Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed much more frequently today than in years past. Currently it is estimated that 1 in 68 (CDC, 2014) children in the United States have ASD, up from 1 in 150 in 2000; that is, the prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased by 119.4% over these last 14 years (CDC, 2014)! Young adults with ASD often have trouble finding employment and many are unable to sustain jobs for long periods of time. Rates of employment for adults with an ASD are also low across studies, with only 25% - 50% of adults with ASD engaging in paid employment. Further, many of those who obtain jobs are often employed below their level of education and have difficulty maintaining stability.
With so many young adults being diagnosed without adequate treatment being available, the demand for services from multidisciplinary transitional programs like New Directions for Young Adults (NDFYA.com) has increased. Programs such as NDFYA have helped countless young adults (with and without ASD) rebuild their lives, while finding and keeping employment that suits them personally and professionally. NDFYA has achieved this with a unique clinical model called "Dt2" that allows students to work on every aspect of their life, including vocational education, job acquisition, and regular job maintenance activities (to ensure continued employment).
New Directions For Young Adults offers customized vocational education programs, which are part of a larger, comprehensive program that is both clinical and life-skills based. The vocational aspect of the students’ individualized treatment plan involves a one-on-one customizable treatment program. This has proven very effective at helping young adults with ASD acquire a job via NDFYA, specifically in an environment that is best suited to their emotional and social characteristics.
For the last four years, a group of people have been rising early on a chilly Saturday morning in January to run together. But it’s not just any old fun run — they’re gathering for Brandon’s Run for Autism, a 5K organized by Brandon, a graduate of New Directions for Young Adults who wanted to share his passion for road running with his community. In addition to giving Brandon the confidence and the experience that led him to paying jobs, Brandon’s Run for Autism benefits other young adults with autism.
The money raised by Brandon’s 5K will provide group services, vocational coaching, weekly stipends, and internships for ten students. Additionally, students at NDFYA have the opportunity to volunteer their time and talents to help organize the run and keep everything moving smoothly on the actual day of the run. This experience offers them the same benefits that Brandon has enjoyed for the last four years. Brandon’s Run engages the entire community in a life changing experience, helping those with autism move towards independence and build meaningful connections in the process.
To see the video of Brandon’s most recent run, click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBs-0R6_3VQ&t=1s
Selah House has opened an adolescent program, offering teen girls (beginning at age 12) eating disorder treatment in a culture of openness, honesty and high regard for others. Using a variety of group and individual therapies, Selah House helps guide adolescents through the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the recovery process; the program offers a clear step-down process using multiple levels of care – inpatient, residential, and partial hospitalization – that ensures a stable transition into aftercare. Selah House uses a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that meets the medical, nutritional, psychological, spiritual, social and emotional needs of your teen. It is Selah House's desire to provide a fully integrated Christ-based and clinically excellent program that empowers teens to walk into freedom from their eating disorder and restore what matters most in their life.
Each teen is assigned their own therapist who will work with them individually and in family settings. They will also have a body image therapist who helps them improve their relationship with their body. In addition, Selah House help each adolescent client to continue their education while enrolled in the Selah House program. Certified teachers work with each teen, their family, and their school to establish an individualized education plan that assists them with assignment and coursework completion while they are in treatment.
Selah House provides a full continuum of Christ-centered and clinically excellent care for individuals struggling with anorexia, bulimia, and related disorders. Located in central Indiana, Selah House offers eating disorder treatment for women and teen girls. Selah House treatment team utilizes time-tested, evidence-based approaches that focus on the medical, psychological, nutritional, relational, and spiritual aspects of recovery. Selah House believes the combination of a unique step-down approach and multidisciplinary therapies in a homelike setting is the best path for treatment. The common thread that runs through Selah House's eating disorder treatment programs is love for Selah House clients and their families and a complete dedication to their healing.
Shortridge Academy is excited to welcome Jessalyn “Jessa” Hobson as the newest member of their Clinical Team. Jessa comes to Shortridge from over six years of wilderness therapy experience, as both a field guide and therapist. Jessa holds her MSW and MS in Outdoor Education from the University of New Hampshire. She specializes in working with complex family systems from her experience working as a wilderness family therapist. Jessa most often utilizes DBT and Family Systems Theory, as well as a strengths-based, relational approach as she works with students to support them on their journey towards positive, lasting change. She strongly believes that clients participating in treatment can serve as catalysts for change within their entire family, and that family engagement in their child’s process supports the transference and maintenance of therapeutic growth.
Jessa is also an active participant in the research community of experiential treatment through her work with the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Center (OBHRC) and the NATSAP Research Committee. She has co-authored a number of publications exploring the effectiveness of wilderness therapy in regards to individual therapeutic change, family functioning and the physical health of clients. She is a strong advocate for increasing access to therapeutic services in order to provide comprehensive and affordable care for as many adolescents and families as possible.
Jessa is an avid adventurer and traveler. She grew up in Saudi Arabia, and spent almost a year adventure guiding in Oman. She spends much of her free time rock climbing throughout New Hampshire, hiking and spending time with her family.
“With the majority of our students arriving to Shortridge from a previous wilderness program, I'm very excited to be adding Jessa's experience and insight to our strong clinical team”, says Christina Smalley, Clinical Director. "Please join us in welcoming Jessa to Shortridge Academy!"
About Shortridge Academy
Shortridge Academy is a private co-ed New England boarding school, founded in 2002, that emphasizes challenging yet supportive academics within a therapeutic community. Guided by the innovative Positive Youth Development model, we support the cognitive, emotional, and social development of bright yet struggling adolescents by utilizing clearly-defined, goal-directed plans, evidenced-based strategies, and a college preparatory curriculum. Joining with families, our trained staff engages students to identify their strengths and encourages the development of skills and knowledge that will prepare them for healthy and productive adulthood.
The Young Adult Transition Association Conference, 2018, set in the beautiful town of Coeur D'alene, Idaho, just convened. Kellyn Smythe and Mike Sullivan from Pacific Quest were among many conference attendees drilling into the conference theme: the impact of technology on young adults. It was inspiring to be immersed in such great thinkers!
21st century young adults live in a different world than generations preceding them. Most salient appears to be screen time, which studies indicate averages close to 10 hours per day for 18-24 year olds, and surges much higher for those with tech addictions. A 2018 study by the University of San Francisco links increased loneliness, anxiety and depression with screen time. Young adult wilderness and residential treatment programs are being called to action to directly address the tech- driven and tech-reliant environment that floods our youth. The 2018 YATA conference was a summit for discussing factors contributing to this phenomenon.
Mike Sullivan, MA, LMHC, PQ’s Director of Family & Alumni Services, teamed up with Johnny Tock, MA, LMHC, reSTART’s Admissions & Business Development Director, to present at the conference. In their presentation, Mike and Johnny showcased the foundations of sustainable therapeutic growth - starting with how The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), a lens for looking at neurodevelopment and brain function, provides an approach that "rewires the brain" from the bottom up. This equips young adults with tools for self-regulation, social engagement, executive functioning and strengthens social and reward neurocircuitry, integrating the brain and making possible opportunities for behavioral interventions. NMT in conjunction with other evidence-based practices and holistic wellness prepares clients to better navigate the tech laden world. However, while the NMT foundation is a critical step, it is imperative to incorporate practical tools and awareness for technology exposure intentionally, as the graduate prepares for transition.
Mike and Johnny then reviewed specific tech stressors and strategies for coping as the client nears graduation from residential/wilderness treatment. For example, is it more anxiety-provoking to open text messages, or is opening "hook up" apps likely to start a tailspin? Is reconnecting with a favorite video game going to catalyze an immediate regression? Mike and Johnny discussed stress management and desensitization strategies; critical in developing a roadmap for success for transition and beyond. The presentation and discussion points were relevant for active clinicians, educational consultants. admissions counselors, and program developers, and it was a packed house with a very engaged audience.
All in all YATA, 2018 was a very well-constructed conference, with thought provoking workshops, and a venue allowing quality connections to be made.
About Pacific Quest and reStart
Pacific Quest is an outdoor therapeutic program, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, for struggling adolescents and young adults that offers a clinical, yet holistic, approach to treatment. Our neurodevelopmental approach, combined with horticultural therapy, integrates evidence-based therapeutic methods, whole-person wellness and organic gardening to sustain a healthy community and motivate change. www.pacificquest.org
Headquartered in Fall City, Washington, reSTART is a leading advocate of healthy sustainable digital media use (internet, VR, and videogames) for people and the planet. reSTART offers staffed residential care for youth (13-17) and life sharing retreats for adults (ages 18-30), along with independent living support.
Lake Ozark, MO; Dr. Yotsna Nair, MD, joins the Calo Teens and Calo Preteens leadership group to advise and direct psychiatric services.
Dr. Nair comes to Calo Teens and Calo Preteens with over twenty years of experience and is board certified in both child & adolescent psychiatry and general psychiatry. Dr. Nair is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Society for Neuroscience.
According to Art Hickman, Executive Director of the campus, “we are fortunate that Dr. Nair has a passion to specialize in a subset of the struggling preteen and teen population that is aligned to our student population. Specifically, to help heal the effects of childhood trauma using a relationship paradigm. What better place to do this than Calo?” he said.
Dr. Nair, MD, completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at AMU in Aligarh, India in 1983 and a Master of Science at Ohio State University in 1988. She completed a six-year fellowship in child psychiatry and a residency in general psychiatry at the University of Missouri. She went on to complete an externship in psychiatry at the Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center from August 1990-June 1991. She has been certified in child & adolescent psychiatry since 2003.
Prior to coming to Calo Teens and Preteens, Dr. Nair was the Medical Director of a comprehensive, trauma informed mental health center in Springfield, Missouri.
Dr. Nair stated, “I am where I want to be…at Calo…advising our psychiatric services while ensuring we utilize the very best practices for our kids and families.”
Dr. Nair has two sons in medical school. Her husband is a fellow and professor in the electrical engineering and computer science and bioengineering departments at the University of Missouri and has served as the College of Engineering Associate Dean for research. Dr. Nair enjoys crocheting, reading, and caring for her elderly parents.
About Calo Teens and Calo Preteens
Calo Programs is a unique organization comprised of an extraordinary family of programs, all dedicated to healing the effects of early trauma. Calo Teens is a leading residential treatment center in Lake Ozark, MO known for its world-class canine therapy program and relational model. Calo Preteens is a residential treatment center for preteens in Lake Ozark, MO, predominately serving adoptive families with trauma and attachment challenges, and is based on the healing and restorative power of relationships. To learn more, go to http://www.caloprograms.com or contact Nicole Fuglsang at 877-879-2256.
