All Kinds of News for February 10, 2021

Boulder Creek Academy, a therapeutic boarding school that serves students 13 through 18, weaves coeducational, fully accredited academics into a relationship-based therapy program and welcomes struggling students. Career & Technology Education (CTE) instructor Warren Hartz, Ed.D. shared some exciting news about the new year opportunities for BCA students: “ As always BCA is looking to increase growth with student opportunities. The focus of the Career and Technology program is to provide students with hands-on experiences.”

Projects on the horizon involve classes such as the Woods I class.  Hands on experiences will include making and creating clocks, benches, picture frames and wooden toys.  All of these opportunities give machine skill, routing and wood working technique practice. The Home Repair class will be focusing on the wiring process, with an emphasis on lamps.

The generosity of the North Idaho community for supporting this program has been impressive.  The donations of tools and materials has exceeded expectation.  The CTE program has received another community donation - a 2 cylinder tractor that the students will be able to work with. “The donor was excited to give the students the chance to use their newfound skillset.”  The goal of rebuilding the engine, working on basic engine repair, and other projects makes these classes something the students look forward to being involved with.

The students have been impacted by this generosity, and in turn are looking to take advantage of this and learn as much as they can.  Warren states, “We look forward to involving our students in the evolving CTE curriculum, and creating opportunities for real world examples of how to use the skills they have learned and apply them in a realistic setting.”

About Boulder Creek Academy

At Boulder Creek Academy, students rediscover their academic and social confidence. The key to our success is that we reignite our students’ belief in themselves by utilizing time-tested and proven methods. Students begin to experience academic achievement, regain self-esteem, learn to embrace their uniqueness and become capable learners who are confident in themselves. Each day at Boulder Creek Academy is purposefully designed to maximize experiences that allow students to practice social skills, improve self-worth and develop healthy identity, benefit from therapeutic learning and to have fun.

Boulder Creek Academy has been creating a therapeutic learning environment for high school students ages 14-18 with anxiety, depression, untapped academic potential, interpersonal relationship difficulties, limited executive function skills and overlooked strengths and talents for more than 25 years. 

Redlands, CA - Benchmark Transitions, the longest running young adult specific treatment program, announces a strategic shift to gender specific treatment exclusively for young adult men, effective January 2021. According to Jayne Longnecker-Harper, M.Ed., founding owner and CEO, "Since our inception in September of 1993, we have monitored the climate of mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders among young adults to best meet their clinical, behavioral, emotional and educatonal needs. Now, nearly three decades later, we continue to see that young adult men are struggling with these concerns more than ever. Acknowleding this," she concludes, "we are devoting our resources to exclusively young adult men's treatment, beginning this year."

Nicholaus Bond, LMFT, is Benchmark's Clinical Director, heading up all clinical treament program services. "All-male treatment and group therapy has been proven to be highly effective," summarizes Bond. "Young adult men tend to behave differently when around women. A single gender treatment program allows them to focus on their recovery, without social pressure or other distractions."

To learn more about Benchmark's shift in men's programming, please feel free to reach out to Shelley Skaggs, Chief Marketing and Admissions Officer, at admissions@benchmarkyas.com or by phone at 800-474-4848 x1.

About Us

Benchmark Transitions is a comprehensive, multi-discliplinary approach to residential treatment and supportive transitional living for young adult men. Benchmark provides and evidence based and compassionate approach to treating mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders, community-based supportive transitional living, education and career development and life skills for long term independent living.

Beacon Transitions has been helping young adults on the Autism Spectrum strive to meet incremental goals of independence for almost a decade. At the core of their programming is an emphasis on supporting the pursuit of higher education goals for clients who often struggle to process and assimilate information in conventional settings. Beacon has historically supported their clients in their pursuit of college credits by acquiring special accommodations, which allow their students to receive the support of Beacon Staff, in and outside the classroom. The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly shifted the landscape of higher education for students with learning disabilities, and Beacon has responded by tailoring their services even further to support their clients needs.

Through working with Blue Ridge Community College and ramping up covid testing and safety precautions, Beacon has enabled their clients to continue taking classes, as well as providing ongoing tutoring and one-on-one coaching. 

Beacon Transitions has outfitted their administrative offices and classrooms to accommodate a safe and separate learning environment, where their clients can continue to attend college courses virtually, and receive the support they need to be successful. This includes special accommodations for students with learning disabilities, a 1:1 tutor to student ratio, and advances in technology and supplies related to students coursework. For clients pursuing a degree that requires in-person classes, Beacon has taken extra precautions for Covid-testing, and secured permission for staff to remain on campus to support clients through the school day. 

With over eight years of serving Young Adult men on the Autism Spectrum, Beacon Transitions, located south of Asheville, NC brings a novel, collaborative approach to helping their Clients achieve targeted milestones of achievement. Using a community method, Beacon, with their licensed staff and coalition of Mental Health Treatment Providers, Local Business Leaders, and Educational/Vocational professionals understand and support their clients in a way they often haven’t experienced their entire lives.  

Lake Tahoe Preparatory School is proud to announce that they have had no  positive cases of COVID19 to date. Upon returning from the winter break, all members of their community took a COVID test, and everyone continues to require masks, social distance, and pass daily temperature checks. Classrooms are cleaned between classes, and common areas often during the day.
 
While Lake Tahoe Preparatory understands that the likelihood of a positive case is probably ‘when, and not if’, they are hopeful the occurrence of this virus will remain distanced as vaccines are distributed and warmer weather is on the horizon.
 
Given the difficulty students are having world-wide with attending classes, Lake Tahoe Preparatory is offering a substantial tuition break for the spring and summer semesters. For more information or specifics, please contact Bill Grant, Head of School, at bill.grant@laketahoeprep.com or 334-367-8807.
 
 

Lake Tahoe Preparatory School, located in the beautiful Lake Tahoe area of California, provides a co-ed college preparatory education to students in grades 9-12. A rigorous curriculum, learning center, and numerous physical/experiential activities and sports provides the opportunity for students to maintain their academic, social, and emotional growth.  LTPS is  SEVIS approved, accredited by NIPSA, COGNIA, Middle States Association and is an affiliate member of NATSAP. LTPS graduates maintain 100% college acceptance rate.

Mark Adamski Coaching has expanded its professional horizons by teaming up with the company Madefor, a monthly membership habit-changing kit with services. The goal of the Madefor program (https://getmadefor.com/) is to help individuals reach their full potential in life and achieve personal growth with a habit-forming program all backed by the latest science. As an affiliate of Madefor, Adamski Coaching works alongside the company’s healthcare professionals to give one-on-one remote coaching support to Madefor members as an additional offering for Adamski coaching packages.

The program is a ten-month commitment and within that time Mark assists his students every step of the way using his own coaching techniques, along with the Madefor method. The program applies principles of modern neuroscience, psychology, and physiology to influence and educate people on what it is to live a healthy lifestyle and form new positive habits. It is important to note that this program is not a substitution for mental illness treatment, but an aide to his coaching and mentorship services to help students with self-care and accountability. It requires physical and mental effort, challenging the mind and body.

While members come from all different backgrounds, 90% report feeling a positive impact It's never too late to start new healthy habits. Each person receives a monthly kit that contains a unique challenge. Learn how much hydration the body needs and the habit bracelet will remind individuals of daily goals to keep them on track. With the challenges of telemedicine, addressing behavioral health through remote platforms has some challenges that this product helps tackle. No one is left behind in this program and if done right, in fact, it will expedite an individual's treatment plan and gets them on track to understanding how great life can be.

Although Mark mostly works with teens and young adults, there are no age requirements. Parallel to his career and affiliations with programs like Madefor, Mark continues to excel and get proven results with his students. He continues to ask, what are you made for? With hard work and dedication, you can work with Mark to unleash a confident self to reach your full potential.

Students interested in mentorship or coaching services with Mark will get an exclusive offer on this product and have the option of partaking in the challenge with other group members, family, or friends. A great component to help parents and children win together, this program allows unique experiences of opportunity for everyone to be on the same playing field - cheering one another through triumphs and supporting others through a challenges.

For those interested in learning more about Madefor, visit and reach out to find out about an exclusive offer of 20% off. Or visit a private Facebook Community of nature lovers from around the world experiencing the therapeutic value of the outdoors. In Mark Adamski's private community, people take the “Wilderness Challenge” - 30-minutes for 30-days challenge to help members establish a mind-body connection to well-being and the outdoors.

About Mark Adamski Coaching

Mark Adamski Coaching emerged within the Wilderness/Adventure Therapy field to provide affordable remote, outpatient coaching and “wraparound” services. Tailored specifically to students and families who want adventure therapy options without being tied to 90-day residential treatment commitments, Adamski Coaching’s mission provides reasonable alternatives without compromising quality. Innovating to develop, evolve and transform Wilderness Therapy principles to the remote platform, Mark Adamski Coaching yearns to combat the rise of mental health issues in today’s digital obsession. Working with site-approved 3rd Party Providers, Mark Adamski Coaching ensures safe and insured adventure programming for all clients and participants. Adamski Coaching works 1:1 or with treatment teams, transition programs, residential treatment programs, or therapeutic boarding schools. For more information, please call 413-240-5067 or email Info@MarkAdamskiCoaching.com.

