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Karen Nickel, MS Ed, MS Owner, Director of Boys' Residential Treatment Programs/Admissions
Karen has 18 years of residential treatment center experience and specializes in treating adolescents and families. She also specializes in cognitively impaired adolescent program development. Karen received her BS degree in Administration of Justice from Wichita State University. She has a Masters of Education, as well as a Masters of Counseling from University of Phoenix. Karen is a Certified Lifeguard and Safety Trainer and is a Certified USA Swimming Coach. Karen@waterfallcanyon.com
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Kathy Dimick, BS Owner, Director of Human Resources/Finances
Kathy has served as HR Director and Treasurer of the company since 1996. She has 16 years of experience in human resources, bookkeeping, and quality assurance. Kathy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Weber State University. She is also a Certified USA Swimming Coach. Kathy@waterfallcanyon.com
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Richard Dimick, MSW Owner, Director of Independent Living Program
Rich has served as the Executive Director of the company since 1996. He was previously the President of Utah Youth Providers Network and is a past Board Member of Utah State Office of Licensing. Rich has provided services to troubled teens since 1988 and has served on numerous committees with a focus on improving services to Utah youth and families. He received his BS degree in Psychology from Utah State University and his Masters of Social Work from the University of Utah. Rich has lifelong experiences in hunting, fishing and the outdoors. Rich@waterfallcanyon.com
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Laura Kemper, MSW Director of Outreach and Development
Laura joined Waterfall Canyon Academy having worked in the mental health field since 1999. Laura was most recently an Educational Consultant helping families in crisis and researching and evaluating therapeutic programs on a national and international level. Prior to consulting, Laura worked as a wilderness therapist providing therapy to adolescents at an outdoor wilderness program. In addition, Laura has worked as a Crisis Intervention Specialist at the University of Utah Hospital, worked as a case-manager at a local homeless shelter and conducted research on drug and alcohol programs for the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Consortium, Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Utah. Laura holds a BS in Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Science and MA in Social Work from The University of Utah. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In her free time, Laura enjoys running, swimming, pilates and hiking in the foothills with her two black labs, Ellie and Sue. Laura is originally from the South but has been a resident of Utah since 1997. Laura@waterfallcanyon.com
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Ryan Richter, MS, LPC Clinical Director
Ryan has been working with youth and their families since 1996. He has worked in several different positions during his career. He has been a supervisor over several residential programs at Progressive Youth, director of these same programs, and is currently working with the great clinical team at Waterfall Canyon. Ryan is a certified MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy) counselor, a Certified Positive Control Instructor and was recognized by The Utah Counseling Association, Utah Mental Health Association and University of Phoenix as Counselor of the Year in 2006. He has also enjoyed working with adult substance abusers in the community and aiding them in their quest for sobriety. Ryan is married and has three wonderful children. He enjoys spending time with family, camping, fishing, and running. Ryan@waterfallcanyon.com
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Lanae Kimber, APC Director of Girls' Residential Treatment Programs
Lanae has worked for Waterfall Canyon Academy since July 2010. She received her Master's degree in Counseling from the University of Phoenix and her Bachelors degree in Psychology and communication from the University of Utah. Lanae was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. She has two children and loves to do anything active an outdoors with her family. She loves working with adolescents and their families and helping others in any way that she can.
Lanae@waterfallcanyon.com
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Kenyon Bott, APRNI Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Ken recently graduated from the University of Utah Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program and is licensed as an APRN. He worked as an RN for 12 years after graduating with a BSN from Weber State University. He has worked with adolescents in residential treatment settings for more than 8 years and really enjoys getting to know the students personally and working with them and their parents to optimize medication strategies during their stay. Ken has a conservative approach towards medication and feels that the many other interventions and strategies that Waterfall Canyon Academy offers, provides the students with balanced treatment. Professionally, Ken has also worked in long-term care, medical and surgical units, and teaching medical courses. Ken and his wife have 6 children and he enjoys spending time with them, watching movies, and staying active- particularly playing basketball.