Maybe the most important question the Moonridge Treatment Team is asked by parents is "does residential treatment actually work?" Five years of cumulative data at Moonridge Academy says a resounding YES.
At Moonridge Academy, there is a strong belief in the importance of tracking student outcomes from treatment in order to ensure that the program does work, and that the clinical and residential teams are providing the most effective care. With this commitment, Moonridge Academy was one of the very first programs to obtain the "Research Designated Program" certificates from NATSAP. Moonridge Academy now has more than five years of cumulative data.
The graph illustrates what the cumulative data at Moonridge Academy has indicated. This graph shown above starts with an indication of how much distress a student is in when they admit to Moonridge Academy. Importantly, on the Youth Outcomes Questionnaire, the higher the number, the more distress the student and parents report; most admitting students have clinically significant struggles when they admit to Moonridge. Upon discharge from Moonridge Academy, the data shows that students have a significant decrease in their distress level. In fact, students at Moonridge Academy leave treatment well below the clinical significance of a typcial teenager not in treatment. Moonridge Academy students then maintain progress throughout the next year. At a minimum, almost all of the students at Moonridge Academy go home and stay within the reasonable range of average teens not in treatment.
Executive Director Jack Hinman explained, "Moonridge Academy maintains a committment to keeping and monitoring outcome data. It is essential to how we provide necessary changes to our daily program. We feel that being a NATSAP Research Designated Program is essential to this process."
About Moonridge Academy
Moonridge Academy is a premier residential treatment center for younger girl ages 11-15 years located in Cedar City, UT. Moonridge Academy specializes in healing trauma and addressing mental and emotional challenges using different therapeutic modalities including EMDR, CBT, DBT, Play Therapy, Equine Therapy and Adventure Therapy. As a small program of only 16 students, Moonridge Academy allows for a high degree of individualization in both clinical and academic services. By combining a nurturing home-like environment with a sophisticated clinical approach, Moonridge Academy is tailored to meet specific needs and to assist students in developing coping skills and identity.
Team PQ is excited to be heading to the fall 2018 IECA Conference in Los Angeles this month. PQ looks forward to connecting with friends and colleagues as they come to the end of another busy conference season. Pacific Quest is pleased to have Dr. Britta Zimmer, ND, and Dr. Brian Konik, Ph.D, present an informative and riveting topic: Integrative Psychiatry.
The workshop will detail an integrative model of psychiatry in the therapeutic setting. Integrative psychiatry is an emerging branch of psychiatric practices utilizing conservative medication management combined with evidence based alternative medicine modalities. The speakers will share case presentations within the therapeutic setting and discuss how to prepare clients for transition in terms of their psychiatric care. A psychologist and a naturopathic physician will present medication plans which include use of alternative medicine modalities for the treatment of common mental health diagnoses.
About Pacific Quest
Pacific Quest is an outdoor therapeutic program, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, for struggling adolescents and young adults that offers a clinical, yet holistic, approach to treatment. Our neurodevelopmental approach, combined with horticultural therapy, integrates evidence-based therapeutic methods, whole-person wellness and organic gardening to sustain a healthy community and motivate change. www.pacificquest.org
Krissy Pozatek, MSW, joins Summit as Parent Education Supervisor in order to ensure that Summit continues to provide the highest quality and consistent parenting program in the wilderness therapy field. Pozatek is the author of the several well-known parenting books including “The Parallel Process: Growing Alongside Your Adolescent or Young Adult in Treatment” and “Brave Parenting: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide to Raising Emotionally Resilient Children” and has over eighteen years of experience in wilderness therapy and adolescent treatment. She was educated at Middlebury College and Smith College School for Social Work.
In Krissy’s role as Parent Education Supervisor, she has developed a new parenting curriculum specifically for parents of students at Summit Achievement and Traverse titled “The Summit Achievement Parallel Process Parent Curriculum.” All Summit Achievement parents will be provided the curriculum as well as coached through the parallel process while their child or young adult is at Summit. She will be training all the staff at Summit in the Parallel Process in the next several months as well as overseeing the implementation of the curriculum by Summit’s Director of Parent Support, Nick Faraldi, MSW.
Krissy Pozatek joins the growing number of experienced professionals who have embraced being involved with the independently owned and operated Summit Achievement, the original hybrid wilderness program.
About Summit Achievement
Summit Achievement is, and always has been, guided by positive reinforcement and the power of choice. Our outcome-focused program employs effective therapeutic and educational principles. Through the process of engaging therapy, classroom academics and exciting wilderness expeditions, students experience the therapeutic benefits of outdoor adventure-based activities while learning to manage the demands of a more traditional environment. As an intentionally small, owner-operated wilderness therapy program, we serve adolescent boys and girls, ages 13-20, from around the world.
Some people just get "it". They have this innate ability to balance holding firm boundaries and building deep loving relationships. Amanda McNatt, Senior Residential Director at Sunrise RTC is one of those people. Sunrise couldn't be luckier to have her leading the residential team.
Amanda's role as Senior Residential is often referred to as the "House Mom". "I do a little bit of everything," says Amanda. Not only does she oversee the entire residential department, she works closely with the clinical team to ensure that the therapeutic work being done is being appropriately implemented in the residential milieu and she works closely with the families to provide support and updates on their daughters.
"I get the chance to work with Amanda closely when we have families come tour our campus," says Amy Bowler, Sunrise Admissions Counselor "and it is so cool to watch her connect with these families. She has this sixth sense where she can read the emotions of the families and understand their needs without having to be told. She then addresses how Sunrise can meet those needs. I love watching her build relationships with our families and students."
About Sunrise RTC
Sunrise is a residential treatment center for adolescent girls ages 13-17 aimed at uncovering the academic, social and emotional potential of girls who have been held back by emotional or behavioral struggles. Sunrise combines the warmth of a home, the safety and clinical expertise of a residential treatment program and the community access of a transition program.
More consideration is being placed on pediatric traumatic brain injury (PTBI) than ever before. Because of this, clinical professionals can better identify and treat PTBI than they could have previously. PTBI can cause a variety of neuropsychological deficits and can have a profound effect on an adolescent’s overall ability to function.
A number of studies have focused on attention deficits caused by PTBI, referred to as secondary attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Adolescents diagnosed with secondary ADHD do not have a history of ADHD prior to a PTBI.
Assessing and forming treatment plans for secondary ADHD
At ViewPoint Center, the assessment and treatment of secondary ADHD can become a primary focus based on an adolescent’s history. At ViewPoint Center:
- A great deal of attention placed on functional impairment such as slow processing and emotional dysregulation.
- Individualized assessments determine functioning and create an accurate treatment plan.
- Treatment for secondary ADHD often includes executive function training, psychosocial/behavioral treatment, and/or pharmacological treatments.
A full neuropsychological assessment will aid in determining where to place an emphasis in treatment. ViewPoint Center's goal to ensure this important component of future treatment is not overlooked and an educated decision can be made if an impairment is present.
About The ViewPoint Center
ViewPoint Center, a mental health assessment center for teens ages 12-17, is located just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. With a program lasting 6-8 weeks, ViewPoint Center provides superior assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and stabilization for teens struggling with mental and behavioral issues such as suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders and eating disorders. In a safe, personalized environment, ViewPoint helps teens focus on the healing process.
While research shows therapeutic wilderness programming is safer than most activities available for teens, there are inherent risks in backcountry travel. SUWS attempts to mitigate risks at every turn. The program's standard operating procedures put safety at the forefront, and provide clear guidelines on when to pull groups from the field. SUWS also maintains a standard to keep all groups within one hour's response time from medical attention. Reducing risks through procedures is one part of an equation that drives the overall health and well-being for staff and students alike.
Throughout the month of October, SUWS has invested significant resources in providing medical training for their staff. SUWS contracted the services of SOLO Wilderness Medicine Institute to educate and certify staff members with an internationally recognized medical certification known as the Wilderness First Responder. The purpose of this training is to educate the participants on the signs and symptoms of common injuries and illnesses prevalent in wilderness expeditions, while providing tools to safely report and if neccessary evacuate a victim in the event of an emergency.
SOLO has facilitated wilderness first reponder training for SUWS employees for over a decade. Daniel Fishburn, CEO of SUWS, sees the investment as a no-brainer. "The quality of the training is superb, and it certainly speaks to our commitment to a culture of safety. It also speaks to our commitment to professional development where staff can take the skills and apply them to their work at SUWS and beyond". Licensed Practical Nurse Maggie Waldroup also participated in the training and came away with new tools from the experience. Maggie reported the following: "I came away with a deeper knowledge of how to triage injuries and illnesses while in a backcountry setting. I also found the tools and techniques on backcountry splint-building particularly interesting. In the woods, you don't have the same tools as you would in a hospital. It is important for us to seek the proper medical attention necessary while mitigating risks at the onset of an injury with the tools available. I'm so glad I attended!"
Each participant who completed the course successfully walks away with a three year Wilderness First Responder certification that ensures a knowlegable front line staff member for the clients at SUWS of the Carolinas.
About SUWS of the Carolinas
SUWS of the Carolinas is a licensed, CARF International-accredited mental health facility, committed to helping families rediscover their strengths and fostering growth for young people. Operating in the Pisgah National Forest under permit from the National Forest Service, SUWS delivers wilderness based therapeutic interventions for 10-17 year old boys and girls with compassion and excellence.
John Dewey Academy has a long and proud tradition of helping struggling and “twice exceptional” students overcome their academic and personal struggles to thrive. Part of the realization of that goal is the satisfaction of being accepted into and attending college. This is the time of year students, their families and Ed Consults prepare college applications. John Dewey Academy is very proud of their track of success and the supports offered during this critical time.
John Dewey Academy takes a team based approach to helping students and their families through the application process. A few of these supports are:
- College preparation classes and focus groups for Seniors to prepare for college transition
- College essay support
- Close collaboration with referring professionals
- Portfolio Development the Summer before application season
“This is an exciting time of year as we watch students goals materialize into college acceptances. Our students tend to do well in some very rigorous settings across the country. We have a passion for making this dream a reality for them, ” said Andrea Nathans, Executive Director and Admissions Director.
John Dewey Academy is a 30 bed, co-ed therapeutic boarding school located in the historic town of Great Barrington, MA. It has an unrivaled academic program with PhD level instruction, 100% college placement
About John Dewey Academy
John Dewey Academy, founded in 1985, is a 30 bed, co-ed therapeutic boarding school located in the historic town of Great Barrington, MA. It has an unrivaled academic program with PhD level instruction, 100% college placement, and Masters level therapists. Length of stay is minimum of 15 month and college process and placement is the outcome goal for all students. Psychiatric support is available. Tours are offered weekly.