The Glenholme School, located in Washington, CT, has been a therapeutic boarding school for more than 50+ years on a beautiful, 100-acre horse farm campus.  The success and quality of services are only as strong as the people who perform them.  The workforce actualizes the organization’s values and commitment to unlock the potential of their students.  Director of People Operations and Career Development Coach Jackie Ross says, “I am proud of how our administrative team has taken a serious look at the needs of our workforce and has prioritized providing competitive salaries, career advancement, and development as our primary focus.  We know that today’s workforce is clear about what is important to them and what they are seeking in their daily work experiences.”       

Pew Research Center reports that according to the U.S Census Bureau data, more than one-in-three American labor force participants (35%) are millennials, the largest generation in the US labor force.  In addition, the 2019 Deloitte Millennial Survey indicated only 28% of respondents said they would remain with their employer for at least five years. The top reasons cited to leave their current job unsurprisingly include unhappiness with compensation, lack of career advancement, and lack of professional development opportunities, among others. 

So how does the Glenholme School create a working culture that makes them stand out and helps them hire and retain the best workforce in the field?  Additionally, college graduates are steering away from fields such as education and human services and are heading into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) roles, leaving fewer quality applicants.  So the Glenholme School has developed a strategic focus and commitment to being the employer of choice by creating and striving toward a high development culture for its workforce. 

This high development culture has several ingredients:

• They have leaders who initiate employee engagement and development.  The Glenholme School has instituted a career development series of workshop sessions that help employees know themselves and identify what they bring to the table, know their bosses and learn “managing up” skills. Employees craft a personal and professional development plan that is meaningful to them.  Managers then work with each employee to help integrate their professional skill development areas into their daily work.      
• They develop managers and supervisors on new ways of managing – from ”boss” to “coach”.  Managers at the Glenholme School engage their employees in coaching and development conversations to help employees be more reflective, self-aware and ensure their career priorities are center stage. 
• They practice company-wide communication.  The Glenholme School is probably guilty of “over-communicating”.  They know that having an informed workforce increases a culture of transparency and trust.  Honest, direct, and frank communication is encouraged throughout all levels of the organization.     
• And probably most important, high development cultures hold managers accountable.  The Glenholme School understands the impact that managers have on employees' daily work-life experience.  The managers are the culture bearers, and they work hard to ensure that their leadership is exemplifying and modeling the exact behaviors that are expected of the team.  They expect managers to do what they say and expect of others.

In a complicated and complex time in our history, the Glenholme School knows that their commitment and focus on realizing and bringing about a high development workforce culture is their top priority.  Their steadfast dedication to investing in the people that deliver services will only benefit the students and families that they serve.  Their workforce’s daily satisfaction and fulfillment is the catalyst to making the school an optimal learning environment.

 About The Glenholme School

The Glenholme School is an independent, co-educational special needs boarding school in Washington, Connecticut for children, ages ten to twenty-one in middle school, high school, postgraduate, and transitional living for college and career development. The positive atmosphere provides guidance for students with special needs to achieve competent social and academic levels. Our comprehensive learning environment supports the success of fragile complex students with High Functioning Autism, ADHD, OCD, Tourette’s, depression, anxiety, and various learning differences.

Shortridge Academy is excited to announce Meg Paul, LCSW as its new Clinical Director. Meg comes to Shortridge having been a primary wilderness therapist, an adolescent and family therapist both in community mental health and private practices,  and having held several leadership positions throughout her career. Meg was a Camp Program Director before obtaining her dual Masters in Social Work and Adventure Therapy from the University of New Hampshire. “I am excited to bring my experience and passion to the Shortridge community to help grow and foster the great work that is already being done” - Meg Paul, LCSW Clinical Director

“I am thrilled to have Meg join the Shortridge leadership team and community. Having had the privilege of knowing Meg since she started in the field as a wilderness therapy guide, I have great confidence that Meg’s skill set and expertise is ideally suited for the role, school philosophy, and our organizational goals for continuous improvement and growth.” - Mik Oyler, M.Ed. Head of School & COO

As many are aware, Christina Smalley is shifting responsibilities from Clinical Director to Clinical Specialist. Shortridge is fortunate to have Christina continue to contribute her expertise in her new role, working closely with Meg, the Admissions team, and new families transitioning to the school. Meg can be reached at mpaul@shortridgeacademy.com, (866) 828-9243, or through the new website ShortridgeAcademy.com

Shortridge Academy is the most normalized and progressive therapeutic boarding school in the country. Its strength-based, authoritative approach supports well those students struggling with anxiety, depression, family dysfunction, and learning disabilities. Shortridge prepares students to return to traditional academic settings by practicing skills through access to technology, frequent home visits, off-campus trips, and work-study opportunities.

About Shortridge Academy

Shortridge Academy is a private co-ed Therapeutic Boarding School, founded in 2002, emphasizing challenging yet supportive college prep academics within a therapeutic community. Located in southeastern New Hampshire with close proximity to both the seacoast and the mountains, Shortridge’s setting and Positive Youth Development model provides students with an ideal environment to further develop their sense of self and strengthen family relationships in an intellectually stimulating learning environment reflective of a traditional boarding school.

The Goodale School and Recovery Community is pleased to announce that Stacy Barnard will serve as the school’s Director of Admissions and Marketing. In her role, Barnard will be a trusted partner for families and referral sources seeking to connect boys ages 14 to 17 to the substance use disorder and recovery services they need.

The Goodale School is a therapeutic residential boarding school for boys located in Asheville, North Carolina. The program combines comprehensive clinical support with an accredited academic program, family support and a variety of health, wellness and recreational activities to create an individualized recovery experience.

“We are delighted to have Stacy join our team of professionals at The Goodale School,” said Sally Burleson, M.S., LCAS, CCS, Executive Director. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding about therapeutic programs and a true passion for helping our students and families as they seek support.”

Barnard arrives at The Goodale School with eight years of experience in leadership roles at therapeutic programs in western North Carolina. She began her career as a direct care staff member at a residential treatment center for adolescent girls and went on to hold administrative and management positions, ultimately finding her calling in admissions. She served as the admissions director for a wilderness program and a young-adult transition program, both in the Asheville area.

“I am thrilled to be part of the team at The Goodale School," said Barnard. "Beyond my personal pull to support families working through the grips of addiction, there is also a palpable energy to this team that I cannot wait for others to experience. It’s an incredible feeling to know that you can offer a sense of hope to families who have been in the dark for so long.”

Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Barnard earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. After traveling and working in New York City, she returned to North Carolina in 2012, drawn back by the beauty of the mountains of western North Carolina, which she regularly explores with her husband and three dogs.

For more information about The Goodale School, please contact Stacy at stacy.barnard@goodaleschool.org or (919) 451-7450.

The Goodale School, located in Asheville, North Carolina, is a therapeutic residential boarding school for boys ages 14 to 17 with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. The program empowers adolescent boys and their families to embrace recovery and gain the life skills needed to achieve their dreams. For more information visit, www.GoodaleSchool.org or call (828) 220-0040. The Goodale School is affiliated with Monarch, a leading statewide provider of services to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance use disorders in North Carolina. The organization is nationally accredited by The Joint Commission. To learn more about Monarch, please visit www.MonarchNC.org

New Roads Behavioral Health is extremely proud to announce that the CEO and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Team Leader, Eric Schmidt, MSW, LCSW, MBA has received his DBT Clinician Certification from the Linehan Board of Certification.  He is the fifth individual in Utah, is one of only 500 in the U.S., and is among one of less than 2000 in the world to earn this distinction.
 
Linehan Board DBT Clinician Certification is awarded to those who have demonstrated extensive knowledge of DBT, to those who have proven ability to deliver the treatment with adherent fidelity to the evidence-based model, and to those who have established through mindfulness practice.
 
This was no small feat for Eric, requiring intensive study and practice. To attain certification, Eric passed a comprehensive exam measuring knowledge of the essential components, principles, and treatment methods of DBT.  Many candidates do not initially pass this exam, which Eric did, because of the breadth of material it covers and the intensity of studying required to pass. Eric confirmed his ability to deliver adherent DBT treatment by submitting three consecutive videos of actual client sessions, which are then submitted for evaluation of strict fidelity. To achieve this, Eric for years submitted videos to DBT experts for coding and coaching. Finally, Eric participated in a multi-day mindfulness retreat, which he intends to do again when the pandemic is behind us.
 
Although Eric has been actively learning and applying DBT since the 1990s, he decided to pursue certification, which is relatively new, for several reasons.  Eric has become a nationally recognized and highly requested DBT trainer.  This certification further bolsters the recognition of his knowledge for those who request his workshops.  He also felt this would offer unique credibility to the DBT programming at New Roads. Finally, certification fulfills a personal challenge to himself.

