Equinox RTC, a residential treatment center for boys ages 14-18, is excited to announce that Casey Dewar will be joining the clinical team as a primary therapist. Equinox RTC takes an experiential approach to helping teens with trauma, loss, attachment, and process addictions, which aligns with Casey’s experience in the wilderness therapy field.

Casey has been working with teens and young adults for over a decade. He got his start in outdoor recreation as an educator, administrator, and activity leader, and later moved into mental health, leveraging his love for the outdoors as a wilderness therapy guide. He has since worked as a therapist in wilderness therapy, residential, and outpatient community settings.

Casey earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies from Central Michigan University, and a master’s degree in Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University. He is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor.

“I walked into the sobriety and recovery work by chance and immediately fell in love with it,” Casey said. “People who are committed to recovery have a high motivation for change. They’ve realized their choices are no longer serving them. I’m excited to expand the substance use and recovery programming here at Equinox.”

He specializes in mindfulness-based approaches to therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, motivational interviewing, and family systems work. Clinical Director Dan Keith noted “We are very excited to add Casey to our team. He is affording Equinox the opportunity to strengthen our Clinical Department, and in particular, enrich our offerings for young men struggling with chemical dependency and abuse issues. It is common for our students to attempt to manage their profound anxiety, trauma, and depression through substance abuse. Casey provides another resource for supporting their healing journey.”

Casey is looking forward to working within the relational approach that’s at the core of Equinox’s programming. “Adolescent boys and young men are so hard-wired to seek connection and approval from their peers,” says Casey. “This creates a rich dynamic in an RTC, as they are beginning to discover who they are and what they value. The relational nature of it all helps them connect to their peers and their mentors and really becomes a place to impact lasting change.”

When not working, Casey appreciates spending time with his black lab, Ava, gardening, hiking, paddling, and exploring the wonder that is Western North Carolina.

About Equinox RTC

Equinox RTC is a leading residential treatment center for boys ages 14-18. Equinox is unique in its focus on Trauma, Loss, and Attachment, providing clinically intensive treatment for boys struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, ASD, learning disabilities, and other emotional and behavioral needs. Equinox offers a combination of clinically sophisticated support with a whole-person approach including adventure therapy, integrated Crossfit program, and a whole foods diet. Equinox provides a fully accredited school, with broad course selections taught by licensed teachers in a college-preparatory environment.