Creating a client culture based on relationship, trust, and support was a key goal when Point School Puerto Rico reopened its doors to clients this summer. Point School Puerto Rico is happy to announce that their first client was excited and ready to start the PSPR culture out on a positive and determined foot. Since enrollment, he has spent time exploring the island, studying spanish, volunteering in hurricane relief efforts, and taking steps to accomplish his goals of obtaining Advanced Diver and Rescue Diver certifications and his Captaincy Certification for a career in international sailing.
PSPR’s first client has been essential in the formation of positive group culture. For example, he is helping potential clients transition into Point School Puerto Rico more smoothly by offering to answer their questions from a participant’s perspective. As PSPR continues to build their positive culture, staff and clients alike are expected to continue building relationships, trusting, and supporting one another.
Appropriate clientele for PSPR includes young men, ages 18-22, who are open to the adventure and exploration of a hybrid gap year experience. This involves cultural and spanish immersion, island activities, humanitarian efforts, and opportunities for self-growth.
The PSPR young man is typically struggling with any combination of the following: anxiety, depression, low impulse control, tendency to isolate, poor self-identity and -confidence, poor executive functioning skills, and failure to launch successfully. PSPR uses positive psychology theory and intervention to help clients amplify their strengths, positive self-identity, and intrinsic motivation in order to build resilience, overcome challenge, and thrive as they enter adulthood.
Point School Puerto Rico has an open enrollment style. Please direct all questions and comments to Tracey Bachrach, Coordinator of Business Development at 484-450-6878 or tracey@pointschoolpr.com. PSPR looks forward to maintaining a continuous positive client culture.
About the Point School Puerto Rico
Point School Puerto Rico is a hybrid gap year program designed for young men who are searching for a one-of-a-kind experience designed just for them. We aim to help our young men grow into adulthood with the ability to thrive. Our hybrid model includes therapeutic support delivered by a licensed clinician, life coaching with trained mentors, support for academic and/or vocational momentum, and a considerable amount of experiential opportunity and cultural immersion.
On the heels of establishing Embark Behavioral Health, we sat down with CEO Alex Stavros to learn more.
How did Embark Behavioral Health come about?
Many of us have felt like we can and should be doing more to curb the negative mental health trends in our country. After the CDC numbers showed that adolescents' (preteens, teens) and young adults' anxiety, depression and suicides reached all-time highs, we decided to merge 16 programs to tackle an inspiring Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) and lead the way in helping take anxiety, depression and suicide from all-time highs of today to all-time lows by 2028.
What makes you say the levels of adolescent anxiety, depression and suicide are at all time highs?
This is what I mean. On September 10, 2018, an article came out with the following title: "The US suicide rate has increased 30% since 2000 and tripled for young girls." On August 4, 2017 the US News & World Report came out with an article titled "Suicide Rates for Teenage Girls at All-Time High." And then, on October 11 the New York Times published "More American Teenagers than Ever Suffering from Severe Anxiety." On May 10 "Major depression on the rise among everyone but is Rising Fastest Among Young Adults." On December 18, 2017 the following article was published "Teenage Suicide Reaches All Time High." On August 14 another "Suicides under age 13: One every 5 days." And then on April 22 the New York Times published "U.S. Suicide Rate Surges to a 30-Year High". Even with 180 NATSAP programs and hundreds more across the country, the problem has only gotten worse. Many of us have felt convicted. Because if not us, who is going to tackle these issues?
The BHAG sounds like a big goal. How can Embark make a difference?
The journey we are embarking on together reminds me of a quote from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” We need to work incessantly to increase the awareness of these issues and increase the options for, and improve the accessibility of, high quality treatment. We can’t do this alone, we need to extend a collaborative spirit to other programs and people all over the country that share common values and interests. We need to expand our influence into community-based education, prevention, assessment and outpatient treatment and open dialogue with government agencies, payors, politicians and other stake holders to form partnerships that get at the root causes of these issues. We have a lot of work to do but if we work together I am optimistic we can make a difference.
Is the BHAG a distraction from your core business?
No, it’s one of the things that holds us all together, but growth is hard, and we need to all be obsessed with executing to our highest ability… we need to be focused on personal excellence and the details of today. The stakes are high. As we grow we not only expect the quality of treatment at our programs to stay the same, but to improve. That is critical toward tackling this BHAG.
Why Embark? What’s in the name?
We didn’t make this name change right off the bat because we wanted our focus to be on program quality and employees to come first. We didn’t want to do anything to distract our programs from providing the best treatment. We want the programs to be the stars of the show! Naturally, with the bringing together of our companies and programs, we had to come up with a new organization name. So, after a thorough process and several rounds of voting, we decided on Embark Behavioral Health as our new umbrella company name. Embark communicates something that is unique, something positive, something that ties to who we are and where we are going. It’s action oriented and creates a great visual image.
Is Embark growing too fast?
No, Embark is not growing fast enough. Adolescent anxiety, depression and suicides reached an all-time high last year. Things have only been getting worse year over year over the past couple decades. There are hundreds of programs and outpatient setting across the country and even with that things are getting worse. Somebody must do something different than what has been done in the past. Something more. Something big. We have decided to bring all our leaders and programs together and commit to reversing the trends. We hope that others will commit and rally. Since we are in the helping profession we all work with the same intention. We are all essentially on the same team, and most importantly, if we work together and embark on the same journey, together, to curve the negative trends of anxiety, depression and suicide in our country, we can make a difference.
Are the programs changing?
The programs will continue to operate with little interference. Embark thinks big, as evidenced by its goal of reversing the trends of adolescent anxiety, depression and suicide in the country, but operates small. There are no plans to mandate clinical interventions across companies or develop operational changes in the programs that would negatively impact treatment, the student experience or our referring professionals. In fact, all original founding members of the programs continue to call the shots in their programs. With that said, Embark has a proven, internationally validated outcomes platform, the industry’s highest quality of care and safety standards in the nation. We would like to implement those standards in partnership with the Executive Directors across all programs, but that may take some time.
How is the company organized?
In the interest of minimizing unnecessary change, we are keeping the strong Calo Programs, InnerChange Brands and New Vision Wilderness network. And, of course, all programs will also continue with their names and focuses and will keep doing the great work they are already doing; we don’t want to get in the way of that. Each company and the underlying programs will continue to operate independently and maintain their core brand and identity.
The four already existing companies and CEO’s are;
1) Calo Programs, CEO Chris Perkins www.caloprograms.com
2) Innerchange Programs, CEO Dave Prior www.innerchange.com
3) New Vision Wilderness Programs, CEO Drew Hornbeck www.newvisionwilderness.com
4) Potomac Behavioral Health, CEO Sean Ketterick www.potomacpathways.com
Other than myself and the above-mentioned CEOs, the rest of the Embark Senior Support Team is comprised of Dustin Tibbits (Chief Quality Officer), Landon Kirk (Chief People Officer), Norm Vitols (Chief Financial Officer), and Thomas Ahern (Chief Marketing Officer).
What holds Embark together?
What ties all of us together are our Core Values of Empathy, Service, Trusting Relationships and Growth; our Core Purpose of Creating Joy and Healing Generations; our Vision to become the most respected, recognized and valuable family behavioral health company in the world; and our Big Hairy Audacious Goal. Our company also has three uniques:
1) A proven, internationally validated outcomes platform,
2) The industry’s highest quality of care and safety standards, and
3) A unique and complimentary continuum of programs including long term and short-term residential treatment, wilderness therapy, community-based outpatient (partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient), family intensives, assessment and family transition.
How do families and professionals access services?
Therapeutic Educational Consultants provide exceptional service to many of our families. Not only do they tour our programs regularly, but they provide coordination of services and care management for families. They really are experts in placing young people in need of residential care. For more information go to; https://www.iecaonline.com/about/
How do I find out more about Embark?
We have a preliminary website; www.embarkbh.com. We also have Embark Behavioral Health Facebook and YouTube pages. Please like, share and follow.
Here are the other social media sites.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CPJ_QymYvOJl0T-jL1OMA
https://www.facebook.com/embarkbh/
We also made a really great video; https://youtu.be/MLGQGRM95Fs that introduces our BHAG and celebrates our Embark Culture. Please share this video with your colleagues, friends and family.
Feel free to reach out if I can answer any questions or be of service to you. I can be reached at astavros@embarkbh.com. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I am grateful.
Many substance abuse and mental health programs are ineffective because they do not address the root problem. Patients continue to relapse until their brain function is optimized. Otherwise, patients will continue to use drugs to stimulate underactive brain regions and to calm overactive brain regions. Corner Canyon has learned that successful addiction treatment requires diagnosis and treatment of multiple underlying biochemical disorders. Corner Canyon integrates a multifaceted approach to optimizing brain function using the following interventions:
- Pharmacogenetic and DNA Testing: information about genetic vulnerabilities and problem areas in brain communication and supplementation of needed nutrients. Determines what medications are effective for the individual.
- Vitanya: an innovative Brain Balancing treatment, utilizing research validated brain technology to aid in healing the brain from substance abuse, trauma, brain chemistry imbalances, mood issues like depression and anxiety, and nutritional deficiencies (aided by specific supplements). Improves communication in the brain: neurotransmitters, hormones, gut brain connection.
- Psychiatric intervention: adding medications to correct deficiencies in the brain, improve sleep and mood, help manage behavior, and aid in absorbing therapeutic processes.
- Insightful, skilled, and thought provoking therapy: research says Group Therapy is most impactful, then Family Therapy, then Individual. Stimulates the brain, increasing connections and improving functioning in addition to providing effective treatment.
- Psychological testing to aid in fully assessing each client’s treatment areas and concerns.
- Gut Brain connection: well rounded healthy diet provides nutrients to facilitate healing and improve communication neurologically. Can improve mood by facilitating the production of serotonin and dopamine, can treat anxiety and depression
- Meditation: it appears to have a variety of neurological benefits – from changes in grey matter volume to reduced activity in the “me” centers of the brain to enhanced connectivity between brain regions. Corner Canyon teaches and practices Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, which is supported by research.
- Education about brain function and dysfunction and needs to operate optimally
- Hormone Testing: as needed
- Exercise: Most people know the many physical benefits of exercise, but it also improves blood flow to the brain and stimulates the release of growth factors — chemicals in the brain that affect the health of brain cells, the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, and even the abundance and survival of new brain cells.
Corner Canyon is focused on improving/restoring the communication in the Brain and Body so that it can work optimally, putting the client in the best position to feel happy and healthy, understand and apply the excellent therapeutic work Corner Canyon does, and prevent relapse.