About New Roads Behaviorial Health Care

New Roads Behavioral Health's family of treatment programs are based upon a holistic, community-focused treatment approach, with a foundation in research and results. New Roads has residential treatment, transitional living, and outpatient options for their clients. There are three distinct and completely separate programs within the residential and transitional living focus: Pathways to Healing (PATH), Women’s Road to Healing (WoRTH), and New Roads to Healing (NoRTH). PaTH is a dual-diagnosis treatment program for young men between the ages of 18-28 struggling with substance abuse and mental health concerns. WoRTH is a program designed specifically for young women that focuses on both substance abuse and mental health disorders (including borderline personality disorder) with a strong emphasis on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). NoRTH is designed to assist clients with severe mental health disorders in achieving independence by teaching them how to successfully live a life with their diagnoses.

TechieForLife (TFL) was invited by Dixie State University (DSU) Student Government to collaborate with their January social event in St. George, UT. TFL's tech coach, a student and a mentor teamed up to provide software programming, a DJ and emcee-ing for an impressive night of Music Bingo and big giveaways streamed on the Zoom virtual platform.

With Covid-19 concerns and precautions, DSU’s student government has been coming up with creative ways to engage students and increase social involvement. DSU’s Social Events Director and TFL Mentor Devon Rice saw an opportunity to put on a unique event and get TechieForLife students more involved. “Mike DJ’d for the gig and killed it! He was totally in his element! It was exactly what we were expecting. What a fun event!” said Devon.

Instead of playing bingo with number-letter combinations (e.g., “B-2”) they used song titles with a randomized playlist provided by TFL student DJ Mikey Fresh in the background. TFL’s Tech Coach Dylan Mathews programmed a unique and original program to provide virtual bingo cards. They streamed the event through Zoom to all the DSU students with giveaway prizes like TV’s, Air Fryers, and speakers.

To learn more about TechieForLife and its specialized mentoring program for neurodiverse young adults, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, please visit techieforlife.com.

About TechieForLife

TechieForLife (TFL) is a co-ed, residential, postsecondary school with a wrap-around career support program in beautiful St. George, Utah. Students with neurodiverse social, emotional, and academic challenges such as autism receive mentoring at TFL so they can build social connections, confidence and independence. Licensed as a vocational school, TFL offers in-house computer tech training, college or trade school help, apprenticeships, internships and job support for individualized paths forward. At TFL, students have a place to belong and support to succeed. 

‘Autism & Neurodiversity’ podcast- Join Jason Grygla, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Director of TechieForLife, and his wife, Debbie Grygla, Certified Life Coach, every Friday for relevant insights, discussions with leading experts, and supportive tools.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — CooperRiis Healing Community is pleased to announce that Laurie Rovin has joined their team as Chief Development Officer.  Laurie previously led two different organizations, A Child’s Haven and Pendleton Place as their CEO. Prior to that, Laurie spent ten years with United Way of Greenville, her last position there as Director of Community Affairs. Prior to these roles Laurie served many clients and programs as a licensed clinical social worker.

Laurie credits past experience for her connection to the mental health field, “Personally, I have lived with family members who have struggled with mental health challenges; this is where my passion to support those who suffer with mental illness started. I have experienced the negative impact it can have on a family, and I want to do everything in my power to help others from experiencing the same.”

Laurie plans to work into her role by developing the department as she raises funds. Laurie is most looking forward to connecting with alumni, alumni families, and even past employees to launch an Ambassador Program at CooperRiis. Laurie says, “I want to hear your story! I want to know how CooperRiis has touched your life and what is most special to you about their Healing Community.” Laurie’s goal is to connect and engage with people she names as “influencers” - anyone who has a passion to support those who suffer from mental health illness and who believe that recovery is possible.

About CooperRiis Healing Community

Founded by Donald R. Cooper and Lisbeth Riis Cooper, CooperRiis is a non-profit, CARF accredited residential healing community in Western North Carolina, with a rural campus on a 94-acre farm and an urban campus in the heart of Asheville. Since 2003, CooperRiis has been helping adults living with mental health challenges, including anxiety, major depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and co-occurring condition related to addiction, achieve their highest levels of functioning and fulfillment. CooperRiis offers a full continuum of care (four levels) through a personalized recovery approach that combines clinical therapies, community work & service, education, and integrative wellness practices.

Visit http://www.cooperriis.org or call 828.894.7140 for more about CooperRiis Healing Community and its approach to mental health treatment. To reach Laurie directly to share your CooperRiis story, email her at Laurie.Rovin@CooperRiis.org.

The ViewPoint Center knows when it comes to depression in adolescents, it can be hard for parents to identify symptoms, as they tend to not mirror classic depression symptoms found in adults.  As a parent, this can be frustrating, especially when trying to get the best help for their child.  “There are a lot of options and parents need to know it is treatable” says Jennifer Young, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at The ViewPoint Center. Families have usually utilized hospitalizations, PHP’s, IOP, etc., trying to get much needed answers, prior to enrolling in a program such as The ViewPoint Center.

The ViewPoint Center, a licensed specialty psychiatric hospital, created a series of Whiteboard Wisdom videos, where the Assessment Director and team address the many questions parents are facing. Dr. Rigby notes becoming in-tune with your teen may seem difficult, but it is possible.  The best places to begin assessing for adolescent depression are in the following areas:

• Socially: teens may continue to associate with close friends or may change peer groups.
• Sleep: teens may still find time to sleep, it might be during odd hours.
• Emotions: feelings of depression can come out as irritability/anger and sensitivity.
• Physical Health: aches/pains, headaches, stomach problems, “I just don’t feel well”.

The Whiteboard Wisdom series was created to help educate parents navigating complex situations. Watch the latest Whiteboard Wisdom - Adolescent Depression where Assessment Director Dr. Jordan Rigby and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Jennifer Young discuss Adolescent Depression, symptoms to watch for, and the best treatment options available.

Located near Salt Lake City, Utah, ViewPoint Center is a comprehensive therapeutic assessment facility licensed as a specialty psychiatric hospital for adolescents of all genders ages 12-18. ViewPoint Center works with adolescents who struggle with depression and other mental health issues. ViewPoint Center provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation involving psychiatry, clinical, medical, academic, neuropsychological and social milieu functioning in a safe environment with 24-hour nursing.  At the end of the therapeutic assessment, each family receives a multidisciplinary report which summarizes treatment while also providing a comprehensive diagnostic picture of the child along with clearly defined recommendations for subsequent treatment. 

For more information about ViewPoint Center, please call 855-290-9682 or visit our website 

Sunrise was very busy at the 2021 annual National Association for Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) virtual conference. In addition to presenting, Sunrise representatives hosted a sponsored event, moderated sessions, and roundtables, and volunteered on the NATSAP conference committee. 

Senior Residential Director Amanda McNatt and Transition Coordinator Alexana Stavros presented "Reframing Attitudes Towards Transition: Relapse as a Point of Change". Amanda and Alexana discussed inevitable relapse as an integral part of the healing process. The presentation highlighted applications of dialectical thinking, positive psychology, and attachment theory that lead towards practical and manageable transition. 

Sunrise Residential Treatment Center also sponsored a conference event that allowed participants to engage with one another in small virtual groups. It was called "Blast from the Past: A high school-themed mix and mingle". The evening was spent laughing and sharing memories from high school experiences.

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.

SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training announces two upcoming conferences with founder Dianne Kosto, SCN. Dianne will be presenting “You Don’t Need to be a Neuro-Guru to do Neurofeedback” with co-presenter Angie Shockley, founder, and CEO of Q&A Associates. Q&A oversees multiple therapeutic residential living programs for empowering struggling young adults, along with utilizing SYMMETRY Neuro-PT in the program curriculum. Dianne and Angie will discuss this innovative technology and the results are seen after implementing Neuro-PT to the residential program structure.

• The Association of Children’s Residential Centers (ACRC) event will be held virtually on February 24, 2021 - Register for ACRC conference. 
• The Regional Wilderness Therapy Symposium conference will be held at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina from April 7th to 9th, 2021 - Register for The Regional Symposium. 

SYMMETRY Neuro-PT welcomes Livestrong House in Layton, Utah for becoming the newest member offering qEEG brain mapping and neurofeedback training to their facility. Livestrong House aims to provide young men who may struggle with information processing issues, substance abuse, PTSD, ADHD, depression, and anxiety with the highest, long-lasting care. 

About SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training

Who We Are: SYMMETRY Neuro-PT, founded by a Mom on a Mission, makes neurofeedback accessible and easy. Symmetry is a growing company, having team members located in various states across the USA, seeking to further our mission while developing a company culture of integrity, mission-driven focus, service for others, and excellence in all that we do. 

What We Do: SYMMETRY Neuro-PT offers the industry’s most user-friendly neurofeedback services and systems for Individuals, Professionals, and Facilities. We offer affordable @Home services for individuals to train their brain in the convenience of their homes with remote supervision,  and free neurofeedback systems and support for schools and programs to provide qEEG based neurofeedback on-site for their clients. 

Our Mission:  SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training’s mission is to reach individuals and families to help better regulate their brains with neurofeedback technology, reduce anxiety, bring more peace, and keep families intact. We are accomplishing this through making neurofeedback systems, services, and training more readily available to schools, facilities, professionals, and individuals, with the most user-friendly software, and stellar training and support. We strive for excellence in every aspect of our service in this mission. 

