Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness and Emerald Arrow are excited to announce Family Intensives as an addition to their Family Programs for currently enrolled families. Family Intensives are a 3-day, 2-night, full-service, experiential family therapy intervention in the wilderness backdrop of the Blue Ridge mountains. Family Intensives are a new service to support the growth of families of Blue Ridge adolescents and of Emerald Arrow young adults. This expanded service is a unique opportunity to bring families together to cast light on family dynamics and practice learned skills. Family Intensives are facilitated within the program’s beautiful course area of the North Georgia and Western North Carolina mountains and are guided by a Family Intensive Therapist and an experienced Wilderness Intensive Instructor.  Over the course of three days and two nights, parents will reconnect with their child, witness the growth that has been made, dive into facilitated therapeutic conversations, practice new family patterns, and have fun and spend time together. To maximize effectiveness, a Family Intensive is a highly individualized service and is recommended by the student’s Primary Therapist. 

A recent Blue Ridge family shared a testimonial of their experience:

“My husband and I attended the 3 day, 2 night Family Intensive at Blue Ridge with our daughter.  It was amazing to see all of her newfound skills and display of independence.  We watched her set up camp for us, cook for us on the open fire that she started with her bow drill.  Her growth at Blue Ridge was on full display for us. Cade and Aaron (Family Intensive Facilitators) were so helpful as we navigated the family issues that we needed to work through.  We had impromptu conversations and also, Cade and Aaron made space for us to have more directed discussions as well.The guided time we spent unplugged in the woods was invaluable for getting reacquainted with our daughter.  Seeing her competence and emotional growth was balm for our soul.  Blue Ridge is such a special place.  We so much appreciate everything they have done for our daughter and the efforts put in to bring our family together in the healthiest way possible.”

Each Family Intensive at Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness is designed to help families thrive through distinct and intentional goals unique to the attending family. These goals are developed by the student’s Primary therapist with input from their family therapist. In addition to being individualized, they are also individually facilitated, meaning one Family Intensive Therapist and one Senior Wilderness Intensive Instructor are devoted to supporting one family for the duration of the experience. This allows for deeper conversations, intensive family therapy and guided practice with new family patterns. Parents and students consistently recommend Family Intensives, stating that they are not only “helpful and effective,” but also “necessary for navigating the family issues that we need to work through.” Families have transitioned from Blue Ridge and Emerald Arrow sharing that they cannot imagine their experience without it. 

Family Intensives are designed to be a family experience, so all family members, including siblings (who the Primary Therapist believes would be appropriate) are invited to participate. Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness is thrilled to be offering this dynamic and expanded service to Blue Ridge and Emerald Arrow families. If you are interested in learning more about their Family Programs or have a family that could benefit from their immersive wilderness therapy program for teens and young adults, please contact the Blue Ridge Admissions team at 888-914-1050 or admissions@blueridgewilderness.com.

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness offers clinically driven wilderness therapy programs encompassing advanced therapeutic skill, an immersive nomadic wilderness model, licensed therapy and assessment, and multiple treatment options for struggling teens ages 13-18 as well as young adults, ages 18-30 in their Emerald Arrow program. Their individualized approach, family support, and commitment to service translates to an unparalleled experience and better outcomes for youth and families.