Tara Stireman, LCSW, and Neal Christensen, PhD, joined forces with the Seven Challenges to develop programming specific to digital media and screen abuse. Tara and Neal will be redesigning journals to complement the existing literature and approach, allowing clients at Seven Challenges-certified programs to further explore their digital media use. The Seven Challenges is designed to motivate clients to evaluate their lives, consider change and implement desired changes. Research supporting Seven Challenges demonstrates its effectiveness to improve overall mental health status while developing insight around maladaptive coping behaviors and exploring healthy alternatives.
“The Seven Challenges provide evidence-based programming around substance abuse, and we have always seen it as an excellent model for helping our clients open up about co-occurring problems and have more power in their life. It was a natural extension for us to develop programming to allow our clients to dive into greater insights around their relationship with digital media,” said Tara Stireman, Clinical Program Manager at Elements Wilderness Program.
Elements Wilderness Program has long partnered with the Seven Challenges to provide evidence-based substance abuse counseling for adolescents. It is specifically designed to meet students where they are at whether it is experimentation or a more serious substance abuse disorder. The Seven Challenges utilizes Motivational Interviewing to help clients better understand their relationship with maladaptive coping skills in a non-judgmental setting promoting honesty and authenticity above all else.
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 interventions, 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 provide every client and family with excellence in assessment and treatment. 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.