Our Team

Carolle Bell

Clinical and Equine Director

Carolle Bell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She is also a Level III Certified Equine Therapist and is qualified to mentor other therapists who are seeking to obtain advanced certification. Carolle grew up in eastern New Mexico. Being from a small farming community, Carolle developed a strong work ethic. Growing up in New Mexico also taught her an appreciation of cultural diversity.

Carolle has a Bachelors in Psychology from Baylor University, a Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas, and a Ph.D. from Utah State University. She has extensive experience as a therapist and began developing a specialty working with children and adolescents at the Child Study Center in Fort Worth, Texas. She has worked extensively with developmentally delayed children and adults, as well as adolescents with mental health and substance abuse problems. Before moving to St. George in 2001, Carolle taught at Utah State University and had a successful private practice in Brigham City.

For the past five years, Carolle has been the Director of Equine Services at Falcon Ridge Ranch. Under her direction, Falcon Ridge has become one of the few programs certified by EAGALA to train equine therapists and specialists. Carolle is patient and excels with clients. Carole’s previous work in adoptions contributes to her ability to work with adopted and attachment disordered clients. She has a strong background in family therapy and believes that you need to heal the family, not just the child.

Carolle has been married for forty-three years. She and her husband have two sons and love to spend time visiting Europe, Africa and Central America. She enjoys collecting Native American art and is an unapologetic football fan, especially of the University of Texas Longhorns.

Nora Wiseman

Therapist
Degree: BSSW, MSW from Saint Louis University
Certification: MSW, LCSW, LICSW
Organizations: NASW, Mass. Behavioral Health Instructive
Why did you choose this field?: Lived and studied overseas; while abroad, I worked with children and families, in teaching, refuge work, and therapy. When I returned to the US, I wanted to continue social work stateside.
Work Experience: Transplant social worker Tuffs Medical Center; Neurosurgery social worker Brigham & Women's Hospital; Clinical social worker Big Brothers Big Sisters.
About You: I speak multiple languages, and have lived in 5 other countries. I practice yoga and pilates, but like any outdoor activities. I believe that any productive therapeutic work stems from the establishment of a respectful, mutually trusting relationship between client and practitioner.
What do you like about Falcon Ridge:?I enjoy working with girls from all over the country. I appreciate that this age brings with it a myriad of promise for the future and every walk of life.

Steve Barrick

Therapist
Degree: Bachelors in Psychology from Southern Utah University and a Masters in Educational Counseling from the University of Phoenix.
Organizations: American Counseling Association
Work Experience: Steve began his career as a counselor in juvenile corrections and has over 15 years of experience working with adolescents. He spent the last five years working as a therapist in a residential treatment center where he also served as Clinical Director. Steve has extensive knowledge and training treating trauma related issues and substance abuse addictions.
About You: Steve has lived in Southern Utah for over 30 years with his wife and five children. He enjoys camping, horseback riding, jogging, archery, and watching his children’s sporting events. He has also been highly effective in helping clients achieve emotional regulation through DBT skill building, biofeedback, and neurofeedback technologies.

Michael C. Armstrong

Resident Director
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Education, Masters in Administration from BYU and Idaho State.
Organizations: Youth Conf. in the US
Work Experience: Each of my areas of teaching, coaching, and doing youth seminars have all related to youth development and more healthy choices.
About You: My family relations are most important in my life. I am a father of 5 and married to a mother of 5 children. With 10 children in our marriage we stay busy and up to date on the challenges of raising children today. I enjoy teaching life skills and motivating for a more productive life. Exercise and the outdoor adventures continue to be of great interest to me. I see nature as a great tool to help healing of mind, body and spirit.
What do you like about Falcon Ridge:?The ranch atmosphere provides a natural experience for growth and progress. PPC and the efforts the girls make to unite groups. The nature hikes. The great staff to work with.

Ken Kreider

Math and Science Teacher
Degree: Bachelor of Science from Walla Walla College.
Certification: 6-12 Math
Work Experience: I have over 10 years of experience working with at-risk youth and I have worked with a variety of students with different learning styles ad abilities. I also spent a few years teaching in Puerto Rico.
About You: I have been married for 10 years and have two daughters, ages 6 and 2. I speak fluent spanish and enjoy problem solving, hiking, reading and spending time with my family. I believe it is important to build a strong foundation of understanding basic concepts in math in order to excel at the higher levels. I try and identify which learning style will work best for each individual.
What do you like about Falcon Ridge:?I love the peaceful relaxed environment here at Falcon. It's great to work near Zion National Park and go hiking once in a while.

