All Kinds of News for December 01, 2015

Life Designs is excited about our two newest team members, Randall S. Riggs, MD and Caitlin Prunty.

Dr. Randall Riggs comes to Life Designs with a wealth of experience as a local psychiatrist. Dr. Riggs looks at the history of individuals to review any physical conditions and medications that could be causing any problems with our young adults. He can adjust or prescribe any medications to help our clients stabilize, which allows our clients to make the most of their experience while at Life Designs.

Life Designs is also excited to welcome Caitlin Prunty to our team as our new Outreach Coordinator.  After working for the last couple of years as an attorney, Caitlin decided that she wanted to pursue a career that she was passioante about. Her undergraduate degree from Eastern Washington was focused on marketing, and Caitlin is extremely passionate about 12 Step recovery and the work that we are doing with young adults at Life Designs.

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we introduce you to Ann Waite, Ed.S., our Director of Mansfield Hall - Madison.  As Director, Ann will be working closely with the entire Mansfield Hall team to make sure we continue to provide a highest level of quality service, cutting edge programming, and caring support for our students and families as they continue down their pathway to independence.

Ann brings over 20 years of experience as a psychologist in schools and private practice settings, an academic therapist at Rogers Memorial Hospital, an administrator in the public schools, and an expert and director of multiple autism support teams.  Ann received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Special Education and her Master’s degree in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In addition to being licensed as a teacher and school psychologist, Ann holds Administrative Leadership licenses in the areas of School Administration, Pupil Services, Curriculum, and Instruction.

Ann has a passion for empowering students to develop effective problem solving and critical thinking skills, establish meaningful lifelong relationships, and transition to an independent lifestyle.  Away from work she enjoys gardening, camping, traveling, reading, tandem biking with her husband, and hanging out on the lake with her three girls and extended family.

Dr. Deb Enburg (Director of Student Life) will continue to be the primary point of contact for everything student-life related and Hayley Weaver, MS (Academic Director) will be the contact for everything academic in nature.

Dr. Sean LaRoque's roles and responsibilities will continue to include overseeing all Mansfield Hall - Madison operations, conducting family visits and student tours/interviews, and supporting program development and research in both the Madison, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Vermont locations.

For more information about Mansfield Hall in either Burlington, VT, or Madison, WI, please check us out our listing on All Kinds of Therapy, visit us on the web at www.mansfieldhall.org, or contact Director of Admissions & Business Development, Jake Weld, M. Ed, at jake@mansfieldhall.org.

The stress of open enrollment is upon us; figuring out if insurance reimburses the cost of Wilderness Therapy Programming for teens and pre-teens just got alot easier.  Here is what a leading medical biller has to say about SUWS programming:

" In regards to insurance reimbursement, when comparing SUWS of the Carolinas to other programs within the same catagory, it has been our experience that insurance reimbursement is much higher for SUWS. This is due to the number of licensed therapeutic sessions taking place during the program." 

For more information about receiving insurance reimbusement, please contact Josh Gunalda or Akela Bryson in our admissions department. Please call toll free 888-828-9770. They will walk you through every step of the process with compassion and expertise. 

Trails Carolina wilderness therapy promotes acceptance, respect, and education for the support of transgender individuals by sponsoring GEMS event.

Trails Carolina, a wilderness therapy program for young people ages 10-17, offers support for transgender youth by promoting education for those who have a limited understanding of the challenges transgender individuals may face.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, 41 percent of transgender individuals have attempted suicide at some point in their lives. That’s almost nine times the national average.

“It’s important to promote transgender awareness because so many people are uneducated about the struggles that transgender individuals are experiencing,” says Leigh Uhlenkott MS, LCPS, NCC, LMHC, and Primary Therapist at Trails Carolina. “Families with transgender children need to grieve the loss of their child they had at birth and accept and affirm the child they come to know.” Leigh continued, “As a parent of a transgender daughter, my family and friends had no knowledge until I started to educate them. The grandparents and siblings were all in shock, denial, and angry. Then they grieved and accepted their child. But it takes time. It’s a process.”

Trails Carolina utilizes diversity training to help staff and students understand and appreciate diversity. As a program providing a safe space for all students, Trails Carolina accepts students of all gender identities.

Trails Carolina understands the importance of meeting transgender youth where they are at on their emotional journey. Transgender teens face many challenges, including:

• Feeling anxious, depressed and angry at the world for the way their bodies are.
• Having to face loved ones who may not understand what they are going through.
• Being forced to conform to their parents’ idea of their identity.
• Keeping their identity a secret.
• Facing looks, whispers, and mean-spirited questions about why they wanted to be the opposite gender.

