WHO WE ARE

Diana Ficklin has over 30 years in recovery and is the owner and CEO of Faith Houses and Faith Recovery, inc. Diana dreamed of creating a safe place for women to get sober and begin their lives on the road to recovery. Over the last 18 years, Faith Houses has grown into a loving, successful, and structured environment with a woman’s home and two men’s homes.

Faith Houses Sober Living has had so much success that in 2015 Diana opened Faith Recovery Intensive Outpatient Program so she could even further assist the struggling addict in getting what they need.

“I am so Proud to have had so many men and women come through Faith House and become successful, productive members of society” – Diana Ficklin.”

My name is Jason Smith: I am a counselor, life coach, and sponsor; a husband, son, brother, and uncle; and a singer, songwriter, poet, and artist.  All of these roles have made me the compassionate, empathetic, caring, and kind person I am today.  I understand because I have been there, clean and sober since January 5, 2014, which is the most important day of my life. Without this day, I would be none of these things.  Since then, I have dedicated my life to helping those who cannot help themselves and loving those who are beginning to love themselves.  My unique experiences and perspective give me the unique opportunity to work with and help a population that is largely misunderstood: those that dwell in the realm of addiction. Through my work in this field, I hope to dispel old ideas, improve policies and procedures, and help to create an enlightened approach to substance abuse treatment that will empower the people I encounter on their road to recovery.

Dr. Temple has over 14 years of experience in the field of chemical dependency and is licensed as a clinical psychologist in both New York and California. She received her doctorate in clinical/forensic psychology from the California School of Forensic Studies at Alliant International University. While in graduate school, Dr. Temple obtained practicum experience at the Youth Guidance Center of Orange County, working with adolescents who were incarcerated for crimes committed due to drugs and alcohol. During this time, Dr. Temple was also a member of the PMRT mobile crisis unit with the Department of Mental Health in Los Angeles County. Dr. Temple completed her pre-doctoral internship at Linn County Mental Health in Albany, Oregon, and her postdoctoral residency at the Allendale Association in Lake Villa, Illinois. She has extensive training and experience in treating comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and trauma. Dr. Temple is currently working at New Found Life, as the Director of Clinical Services.

Cesar is an Associate Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Cesar holds a
Master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis in community mental health. Cesar has extensive
experience working in mental health and substance use treatment programs. Cesar brings a wealth of
knowledge incorporating a variety of modalities and approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
Motivational Interviewing and has advanced training in EMDR. Cesar has been working with clients
struggling with substance use, trauma and mental health conditions for several years. Cesar finds it very
rewarding to help clients find a sense of purpose and guide them on the path to recovery.

With 25 years as a professional ballroom dance competitor and teacher, helping others is nothing new to our group facilitator and case manager Jeremy.  Jeremy has been helping others change their lives and overcome their fears one step at a time through transformational awareness for decades.  Jeremy’s experience has proven extremely valuable in helping fellow alcoholics and addicts transition back into society from the depths of substance abuse.  In his spare time, Jeremy runs workshops dedicated to the principles that align with 12-step recovery.  The buck doesn’t stop with addicts for Jeremy!  He is always willing to lend a hand to those in need, and is now a professional life coach and spiritual advisor to many singles, couples and families.  When the pandemic hit, Jeremy even started his own YouTube channel which he uses as a platform for meditation and spiritual teachings to help as many people as he can virtually.   We are so grateful that Jeremy’s spiritual search for happiness has led him to Faith Recovery where he considers this his greatest opportunity to help another addict/alcoholic achieve long term sobriety.

Tamara Thompson has been working for over 5 years in the field of Substance and Alcohol abuse. She has a degree in Social Sciences: “Addiction Studies and Specialist” and as a “Human Services Generalist.” Tamara studied Human Services and received her degree at Cypress College and has accumulated her units and is preparing to take the CATC Exam for licensure. Tamara has worked in both Residential and Out-Patient facilities to receive her fieldwork hours. Tamara has turned her focus on helping her fellow Addicts and Alcoholics live free from substances and to create a life without. Tamara herself is a recovering addict and alcoholic and has 7+ years of abstinence and feels that she has a lot to give to her fellows to sustain and find purpose and achieve their life goals. Tamara is currently working as a Group Facilitator and Case Manager for Faith recovery.