About Corner Canyon Recovery
Corner Canyon Recovery, a 16 bed, trauma informed, adult, co-ed with gender specific programming, dual-diagnosis, holistic Residential Treatment Center in a large attractive home in Draper, UT opened in November, 2017.
Last month Elements Traverse celebrated its second anniversary of serving young adults in the wilderness. Traverse is a small, owner-operated program founded upon the vision that everyone can live a full and healthy life, provided they have the right skills and support. At Traverse, we incorporate DBT skills into every facet of our program, promoting distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. Furthermore, Traverse helps their clients begin to identify their true feelings, desires, and boundaries, and how to communicate those in a way that others will hear and respect.
The Traverse model incorporates unique adventure programming opportunities right within an expeditionary experience, offering stand up paddle boarding, fly fishing, rafting the Colorado river, mountain biking, SUP yoga, climbing, rappelling, and self-assisted backpacking. Traverse enjoys a beautiful course area ranging from the low-altitude red rock desert of the San Rafael Swell to the high alpine mountain wilderness of the Wasatch Plateau.
Elements Traverse wishes to offer sincere thanks to all those who have placed support and trust in them over the past two years, and looks forward to serving many more clients and their families in the years to come.
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.
AIM House was extremely happy to attend and support the fifth annual YATA (Young Adult Transition Association) conference this October in Coeur d’Alene Idaho. As a founding member-program of the association, the leadership team at AIM House has been in attendance at each conference to date, and this year it was exciting and gratifying to see how the association and conference has grown. Executive Director of AIM House and YATA board member Kelly Corn said, “YATA was born from the desire to provide space for those who work with young adults to collaborate and learn from one another. As such, there is a kind of comraderie and common purpose here that is special —it’s my favorite conference of the year!”
The theme of this year’s conference was “Let’s Talk F2F: How Technology is Impacting Young Adults.” Presenters and speakers talked about how tech and specifically social media is showing up in mental health diagnosis and treatment. Conference attendees were lucky enough to hear from a host of experts, including aftercare programs, wilderness therapists and consultants.
Danny Conroy, who founded AIM House in 1999 along with his wife Mae, gave the keynote speech on Friday morning of the conference. He took the opportunity to address the ways in which the field has changed in the past 20 years, both in his personal observation, and also through the lens of the AIM House program. Danny, never one to shy away from humility or self-deprecating humor, joked with the audience about what it was like to start AIM House: “when you start a program you think you know something… then you quickly learn what you don’t know.” In keeping with the theme of the conference, he went on to speak about the ways in which technology and social media have shifted the realities of young adult treatment, citing ways in which tech and social media platforms can be both destructive AND positive — it’s all in how it's framed.
Above all, gratitude must be given to Katie Jochum, who has taken over the helm of YATA, and orchestrated yet another fabulous conference for all. Kelly, Danny & the entire AIM House team is looking forward to continued participation and support of the association.
About AIM House
Founded in 1999, AIM House is a transitional living program located in Boulder, Colorado. Young adults come from wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment programs, therapeutic boarding schools and drug and alcohol treatment centers. Mentors and therapists work with each participant to create an individualized program that meets the needs of the participant and their family. Participants have access to a large variety of educational institutions, including the University of Colorado Boulder. AIM House also offers executive functioning support, vocational coaching, and personalized artistic and entrepreneurial mentorship.
Evoke Therapy Programs is excited to announce the addition of Claire Fierman Mattison, M.Ed., LPC, as the new Clinical Director of their Summit Lodge Intensives program. After working as a therapist in residential treatment, followed by private practice, Claire has decided to bring her experiential expertise to Evoke. Her position at the Summit Lodge will help specialize intensives to meet individual needs, as well as capture the creativity of the experiential therapeutic process. As Clinical Director, Claire will be leading outreach efforts as well as facilitating intensives.
Claire discovered her passion for experiential therapy through her own process as a client. She found that action-oriented work is profoundly life changing and has the ability to “stick with you” long after a therapy session has ended. Claire has continuously engaged in her own work, allowing her to create a practice rooted in compassion and humanity, to guide participants on their own healing journey.
Evoke’s Summit Lodge provides 4-day long therapeutic intensives in beautiful Park City, UT. The intensives focus on healing trauma, codependency, couples issues, grief/loss, and general life struggles. The process is founded in experiential work, including psychodrama, art therapy, and adventure. Summit Lodge aims to impart a nurturing and compassionate space to allow for healing wounds that perhaps began even in childhood. Claire and the Summit Lodge staff confidently and carefully lead the way on a path of resiliency and care.
For questions about Evoke’s Summit Lodge Intensives please email claire@evoketherapy.com.
About Evoke Entrada
Evoke Entrada is a Wilderness Therapy Program located in Southern Utah, operating year round and working with adolescents (13-17) and young adults (18 - 28+). Entrada is a clinically focused intervention that provides comprehensive support for clients and families and is designed to teach accountability, communication skills and healthy emotional and behavioral habits. Entrada is a proud member of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council and believes in the sharing of ideas among programs and colleagues in order to embody and promote best practices in the field of Mental Health and Outdoor Behavioral Health.
Dr. Tim Corson has joined the Summit Prep team in the role of Clinical Director. Tim brings extensive experience with over twenty years in the therapeutic field. He has completed intensive fellowship and internship programs at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, Reiss-Davis Child Study Center also in Los Angeles, and Judge Baker Children’s Center in Boston. He has participated on the NATSAP Board of Directors and has presented at several Regional and National conferences. Tim’s work focuses on adolescent development and family systems.
Tim’s roots are in the Midwest. He grew up in Michigan and attended University of Wisconsin – Madison where he completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Social Welfare. He then headed West and received his Doctorate of Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. After a few years of private practice, Tim found his way to Montana and has lived there for over a decade. He and his wife have two wonderful kiddos and they all enjoy the beauty and opportunities of the great outdoors.
To learn more about Tim and the entire Clinical Team at Summit Prep follow this link: http://www.summitprepschool.org/clinical-staff
About Summit Preparatory School
Summit Preparatory School is an accredited private, non-profit, co-ed therapeutic boarding school located on 520 acres near Kalispell, MT. Summit integrates professional therapy and college prep academics within a nurturing and dynamic community that energizes and challenges adolescents to succeed and transform their lives. Grounded in the concepts of the Summit Model, the program focuses on promoting the development of healthy psychological and social skills. The campus is close to Glacier International Airport (FCA) and is less than an hour from Glacier National Park.
Trails Momentum, an outdoor adventure-based therapy program for young adults, is unique and dissimilar when compared with more traditional young adult wilderness therapy programs.
At Trails Momentum, students learn skills that can be applicable to college living and “real life”.
“While students are at our program, they learn important skills that can carry into a college setting such as community and dorm living etiquette, time management, and academic strategies,” says Adam Ray, Director of Program Development at Trails Momentum. “They also learn about cooking, nutrition, and meal preparation within a real kitchen as opposed to cooking out in the field.”
Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to take part in a traditional classroom setting on a regular basis. They have the chance to earn college credit and participate in two college courses that align with the clinical and adventure experiences offered - Introduction to Communication and Leadership and Principles of Outdoor Recreation.
According to Ray, “Unlike other young adult wilderness programs, Trails Momentum provides the opportunity to students to participate in a traditional classroom setting where they have the chance to develop productive academic habits, assess academic and clinical barriers to their success, and gain self confidence in academics.”
In addition to the unique academic and skill building elements of the program, Trails Momentum also offers benefits similar to a traditional wilderness therapy program such as clinical support and therapy through individual, group, family, and equine therapy.
The program also offers outdoor adventure activities that help empower young adults. These outdoor adventure activities help develop adaptability, resiliency and promote self-sufficiency. These activities include: Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Backpacking, White Water Rafting, Canoeing, Hiking and Fly Fishing.
About Trails Momentum
Trails Momentum is a co-ed outdoor adventure-based therapy program for young adults ages 18-25. Located in the mountains of western North Carolina, Trails Momentum offers a transformative, whole student centered growth experience for young adults struggling to launch themselves into adulthood. Adventure programming, clinical services, education, service-learning, and community living are seamlessly interwoven to maximize the transference of important life skills in order to empower students to make the transition into independence. For more information about programming at Trails Momentum, please visit https://trailsmomentum.com/ or call (877) 296-8711.
Trails Carolina, a wilderness therapy program for teens ages 10-17, is excited to highlight the work Primary Therapist Todd Green MSW, LCSW and Family Therapist Sarah Hutchison MSW, LCSW-A are doing in preparation for obtaining their EMDR certification.
EMDR, or eye movement desensitization reprocessing, is an evidence-based treatment technique which involves the reprocessing of traumatic or disturbing memories and thoughts that have led to issues such as PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks. The most important phase of this technique involves a process of moving the eyes back and forth in a calm, soothing environment.
“When a disturbing event occurs, it can get lost in the brain with the memory’s original sounds, sights, sensations, feelings, and thoughts,” says Hutchison. “The eye movement process seems to stimulate the information that allows the brain to reprocess that event. It expedites the processing of the event and unlocks the brain in a way that’s not typical while you’re awake.”
Both Green and Hutchison are currently in training to be certified in EMDR. They will be completing their training this winter. The certification process involves 50 hours of lectures, practice with an on-site facilitator, and case consultation.
“The reprocessing that occurs during EMDR can reset an individual’s entire system,” says Green. “Recently, I heard from one student how EMDR felt like ‘magic’ to him. He had been struggling for ten years with challenges related to trauma and after his EMDR sessions he felt so much better.”
Green and Hutchison’s EMDR certifications will allow them to practice EMDR as needed.
“EMDR helps increase the amount of processing a student can do during treatment,” comments Hutchison. “Processing continues even between treatment sessions, which is another benefit of EMDR. I am very excited to be able to increase the bandwidth of what I can offer students during therapy sessions.”
About Trails Carolina
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.
Seven Stars, a residential treatment and assessment program for teens ages 13-18 with neurodevelopmental issues, is putting the spotlight on the behavioral aspects of their therapeutic program.
“We sometimes encounter questions from parents and professionals about how ‘behavioral’ our program is and whether or not we use ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy,” says Dr. Gordon Day, Executive Clinical Director and Founder of Seven Stars. “Often, what is really being asked is whether or not punitive strategies are used. Parents and other consumers of mental health services want to make sure that their child is treated with respect and dignity.”
Recently the Seven Stars team sat down to review their daily points and feedback system. This is the “behavioral” aspect of Seven Stars used to encourage and track student progress and reward participation in experiential learning opportunities. Seven Stars’ goal is to make sure their system is effective and focused on rewarding students for positive behaviors.
