Elements Wilderness and Elements Traverse has always prided itself in offering a robust array of in-person Family Services. However, during the pandemic it has proven difficult for families to take full advantage of these visits and family therapy opportunities. In response to the desire to better serve clients and families in the post-COVID era, Elements Wilderness Programs are adding additional services and staff to their Family Services Department. Starting in September 2021, Elements now offers parent coaching to all of its teen and adult clients’ families. 

Elements has always encouraged parents to hire parent coaches. Over the years, Elements referred enough families to Solutions Parent Support (SPS) that SPS eventually developed a track specifically for Elements parents. This makes it a natural fit for Elements and SPS to formalize their partnership so that every Elements family will receive parent coaching during their child’s stay. Additionally, Jen Rapp Sheridan is returning to the Elements team as an in-house parent coach. Jen was with Elements when the company started in 2008 and wore a number of hats during those early years from field staff to therapist. “Jen coming home to Elements feels like we’ve come full circle,” said Elements’ Adolescent Clinical Director, Tara Stireman. “It was a pleasure to work with Jen in the early years, and I know she will add tremendous value to our families now.” Between Jen and SPS, all families will receive the additional support and guidance that coaching provides. 

2021 also saw the addition of the Spotlight Seminars, Elements’ psychoeducational seminars for parents. These virtual seminars are offered every two weeks for one hour and provide parents with additional information about the Elements program, philosophy, therapeutic modalities, and more. On alternating weeks with the Seminars, Elements also offers virtual parent support groups. The support groups are moderated by Karen Davis, Elements’ Family Support Liaison, with the support of a member of the clinical team. 

To lead this expanded department, Elements welcomes back Dagney Strossner as the Family Services Director. Dagney worked with Elements for years as a Field Mentor before starting the Elements’ Parent Visit Program. After finishing graduate school, Dagney explored other opportunities to gain experience as a clinician, and Elements is thrilled that she is back on the team.

The parent coaching, seminars and support groups are all in addition to the in-person work that Elements is so proud of: unlimited overnight parent visits and the 3-day Family Focus experience. Elements is excited to see these additional offerings better support parents with their parallel process and thereby improving outcomes for clients and families alike.

About Elements Wilderness

Since 2008, Elements Wilderness has been providing a specialized therapeutic intervention for adolescent boys aged 13-17. We at Elements envision a world in which everyone has the skills and support necessary to live a full and healthy life. Through innovative therapeutic and psychiatric intervention, a comprehensive outdoor living experience complete with expeditionary backpacking and adventure programming, a robust family program involving the family at every step, and evidence-based substance abuse treatment, we strive to provide our clients with intervention, treatment, and assessment. Elements is licensed and supervised by the State of Utah Department of Human Services and accredited through the Outdoor Behavioral Health Council and the Association for Experiential Education. For Young Adult wilderness therapy clients, there is Elements Traverse based in central Utah.