For more information about SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training, and the different partnership opportunities, contact Dianne Kosto, SCN, CEO & Founder, to schedule an appointment, https://go.oncehub.com/DianneKosto .  Follow them on LinkedIn or Facebook or visit their website, https://symmetryneuropt.com/.

Dan Schmader is the Programming Director at Foundation House, an extended care recovery program for young men, ages 17-35, located in Portland, Maine. He has been a member of the Foundation House team for over 4 years. In his role, Dan puts together a comprehensive experiential program for residents, ranging from athletics and adventure to holistic practices and the arts. Through his clinical training as a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor and experience as an alumnus of the program, Dan utilizes a broad skillset to elevate the Foxhole. 

What was the highlight of your stay as a resident?

I learned what it meant to be vulnerable with other men and what it meant to be a part of a community. I had been on sports teams my entire life, but none that operated on a core belief of empathy and openness.  No team, before this one, championed vulnerability. It is a family, albeit a strange one, where I was able to reconnect to the person I was before addiction and mental illness.  

What inspired you to stay and pursue a therapeutic role?

As a resident, as you progress in the program, you begin to feel the joy and gratitude that comes with helping the newest guy. When my stay came to a close, I wasn’t ready to give that feeling up. It is deeply rewarding to be out on the trail or in the music studio with residents, watching them find themselves, connect with one another and enjoy sobriety.

What are you most proud of in your time at the Foxhole?

The expansion of our program to include the Foxhole Ranch in Bethel, Maine, and the creation of the curriculum to follow has been the greatest accomplishment in my time here. Having a refuge at the edge of the White Mountains and minutes away from Sunday River Ski Resort gives our residents a unique ability to connect to nature and takes experiential therapy to the next level. Using this space for bi-weekly trips with our residents has significantly enhanced the experience.

What are your plans for the future at FH?

I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work to assist in providing the traditional therapies that are essential to our residents. We have top clinicians here who are trained and experienced in working with a wide range of mental health struggles and co-occurring disorders. My intrinsic desire to help others, coupled with the passion of my colleagues, has made me want to expand my role with the clinical team.  

What does the ‘Foxhole’ mean to you?

The Foxhole isn’t just a slogan or tag line that we use to market the program. It is the belief that all of the people associated with Foundation House - residents, staff, alumni, and families of clients - are in this battle against addiction, mental illness, and isolation together. It is a term that empowers the vulnerability, adventure, hope, and friendship that recovery brings to our program. I can’t imagine being where I am now without the Foxhole.  

About Foundation House:

Since its inception in 2002, Foundation House has been a pioneer in the fields of substance abuse and mental health treatment. A program dedicated to the long-term success of its residents, Foundation House consistently offers progressive clinical care in place of tired treatment methods, favoring an approach that empowers its residents and removes the impediments of institutionalization. Throughout the Foundation House program, residents are offered a dynamic selection of therapies and activities, including outdoor adventure, intramural sports leagues, educational tutoring, service missions, money management, acupuncture, surfing, reiki, yoga, cooking lessons, alumni engagement, painting classes, professional music studio time and international expeditions. For more information regarding Foundation House or the above press release, visit www.foundationhouse.com or call 207-791-2000.

Beacon Transitions and LifeTutors are excited to announce the addition of Greta Lutman LCMHC, LCAS, LPC to their team as a Transitional Family Therapist.
 
After eight years of serving young adult men with learning disabilities, Beacon Transitions has expanded their offerings to include comprehensive support for clients emerging from the therapeutic milieu and re-integrating into society. Honoring its mission of providing individualized services to residents and families, Beacon has refined the transition process to create lasting outcomes.

Greta will assist the families of clients as they move through the residential setting, and into supported apartment living, providing tailored support to parents as their young adult celebrates incremental milestones of achievement.

On joining the team, Greta had this to say “I am thrilled to be joining the Transitions team in their collaborative effort to provide services to parents of young adults in the final phase of the program. With twenty-nine years of practice as a Licensed Counselor and twenty-one years as a therapist in the wilderness and residential programs throughout the Southeast, one of my passions is counseling parents while their adolescent and young adult loved ones are working through their issues. Parents need support during this process as well, so they can focus on their own growth and development. as Dr. Dan Siegel says, the most helpful thing we can do to support our kids' growth and development is to "make sense of our own lives." That means understanding our stories and relationship patterns and strategizing ways of staying connected to ourselves and our family members while allowing for appropriately increasing independence for our loved ones. I'm grateful for the opportunity to support families in this way.” 

About Beacon Transitions & LIfeTutors

With over eight years of serving Young Adult men on the Autism Spectrum, Beacon Transitions, located south of Asheville, NC brings a novel, collaborative approach to helping their clients achieve targeted milestones of achievement. Using a community method, Beacon, with their licensed staff and coalition of Mental Health Treatment Providers, Local Business Leaders, and Educational/Vocational professionals understand and support their clients and what it takes to create resilient independence

LifeTutors was founded to fill a gap in the necessary continuum of care. Often young adults need scalable, tailored coaching and support after leaving residential treatment. LifeTutors is a clinically guided coaching and mentoring program, supporting young adults who have left residential treatment, and need an additional safety net to keep the momentum going

Legacy Outdoor Adventures is pleased to announce that long-time Legacy therapist Devon Nanton, SUDC, has taken over the role of Director of Summit House. Effective the first of the year, Devon began to oversee Legacy’s built-in transition program. He will still carry a caseload, however much of his energy will go into the clients and staff at Summit House.

Summit House Transitions is an intermediate level of care that helps clients transition from the primary treatment level of care at Legacy Treatment Center to their aftercare placement.  Clients spend the last few weeks of their 90-day stay at Legacy in Summit House. Over the years, the Legacy clinical team has designed a multiple-week program where clients focus on taking ownership and responsibility for their own wellness and recovery and put new skills into action. 

Devon plans to build upon the existing Summit House program. The curriculum centers around each client creating a well-planned and practical daily routine and weekly schedule, as well as a detailed relapse prevention plan. Clients become aware of their warning signs of relapse, or reoccurrence of behaviors, and participate in mapping out high-risk situations, and learn strategies to navigate those situations. While continuing their individual and family therapy, clients will start to incorporate “front country” adventures into their weekly schedule. These activities are a more accurate mirror for what life will look like after Legacy. For example, they might go climbing at an indoor rock gym, skiing at a resort, or even attend a sporting event.

Nanton explains: “Let’s say that our Summit House clients attend a Utah Jazz game with staff. Ultimately, that will end up being a triggering experience for folks who have been in the wilderness for 60-plus days. They will have the opportunity to lean on one another for support, as well as the process in real-time how to handle this situation without relapse — and maybe even have some fun!”

Some new aspects of the Summit House Program that Devon has added into the curriculum are focused on service. Clients in Summit House will now do community service weekly in the greater community. Additionally, every client group will be asked to plan and execute a short “mastery project”, or a project that will give back to the Legacy Treatment Center community or grounds. The most recent group at Summit House rebuilt a bridge on campus.

The leadership team at Legacy Treatment Center is confident that Devon will be a fantastic fit for this new role and responsibility.


About Legacy Outdoor Adventures
Juniper Canyon Recovery Center for Women and brother program Legacy Outdoor Adventures are located in Loa, UT, and made up of two, gender-specific programs. Legacy Outdoor Adventures for Men is an adventure therapy program for young men ages 18 and up. Juniper Canyon Recovery Center for Women is the premier wilderness recovery program for young adult women 18 and up. Both Legacy programs are licensed as Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Programs. Additionally, Legacy programs are licensed by the state of Utah as Residential Treatment Centers. They are Joint Commission Accredited and treat addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, and dual diagnosis clients.

Onward Transitions for emerging adults in Portland, ME is proud to announce and welcome Caitilin Forcier, MSW, as the fourth staff person of the expanded clinical team for the independent living program. Forcier will serve in the new role of Clinical Admissions Coordinator, working with a small caseload of clients (whom Onward refers to as 'members') and assisting co-founders Tracy Bailey and Darrell Fraize, M.Ed, LCPC, LADC with the onboarding process of new members. Forcier previously served Alpine Academy and Utah Youth Village in Erda, UT for close to nine years in a variety of direct care and administrative roles. 

A native New Englander, Forcier recounted the “spark” that led to the burning question of “what if?” with Onward. “When I first met Tracy and Darrell, there was an immediate personal and professional connection” fueled by “shared interests, senses of humor, mutual friends and respect for the work we all do. I am thrilled to join the small, close-knit team of members and professionals in Portland, excited for the opportunity to help emerging adults progress through the next stage in their lives, and can’t wait to be working with families, colleagues and referring professionals in my new role.”

Forcier is both an innovator and collaborator, implementing programming and data collection in the milieu and working with internal teams, families and referral sources while at Alpine. She will work to bolster both the clinical team with Fraize, and the outreach team with Bailey. “We feel really fortunate to have Caitlin back home in New England and joining our team. Her energy, professionalism, and commitment to helping young people better their lives is infectious,” stated Fraize. “Our program will truly benefit from having her unique and diverse skill set, but I think I am most happy for what she brings to our current and future emerging adults. After only a week on the floor with us, they already have a sense of how good they have it with Caitlin.”