Each day, students start the day in a Launch meeting where they establish a goal they want to work on for the day. Each evening in the Re-entry meeting, students review with staff their progress on the goal for the day.
Seven Stars students carry a tracking sheet with them in their student binders. For each block of activity throughout the day, the staff mark “plusses” on their tracking sheet for participating appropriately in the desired activity. Staff also note on the tracking sheet what the student is doing well and areas where the student needs to improve. The student’s total number of plusses earns access to desired activities and can be used to purchase items from the student store.
“At Seven Stars, it is our belief that using positive motivators is much more effective than using punitive approaches,” says Dr. Day. “Behavioral approaches should focus on encouraging desired behaviors through positive attention and rewards. It is often most effective to ignore unwanted behaviors rather than apply some kind of a consequence.”
Dr. Day added, “When a student does engage in unwanted behaviors that are significantly disruptive, it is important to understand the function of that behavior. Typically, the student is communicating a need with their negative behavior. Usually they are overwhelmed by anxiety or sensory issues and need a break. Sometimes they are looking for attention.”
In these situations a student is directed to take a break and “reboot.” Then staff work with the student on coping skills and communicating about their needs. Sometimes the student writes or talks through a Behavioral Chain Analysis in which they learn about their needs and generate ideas about how they can handle the situation better next time.
In addition to the daily points and feedback system, staff carry tokens in the form of paper stars. Staff give these tokens to students when they see them engaging in a positive or desired behavior. Students also use these stars to earn desired activities or items from the student store. “This random reinforcement strategy can be especially effective when students are struggling with unwanted behaviors and is very effective at redirecting the behaviors of an individual student or group of students” said Dr. Day.
About Seven Stars
Seven Stars is a leading assessment program and residential treatment center for teens ages 13-17 who struggle with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD. For more information about programming at Seven Stars, please visit http://www.discoversevenstars.com/or call 844-601-1167.
Pure Life Adventure is the perfect destination for older young adults (25-30) who need to step back from their daily lives to work on the depression and anxiety that is holding them back from reaching their goals. Jeffrey Calderon, Clinical Director of Pure Life, shares the lessons he has learned working with this unique group.
Working with young adults over 25 has taught him how crucial this stage of life is in terms of identity explorations. During this life stage, young adults explore various possibilities in love and work as they move toward making enduring choices. As they progress through these choices, they develop a more definitive identity. They begin to better understand who they are, what their capabilities and limitations are, what their beliefs and values are, and how they fit into the society. The early experiences of young adulthood are in the past and, at this age, more pressing social expectations take place; procrastination at this stage can be very detrimental. Clearly these stressors might result in a period of emotional instability. Older young adults struggle with ambivalence; feeling in-between adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, it is not uncommon to encounter obstacles when replacing adolescent patterns and behaviors with a new set of adult attitudes and roles. Feeling "stuck in between" is a familiar theme with these clients.
Older young adults also struggle with intimacy versus isolation. During this period, the major conflict centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with others. These attempts to form deeper and thoughtful relationships may have profound effects on their adult roles. Furthermore, sexual identify and gender may be questioned, reaffirmed, and solidified during these years. Patterns between adolescent relationships (parent and child) and adult relationships can become complicated as young adults try to negotiate this new world while holding on to their past. Young adults can feel paralyzed in their conflicting roles.
In today's world, almost endless possibilities and opportunities are incessantly thrown at young adults. This unrelenting rhythm can easily overwhelm clients after a few years of college or after graduation. A wide sense of broad possibilities for the future could be highly positive, but it can also become aggravating and confusing. Sometimes, young adults over 25 have not found their passion or "calling" yet. They might feel lost and disappointed by their choices during their first years of school or after their first experiences in the job market. In this modern scenario, it is crucial to secure emotional stability by finding meaning and purpose to their lives.
Finally, this is a period where clients might first sense the weight of time passing by. Before 25 most young adults believe in their limitless possibilities, however during this stage they might feel as if time has gone too fast and that they should have met the social expectations once set for them. Marriage or emotional stability, financial success, and a sense of purpose are only some of the most common demands that young adults are asked to fulfill during this period. Any deviation from these social norms start to cause disappointment and frustration in young adults. Most importantly, some of them may wrongly feel that there is no more time to accomplish any of these demands.
Pure Life allows older young adults to step back from their emerging adulthood. They are given a clean slate and launching board to explore their relationships, passions, and emotions. Through weekly therapy, intentional challenges, and numerous peer interactions, they are able to process their current struggles to embark upon a successful future.
About Pure Life Adventure
Pure Life Adventure is located in the Central Pacific region of beautiful Costa Rica. Relying on decades of experience in the Costa Rican outdoor industry, the bicultural team provides a therapeutically sophisticated and holistic approach to helping young adults with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, lack of motivation, executive function deficits, trauma and substance abuse. The students are individuals with very real challenges looking for lasting change. Pure Life utilizes traditional individual and group therapy in combination with outdoor experiential learning and adventure. The Pure Life integrated and dynamic approach includes an emphasis on fitness, mindfulness, life skills and cultural immersion.
Valley View School provides opportunities to engage in creative arts to support students on their journeys of growth, transformation, healing and self-exploration. Kristen Birch, MA, LMHC, who has experience in and a passion for expressive therapy, uses a variety of therapies to support students in bridging the gap between the conscious and unconscious. In addition to group and individual work, students are provided opportunities for in-the-moment processing using creative interventions. Kristen shares, "Expressive arts therapy tends to be flexible and allows students to address areas of need in a non-threatening manner."
As it is sometimes difficult for adolescents to find words that best describe how they are thinking or feeling, use of expressive and creative arts allows for students to express themselves with loose parameters. Instead of using "check-ins" that are mostly verbal, a variety of interventions are utilized in encouraging students to express how they are feeling. This approach allows for the development, over time, of a strong foundation for verbal expression in an effective and productive manner. Brain balance and stability in emotional regulation are supported by these types of interventions.
Some examples of interventions used with students on campus include music, movement, play therapy, drama, writing, and various forms of art. These creative, experiential, and expressive interventions are offered using a non-threatening and flexible approach ensuring individualized needs are met while providing experiences to the entire student body. These areas of therapy allow for physiological, emotional, and cognitive stability, which in turn supports progress on generalized and individualized goals. Kristen adds, "The special part is that we implement these in an organic manner so that it becomes part of the student's nature, allowing for positive changes in behavior that continue to evolve in a healthy and productive manner throughout adolescent development."
About Valley View School
Valley View School, founded in 1970, is a private therapeutic boarding school serving boys in grades 6-12. Our non-profit 501(c)(3) school is located in the central Massachusetts town of North Brookfield. The Valley View Program consists of a comprehensive blend of Therapy, Academics, Athletics, Arts and Activities challenging our students emotionally, intellectually and physically. The boys learn self-control and anger management, social skills in order to create and cultivate relationships with peers and adults, while developing compassion, empathy and respect for others and to realize their true potential.
It is widely recognized that ReSTART is the program to attend for internet and video game addiction. For the past decade, reSTART has worked with emerging adults in early recovery, focused on helping those struggling with those specific issues. Just this past month they added Rise Up Ranch, a place focused on animals, connection and detox, in order to continue to grow and improve on the services they are able to provide this population. ReSTART is continuing to grow and meet this need.
ReSTART is opening its Bellevue Campus this month. The Bellevue Campus is a place for their students to come and engage, not only in therapy, but in a creative and experiential therapeutic experience. It has always been ReSTART’s mission to push the envelope and think outside the box. As the experts in the field of internet and video game addiction, it has become their responsibility to look at the client base and discover the best therapeutic approach. ReSTART feels that they have done that with the Bellevue Campus.
While attending ReSTART the students will engage in personal growth several times a week at the Bellevue Campus. Rather than having them sit in a chair in a therapist’s office, staff and students have worked hard to create an environment that helps facilitate change. Each room has a fun and creative theme to help break down walls and foster positive therapeutic movement. They can choose to do therapy in a room with Legos, the music studio, a room focused on plants and growth, the art studio, or even do group therapy around a table where the seats are swings. These are just a few options they have to help create that change and also make the process of personal growth fun!
ReSTART is excited to add this new addition to their already well -ecognized and respected list of services they provide the growing population of emerging adults struggling with screen addiction.
About ReSTART
Headquartered in Fall City, Washington, reSTART is a leading advocate of healthy sustainable digital media use (internet, VR, and videogames) for people and the planet. reSTART offers staffed residential care for youth (13-17) and life sharing retreats for adults (ages 18-30), along with independent living support.
Elevations RTC, a residential treatment center for teens ages 13-18, can help students and families with Spanish-speaking parents who do not speak English.
Jordan Killpack CMHC, Clinical Director of Elevations RTC, speaks Spanish and English fluently and can facilitate the communication process if both parents of a student are not able to speak English. Additionally, a few members of the academic team at Elevations RTC are bilingual and can assist in communication regarding academic programming and the enrollment process.
“Working with bilingual students whose parents do not speak English can be challenging in a residential treatment setting where communication between parents and the program is key,” says Killpack. “It’s important to keep parents engaged throughout the treatment process. As a bilingual (Spanish/English) speaker and mental health counselor, there are a number of critical areas that must be managed in order for the non-English speaking parent to understand and participate actively in the process.”
According to Killpack, it is crucial to create a strong therapeutic alliance with the parent from the beginning of the therapeutic process.
“A strong therapeutic alliance is key because the parent will rely on the bilingual therapist to provide a bridge between them and all other departments within the treatment center,” comments Killpack. “It’s also important to take into account the wide array of cultural differences that may exist between the parent’s culture and the culture of the area in which a treatment center is located.”
Killpack and others on the Elevations RTC team can help Spanish-speaking parents gain an understanding of the treatment process and work closely with them throughout their child’s time at the program.
About Elevations RTC
Elevations RTC is a unique co-ed residential treatment center that works with all students ages 13 - 18. Elevations offers guidance, support and relief to students struggling with issues like trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, behavioral problems, and substance use. Elevations offers on campus fulltime psychiatric and nursing care. Elevations RTC is located in Utah and provides specialized, clinically intensive programs to struggling teens. For more information, please call 1-855-290-9681
Applewood Transitions for Young Women, a member of the Q&A Family of Programs, is pleased to announce the addition of a new business, Venus Pizza Pies. Venus Pizza Pies will provide both delivery and curb-side pick up of homemade, hand-tossed pizzas as well as hot hoagies and subs. The young ladies will be operating the new business under the direction of Chef Matt Shockley. They will be responsible for cooking, taking orders, inventory, ordering supplies, customer service, and managing.