Deborah Adams-Cochran

Office Manager / IT Support
Certification: Microsoft Office, Quickbooks, Raisers Edge
Why did you choose this field?: I worked with the Home of the Good Shepard in Las Vegas, Nevada with border-line delinquent teenage girls. I have been a foster parent in Florida, Nevada, and Utah.
What do you like about Falcon Ridge:?You can see the owners and staff truly love and enjoy helping the girls get back on track with their lives.

Karen Slack

Case Manager
Certification: CPR, First Aid
Education: Jorclon / Trade Tech. Nursing
Why did you choose this field?: I love to help people.
Work Experience: Mother, young women and scouting for 10 years.
About You: I'm organized, friendly, caring, helpful and give great hugs. I've been married 35 years and have 3 grown children and enjoy camping and quilting.
What do you like about Falcon Ridge:?I like the family atmosphere. The caring staff who are dedicated to kids and their families.

Shane R. Swensen

Teacher
Degree: B.S. Communication: Radio/TV from SUU
Certification: UT sate teaching certificate level II.
Why did you choose this field?: I love to each. I love to help young people. Literature, Language & Geography have great interest for me.
Work Experience: 8 years language arts teacher.
About You: I am married with 6 children and 2 grandchildren to a wife who also teaches. I enjoy humor, music, acting, and T.V. production. I believe that teachers can have a great influence for good in young peoples lives. "It's usually me, if things aren't going well in class"
What do you like about Falcon Ridge:?There is a new challenge everyday. Young women are fun to teach and help. They like to lean and laugh and I like to teach and use humor

Mariah Pogue

Admissions / Dietary Management
Degree: Southern Utah University - Bachelor in Psychology / Special Education.
Certification: First Aid, CPR, MANDT, SafeServe
Organizations: Best Buddies, Special Olympics
Why did you choose this field?: I love kids and want to help. They are the leaders of the future.
Work Experience: 4 years youth correction counselor. 4 Years youth shelter worker. School district employment specialist. Life coach for developmentally delayed adults Behavior Tech.
About You: I am married with 2 daughters. I am friendly, empathetic, a good listener, passionate about learning, creative and love to cook. I believe we all have the potential to be successful, healthy and happy. Some need help to get to that potential which is how we help. It is a privilege to work in this field and help young ladies on their amazing journey.
What do you like about Falcon Ridge:?The dedication and hard work from the administration. The love and support of the direct care staff for the students and each other. The humor and easy going daily life. We do what we say we do.

Salesi Misinale Fakahua

Degree: AA Biology, Chemistry from Ricks College, SUU
Why did you choose this field?: I wanted to be a doctor and help people. I found that I can help people without going to medical school.
Work Experience: I have worked with youth and their families for over twenty years.
About You: I am married to a beautiful gorgeous and intelligent wife. We have 3 wonderful children. I am a great listener, humble, able to communicate, loyal, hard working, honest, straight forward, and a team player. I believe we can empower, educate, embrace and encourage youth and their families to make healthy decisions and focus on generating solutions.
What do you like about Falcon Ridge:?Positive Peer Culture, Equine Therapy and the people that work here.

Athena Gent

Degree: Bachelor Science in Criminal Justice/ History from SUU
Work Experience: Corrections Officer Private Security
About You: I have one son and one daughter. I love animals and have dogs, cats, and 1 horse. I am non-judgmental, have a sense of humor, and care about others. I believe that you get back what you put in. It isn't just paycheck, you have to want to be here and care about what you are doing.
What do you like about Falcon Ridge:?Small, clean, great location and animals

Mike Randall

Over the past 20 years Mike has built a business starting and training colts for over 60 return clients in Utah and Nevada. Mike uses natural horsemanship techniques he learned from some of the best horseman in the country, people like legendary horseman Ray Hunt, Connie Bowler, Wendall Hunt, and Ralph Poland. Mike enjoys teaching and coaching youth and has been a High School Coach for 15 years. He is currently the head wrestling coach at Hurricane High School. Mike's love of horses and helping youth bring the two together for the benefit of AES. Here he can teach youth about horses while they learn about themselves.