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.

The Forge School is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Cassandra Simms, MD to the leadership team.  Dr. Simms is board certified in Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.  She will serve onsite at The Forge School as the Psychiatric Service Director and will oversee and provide psychiatric care to the students on a full-time basis.

Dr. Simms received her medical degree from the University of Kentucky in 1999, completing her Psychiatry Residency and Child/Adolescent Fellowship at the University of South Carolina. During her residency, she served on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Residency Selection Committee, and was chosen to be Chief Resident for the Child & Adolescent Fellowship Program.

Dr. Simms is thrilled to be able to not only work with the young men in the program but also closely with their families. Dr. Simms stated, “I am overjoyed and truly blessed to be a part of The Forge School. I intend for my passion and love for what I do to be a strong contributing factor to the school’s mission and vision.  I’m thankful to have this opportunity to work collaboratively with our affected youth and their families to create acceptance and security within their relationships and help reduce the stigma of mental illness in our society.”

Dr. Simms has served the greater Chattanooga community for the past 17 years in both a clinical and academic capacity. During this time she developed a passion for treating children and adolescents in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Notably, in 2009, Dr. Simms became a faculty member with the University of Tennessee School of Medicine where she served as preceptor for medical students for a portion of their psychiatry rotation. In August 2015, Dr. Simms opened an outpatient private practice in Chattanooga, Tennessee providing psychiatric and therapeutic services to children and adolescents.

Dr. Simms will work closely with Clinical Director Josh Nordean, LPC. “We are so fortunate to be able to work with Dr. Simms. She brings a strength and compassion to her work with the boys that allows them to feel cared for while also challenged and held accountable for their actions. She seeks to find that perfect balance between supporting them through medications but also allowing them to take ownership of their healing. She is truly a great partner to work alongside our other departments and helping to create Maverick Joy with our boys and families.”

About the Forge School

The Forge School is an emboldened residential treatment center and school developed in response to the neurobiological needs of boys and young men. At The Forge School we combine the immersion of extraordinary outdoor experiences, empathetic and attuned individual and family counseling, and exceptional educational rigor to help build greatness beyond an education. The Forge School also aims to reconnect boys to their bodies through meditation, yoga, mindfulness, fitness, and healthy nutrition.

The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, a trauma-focused mental health and substance abuse treatment program for young adult women, ages 18 – 35, is excited to announce the leadership of Isabel “Bella” Rehak to the team. Bella brings nearly 18 years of experience in working with clients, families, and professionals impacted by substance use, trauma, and mental health disorders.

In her career, Bella has worked in all areas related to client care, including Director of Client Care and Facility Chief Executive Officer for a nationally recognized trauma-focused treatment program.  Bella has as an integrative approach to recovery and recognizes the need to address the whole client and their family, focusing on the underlying issues and intergenerational trauma that exacerbate maladaptive coping mechanisms and co-occurring mental health issues.

“Bella is a trusted leader who is dedicated to her clients and team members,” says Jack Kline, MS, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS, CTT-2, MAC, Founder and President. “Her trauma-informed background makes her the perfect fit to lead the team at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®.”

About Red Oak Recovery® programs

Red Oak Recovery® programs are located throughout Western North Carolina and include clinically-driven and gender-separate trauma-focused mental health and substance abuse treatment for young adult men (www.redoakrecovery.com), young adult women (www.thewillowsatredoak.com), and adolescent boys (www.foothillsatredoak.com).  Learn more by reaching out to: 866.457.7590.

Educational and therapeutic consulting firm HarrisKramer & Liston (HK&L) is thrilled to announce the addition of Jill Nowak, LCSW to their practice. HK&L matches students from preschool to college and beyond with the schools and programs that fit their unique needs, partnering with families on the journey from challenge to success. Areas of expertise range from traditional and specialized day and boarding schools to a broad range of therapeutic options including those that specialize in the treatment of mental health and substance abuse.

“I am ecstatic to welcome Jill to the HK&L team! Jill brings her many years of clinical expertise to our existing team of consultants who are inspiring, energetic, and deeply committed to the health and success of our young people and their families,” said Jodi Liston, President of HK&L.

Jill E. Nowak is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 12 years of experience working in treatment settings across varying levels of care and disciplines. Jill began her social work career in New York City, working with immigrant youth, survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and others coping with traumatic circumstances. She developed a zeal for intake at the NYU Child Study Center, which later informed her work near Boston as Director of Admissions & Referral Liaison for the McLean Hospital 3East Intensive Residential DBT Program. 

Jill has spent nearly a decade on multi-disciplinary clinical teams treating adolescents struggling with emotion dysregulation, depression, anxiety, and self-endangering behavior. She has seen the many benefits of strong delivery of evidence-based practices and the right therapeutic relationships.

Jill earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Gettsyburg College and Master of Social Work from New York University.  In addition, she is a practitioner of Katonah Yoga and a 700-hour certified instructor with more than 3 years of public teaching experience. She feels inspired by all tools, skills, and techniques that spark personal contentment and transformation. 

The HK&L collaborative approach empowers every team member to contribute her extensive experience to all HK&L clients. Customized solutions ensure that each family feels heard, seen, and supported and that every child or young adult is matched with the optimal school or program at which he or she can thrive.

About HarrisKramer & Liston (HK&L) 

HarrisKramer & Liston, founded in 2013, is an educational and therapeutic consulting firm based in Westchester, NY, with satellite offices in Manhattan, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Arizona. HK&L specializes in providing possibilities, offering various supports and structures to nourish families with genuine compassion and a commitment to unparalleled client service. In addition to visiting hundreds of schools and partnering with admission directors, therapists, and educators at each one, the firm personally meets with each family, evaluates records, and speaks with others who understand each child’s strengths and struggles. Ultimately the firm recommends and advocates for the “right fit” to help adolescents or young adults reach their unique potential and access their best selves.

For questions about current clients or referrals, contact 914-401-4442, Admin@HarrisKramer.com, or Jodi Liston, President of HK&L, at jodi@harriskramer.com.

Trails Carolina, a leading wilderness therapy program for kids and teens 10-17 years old, is expanding their family programming to include a yoga and meditation class in addition to the weekly mindfulness classes already taking place. These workshops serve to help parents grow and reflect on their therapeutic journey. 

The Yoga and Meditation class will focus on gentle morning movements and setting intentions. The class is intended to be a simple flow that helps families get in tune with their bodies and their emotions.

This new yoga and meditation class will take place on Mondays via Zoom. 

Family programming is a key component of Trails Carolina’s therapeutic process. The long-term success of a child in the program is dependent on the commitment and support of their family. Without a change in the family unit, old habits and behaviors are likely to return after treatment. Our comprehensive family programming ensures that all members of the family are supported throughout the child’s treatment process and prepared for the next steps after wilderness therapy.

“Having the whole family be a part of the therapeutic process is key to making long-lasting changes for a student,” said Julia Andrick, Admissions & Outreach Director at Trails Carolina. “Our weekly classes help parents connect with other families going through similar struggles and know they are not alone. They are also learning some of the powerful tools we are teaching their child.”

Parents can expect to participate in calls with a therapist assigned to specifically support them and siblings, plus they will have a weekly call from their child’s primary therapist to discuss their progress. In addition, parents engage in a weekly multi-parent support call, a two day parent workshop, plus a weekly mindfulness class and a meditation and yoga class. 

At the end of a child’s stay, parents are invited to campus for 24-Hour Family Graduation, a time to reunite with their child and begin the transition process. Families can also opt into Common Ground, a four-day family program that includes activities designed to help smooth the transition to home and provide time to bond and reconnect with their child.

About Trails Carolina

Trails Carolina is a wilderness therapy for pre-teens and adolescents ages 10-17. The clinically sophisticated and time-tested program engages students through wilderness therapy, mindfulness and yoga, equine programming, intentional transitions, and academic engagement. Recent outcome research demonstrates efficacy. Trails Carolina was created to help families reconnect and heal. For additional information about Trails Carolina, located just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, please call 800-975-7303. For more information about family programming, please visit https://trailscarolina.com/adventure-therapy-programs/therapeutic-wilderness-programs/ or call 800-975-7303.

Journey Home Young Adult, a step-down transition program for young adult females ages 18-23, is celebrating 2 years in operation this month. The program is proud to have served as a supportive space and launching pad for young adults stepping down from residential treatment centers or wilderness treatment settings and into adulthood. 

The mission of Journey Home Young Adult is to offer a therapeutic community for those who need ongoing support after a prior, more intensive treatment stay. Clients work on developing independence while making the transition into healthy young adulthood. Clients continue to work on their emotional, physical, and mental health while gaining independent living skills.

Clients who have successfully completed the program over the past 2 years have gone on to a variety of young adult environments. After completing their stay, many of them are now independently living in their own apartments or with roommates, starting college locally in Utah, returning home and beginning their education at colleges in their area, or starting their career track. 