 “The parents of transgender youth need the support and courage to face their families and the community who may be less accepting of their child. It can sometimes feel as if you are all alone on an island. People often blame the parents for messing up their child's life. Many families may even move to protect their child from bullying,” commented Uhlenkott.

Trails Carolina is currently preparing for GEMS (Gender Education Demystification Symposium) which will take place in January. This symposium is designed to offer a clinical and educational perspective on gender identity for industry professionals. Keynotes speakers include Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, a renowned Developmental and Clinical Psychologist specializing in gender and non-conforming children, Dr. Stephen Rosenthal, program director for Pediatric Endocrinology and director of the Endocrine Clinics, International speaker Ryan Sallans, and Transgender Youth Project Staff Attorney, Asaf Orr, Esq.

“We are so excited to be organizing this great event. We are hoping to start a conversation regarding gender awareness and education in order to spread a message of acceptance,” says Dr. John Singleton, Director of Business Development at Trails Carolina.

Trails Carolina would like to thank the sponsors of GEMS: Ashcreek Ranch Academy, Chamberlain School, Ken Cuave, PhD, Elevations RTC, InnerChange, Kolob Canyon RTC, La Europa Academy, Mountain Springs Preparatory School, Solstice East, Solstice West, Summit Preparatory School, ViewPoint Center, Vive, Dragonfly Transitions, The Bodin Group and Youth Care.

Trails Carolina is a wilderness therapy program based just outside of Asheville, North Carolina that offers a multi-dimensional wilderness therapy model to troubled adolescents, ages 10-17. Trails capitalizes upon the profound effects of a student’s wilderness experience, and then combines that experience with strong clinical assessments and therapy. For additional information about Trails Carolina, please call 800-975-7303.

Pacific Quest is excited to announce the addition of therapist, Scott Boice, LPC, LMHC to its Clinical Department.  Scott is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Hawaii and will be providing clinical services to adolescent and young adult students.

Scott earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University Hawaii and his Masters Degree in Counseling from The University of Alabama.  He has worked in various capacities in several treatment environments including serving as Executive Director at a counseling and consulting company, Clinical Director at a residential treatment center, and most recently as a Senior Administrator and Director of Clinical Services at one of the nation’s top boarding schools.

Scott also has a broad business background that includes a career as an award-winning television journalist and a licensed investment consultant.  He has presented at national and regional conferences primarily on the topics of effective parenting and attention deficit disorder.

As a therapist, Scott uses cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidenced-based approaches. He strongly believes in attachment-based treatment modalities and feels that making strong, healthy connections can be an anchor and foundation for people who are struggling emotionally and behaviorally.  Scott has exceptional skills in providing individual, group and family counseling to adolescents and young adults in therapeutic settings.  He has extensive experience working in the areas of ADHD, mood disorders, effective parenting, wellness, addiction and recovery, and anxiety disorders.  

PQ’s Clinical Director, Dr. Lorraine Freedle, comments, “We are very fortunate to have Scott as part of our PQ Ohana and look forward to great things ahead!”

In his free time, Scott enjoys trail running, travel, open water swimming, and has just discovered paddle boarding.

Lake Ozark, MO: As part of Calo's  ongoing clinical specialty competency initiative, two of their clinicians recently achieved a Post Master's Certification in Adoption Competency.  Clinicians Debby Black MA, LPC and Todd Odell MA, LPC, NCC completed Training for Adoption Competency (TAC), an intensive 72-hour, 12-session competency-based training program, as well as six months of case consultation followed by a final capstone project. "I am delighted that Calo would invest in me. The training was intense and covered a wide-variety of topics including complex trauma, grief, separation, identity, ethics, family integration and adoptive family formation, to name a few. As a result of this program, I'm am more attuned to the needs of my students and have a better understanding of the journey our families have traveled," explained Calo teen therapist Debby Black. 

Calo's Chief Clinical Officer Rob Gent reiterated, "This [TAC] program combines experiential learning, the latest research, and information sharing, including case studies, role plays and introspective work that allows our therapists to grow both personally and professionally. It requires a big commitment, but it ensures that our families receive exceptional treatment. We are starting with two clinicians, but the goal is to have the entire team TAC certified."