The young women of Applewood have been operating The Breakfast Nook restaurant for many years, and this has served to provide them with opportunities to learn and practice employment and life skills. The Breakfast Nook is a popular morning stop for members of the local community as well as the tourists who enjoy beautiful Canaan Valley. Many of the young ladies have built new friendships with customers who return daily to enjoy a good cup of coffee and freshly made breakfast. Adding Venus Pizza Pies not only provides employment opportunities, but allows the young ladies additional opportunities to continue building relationships and practicing communication skills.
The menu of Venus Pizza Pies will include quality items at affordable prices, which will be attractive to local residents as well as the tourists who will be coming to Canaan to ski during the winter months. No other restaurants in Canaan Valley offer delivery, so this is a unique and much needed service. “When a family has been out skiing all day, they often don’t want to make their way out for dinner; feeding tired kids in the comfort of their vacation rental is an attractive option,” said Mr. Shockley. “I have really enjoyed working with the young ladies of Applewood at The Breakfast Nook, and I’m excited to watch them continue to grow the restaurant management skills they have gained,” he continued.
Venus Pizza Pies is slated to open December 2018.
About Q&A Family of Programs
Q&A Family of Programs works with young adults ages 18 and up, providing opportunities for each of them to develop independent, functional, and happy lives with a high level of quality. Our clients have struggled to reach independence for a variety of reasons such as the inability to develop and/or implement the life skills needed to be successful, or struggling to obtain consistent employment. Our goal is to help these individuals find meaning and an authentic purpose for their lives and a practical path to achieve their goals.
HopeWay welcomed its second class of interns in August of this year. The internship begins with a month of shadowing the admissions department, integrative therapy groups, CBT and DBT group sessions, private & family sessions, and discharge appointments. Interns essentially get a bird's eye view of a client's experience at HopeWay from beginning to end. After the observation period, interns co-lead group sessions and manage a small case-load of clients with strong supervision.
Victoria Brewer earned her Bachelors in Psychology from Clemson University, and is working towards her Masters in Clinical Mental Health from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). Last spring she completed a practicum at the Veteran Center at CPCC, where she focused on grief, loss and crisis work. Victoria is HopeWay's first LPC Counseling intern - others have focused on social work.
Anna Malles received her Bachelors in Biology from Birmingham Southern College, and is pursuing a Masters in Social Work from UNCC. She completed her practicum at the Salvation Army last year, where she realized that an added mental health component would address many of the population's issues in a lasting way. She views her internship as a chance to build experience in integrated care.
Amy Seitlin is a second-year graduate student in the department of Creative Arts Therapy at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. She earned her Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Educational Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill, and her MEd in Early Childhood Education from Towson University. Amy is currently working towards her Masters in Art Therapy & Creativity Development. Since Art Therapy is still a relatively rare practice in North Carolina, Amy plans to continue her work in Charlotte after graduation, hoping to provide increased opportunities for people in the community to participate in this unique therapy.
About HopeWay
HopeWay is an accredited non-profit residential mental health facility for adults, 18 years and older. Located in Charlotte, NC, HopeWay is a physician-led treatment center with The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation and certification as a Behavioral Health Home. The center offers a continuum of care that includes residential and day treatment programs within a holistic model of medical, psychological and emotional wellness and education. Each client receives an individualized treatment plan with a clinically structured schedule based on specific therapeutic goals.
Onward Transitions members engage in some combination of work, service and education during their time in Portland, Maine. Members understand the value of their experience and appreciate that the skills they attain will extend and enhance their opportunities beyond their time with Onward Transitions and enhance their quality of life. Staff are transparent with members about their own pursuits of lifelong learning, both at and away from formal educational institutions. Examples of members’ learning pursuits include:
- Learning a foreign language at the Portland Language Exchange
- Learning carpentry skills at the Open Bench Project
- Learning sculpting through continuing education at the Maine College of Art
- Learning to drive through a local driver’s education school
- Learning self defense through continuing education at the University of Southern Maine
- Learning personal money management through Portland Adult Education
- Learning to become a fitness professional through a local gym and national accrediting body
- Learning specialized cooking skills through workshops and food lab instruction
- Learning about the history of Portland by serving as a docent for the Portland Historical Society
- Learning about safe preparation and storage of food by becoming Serve-Safe certified
This fall, Onward Transitions staff participated in a number of professional development opportunities geared towards bettering service delivery to emerging adults.
- Clinical Director Andy Derstine met with Jeffrey Janson Arnett and learned about emerging adults and their place in a knowledge-based economy at the Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood at Clark University in Worcester, MA.
- Derstine and therapist Jackie Roberge engaged in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workshops at the Seacoast Anxiety Symposium in Portsmouth, NH.
- Co-Founders Tracy Bailey and Darrell Fraize learned about steps that programs are taking to help emerging adults experience a more seamless move from the wilderness to transition programs, at the Northeast NATSAP regional conference in Falmouth, MA.
- Bailey and Fraize learned about the ways technology is impacting the lifestyles of emerging adults at the Young Adult Transition Association’s annual conference in Coeur D’Alene, ID
- Bailey learned about ways colleges and universities are looking to better support students with learning disabilities at the Lynn University Transition Conference in Boca Raton, FL.
- Career Exploration Coordinator Kristen Chandler learned about neuroscience and work at the Maine Career Development Association’s fall workshop in Lewiston, ME.
- Bailey and Fraize learned about social responsibility in business operations at NATSAP’s Leadership Summit in Salt Lake CIty, UT.
- Experiential Learning Coordinator Chris Berry, Roberge and Chandler learned about supporting the LGBT community as better allies at a SafeZone training at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.
- Derstine and Fraize will learn about improving ways of collaborating with educational consultants to better serve emerging adults at IECA’s fall conference in Los Angeles.
Staff utilize individual and group meetings throughout the week to share and integrate their learning into members’ experience at Onward Transitions. These intentional actions are focused on demonstrating the value of taking a life-long approach to learning, and modeling the necessity for it in thinking about career development and ultimately, quality of life.
About Onward Transitions
Onward Transitions (OT) in Portland, ME is a small, independent, owner-operated program for bright, motivated, emerging adults in the final stages of learning to live on their own. OT supports actual sustainable independent living and autonomy from two city locations. Participants (members) ages 18-29 never live with us; they live in their own apartments, scattered throughout the city. Members' challenges include anxiety, depression and executive functioning.
Greg Burnham, MS, LMFT, Clinical Director, will be co-facilitating a presentation during the upcoming Fall IECA (Independent Educational Consultant Association) Conference scheduled in Los Angeles, California. He, alongside, Karen Mabie, EdS, are set to present on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm. Their presentation, titled “How We Create Narcissists and More: How the Work We Do Has Direct Negative Consequences,” will invite and encourage an honest and open discussion on unintended effects of treatment within the field of private pay behavioral healthcare.
In addition, attendees can expect to explore and address transport trauma, narcissism, treatment bubbles, family disconnect, increased resistance, compliance, treatment language and more. Discussions will include how to mitigate the unconscious negatives and strategies for steering away from the ones that can be avoided. Throughout this presentation, Greg and Karen will ask questions that are commonly circumvented for a variety of reasons. The hope here is to create a dialogue that people can take back to their programs to help everyone continue to grow as an industry.
About Outback Therapeutic Expeditions
Outback Therapeutic Expeditions is a licensed wilderness therapy program located in Utah dedicated in bringing families BACK together. Outback offers a clinically informed comprehensive assessment and treatment that yields high clinical values for teens and families. Outback provides an innovative clinical structure designed to optimize clinical oversight by having an additional Masters level therapist in the group daily along with a clinician overseeing every main department of programming. Outback helps teens ages 13-17 with various areas of difficulties such as depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, engagement in dangerous behaviors, mild ASD, electronic and gaming addiction and more. Outback’s treatment options place strong emphasis on healthy relationships, increased self-efficacy, and a healthy amount of autonomy through skill building.
Solstice RTC, a residential treatment center for teen girls ages 14-18, helps heal and strengthen families through family programming throughout a student’s time at the program.
Their family programming includes quarterly family seminars, new parent workshops, and annual parent-child trips.
This fall, adventure therapy staff led two groups of dads and students to Moab for the third annual father-child trips. While exploring the desert, father-daughter pairs were able to explore themselves and their relationships with one another.
“Alongside the folks from Aspect Adventure, adventure therapy staff led father-daughter pairs through a series of climbs, rappels, and hikes,” says Amanda Sevigny, Summer Team Assistant Director at Solstice RTC. “Pairs had the opportunity to challenge themselves by choice, and support one another as they discovered and surpassed emotional and physical limits. Groups wrapped up the trips around campfires, and told stories of side by side moments. The trips created unforgettable experiences for dads and students alike.”
In addition to the parent-child trips this fall, Solstice also held a Parent Seminar which focused on the point families were at within their Hero’s Journey.
“Each parent seminar, we focus on a different theme or issue,” comments Kami Black MSW, LCSW, Executive Clinical Director at Solstice RTC. “During October’s Parent seminar, each of the groups focused on what work they needed to be doing according to where they were within their Hero’s Journey as a family. Families focused on everything from practicing vulnerability and deciding which path they will take, to ‘slaying their family dragons’ on the climbing wall, to solidifying their transition plan for the return home. Each family had their individual needs met. It was a great seminar and our families actively participated in the work needed to heal their family.”
Solstice RTC holds 4 family seminars per year, inviting parents and siblings on-campus to work through specific challenges the family is facing and establish goals as a family.
Along with quarterly family seminars, family programming at Solstice RTC also includes a New Parent Workshop. At the New Parent Workshop, parents who have recently enrolled their child at the program get the opportunity to better understand the work their child is doing at the program. They also have the chance to meet therapeutic staff members who will be working with their child and other families who have recently enrolled their child at Solstice.
“It’s important for families to engage in family programming, such as the New Parent Workshop and quarterly Family Seminars,” says Jaime Palmer MSW, LCSW, Assistant Clinical Director and Primary Therapist at Solstice RTC. “It’s important for the entire family to be involved throughout their child’s time at the program. Without making changes within the family system, the growth students achieve while at Solstice RTC will not last after they return home. That’s why offering on-campus family work is so crucial to the success of students.”
For more information about family programming at Solstice RTC, please visit https://solsticertc.com/family-therapy or call 801-444-0794.
About Solstice
Solstice RTC is a residential treatment center for teen girls that has helped hundreds of struggling teens on their journey to solving issues like trauma, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Solstice RTC, located in Layton, Utah, offers a specialized, clinically intensive program based on the specific needs of young women. At Solstice RTC, young women discover their full potential. For additional information on Solstice RTC, please visit http://solsticertc.com/ or call 801-444-0794.
