An immersive wilderness therapy program in Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Wilderness Therapy (DWT) proudly celebrates ten years of serving and supporting families in crisis.

Founded in 2013 by Steve Sawyer and Drew Hornbeck, DWT is committed to creating positive and impactful experiences for the families it serves, and has built a legacy around clinical sophistication in relational, trauma-responsive wilderness care that sets industry standards. DWT supports students aged 13-17 in an adolescent group, and 17–28 in an emerging adult program, both of whom face complex issues such as trauma, attachment disorders, adoption and other developmental traumas, and a wide range of clinical diagnoses and maladaptive patterns of avoidance and survival behaviors. Students often present with anxiety disorder, severe depression, suicidality, executive functioning difficulties (including ADHD, processing speed issues, nonverbal learning disorders, and other neurodiversity challenges), substance use, self-harm, and a wide range of relationship challenges. All students are empowered to improve their decision-making skills and build healthy and safe relationships. While working with the individual and the family, students at DWT are encouraged to focus on their strengths and use them to launch lasting change.    

Deschutes Wilderness Therapy is grateful to the families who trust the program to care for their loved ones. A recent alumni family shared, “Deschutes Wilderness Therapy (DWT) was a life-changing experience for my family and my child. We tried multiple different approaches, ranging from Residential, PHPs, IOPs to Individual Therapy. Nothing seemed to have a meaningful impact on my child’s suffering. In this program, you will learn a great deal about yourself, your child, and the dynamics in play that impact the emotional health of your family. The approach at DWT is very different from the one size fits all approaches of other programs. Individuality is celebrated and encouraged. Your child will find strength they didn’t know they had.”   

Among the milestones since its founding in 2013, Deschutes Wilderness Therapy has proudly served over one thousand families, received Cognia Academic Accreditation, gained Joint Commission and Association for Experiential Education (AEE) accreditation, added a canine therapy program, and significantly increased family services, including parent coaching and family intensives.   

About Deschutes Wilderness Therapy  

Deschutes Wilderness provides an intensive, individualized, and thorough healing process. Our nationally recognized, individually tailored wilderness challenge programs lead the way in relational model wilderness therapy. This program is designed for struggling youth needing immediate and longer-term treatment and combines a challenging wilderness experience with an intensive clinical immersion. Deschutes’ intervention services are designed to catalyze positive change by fostering an encouraging atmosphere emphasizing safety, family involvement, and mastery. Deschutes Wilderness offers individualized treatment plans, optional psychological evaluations, and addresses family dynamics and academic needs.  

Families of adolescents should expect students to be enrolled at Deschutes Wilderness Therapy for approximately 85-90 days and young adults for about 60 days. The length of stay is highly individualized for each student.  

For more information or immediate assistance, visit our website at https://deschuteswildernesstherapy.com/ , contact our admissions line at 866-282-3024, or submit an email inquiry to Admissions@dwtbend.com.