Solstice West, a licensed residential treatment center and accredited non-public school, has launched a connective Parent Coaching Series, designed and facilitated by Adventure Director Michael Sanders. The series has already received enthusiastic praise from families, supporting Solstice’s long-standing commitment to family integration as a cornerstone to recovery and overall wellness for clients.
Sanders, who is currently pursuing graduate studies in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Psychology, also draws on extensive training in life and wellness coaching with the Co-active Training Institute, the Arbinger Institute, and Dr. Jared DuPree's WholeLIFE framework. He currently holds certifications with Arbinger and with WholeLIFE. Michael brings this unique blend of clinical insight, professional coaching expertise, and personal experience to the series. “Parent coaching isn’t about fixing ‘bad’ parenting,” Sanders explained. “Just like in sports, having a coach doesn’t mean you’re a bad player—it means you’re willing to grow. What we’re really doing is helping parents create a new space at home where their child’s treatment experience can continue to thrive”.
The 10-session virtual program, offered every other week at no additional cost, combines practical tools with in-depth exploration of values, relationships, and personal development. Parents can join at any point in the cycle, ensuring accessibility and continuity of learning. Topics range from mindfulness-based stress management to principles of relational family therapy. So far, families have seen significant benefits from the coaching series—one mother even re-enrolled for a second round to continue her growth. Parents may also remain engaged in the group for a period after their child graduates, extending continuity of care and supporting a successful transition home.
A hallmark of the series is Sanders’ focus on what he calls “the red thread”—a metaphor for the meaningful, and sometimes tense, relational connections between parents and their children. “The process of raising a child is called parenting, not childing,” Sanders noted. “When parents shift the focus from trying to control behavior to cultivating connection, they become the place where real healing happens”.
A Relational Approach
Unlike formulaic parenting models, Sanders’ approach emphasizes way of being—the values and presence parents bring to relationships—rather than surface-level techniques. Families learn to “join their child” in difficult moments, fostering trust and resilience both during treatment and long after graduation.
For referring professionals and educational consultants, the Parent Coaching Series represents a high-value differentiator, as it strengthens family systems during treatment while reinforcing resilience in aftercare, ultimately increasing the likelihood of sustainable, long-term outcomes.
The Parent Coaching Series complements Solstice’s suite of clinical services, including advanced therapies (DBT, EMDR, Brainspotting, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy), a female-focused substance abuse track, and comprehensive academics. This integration of accredited boarding school academics with mental health treatment sets Solstice apart as a high-quality program fully supporting both educational progress and whole-family therapeutic healing in a single setting.
“We know that successful residential services don’t just prepare students to return home with new skills—it prepares families to receive them,” said Kim Peterson, Solstice RTC’s Admissions Director. “Michael’s series has already proven to be a transformative resource for parents, equipping them with tools, insights, and confidence to walk alongside their child in the healing process.”
About Solstice West:
Solstice West is a residential treatment center and accredited non-public school in Layton, Utah, serving teen girls and teens assigned female at birth. Since 2008, Solstice has supported families navigating challenges related to trauma, depression, addictions, attachment, anxiety, mood disorders, and related struggles. The team combines evidence-based clinical care with accredited academics through Fernwood Academy, offering focused support in a small, relationship-focused setting. With an emphasis on family involvement, experiential learning, and whole-person wellness, Solstice helps students recover while building clinically-tailored skills for lasting growth. To learn more, visit solsticertc.com or call 866-278-3345.