Treatment Team

The counselors at The Ark develop a master treatment plan for each new client after and exhaustive intake evaluation. This plan is used as a road map to recovery for the clients. We would suggest you meet the staff, listen to their stories and see if the Ark’s 24/7 residential treatment program or even a day treatment program can help you or your loved one be free from the demons of addiction of mental disorders that are troubling you.

Gloria Boberg, LSAC – Executive Director

Gloria Boberg has overcome huge personal adversity in becoming one of the state’s leading authorities on addiction issues. As a result of her work, the quality of life for hundreds, if not thousands of Utahns has been dramatically improved and even saved.

Boberg is the founder and executive director of The ARK of Little Cottonwood, the Utah-based non-profit organization that treats patients for a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, mood and personality disorders, drug and alcohol dependency, eating disorders and addictive behavior (for a range of topics that includes, gambling, sex and even shopping). She is also a past president of the Association for Utah Substance Abuse Professionals and a board member of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. Boberg is currently a board member of the Department of Professional Licensing. In 2008, the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health gave Boberg an award for outstanding community service.

After a life of family and personal problems, Boberg and two associates acquired a four-acre property and buildings near the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon (the property was originally Warren Jeff’s compound) in 1997. Some 18 months later, in August 1999, after the licensing process was completed, The ARK of Little Cottonwood was born. Since 2009, Boberg has opened three additional facilities—an eight-bed residential treatment center in Eagle Mountain, an outpatient/community center in Draper and an outpatient/community center in St. George.

Treatment at the Little Cottonwood and Eagle Mountain facilities require a minimum stay of 30 days. Boberg says The ARK’s treatment programs are based on an integrated and holistic approach, wherein the whole person receives treatment. This means The ARK’s staff treats the emotional, medical, spiritual, physical, social and dietary needs of each individual. The ARK Outpatient Treatment Center is under the umbrella of The ARK, and specializes in intensive outpatient care. In addition, The ARK Outpatient Treatment Center serves as a community resource center for issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse.

“We want The ARK Outpatient Treatment Center to be a place where the public can come to learn more about a variety of disorders, but especially about drug and alcohol dependency. For example, if a parent thinks his or her child is using drugs, we will have staff members on hand to help answer questions and give advice,” Boberg said.

While The ARK facilities are for adult treatment programs, Boberg has recently expanded her efforts to help young people as well. Boberg has founded a dance group called KADA (an acronym for Kids Against Drugs and Alcohol). KADA includes youngsters ranging in age from 7 to 17 (the number of KADA dancers varies, but it has included as many as 25 to 30). Some KADA dancers come from families where abuse is present, or where a parent or parents have suffered from drug abuse. A few of the KADA members have also had eating disorders or suffered from depression. The KADA dancers have performed at school assemblies, conferences, parades and other special events. Typically, KADA performances involve the dancers speaking about their own lives and the problems they’ve encountered. Boberg does not receive any payment for the work she does for the KADA dance group.

Jeremy Boberg, LSAC – Director of Admissions

Jeremy specializes in working with families and patients in coordinating admissions, interventions and appropriate level of care. He is currently married and they have (5) kids. He is the current President of the Association of Utah Substance Abuse Professionals (AUSAP).

Darron Boberg – Director of Operations

Steve Brunkin – Program Director

Stephen K. Brunken was named program director ofThe Ark of Little Cottonwood in Dec. 2010.

In his new position, Brunken assumed many of the responsibilities of The Ark of Little Cottonwood Founder and Executive Director Gloria Boberg. Boberg is currently focusing on opening new facilities in Utah, especially in St. George.

Prior to being named as program director, Brunken has served as a board member of The Ark of Little Cottonwood. In addition to being The Ark’s program director, Brunken will continue as president of JKM&M CSI, a consulting firm serving individuals and businesses with their addiction recovery needs. Brunken founded JKM&M CSI in 2009.

Since 1987, Brunken has worked in the insurance industry, including his most recent position as director of MGIS Flex from 2007 to 2009. From 1987 to 2009, Brunken was employed by Medical Group Insurance Services, Inc., most recently serving as managing partner and senior vice president of Business Development.

Brunken received an A.A. degree from Ricks College in 1987.

Dr. Stephen Shepard, PhD. – Psychologist

Laura Boberg, LSAC – Counselor

As an Adult-Child of Alcoholic/Addict Parents, Laura is no stranger to the disease of addiction with its devastating impact on all family members involved. She has learned from her own life’s circumstances that this is a disease and not just a moral choice. Laura has a great deal of compassion for those who suffer from it, and other physical, emotional and mental disorders. She was self-employed for 12 years as a home-health/hospice caregiver. Simultaneously, she served as Secretary to the Ark’s Advisory Board and then as a temporary psych-tech. Once she became involved with the patients and staff, she knew this was where she wanted to be. Eventually, Laura gave up her career in home-health and began working full-time in admissions and administration at the Ark of Little Cottonwood. Shortly thereafter, she enrolled and completed the Substance Abuse Counselor training program at the University of Utah. She is currently a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor (LSAC) and has also been Nationally certified as a Chemical Addictions Counselor (CAC). She is now the Program Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program at the Ark in Draper. Laura is a proud mother of 3 children and 2 cats. She enjoys movies, riding her bicycle, reading, and working with the KADA Kids (Kids Against Drugs and Alcohol).

Aaron F. Gardner, MA., LPC

Aaron’s personal Mission Statement: Serve to strengthen personal and family relationships through facilitating solutions to problems in communication and functioning, to promote resolution of stress and anxiety, and to alleviate emotional distresses due to present and past life experiences, while bettering quality of life enjoyment.

Aaron is a Licensed Professional Counselor having provided professional counseling services for over sixteen years. His experience comes from having worked in his own private practice, community and private agencies, schools, courts, and church related settings. He has extensive experience treating physical and emotional traumas, sexual violations and sexual deviancies. Over the years, Aaron has worked with many couples helping them resolve their differences, increase communication and problem solving, enhance intimacy, and reestablish trust. Aaron specializes in helping individuals overcome anxiety, depression, grief, and anger. He has worked extensively with parents, schools, and individuals in resolving behavior, emotional, academic, and attention/impulsive problems. Aaron offers his clients the option of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), having completed advanced specialized training.

In his free time, Aaron enjoys spending time with is wife and five children, a miniature schnauzer and a yorkie-poodle. Aaron dabbles with digital photography, gardening, and generally has a home improvement project or two he is working on. His wife and children are musically talented and active in various orchestras and symphonies; Aaron doesn’t play any musical instrument but is a very serious “music appreciator!”

Amy Wilde

Amy found her way to The Ark during her internship in 2008. She came as a student from the University of Utah and later accepted a position as a counselor. She is in recovery and has a great passion for her work. She is currently a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). She is continuing her education to reach her goal to enter the graduate program at the University of Utah in Social Work and become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).