Clients that stay in the area often stay in touch with the program and continue those relationships they’ve built during their stay. Clinicians, mentors, and other program staff enjoy when previous students reconnect and continue to offer them the support and community they need.  

“We have had clients come back to visit and stay over for dinner,” said Folola Finau, Program Director at Journey Home Young Adult. “We had clients this past year who were unable to visit home due to COVID who spent the holiday with us. We understand that it is hard to start over in a new area far from family so our hope is though it is scary when they leave to start the next step of their journey, they still have a community that is rooting for them.”

Journey Home Young Adult is proud of all the accomplishments their clients have completed over the past 2 years and looks forward to helping more young people on their journey to self-fulfillment and healthy independent living. 

About Journey Home Young Adult

Journey Home Young Adult is a transition program for young women 18-23 years old. Our home-like setting provides a place for these young people to develop independence while still receiving therapeutic support. Clients are transitioning from a previous therapeutic placement into young adulthood. Therapists help them with individual and family issues while clients attend school or work in the community. For more information, visit journeyhomeyoungadult.com or call (855) 918-0032.

Alex, a resident of Cabin Mountain Living Center, has challenges that preclude her from getting and keeping a job in a public work environment. However, she makes beautiful jewelry. Matthew also faces daily challenges that make getting and keeping a job imposible for him, but he has learned how to make delicious hot chocolate bombs. "We realized a couple years ago that many of our clients had some incredible skills in the area of arts and crafts," said Kelly Pennington, Director of Cabin Mountain, "and we thought folks would purchase these items if we could find a way to make them available." From that idea, Scarlet Gray Gift Boutique was created.

Scarlet Gray is located in Thomas, WV, near Cabin Mountain and the other Q&A programs that is well known as a small mountain town turned vibrant by local artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs. Scarlet Gray is proud to be a successful business in this environment, featuring products made by the clients of Cabin Mountain, Applewood Transitions for Young Women, and Journey Transitions for Young Men. Some of the Q&A staff members are also contributing handmade products to the inventory, which includes jewelry, leather goods, pottery, goats milk soap, hot chocolate bombs, crocheted hats, and purses, tie-dyed shirts, homemade BBQ sauce (original recipe by a Journey client) and other specialty items.

The store features wood products made by the clients at Cabin Mountain and Journey under the guidance of Scooter Goldman, "Mr. Scooter" to everyone. The items produced in the wood shop range from cheese boards to dining room tables. Recently, they made shelves that are over three feet tall and spell out the word Love. The clients working in the wood shop learn every aspect of this trade, beginning with correct measuring and ending with a beautiful, finished product. The items often feature locally harvested and milled hardwoods such as maple and cherry, as well as found or reclaimed wood like wormy chestnut. 

Clients of all three Q&A programs are permitted to apply for jobs in the boutique, which is managed by local artist and entrepreneur Diana Vera. Diana also provides art lessons and experiences for the Q&A clients during the summer months. "Not only does she do a wonderful job managing the store, but she is also very good with the clients when they are working there," said Marci Jones, Student Services Coordinator and Lead Life Coach. "She helps them practice interacting with customers, and she helps them memorize descriptions of each product," continued Jones, "When customers enter the store, the clients greet them appropriately, explain the purpose of the store, and help them enjoy the items by sharing personal stories about the people who create the products." Jones also works at the store one day per week, helping clients internalize many of the life skills learned in sessions with her. 

Scarlet Gray is named after two horses (Miss Scarlet and Old Gray) that are part of the Q&A nonprofit equine program, Saddles & Smiles. The store hosts a steady stream of patrons each Thursday through Sunday. To follow the boutique on FaceBook, find and like @ScarletGraywv.

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.

True North Wilderness program is excited to share an update on the evolution of its leadership team.  Courtney Merrill, LMFT takes on a new role as the Co-Executive Director of True North; she will continue working alongside Ty Maves, Co-Founder, and Co-Executive Director. Courtney, True North’s longtime Director of Admissions and Outreach, is excited to focus on executive leadership at True North. 

Adding to the team Kelly Webster, BA, becomes the new Director of Admissions. Welcoming Kelly and the new Director of Business Development Mike Sullivan, LMHC, provides an excellent platform for Courtney to broaden the scope of her work. In Courtney’s words, “Expanding leadership allows us to continue to offer the highest level of attentive support and availability to our clients and colleagues while also pursuing key growth and development opportunities.”

Kelly (she/her/hers) brings twenty years of experience in education and leadership from her tenure at The Grove School, a therapeutic boarding and day school in Connecticut.  As a certified Special Education Teacher, Residential Administrator, Admissions Director, and Associate Executive Director, she has had the privilege of guiding hundreds of adolescents, young adults, and their families on a path of healing and hope.  “I have admired and respected the True North Wilderness Program for years and am humbled to join the team and work with students, families, and referring partners as they start their journey,” says Kelly.  Kelly’s incredible depth and breadth of experience in the professional field anchor the genuine compassion and professionalism that she brings to every interaction with families, professional collaborators, and coworkers. It is a joy to be able to introduce her as the first contact for clients and referring professionals. 

Courtney Merrill and Ryan Corbey are both continuing to be admissions resources for referring professionals and the families True North serves, as Kelly completes her onboarding with True North Wilderness Therapy.  Please contact them directly for admissions and feel free to reach out to Kelly directly to welcome her to the team.  Kelly’s contact information is (203) 435-2253 and kelly@truenorthwilderness.com.  

About True North Wilderness

True North Wilderness was established in 2005 by Ty Maves, LCSW, and Mod Barefoot, LCSW who still own and operate the program. Located in Waitsfield, Vermont, and licensed by the state's Department of Child and Family Services, True North serves adolescents and young adults and their families with a wide range of mental health, behavioral, and relational issues. True North provides assessment, intervention, and transitional planning during the 10-12 week average stay and operates outdoors year-round, with heated indoor sleeping spaces in the winter.

BOULDER, COLO. [February 8, 2021] – Choice House, a residential and transitional program for men struggling with substance use, co-occurring mental health and trauma, recently lined up as an entire staff to receive their first dose of the Moderna vaccine, with the second dose on its way.   

In a year dominated by the pandemic and pandemic-related challenges, good news and brighter days seem to be on the horizon. In efforts to keep their program participants safe, Choice House has continually planned and adapted to the latest information on the COVID-19 Virus as they learned the balance between keeping their people safe and continuing on with their mission to fight another deadly disease, addiction. Having the entire staff vaccinated marks a remarkable day in regards to those efforts.  

“Seeing our people line up to be vaccinated and what that means for them and our program is truly a beautiful thing to behold after such a challenging year.” said Jordan Hamilton, Executive Director and Co-owner of Choice House. “We would like to thank Boulder County Health officials for making this happen and all the hardworking men and women that have fought to make this solution available to the public. We look forward to regaining some sense of normalcy in the months ahead.”

Choice House strives to make addiction treatment as accessible as possible, integrating the ability to work with insurance carriers for its 90-day residential treatment and intensive outpatient programs, which can significantly reduce treatment cost while helping to ensure the comprehensive support needed to achieve lasting sobriety. Men with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders may choose from several treatment options, including a 90-day residential treatment program, intensive outpatient program, and a structured sober living community. 

About Choice House

Colorado-based Choice House is Boulder County’s premier provider of 90-day residential treatment, long-term structured sober living, and intensive outpatient services (IOP), all paired with world-class outdoor adventure and experiential work. The treatment center helps support those on their road to lasting recovery with a strong focus on the beautiful Colorado outdoors. Learn more at choicehousecolorado.com.

Finding the right wilderness therapist for your struggling adolescent or young adult child can be an intimidating process. How do you know if a certain therapist can meet the unique needs of your child in crisis? Does this therapist have the right outlook and demeanor to reach not just your child, but the family as a whole? It can be really hard for parents (or their Educational Consultants) to fully know the answers to these types of questions from reading a biography on a website and talking to the Admissions counselors.

Last month, Evoke Therapy Programs released 15 biography videos of their Wilderness and Intensives teams, to take even more of the guesswork out of this extremely important choice. “We’ve been wanting to create these videos for our families and their consultants for quite awhile, but it is a huge undertaking,” says Steve Kirk, Director of Admissions at Evoke.

The project was months in the planning, shooting, and editing, and included the challenges of traveling and filming in the wilderness during a global pandemic, as well as massive fires and smoke conditions that actually led to the production being set back a week during the central Oregon fires in the fall.

After rigorous virus testing, the company sent a film crew into the wilds of the central Oregon forests, the southern Utah desert, and the mountains of northern Utah to capture each of its therapists in their natural habitats and take a deep dive into their singular philosophies and styles. “We are so happy with the results. The videos beautifully capture each therapist, their warmth, and their approaches. What’s most evident in the videos is the deep and rich commitment of each of our therapists to their students and families. You can get a very clear idea of who you and your child might emotionally connect with by watching and listening to these videos,” says Kirk.
 