The anticipation of your child’s return home from treatment elicits a mix of emotions; including hope, excitement and love, but also fear, apprehension and anxiety. Having a “cautiously optimistic” attitude is quite healthy. The reality is that there are likely to be challenges on the horizon—especially if your child was a heavy drug user before treatment. Before you push the panic button, realize that there is indeed hope for change, continued sobriety, and long-term happiness. Here are some tips to help you support your child’s continued change and long-term sobriety.
1. Become educated on addiction. Learn how addictive behaviors and substances impact the brain, the decision making process, judgment, and the way we experience pleasure. Read, study, and listen to other people’s stories and experiences of addiction; what has helped them continue in their sobriety and what the challenges have been. Kevin McCauley’s “Pleasure Unwoven,” is available on YouTube and is a great resource. Attending an Al-anon or Narc-anon group may be a useful way to learning how to support challenges that your child is going through. The more educated you are on this issue, the more empowered and confident you will be in supporting your teen the right way.
2. Understand why your teen was using drugs or alcohol to begin with. Were they trying to escape the challenges associated with being a teen or life circumstance? Were they using to deal with emotions or mental health struggles like depression or anxiety? Did they us substances to fit in with their peers, help them sleep, or simply to meet their need for fun, thrill or excitement in their lives? Understanding the “why” informs how we can best support them, and what we need to watch for in their behaviors moving forward. Make sure you have an in-depth discussion with your child and their therapist regarding these issues so that they know you understand the issue and can be a source of support should the trigger arise again.
3. Expect continued sobriety at home and clearly communicate this expectation to your child. If you are not clear on your stance regarding your child’s future use of drug/alcohol, then they will likely start second-guessing their decision to be sober as well. Lines get blurred when we communicate (verbally or otherwise) that recreational use or occasional weekend use is okay as long as use doesn’t become a “significant problem.” Our behaviors as parents should clearly communicate that we do not condone use by being sober ourselves and being careful not to glorify using behaviors. Mixed signals of what we are saying and what we do ourselves can quickly destabilize the safety of home for anyone in recovery. Encouraging your child to submit to regular drug testing is another effective way to communicate that you take sobriety seriously.
4. Be patient with the process and support your child as they learn to be sober at home. Being at Turn-About Ranch will definitely give your child a head-start on the path to long-term sobriety. However, there is a difference between being sober at a program and being sober at home. Understand that there will be triggers; peers, situations and circumstances that will likely test your child’s resolve more than they anticipated prior to graduation from their program. It is crucial that they can rely on you, other loved ones, and professionals for support during these times of trial. Welcome and encourage open conversation about trigger, temptations, and challenges. Be patient and supportive. Realize challenges and even an occasional relapse are not uncommon in the recovery process. If relapse does occur, hold them accountable—but separate the use from the user. Remember, your job is to influence instead of control their behaviors and choices. Just make it easier to do the right thing and harder to relapse again.
5. Continue to nurture and re-establish your relationship with your teen. Your relationship with your child will likely play a large role in their continued sobriety. As the saying goes, “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much your care.” We can have little influence without a meaningful relationship. Watch for and learn how to create opportunities to connect with your teen. Pay attention to times where it seems like your child is opening up (communicating well) and be willing to listen without dominating the conversation. Pay attention to how your child feels loved and try to show you care in those ways. Let the consequences be the teacher instead of a lecture and never withdraw love when they make choices that disappoint you. When you get discouraged, seek support from those who understand positive parenting while separating what you can’t control from what you can influence.
Remember sobriety is a journey. Your child has lots of new anxiety provoking tasks to take on when returning home; new school, new friends, new behaviors, and new goals. This stress can often leave them feeling lonely. Remind them that loneliness is a temporary emotion and help them get involved in healthy productive activities. The less time they have to focus on what they don’t have or can’t do, the more likely they will strive to do those things that will help them maintain what they do have—Sobriety.
About Turn-About Ranch
Turn-About Ranch is a wilderness therapy and residential treatment program located in the heart of Southern Utah’s canyon country. Students experience life on a real working ranch while undergoing treatment to improve their life back home. Surrounded by multiple national parks and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Turn-About Ranch is the ideal location for youth of today to have the space they need to find healing and purpose.
Just over two months ago, Alpine's Clinical Director of almost 5 years, Aarika Maisak, brought her third child into the world. Tragically, two weeks later, she received a diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer in her colon, lymph nodes and liver. This devastating news has humbled and touched everyone at Alpine, and they have devoted a lot of energy, love, and faith toward Aarika and her young family. Aarika is battling bravely, receiving chemotherapy every two weeks in an effort to slow things down and find hope in this Herculean struggle. Alpine staff and students are thankful for all that has been said and done by many of you already in support of Aarika, and they want to thank Evolving Women for further supporting Aarika in the 5K this week during the IECA Conference in Los Angeles. As awful as this situation is, as people come together during such times Alpine wants you to be reminded of the goodness in humanity.
Aarika was to have returned to Alpine from maternity leave next week, which was eagerly anticipated. Unfortunately, the intensity of her treatments and the physical toll they take on her over the course of numerous days each week has led her to the difficult decision to step down from the Clinical Director position. Thankfully, Aarika has had a right-hand man whom she has worked closely with and prepared to step into her place.
And so, Alpine is very pleased to announce that Dustin Dowdle will take over as Clinical Director. Dustin has spent the past several years as Assistant Clinical Director at Alpine Academy. He has been with Alpine over five years and demonstrated from early on his skill in working with students and their families. Dustin is known and admired for his calm demeanor, gentle and nurturing way with others, and a firm and determined approach with his students and families. During these past months he has continued to served the students and families on his caseload while managing the responsibilities of Clinical Director. Dustin is well prepared to take on this role and Alpine is confident in his skill set and abilities.
Alpine Academy is grateful for Dustin's dedication and willingness to serve. They are also grateful to continue to have Aarika assisting in the clinical department and sharing her love, passion, and expertise with the Alpine team and students.
About Alpine Academy
Alpine Academy is a licensed residential treatment center for girls ages 12-18 located in Utah. Students struggle with emotional disturbances that are severe enough to prevent them from going to school successfully. Alpine is a fully accredited school with dual-endorsed teachers at the front of every classroom. Therapy is built into the school day. It is a nationally certified Teaching Family Model treatment program. The students live in homes with married couples, Family Teachers.
In 2017, Outback Therapeutic Expeditions launched a specific curriculum designed by women for young women. The L.I.F.E. curriculum, Leaning Into Female Empowerment, is one that utilizes animal-assisted interventions as students examine acceptance of personal identity, forming and practicing of boundaries, and exploring what it means when speaking of having courage and the various ways in which it takes form. The unique components of L.I.F.E. allows for two canines, dedicated to the girls group, to work a week on/week off rotation alongside the field guides at Outback. The calming and healing effects of animal assisted therapy, combined with having young ladies work to care and train the four-legged companions, creates pathways for recognition of personal patterns of behavior hindering their way towards self-actualization.
In September of 2018, the legacy of L.I.F.E. and the role of primary therapist for the girls group at Outback was passed onto Jessica Jo Stenquist, TRS, MPA, LCSW. Jessica had previously joined Outback as a primary therapist for one of the boys groups and yet, when the time came to pass the torch for the primary therapist of the girls group, Jessica Jo was an obvious choice and one with extensive experience working with adolescent females.
Tracy Hopkins, MSW, LCSWA, had this to share about Jessica Jo working with adolescent girls at Outback, “A steady, highly qualified, and multi-faceted clinician, Jessica Jo brings an unparalleled breath and depth to the world of wilderness therapy. She is a grounding force, not only for our students, but for the families she serves throughout the treatment process. Her keen clinical insight, knowledge and background working with trauma and attachment, combined with her hunger to explore ways to remove barriers that get in one's way of progress are some of the beautiful reasons we are thrilled to have her guiding and supporting our adolescent girls at Outback.”
About Outback Therapeutic Expeditions
Outback Therapeutic Expeditions is a licensed wilderness therapy program located in Utah dedicated in bringing families BACK together. Outback offers a clinically informed comprehensive assessment and treatment that yields high clinical values for teens and families. Outback provides an innovative clinical structure designed to optimize clinical oversight by having an additional Masters level therapist in the group daily along with a clinician overseeing every main department of programming. Outback helps teens ages 13-17 with various areas of difficulties such as depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, engagement in dangerous behaviors, mild ASD, electronic and gaming addiction and more. Outback’s treatment options place strong emphasis on healthy relationships, increased self-efficacy, and a healthy amount of autonomy through skill building.
This calander year has been an exciting one for the Montana Academy community. The year has been filled with programmatic and academic innovations allowing for a variety of new experiences for staff and students alike. Montana Academy also welcomed new additions to their staff team and now are proud to announce the appointment of Matt Keenan who has recently taken on the key role of Head of School.
Matt joined Montana Academy in 2013 in the context of Spanish teacher and also took on the role of Assistant Principal. Originally from Maryland, Matt spent his undergraduate years at James Madison University and holds a BA in Spanish and Literature. From there, Matt served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua from 2007-2009 before he obtatined his MEd in Curriculum & Instruction from Montana State University. Matt currently is a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Leadership and has completed various coursework in principalship and superintendency. Matt's experience beyound Montana Academy has found him in school systems developing after-school prgramming, working as an Emotional Support Specialist and he has been involved in Community Development abroad.
Matt has been an active member of Montana Academy's Leadership Team for over a year and is consistently active in the careful planning of all things happening from academics to program elements and in the clinical realm. He now leads the Leadership Team and his vision and enthusiasm are contagious. Matt's endless energy is a constant presence amongst staff, students and their families as his approach to leading the Academy is very much within the context of connection and relationship.
With this new appointment, Montana Academy is poised to continue to help adolescents and their families on their journey to wellness and the entire Academy is excited to continue its growth, innovation and sophistication.
About Montana Academy
Founded in 1997, Montana Academy is a coed, accredited, privately-owned therapeutic boarding school located in Northwest Montana. Unique in the nation, Montana Academy provides students a robust combination of clincal sophistication, an effective therapeutic program, and a challenging prep school all situated on a 500 acre Montana Ranch. Instead of limiting treatment to symptom relief, (pills or brief therapies), Montana Academy pursues a two-step diagnosis and dual treatment: (a) to identify and remove, insofaras possible, the obstacles to psychological development; and (b) to prod student to achieve new psychological milestones and so to restore the momentum of normal adolescent maturity.