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Felicia Fernandez, MSW Medication Coordinator
Felicia has worked for the company for 9 years. She began as a Lead Staff in the residential programs while finishing her BA degree in Social Work from Weber State University. She left to pursue a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work at Michigan State University. Upon graduation, Felicia moved back to Utah and returned to the company as the Clinical Coordinator. Felicia has held the position of Medication Coordinator since 2007. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her husband, two daughters, and large extended family. Felicia@waterfallcanyon.com
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Kate Lovatt, LCSW Therapist
Kate joined our Waterfall Canyon team in 2009, from her previous home of Maui. Originally from Michigan, Kate is enjoying being able to again take advantage of the full four seasons back on the mainland. In her free time, you often find Kate outdoors with her husband- hiking, biking, rollerblading, camping, and skiing. Kate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been working as a therapist with adolescents and families for many years. She has worked with inner city children in Chicago and Michigan. Prior to Waterfall, she worked as a therapist on Maui at a public high school. She is very passionate about her work and thoroughly enjoys our youth. Kate@waterfallcanyon.com |
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Dusty Edgerton, LMFT Therapist
Dusty has worked as a therapist on our clinical team since 2007. Dusty has worked in various capacities in the mental health field since 1997. Dusty received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Family Studies from Weber State University and his Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Utah State University. Dusty@waterfallcanyon.com
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Darlene Pinkston, LCSW Therapist
Darlene was born in Southern California but has lived the majority of her life in Northern Utah. She started her career in Social Work in 1985, working for the Kansas state foster care system. Since then she has worked in a variety of therapeutic settings, both outpatient and residential, with persons who are challenged with addiction, chronic mental illness, correctional issues, as well as cognitive, behavioral and physical challenges. Darlene received her Bachelor's Degree from Utah State University and her Masters from University of Utah. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Darlene is happy to return to the company, having previously worked here for nine years. She is married with two wonderful daughters. Darlene@waterfallcanyon.com
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Emily Daughton, BS Lead Certified Teacher
Emily has been with OakGrove School since 2005 and Waterfall Canyon Academy since 2007. She worked in science education for 10 years before coming to work for Oak Grove School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University and her Utah Teaching Certification from Western Governors University. Emily has also been a certified Yoga Instructor since 2002. Her interests include animals, science, music, backpacking, reading, kids, and spending time with her husband. Emily@waterfallcanyon.com |
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Heidi Perry School Administrator
Heidi has worked for our company since 2000. Prior to working for us she spent two years supervising a boys and girls residential program for Youth and Family Centered Services and three years working on Intermountain Health Care's Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Residential and Acute Units (coed). Heidi is a certified instructor for Positive Control Systems. She is a working mom of husband, three kids, and three creatures. She enjoys hiking, camping, reading and playing with her kids.
Heidi@waterfallcanyon.com
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Carson Ray South Campus Coordinator
Carson has worked for our company since 2000. Prior to working for the company, Carson worked for McKay-Dee Behavioral Health in their Adolescent Substance Abuse Unit. He also worked for five years in a state detention center for Juvenile Justice Services. Carson has attended many conferences on gang/youth violence, mental health, and behavior management. He has also served on community chairs for Ogden City and Ogden-Weber Community Action Agency. He has also been involved with the local Youth Impact program. Carson is a third generation journeyman baker and has worked as a Pastry Chef and Bakery Manager. Carson is the father of two children and enjoys quality time with family and friends. He also enjoys outside summer and winter recreation. Carson@waterfallcanyon.com
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Bree Green North Campus Coordinator
Bree has worked for Waterfall Canyon Academy since 2006 as the Program Coordinator of the North Campus. Prior to that she worked for two years as a Case Manager at Weber Human Services, a county mental health agency, assisting transition aged teens find independence and build self-esteem. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Human Services. Bree is a certified instructor for Positive Control Systems and CPR and First Aid. She has two children who are the light of her life. She enjoys reading, movies, camping, and spending time with her children and her students, who keep her laughing all the time. Bree@waterfallcanyon.com
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Kim Munford South Campus Girl's Program Coordinator & Girl's Transition Program Coordinator
Kim has been with Waterfall Canyon Academy since 2009. Prior to coming to WCA, Kim had her own Daycare business and loved working with children. Once Kim began working with older children and teens, she felt like she has found her calling and knows what she wants to do in life. She attended Utah State University specializing in Child Development. Kim grew up all over the Western U.S. and Indonesia. She comes from a family of 9 children and was always referred to as the "Peace Keeper" with her siblings. Proud to call herself an "Army Wife", Kim has survived her husband leaving on two separate deployments. She says her biggest and best accomplishment in life is her family, including her husband, one daughter and three boys. Outside of her job, Kim loves to go camping with her family, watching scary movies, attending her boys' football games, reading, and just spending time with her family. Kim@waterfallcanyon.com
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Martin Wilson Boy's Transition Program Coordinator
Martin has worked for Waterfall Canyon Academy (WCA) since January 2010. Prior to working for WCA, Martin worked with youth for 8 years in a variety of therapeutic settings including a ranch-style boarding school, a behavioral health hospital and a residential treatment center. Throughout his work experience, Martin has developed many skills helping youth in areas such as anger management, social development, self-esteem, independent living and overcoming addiction. Martin is the father of 3 beautiful boys and enjoys working on do-it-yourself projects, boating, fishing, going to movies, working with youth and spending time with his family. Martin@waterfallcanyon.com
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