About Evoke Therapy Programs
Evoke Therapy Programs provides both outdoor-based therapeutic programs for adolescents, young adults, and families and Intensive therapy programs for individuals, families, and couples. Evoke is accredited by the AEE/OBH and is a NATSAP Research Designated Program. Evoke’s outdoor programs are based in Bend, Oregon, and in Saint George, Utah. Evoke’s Intensive Therapy programs are in northern Utah.

"Stay inside." "Zoom with friends and family instead of getting together." "Grocery stores are at limited capacity; please wait in line." "Don’t dine inside restaurants – we have contact-free delivery!" Today’s environment is anything but synonymous with moving more and eating healthfully. This is a big shift from regular health and wellness recommendations of doing things such as taking daily walks to accumulate 10,000 steps per day and getting fresh vegetables from the grocery store to prepare meals for ourselves and engage with one's community to avoid social isolation.

The EDGE Learning & Wellness Team’s messaging has not changed during the COVID pandemic; they have simply been forced to get more creative with how to achieve EDGE’s mission to abide by the 7 Dimensions of Wellness. This month’s focus is on the Physical Dimension, with a challenge focused on tracking the frequency of meals prepared from home compared to those ordered from any restaurant or fast-food establishment. Students receive points for posting pictures of meals they’ve made from home in EDGE's Fitbit Community Group, created to facilitate an opportunity for students to celebrate their successes with the achievement of fitness and nutrition goals. Points are also accumulated for students who order out least often and spend the least amount of money on food ordered out, compared to meals prepared from home. At the end of the challenge, the program will be able to quantify the average spending for each student, in hopes of bringing a financial value-added incentive to healthy eating. The winners are awarded prizes such as culinary tools, mini-blenders, and resistance exercise equipment.
 
Luckily EDGE’s Nutrition and Fitness Coach has been able to keep our community moving with a little extra creativity. Weather permitting, the go-to activities take place outdoors in non-populated areas, utilizing public benches, steps, and hills to perform simple bodyweight activities such as squats or lunges. Some days may just be a simple walk or light jog through the park. On days where outdoor activities are not possible and group sizes exceed the maximum exercise group that can safely be together in the fitness center, the group gets broken into two sub-groups in a larger community space such as the rooftop of the MDA building or EDGE’s large open Commons. The amazing staff have been incredibly flexible and accommodating, not only to allow previously single-use space to become multi-purpose, but also to donate pieces of fitness equipment such as dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga mats, balance balls, and even an exercise bike! There is certainly no shortage of exercise options at EDGE!
 
Additionally, each student has the opportunity to work individually with the Nutrition and Fitness Coach for a customized nutrition and workout routine that fits their daily lifestyle. It’s been a challenge to keep EDGE's community interacting safely, at a distance, with proper sanitation practices at all times; however, they are proud to say that they haven’t had a single COVID case! So can you really stay healthy while in the middle of a pandemic? Well, the proof is in the wellness pudding!

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.

To learn more about about EDGE contact: info@edgelearningcommunity.com 

Oliverian School is delighted to welcome Melodie Hayes as the new director of admissions and business development! Melodie succeeds Oliverian’s friend, Barclay Mackinnon, who will be leaving after devoting over 20 years of his life to the school’s mission.
Melodie has spent her entire professional life helping others overcome personal obstacles to create better lives for themselves. Melodie started this journey almost thirty years ago at an internationally known residential nonprofit for adults with special needs and learning disabilities. Melodie started her career as a skills coach and worked her way to the executive director position. As a senior executive, Melodie took a very hands-on approach to admissions, knowing that the integrity of the admissions process is the critical first step in effectively serving the client, the referring professional, and the mission.

Melodie is part of a large and close-knit family, including a sibling with special needs, which inspired her to follow her passion and values of family and integrity. Saying what she means and meaning what she says (but saying it nicely!) is important to Melodie. She believes in creating strong connections with people through open, honest communication without judgment. Because of this, Melodie makes a perfect fit to represent Oliverian.

“Melodie is warm, dynamic, honest, and smart,” says Oliverian’s head of school, Will Laughlin. “I love her mantra, ‘clear is kind,’ because that approach is so important to students, parents, and referring professionals. She already understands and loves the school; I am so glad she’s here.”

A mother of two children, Amanda and Logan (also known as her pride and joy), Melodie deeply and personally understands the responsibility parents entrust to Oliverian. Melodie’s goal is to support the school’s mission by ensuring that the admissions process is one of clarity, service, warmth, and integrity for all involved.

Melodie can be reached at 603.838.0399 or 888.922.5565 or mhayes@oliverianschool.org or admissions@oliverianschool.org. Please reach out to congratulate her and/or to discuss a child who may benefit from Oliverian School.

Oliverian School, located in Pike, New Hampshire, is a non-profit all gender boarding school with college prep academics and an average class size of five and a one-to-one faculty to student ratio, including three full-time licensed therapists. Our campus is contiguous with 2000 acres of recreational preserve land. Oliverian is licensed by the state of New Hampshire and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. For more information, please contact our Admissions Department at 888.922.5565.

The Alt Fair takes a digital turn with an all new website. Shayna Abraham, of Prepare To Bloom Treatment Consulting and Joanna Lilley, of Lilley Consulting have joined forces to create CollegeAlternative.org, a go-to website for young adults and their families considering non-traditional post-secondary options. 

The creation of this project came after 2020 required the long-standing Alternative to College Fair (“Alt Fair”) to pivot to a digital platform. After producing the hours of content needed the duo wanted families to have a go-to spot in order to find these videos and additional content allowing them to access more information about alternative post-secondary options.  With between 15-20% of incoming college students alone reconsidering their enrollment and looking to “gap year” options, Shayna and Joanna knew they had to get this information in front of families,  The Fall 2021 incoming cohort of college students are currently deciding whether college is the route for them right now. 

The Alt Fair was the brainchild of Shayna Abraham and Stacy Jenkins in 2015 as an in-person event allowing families to learn more about the wide variety of non-traditional post-secondary options. They showcased gap year programs, travel programs, trade schools, transitional living programs, military options, and avenues to enter the trades. The success of the event allowed it to grow from one fair in one location to two bay area fairs and then fairs in multiple states. It was at this point that Joanna and Shayna joined forces. 

When the pandemic hit and it became clear that an in-person event was no longer an option, the event sponsors were able to continue on by navigating to the digital platform. The new platform will allow added content and access for even more families from across the globe. The duo is excited about the expansion of this project!

Joanna stated that “I am excited for the expanded opportunities that this digital platform allows us. More and more families are reaching out for therapeutic or alternative options for college.  We want this website to be the one-stop-shop that families come to.” 

About CollegeAlternative.org

CollegeAlternative.org is the leading provider of therapeutic and alternative-to-college options for young adults.  Offering families worldwide diamond-in-the-rough opportunities, experiences, and adventures for their young adult to defer, mature, and find their own path.  For more information please feel free to call Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC, or Shayna Abraham, MA, CEP at hello@collegealternative.org.

CollegeAlternative.org is owned and operated by two Therapeutic Consultants, who have no affiliation with the programs other than to know they exist.  Explore CollegeAlternative.org now to chart your future!

outBACK Therapeutic Expeditions is thrilled to announce the addition of Megan Cadwallader to the marketing team at outBACK. Megan assumed the role of Marketing Coordinator on January 11, 2021, and is reporting to Tracy Hopkins, Business Development Director. Prior to joining the outBACK family, Megan’s professional experience included being a communications specialist in wilderness therapy, a senior field guide, a copywriter, as well as a part of a storytelling committee focused on communication strategies for an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Megan holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy and Management. She brings a wonderful blend of experience from various aspects of marketing and holds a powerful perspective that is informed by her personal experience of being a Senior Wilderness Field Guide for several years. She knows first-hand the intricate and intimate details of working with students in the field and supporting and guiding fellow guides as a Senior. Her lens is also influenced through navigating through the dynamics that are present within family systems, given her role as a facilitator of parent workshops and transitions for students in the field. In addition, she is a proud recipient of the Jumping Mouse Award in 2019. This particular award was in recognition of the level of excellence Megan embodies within the field of wilderness therapy and for the ongoing commitment she has in continuing her personal growth and professional development.

Tracy Hopkins, Business Development Director, had this to share when asked about Megan: “From the moment I met Megan, there was a sense of familiarity and ease with which I was able to connect and I feel incredibly fortunate to be working with her. She truly has an amazing and contagious spark. One that is steady, secure, and special and it comes from a core that is genuine, open, curious, and humble. I get excited just thinking about what lies ahead for all of us here at outBACK with Megan on our marketing team.”

Please join outBACK Therapeutic Expeditions in welcoming Megan Cadwallader to the marketing team. For more information, please contact:

Tracy Hopkins, Business Development Director

Email: tracy@outbacktreatment.com

About outBACK Therapeutic Expeditions

outBACK Therapeutic Expeditions is a highly effective, clinically informed treatment program dedicated to bringing families BACK together. Utilizing the wilderness as an alternative to traditional treatment settings, we guide students (13-17) and families in their process of reconnecting to Self, re-engaging with Family, and recommitting to Purpose. outBACK provides an innovative clinical structure designed to yield the highest clinical value for students and their families by providing access to multiple therapists for each student; Primary Therapists who oversee treatment plan and Associate Therapists who are in the group daily. outBACK is a licensed wilderness therapy program in the state of Utah and helps teens with various areas of difficulties such as depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, engagement in dangerous behaviors, neurodiversity, ASD level I, electronic and gaming addiction and more.