TechieForLife (TFL) has promoted Cam Sherman to be the new Program Director. Cam was previously working as TFL’s Assistant Program Director and recently graduated with his degree in psychology from Dixie State University. He is married to Chloe and has three children. He’s passionate about mentoring and excited to take a larger role in the direct mentoring of TFL students.
His variety of life experiences working in residential treatment centers, volunteering in groups that service neurodiverse people, several years of teaching experience and working with diverse learning abilities have prepared him for this position. “I’m passionate about people’s progress, and I like that we have a model that encourages and supports that progress through close relationships — relationships of influence,” shared Cam. Some of the organizations he’s been affiliated with are YServe, a Brigham Young University program similar to Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Chrysalis, where he worked as a Registered Behavior Technician; mentoring at Maple Lake Academy; Red Rock Residential Treatment Center; and in the department of learning services at Dixie State University as the coordinator over the Academic Performance and Tutoring Center.
“A mentor is a friend with a trajectory,” said Cam. “It’s somebody who goes with the person of interest to help them accomplish their goals and become their best selves.” As is often the case with the population that TechieForLife serves, so many neurodiverse young adults who struggle with social, emotional and/or academic challenges have been advised, suggested or told to the point of numbness. “They rarely need more telling what works. Often they need somebody to spend long hours showing them and helping them see and experience living for themselves the advice they’ve been told their whole lives,” Cam shares. “It takes a long time and a lot of attention, but it’s the only thing I’ve seen produce lasting intrinsic motivation and change.”
Cam opened up about one of his recent mentoring moments that was a culmination of about a year’s worth of small relationship-building experiences. After one of the students broke some serious rules, Cam was able to intervene and talk to him. “We talked like we were on the same team, his team, because we were.” The student was scared and wanted to avoid and create space, going as far as making up his mind to walk to the homeless shelter. “In the parking lot I leveled with him and shared my feelings about his choice and talked to him. It was a lot less like a program director, and a lot more like a friend,” said Cam. Because of a strong relationship that they had built and a strong sense of trust and mutual respect, they were able to prevent a sad situation and turn something negative into something they could really work through together. “It was great,” said Cam.
About TechieForLife:
TechieForLife (TFL) is a co-ed, young adult, residential and licensed vocational school located in St. George, Utah. Dubbed "Silicon Slopes South," beautiful Southern Utah is home to one of the fastest growing tech sectors in the U.S. Neurodiverse students who need a safe social and emotional environment gain important life skills, mentoring and a college track or marketable technology training, leading to internship/job placement through TFL's close private sector partnerships. TechieForLife gives students a place to belong and the supports to succeed.
This month, Equinox RTC is pleased to announce that they have received a three year CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation. The CARF accreditation offers validation that Equinox RTC is providing quality services and meeting the highest standards in the industry. The accreditation supports Equinox RTC’s goals of continuously seeking to improve programming, and places an integral focus on improving outcomes for students and families. Additionally, the CARF accreditation gives confidence to families who are comparing various treatment options for their teen.
According to Executive Director and Founding Partner of Equinox RTC Kyle Gillett, PhD, LMFT, “At Equinox RTC, we seek to provide the most cutting-edge, evidence-based trauma-informed treatment in the field of adolescent residential treatment. This accreditation holds us accountable to high standards in maintaining the integrity of the program.”
Equinox RTC is dedicated to providing quality programming in all areas including clinical, adventure and residential life. The program’s location just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, is a perfect setting for outdoor adventures including mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking - which are just some of the exciting recreational activities that Equinox RTC staff and students are able to experience as part of life at the program. The program features a licensed Adventure Therapist that plans and leads weekly outings to challenge and reinforce the work that students are doing throughout the week. As evident by the CARF standards that were met, Equinox RTC is committed to creating a quality well-rounded experience that results in lasting change.
“My favorite part about our program is seeing families support one another in overcoming past pain and trauma — becoming more unified with one another — not just loving one another but liking to be with one another once again,” says Dr. Gillett. “The best thing I could hear from a parent is 'you’ve given me my son back...' ”
Learn more about Equinox RTC’s accredited programming by visiting https://www.equinoxrtc.com/equinox-difference or by calling 877-279-8925.
About Equinox RTC
Equinox RTC is a leading residential treatment center for adolescents ages 14-18. Equinox is unique in its focus on Trauma, Loss and Attachment, providing clinically intensive treatment for young adults 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 child approach including adventure therapy, integrated Cross-Fit 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.
This month, David Stark, MS, a Windhorse Certified Peer Specialist will present at the 17th Annual International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis (ISPS) conference in Philadelphia. The panel “Peers as Peer Supporters / Peers as Professionals: Recovery as Liberation,” will analyze the invaluable intersection of the professional process and the personal experience of peer support work. David’s portion of the panel discussion, “The Will to Recover: A Peer Professional’s View,” examines the way in which individuals can sustain lifelong recovery by being active participants in their own recoveries.
David has been an integral part of the Windhorse community for decades. A graduate of Princeton University, he was an early client of Windhorse and later joined the Board of Directors in 1997. In 1999, David became a Peer Support Specialist and has remained in that role ever since. In addition to his Peer Support work, he now serves as Windhorse Peer Educator.
To learn more about the International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis or to rent videos of David’s presentation, please visit www.isps-us.org
Questions about Windhorse Integrative Mental Health? Please email Admissions@WindhorseIMH.org.
About Windhorse
Windhorse Integrative Mental Health, an alternative nonprofit offers semi-residential care to adults living with psychiatric challenges (schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, anxiety and complex trauma). Clients live with dignity in the larger community supported by a multidisciplinary team often including a therapeutic housemate. Services are individually tailored and represent a wide range of intensity and structure. Windhorse operates in three locations: Northampton, MA, Portland, OR and San Luis Obispo, CA.
New Focus Academy is a residential treatment center working with adolescent boys ages 12-18 with autism spectrum and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This therapeutic residential program gives adolescent boys struggling with developmental delays a chance to gain the necessary skills to live independently. Through evidence-based methods, immersive experiential activities, and a longer length of stay, students have the time to grow emotionally and socially while learning and applying valuable life skills.
Programming at New Focus Academy will help students by:
- Education and Experiential Learning: New Focus Academy students’ unique learning abilities are addressed through individualized education programs. As students work towards graduation, they also learn valuable life and vocational skills preparing them for employment and greater independence.
- Individualized Therapy and Coaching: Treatment at New Focus addresses each student’s specific needs through goals, objectives, and positive feedback. The coaching team provides support and guidance throughout the therapeutic process.
- Social Skills and Development Groups: Students at New Focus attend daily groups focused on developing appropriate social skills. These skills are then practiced through experiential activities in the community and with peers.
- Physical Health and Recreation: Students will participate in daily fitness and outdoor recreation activities to promote well-being.
- Learning Life Skills: New Focus students learn important life skills, such as being actively involved in meals. They will learn budgeting, planning, preparing, and clean-up, which empowers them to take an active role in nutritional choices.
Executive Director and Co-Founder of New Focus Academy Brandon Park, PhD states,“Together with my partner, John Webb, we have created a program about helping young people with the neurodiverse minds to understand who they are and the greatness they have inside while striving towards greater levels of independence.”
For more information about New Focus Academy, please call 844-313-6749 or visit https://newfocusacademy.com/.
About New Focus Academy
New Focus Academy is a therapeutic residential treatment program for adolescent boys ages 12-18 with neurodevelopmental disorders. Located in Heber City, Utah, just outside of Salt Lake City, New Focus Academy prepares struggling teen boys for a purpose-filled, independent life. New Focus Academy creates an environment of success using a positive reinforcement approach and empowering students to take small steps leading to big changes and overall wellness.
West Ridge Academy’s Latency Home named Sequoia is now open,
West Ridge Academy has served families for over fifty years as a non-profit treatment program. Our boys and girls attend an accredited school, take part in various sports and fitness training, art and music and engage in recreational therapy. Every student receives individual, group and family therapy from a Licensed Mental Health Professional.
The new co-ed latency home was designed for students ages 9 to 14 from 4th-8th grade. West Ridge Academy has always served a younger population, but has recently developed and identified a specific program for latency-aged students. The structure of the new home will be based on day-to-day trust stage advancement, short-term positive reinforcement, interactive living, life skills and individual development of self-sustaining coping skills. Physical activity will be emphasized through offering Jr. Jazz rec sports such as soccer, basketball, and track. Our younger students will have multiple process groups a week, one recreational therapy group, one art and music class led by our licensed Music and Arts Therapist, an individual therapy session and a family session each week. Academics will follow SPARK curriculum, and be separated into elementary and Jr. High classes.
The current latency population at West Ridge Academy has transitioned into the new home and is actively participating in the new program. All programing updates will be solidified by December 2018. West Ridge Academy is excited to offer a specific program to help younger students to be successful. Feel free to call 801-282-1000 with any questions.
About West Ridge Academy
West Ridge Academy… where our 50 year mission has been to offer hope and healing in an environment that encompasses Humility – Accountability – Service – and Love. Feel free to give us a call or email us if you have any questions.
EDGE Learning and Wellness Collegiate Community is thrilled to welcome its latest team member, Candace McGee, MA. Candace has joined the program as an EDGE Therapeutic Life Coach.
Candace earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Purdue University in 2009. She continued her academic career at Adler University Chicago, earning her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2013. Candace has since gained diverse experience in the counseling world providing experiential, trauma-informed therapy to individuals, couples and families. Through her work, Candace has become skilled at attuning and upholding relational integrity as a part of the growth process.
“I love the role of being the hope holder,” said Candace. “The adventure of learning what someone wants and exploring the paths to get there motivates me every day.”
Candace makes it a priority to build a strong relationship with all EDGE students as she begins coaching them. After trust is established, she provides guidance and collaborates with students to develop, discuss and maintain goals.
One of Candace’s own goals as she works with students at EDGE can be summed up with the “GRIT” acronym. “I hope to see these young adults emerge from the program even more grateful, resourceful, intentional and tenacious than when they started,” said Candace. “I want them to meet their personal growth goals in all areas of life.”
As an EDGE Life Coach, Candace lives with the program’s student community. This allows her to set the tone for a healthy environment where individuals can learn and thrive on a social level. Candace maintains this milieu with other EDGE Life Coaches by facilitating group check-ins, weekly community meetings and twice-monthly group outings.
In her free time, Candace loves traveling, taking photographs, decorating her friend’s spaces and spending quality time with loved ones.
About EDGE Learning and Wellness Collegiate Community
EDGE Learning and Wellness Collegiate Community is an accredited transitional living program located in Chicago, IL. EDGE offers therapeutically supported residential and non-residential options for post-treatment young adults. The participants, ages 18 -24, are striving to excel academically, while creating a life of balance, joy and wellness.