TAC was developed by the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) and is being implemented with the generous support of major national child welfare foundations in the United States.  It is currently being implemented in eight states, including Missouri.  Rigorous research is documenting its effectiveness in providing clinicians with the critical competencies they need to provide quality mental health services to those whose lives have been touched by adoption.  Alex Stavros, Calo CEO, explained, "Calo is committed to establishing a national movement to create an adoption-competent mental health workforce and this is one way we can support this effort".

For more informatioin contact Thomas A. Ahern at tahern@caloprograms.com.

Evoke at Entrada has been selected as one of Outside [magazine] Best Places to Work 2015. Each year, Outside recognizes the top 100 companies in the United States that help their employees strike the ideal balance between work and play.

These companies encourage employees to lead an active lifestyle, are eco-conscious, and prioritize giving back to the community. The entire list of winners appears online at http://www.outsideonline.com/dreamjobs.

“The companies recognized in this year’s Best Places to Work list are the gold standard for stellar work environments that seek to empower their employees both in and out of the office,” said Outside Online Editor Scott Rosenfield. “The new categories in this year’s list serve to highlight outstanding workplaces in distinctive fields — making it all the easier for our readers to find their dream jobs.”

Outside Online conducted a rigorous vetting process in partnership with the Best Companies Group to assess the policies, practices, and demographics of hundreds of companies. The Best Places to Work list represents the cream of the crop: companies that are empowering their employees to live bigger, better lives. To find the best places to work in the United States in 2015, Outside created five company categories that reflect the magazine’s values and focus. Evoke at Entrada is named as one of the top places to work in the category of Health and Wellness and featured online at http://www.outsideonline.com/2034231/best-health-and-wellness-jobs-2015.

Evoke Therapy Programs provide personalized therapeutic care with a focus on whole-health. Evoke’s programs range from wilderness therapy for adolescents or young adults, individual & family therapy intensives, to adventure programs. For long-term health and happiness of an individual and family whole-health treatment must be addressed. Whole-health treatment considers all aspects of a client’s health, focusing on their emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical wellbeing. Evoke Therapy Programs uses the inherent human connection to the outdoors to facilitate lasting change.

To learn more about Evoke Therapy Programs visit here.

The Staff at Summit Prep School in Kalispell, MT want to wish all of you

a Wonderful Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year.

This is an awesome industry filled with caring people who are focused on the same goal:

helping families and kids.

So to all the Consultants, Programs, Transporters and Families...

from our house to yours,

here's wishing you a Healthy 2016!

Therapist Brittany Carter joins Dragonfly Transitions. Better known as “BC”, Brittany specializes in working with young adults utilizing a relational based approach incorporating Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), somatic/body work, motivational interviewing and mindfulness practices. BC has experience with clients overcoming a range of issues such as addiction, high emotional dsyregulation, trauma, self-harming behaviors, anxiety, depression, and identity formation.

BC spent several years working with youth in wilderness and residential settings ranging from the southern Appalachian Mountains, the deserts of Utah, the Rockies in Colorado, the jungles of Costa Rica and now beautiful Oregon. She has a deep passion for helping young adults transition into independence and reconnect to themselves and to those around them.

She received a Bachelors in Integrative Studies from George Mason University and holds a Masters Degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Wilderness Therapy from Naropa University.

BC comes from a military family and has been a nomadic transplant most of her life, living in multiple states and countries. She most recently came to Oregon from Costa Rica to explore Oregon’s mountains, rivers and coastline. She loves music, rock climbing, food and bad puns.

BlueFire Wilderness Therapy is proud to announce their partnership with the Sky's the Limit Fund, a non-profit organization that provides grants for teens to attend wilderness therapy programs.

The Sky's the Limit Fund believes that the cost of wilderness therapy programs should not be a barrier for anyone who requires support.  By reducing financial stress on families in crisis, Sky's the Limit helps youth and families focus on getting treated and regaining the strength to work through their struggles.  For them, "the sky is literally the limit for youth to achieve their maximum potential."

"I am so excited for our partnership with the Sky's the Limit Fund.  I believe so much in what they do for struggling teens and their families," says Kathy Rex, CTRS, Executive Director and Founder of BlueFire Wilderness Therapy.  "They are true believers and supporters of wilderness therapy."

For every grant received by the Sky's the Limit Fund, BlueFire Wilderness will match that amount one hundred percent with an equal tuition.  This partnership will also provide the opportunity for BlueFire alumni to get involved in supporting current and potential BlueFire families through fundraising events.  "Our partnership with Sky's the Limit will allow us to help more families get the help they need through wilderness therapy," commented Rex.

