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Professional Training
Name: Fotuopala'au Soliai, LCSW Position: Clinical Director/Therapist Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: Although, home (American Samoa) is thousands of miles from Utah, it has been a great adventure learning and understanding who I am and where I came from while away from home. Many of my personal philosophies, hobbies, and volunteer work have been strongly influenced by my Samoan Heritage. As part of my culture I have grown to cherish family ties and understand the importance and value of children to their families and I am gratified to be part of improving those relationships. Comments on DRA: Diamond Ranch Academy has helped me gain tremendous insight into adolescent behavior and has been a very effective place in assisting teens in understanding themselves and the reasons for changing their behaviors. I also consider myself a very happy person and very easy to be around. This allows me to develop close and trusting relationships with my students. I also have the ability to set boundaries and not allow youth to manipulate me, thus I am not only easy to get along with, but respected. Working with parents is another opportunity that I have enjoyed here at DRA. It has been rewarding to understand the different social, economic, and cultural dynamics that have contributed to some of today's issues with our youth, and it is heartwarming to work with parents to see their role in the change process and assist them with new ways to relate to youth that are healthy and productive. 
Name: Kati Cardon Position: Clinical Administrative Assistant Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: I am originally from Southern Utah. I have been going to school for the past few years and I have enjoyed all that I have learned there. I am looking forward to continuing my education in the area of social work. I enjoy anything that allows me to be active and experience new things, such as traveling, running, and hiking. Comments on DRA: I am grateful for the opportunity I have to work at DRA. I have already learned so much about people, and how unique each of us is. I have the opportunity here to talk with each of the students when they first get to DRA, and I enjoy the opportunity to get to know each of them individually. It is so exciting to see the change that each student goes through as they progress through the program. 
Name: Ephraim Hanks, MSW Position: Therapist Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: I am married to a wonderful woman and have a 10 month old son and a baby on the way. My wife and I loved living in Kentucky, but have always called Utah our home. I grew up in Hurricane and love living and working in such a beautiful place. Comments on DRA: I work within multiple therapeutic modalities with an emphasis in narrative and structural/systematic approaches. I am experienced in individual, group, marital, and family counseling. I have been working with adolescents for the past 10 years. I was a therapist at two different residential treatment centers in Kentucky. I also worked in a family counseling clinic in Louisville with struggling youth and their families. 
Name: Kade Mathews, MSW Position: Therapist Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: I was born and raised in Northern Utah, growing up with 3 siblings. I now share my life with family and friends, enjoying the opportunity to form a friendship whenever possible. For the past six years, I have enjoyed the companionship of my wife, who is a great support in my life. Two years ago we had our first child. I enjoy several hobbies with my favorite being making clay sculptures which I find relaxing and challenging. I value the therapeutic relationship and believe that this relationship comes first and foremost in any therapeutic environment. Therefore, I describe my therapeutic approach as cognitive-behavioral with a relationship base. Building on this approach, I use my knowledge of experiential methods such as play therapy and art therapy to help my clients understand their emotions and behaviors and work through them to create positive changes. Comments on DRA: Diamond Ranch Academy is a program that teaches youth the skills necessary to be successful in all areas of their lives. I am impressed with the unique and insightful way Diamond Ranch approaches the issues our clients are dealing with. I have had experience with several youth facilities, and in my opinion Diamond Ranch brings a new approach that is effective and helpful to all of the clients. As a therapist, I have the wonderful opportunity to work with these youth on a one on one basis helping them through their past, present, and future challenges. I think one of the most important aspects of this therapeutic process is the relationship of trust that I work to establish with each of my clients. I believe this relationship helps to open the lines of communication which in turn helps the client progress in a positive direction. I can already see that these youth have so many great qualities and it is a pleasure to be able to gain a relationship with them and their families. 
Name: Lorneta Ferguson, LCSW Position: Therapist Licensing:
Education:
Certifications:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: Children have always been a focal point in my life. I enjoyed being raised in a large family of 10 children. Being 4th in line I had many opportunities of caring for younger siblings. This is where my love for children began. I have worked with children for over thirty years in many different arenas, as a mother, teacher, friend, care giver, counselor, foster parent, and therapist. Working with children and youth is my greatest passion. My husband and I have 5 children and one precious grandson. I also enjoy oil painting, reading, spending time with my family riding our horses, camping, hiking, talking, and most of all laughing. Comments on DRA: My husband, Gary, and I researched different youth facilities for over a year to find a place where the youth are treated with respect and have a high success rate. Our search brought us to Diamond Ranch Academy. Not only do they have a successful program, they have a vision to reach higher and become the best youth facility in the world. Each day I see improvements, enthusiasm, team work and a constant progression forward. DRA models the behavior we expect from the youth and we're proud to be apart of a program that strengthens families in a highly positive environment.
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DRA Videos
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