance have guided tens of thousands of parents, and his Not by Chance Podcast continues to bring fresh insights and expert voices to families and professionals committed to intentional living.
Through his partnership with the Mental Health Touchdown Foundation (MHTD), Dr. Thayne now brings this proven approach to players, alumni, and their families—while also making the same support available to families who could not otherwise afford it. This unique partnership ensures that the very best tools for communication, trust, and family resilience are accessible to anyone who needs them, not just those with means.
Tim and his wife Roxanne are the proud parents of five children and grandparents to a growing family. When he’s not working with families, you’ll often find him with his horses and sheep, or enjoying a spirited game of cornhole.