BlueFire Wilderencess is a wilderness therapy program based outside of Boise, Idaho that offers teens ages 11-17 a comprehensive adventure experience.  BlueFire Wilderness combines clinical expertise, academic assessments and a family systems approach to help teens struggling with emotional, behavioral and social challenges.  For more information, please call (844) 413-1999.

Elevations Residential Treatment Center works with many students who struggle with a variety of issues.  One area that can be overlooked is how to support those who identify as being part of the LGBTIQ community.  A study was done in October 2015 to understand the prevalence of LGBTIQ youth at Elevations RTC.  During this study, all 39 residents were asked about their sexual orientation and gender identity.  The results of the study resulted in the recognition that 5% of the youth identify as transgender, 7.5% of the youth identify as gay or lesbian, 12.5% of the youth identify as bi-sexual, 15% of the youth question their sexuality, and 59% identify as heterosexual.  The results of the study clearly demonstrated that youth identifying as LGBTIQ are in the minority, which warranted an evolution in the treatment programming available at Elevations RTC.

Students at Elevations RTC and within society are becoming more open to diversity within sexual orientations at a younger age than in the past.  This has opened a door for those within the LGBTIQ population to receive assistance.  However, it seems that many practitioners working with LGBTIQ youth still feel hesitant to walk through that door due to potential policy violations and judgment.

It is important for LGBTIQ identifying youth to receive support and adequate services found to be effective in research.  Research has shown that physical, emotional, and mental health is related to the complex mix of negative stereotypes, discrimination, and a lack of support from family, friends, and institutions (Sherriff, Hamilton, Wigmore, & Giambrone, 2011).     

At Elevations RTC we are committed to providing a safe environment for all of our students no matter what gender or sexual orientation they identify with. Many students expressed a desire to create a club in order to create a safe environment to share their experiences and challenges, which they have run into by living in the LGBTIQ community. In order to facilitate a safe place for students to gain support, Elevations RTC will be starting a club for LGBTIQ youth starting in December 2015.  This club will be run twice a month and will include psycho-education on LGBTIQ issues, peer group discussions, as well as service activities with local LGBTIQ non-profit organizations.

Nisha Bennett, MSW Student & Matt Seelos, LCSW Asst. Clinical Director 

References:

Sherriff, N. S., Hamilton, W. E., Wigmore, S., & Giambrone, B. L. (2011). “What do you say to them?” investigating and supporting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. Journal of Community Psychology, 39(8), 939-955.

The clinical team at Alpine Academy is about half way through the training process for EAGALA equine therapy training. While we currently have two certified equine specialists that are with the primary therapist during the sessions, we feel that having all the primary therapists certified in the EAGALA model we be that much more beneficial for our girls.  Our clinical director is also in the process of gaining certification as a trainer in Sand-tray therapy to really maximize our newest addition to the clinical building, a sand-tray room. 

Susan Kologi, Ph.D. joins the Novitas Academy team as our new Academic Director and teacher.  Susan recently completed her Ph.D. from the University of Idaho, where she previously worked with undergraduate students studying to become teachers.  Her research focused on using project-based learning in the classroom as an alternative to traditional lecture with different types of learners.

Dr. Kologi brings some new, fun and exciting academic additions to the Novitas curriculum!   Each course features connections to the Common Core State Standards, integration of technology via Chromebooks, and lessons using project-based learning.  Project-based learning is a type of instruction that allows students to be active in their learning by making decisions, researching, collaborating, and participating in real-life simulations.  

“I’m very excited and honored to be a part of the Novitas team.  I’m happy to be able to put my fingerprint on a new, innovative, and creative way to educate our students and each other.  One of my favorite parts is that I am able to transfer my previous knowledge and experiences to a new setting.  I get to use what I know to help train teachers, motivate students, and to learn more for myself. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in the next year!”, said Dr. Kologi.

Welcome Dr. Susan!

College Excel is a residential college support program, located in Bend OR. College Excel offers students additional support compared to the typical college experience. Students gain college credits at Central Oregon Community College while engaging in our seven-step behavioral coaching model. Students work with their Life and Academic Coaches to achieve their personal and academic goals. With a student to staff ratio of 2:1, our students are getting the personalized support that they need 365 days a year! 

Winter Term Starts January 4^th- Enrollments Begin December 28^th

For More Information:  info@collegeexcel.com/ (541) 388-3043

Mission Statement: Providing young adults with effective mental health treatment while teaching living skills that will prepare them for independence. 

Benchmark Transitions is pleased to announce that Kristin Brassfield has joined the team as Director of Admissions & Outreach.  Drawing upon her extensive experience in the behavioral health care field, she will become an integral part of the Benchmark Transitions administrative team, overseeing the admissions process, development of referral relations and integration of cohesive brand management. "When we decided to expand the position of Director of Admissions & Outreach, our goal was to find someone who shared our organizational vision and values.  Kristin's positive energy fits with that goal and we're thrilled to have her join our family of therapeutic services," states Jayne Longnecker-Harper, Founder & CEO.

Kristin has forged lasting relationships througout her career, working at an esteemed women's residential treatment center in Southern California and for a well-regareded experiential clinical and substance abuse treatment center in North Carolina.  

Kristin will work with Chief Marketing Officer, Shelley Skaggs, as well as the Admissions & Outreach team at Benchmark Transitions: Larry Aragon, Samantha Davis and Valerie Anderson. 

Benchmark Transitions is a licensed residential treatment center, offering a comprehensive continuum of substance abuse and behavioral health treatment including detoxification, primary residential and therapeutic transitional living for young adult men and women, ages 18-28.

Turn-About Ranch has been working with Type 1 diabetics for over 10 years.  We have a skilled medical team including our Medical Director, Jeffrey Chappell, MD and our nurse Sherree Rechtsteiner,  A.P.R.N.  Both of these individuals are highly skilled, experienced, and caring professionals.

Diabetic teens often struggle with many behavioral and emotional issues in addition to managing their diabetes responsibly.  Turn-About Ranch is experienced in helping diabetic teens deal with these unique issues.  The medical team and staff work with students individually to assess their unique needs and concerns and then develop a treatment plan that includes training and education regarding their diabetes.  Students learn to count carbohydrates and track their numbers successfully, regaining control and responsibility for their physical health.  They also learn how to effectively manage depressive symptoms that often accompany diabetes.

We also work with a variety of difficult medical problems that other treatment programs may not be willing or able to manage, for example, students with a high Body Mass Index (BMI), Crohn’s Disease or Celiac Disease.  Please feel free to contact us at 800-842-1165 with those hard-to-place medical cases and we will carefully review each case as a clinical/medical team to determine our ability to meet their needs at Turn-About Ranch.

At Monarch School, we offer Transition Therapy to assist our students for a successful graduation experience. A few months prior to a student’s graduation, they enter the Transition Therapy Program, in which the students and their families begin working with the Transition Specialist. Students receive support through regular meetings, therapeutic assignments, and special outings and trips leading up to graduation.  Parents participate through periodic group video chats with the Transition Specialist, therapeutic assignments, and the Transition Workshop on campus with their students prior to graduation. Ultimately, the Transition Specialist assists families in developing a Transition Plan tailored to each family’s needs and post-graduation circumstance.

During this pre-graduation period, special outings could include service projects in the area, social outings in Sandpoint or Spokane, college tours, and shopping trips to practice budgeting and time management.

Examples of some of our transition trips

Sandpoint: Trips in our local community give students time to walk around town on their own, whether it’s downtown or at our city beach.  This gives the students the opportunity to meet and mingle with local teens and experience the emotions that come up for them.

Community Service and High School Sporting Events: Transition students volunteer for a few hours at a local soup kitchen, where they serve soup and sandwiches to customers, and assist with prep and clean-up of the facility. Afterwards, we attend a local high school sporting event. This is an opportunity for them to be out and about with other teenagers and experience, once again, the high school scene. 

Silverwood Amusement Park:  This is a popular trip, of course. The students have the day to play, and they always manage to have a great time.

College Tour and the Mall:  Transition Students meet with a college admissions rep and they take a tour of Gonzaga University. Students then are taken to the mall, a popular hangout for teenagers everywhere.

Animal Shelter and Thrift Store:  This is also a favorite trip for the students. They can spend time socializing with the cats in the cat room, playing with the dogs, or walking them. We have also had students work in the thrift store that is attached to the animal shelter, and its profits help fund the animal shelter.

Spokane: Often for one of the last trips the group is taken to Spokane for a type of urban challenge, designed to allow them experience negotiating the city independently.

After graduation, families and students can schedule calls with the Transition Specialist or can utilize the Specialist on a more “on-call” basis as they navigate any challenges they may face.  This support is available for three months post graduation.  Post-graduation students and families are provided support as needed by the Transition Specialist; periodic group video chats are offered to the parents as a continuation of support. Additional support after three months is available on a contractual basis if needed.

Contact Monarch School for more information.