BOULDER, Colo. (Feb 9, 2021)–Digital Media Treatment and Education Center (dTEC®), the Boulder, Colo.-based outpatient therapy program treating digital media overuse and addiction, announces the launch of a first-of-its-kind, unique clinical training program for practitioners treating media addiction. The training program called the Introduction to Digital Media Overuse; Assessment, Intervention, Treatment is now open for registration and will be a one-day training that will be offered on three dates in 2021: April 16, July 16, and October 15.

"The statistics are clear. The number of individuals struggling with digital media overuse and addiction has exponentially increased over the past several years”, says Tracy Markle, MA, LPC, founder of dTEC. “Our mission at dTEC is to treat and support those struggling with digital media overuse and to educate and train professionals working with these vulnerable populations. With this new training program, we want to share the foundational knowledge needed to recognize digital media overuse and foster progress in this important area of our work.”

dTEC, founded in 2015 by Tracy Markle, MA, LPC, is a community-based psychotherapy practice providing intervention, assessment, and treatment for those affected by digital media overuse (DMO) and internet addiction utilizing the FITS-IA® approach. The FITS IA® approach, also founded by Markle, is a collaborative treatment program for Internet addiction and the common co-occurring diagnoses that prioritizes family engagement, integrated treatment, and social connections to support recovery and long-term change for the client. dTEC Co-Director, Dr. Brett Kennedy, joined the practice in 2016. Seen as thought leaders in developing best practices for the treatment of digital media overuse issues, Markle and Kennedy are now bringing their combined expertise to prepare professionals for treating DMO and help those in need.

The NBCC, CE-Approved one day training is open to mental health counselors, addiction specialists, psychologists, occupational therapists, parent professionals, school counselors, and others in the field. For more information or to register for the program, please visit digitalmediatreatment.com/trainings/.

Please direct all inquiries to info@digitalmediatreatment.com.

About Digital Media Treatment and Education Center (dTEC®)

Founded in 2015 by Tracy Markle, MA, LPC, dTEC® is a community-based psychotherapy practice that provides intervention, assessment, and treatment for those affected by digital media overuse (DMO) and internet addiction, utilizing the FITS-IA® approach. Along with co-owner and co-director Dr. Brett Kennedy, dTEC® provides, education, consultation and training to mental health providers, educators, and the public.

For more information, please visit digitalmediatreatment.com.

Logan, UT ­­– Logan River Academy is excited to announce a change in the leadership structure of the organization. Original founders and owners Larry Carter and Jeff Smith have officially announced their retirement and have begun transitioning into a consultative role as they pass the reins to a new leadership team. Matt Erickson, LCSW, Logan River’s former clinical director will take the position of executive director. Sean Maynard, CMHC, former girl’s program director will now serve as clinical director for all clinical areas of Logan River Academy. Krys Oyler will have expanded duties as residential director in addition to taking on more responsibilities in other operational departments. Lars Latimer and Cheyenne Timbimboo will also have expanded responsibilities in program development and admissions. Josh Barson, LCSW, has accepted the role of clinical manager of our Young Adult Transitions Program. These changes have been in effect since late January. Jeff and Larry will stay on in a part time, consultative capacity for the next few months, to assist with the transition.

Matt Erickson, the incoming executive director has worked at Logan River Academy for nearly 19 years and has served as clinical director for 15 of those. Matt has been instrumental in the development of Logan River Academy’s program for kids on the autism spectrum and has played a major role in helping countless students and families. “We are optimistic and excited for the future of this program,” says Matt, “we have an incredibly experienced team who are dedicated to their jobs and committed to providing the highest level of care for each of the families that we serve.”

Outgoing founders and owners Jeff Smith and Larry Carter offer their sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who has played a role in helping Logan River Academy become the program that it is today. “Although we have struggled to know exactly when and with whom we leave the care of this organization, our decision has been made easier of late as we now have a great team who share our continued passion and concern for Logan River Academy,” says Larry Carter. Jeff and Larry have had very long and successful careers in the mental health industry. The influence of their leadership will be felt for years to come.

About Logan River Academy

Established in 2000, Logan River Academy has nearly 20 years of experience providing high-end therapeutic care for adolescents and young adults. Our goal is to help each student develop the necessary skills to live successful and fulfilling lives. We provide a sophisticated approach tailored to each students’ individual needs. Through the concerted efforts of the family, the treatment team, and an individualized treatment plan, we help our students down the path of developing lifelong healthy habits that will lead to their success and prosperity. For more information call (435) 755-8400 or visit our website at Loganriver.com. 

Wingate Wilderness Therapy is happy to announce a 13 year work anniversary for Scott Hess and Erin Grover. Both therapists have played crucial roles in the development and growth of Wingate since its inception in 2008. In the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare field a 13 year tenure at one program is nearly unheard of.

Erin Grover, MSW, LCSW, entered the field as a field staff working her way up to field director before earning her Masters of Social Work from the University of Utah. Erin has also completed a three-year certification in Somatic Experiencing (helping clients renegotiate trauma) and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). Years in the wilderness setting have given Erin the trust in the power of nature to help enable meaningful change.

Scott Hess, LMFT, has been working with families and students in a therapist role since 1996. Prior to Wingate Scott worked in both residential and wilderness settings. Scott focuses heavily on family systems in order to help create lasting change for both the student and the family. With 25 years of experience Scott offers families a deep commitment to building trust that will enable him to invite students to find themselves.

Wingate is proud of the work and continued dedication both Erin and Scott have offered to families over the years. Both Scott and Erin continue to carry out the foundational philosophical values established by them and the core team of founders that enable true lasting change. In an ever changing field, Erin and Scott have brought consistency and reliability to Wingates clinical team.

About WinGate Wilderness Therapy

WinGate is a therapeutic wilderness program located in southern Utah, in the Grand Staircase National Monument. The program provides personalized treatment for teens, ages 14-17; and young adults, ages 18 and over. WinGate passionately provides the best clinical service and highest quality of care in treating those who are struggling and need support. WinGate specializes in treating a range of issues, including (but not limited to): depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment, failure to launch, substance abuse, and mal-coping mechanisms. WinGate believes that establishing a respectful, and caring relationship with clients, allows for dynamic and lasting growth.

Building Bridges is excited to welcome David Mitchell to the Building Bridges team.  He is a great addition to the expanding vocational program.  David brings years of experience teaching high school, owning his own manufacturing business, and coaching high school robotics.  David’s history and enthusiasm fit perfectly with their mission of “bringing real life to treatment.”

David grew up in California and enrolled in community college before joining the US Navy.  While in the Navy, he traveled the world as a machine repairman on an aircraft carrier.  After he was honorably discharged, he worked as a machinist in WA and worked as a supervisor for 10 years.

David branched out and started his own manufacturing company, working with Boeing, Bombardier and the NASA shuttle program.  David won the Small Business of the Year award for his work with the Nuclear Physics Lab at the University of WA and other awards for his business innovations.  He moved his company to the Central Oregon coast and became one of the largest employers on the coast.

He had the opportunity to sell his business and went back to school to earn his teaching certification so he could pass on his skills and knowledge to the next generation of machinists. He began teaching high school level pre-engineering, manufacturing, welding, electronics, computer-aided design, and robotics at Clackamas Community College. He created an articulation program that provided for the linking of high school courses to community college courses, which allowed students to earn advanced placement and/or college credit for those courses. 

David was the stem coordinator and coached the robotics team as well. STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics. After teaching for sixteen years at the same school he decided to partially retire to Thompson Falls, MT.   Being in Thompson Falls allows him to participate in outdoor activities he enjoys, and Building Bridges gives him the opportunity to continue to pass his passion on to the next generation.

Building Bridges

Building Bridges is a licensed Chemical Dependent Treatment Center that is structured as a Therapeutic Boarding School in Thompson Falls, MT for boys 13-18 with substance and behavioral issues. Our passion is creating a structure that mirrors real life with the goal to have the boys eventually attend the public highschool. Another unique piece is our Summer Adventure Program that is a combined eight weeks of being outdoors in the beautiful landscape that is Montana.

After a successful launch in 2020 with young adult males, Passages Alaska Wilderness Therapy will add two new groups.  With the strong field guides returning and at the suggestion of those who have visited, a group for young adult women ages 18-27, and one for adolescent boys ages 14-17 will be beginning in March.   These will be in addition to the young adult male group that has already been established.

The students that are appropriate for these groups are consistent with the prior Passages’ participants; those with depression, anxiety, executive function, ADHDs, low self-esteem, and struggling to launch are a perfect fit.  They will need to have some interest in being part of the program.  The relational aspect of the program works well for the above issues for all of the groups.

The operating area will continue to be the beautiful waters off the coast of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska for the students.  They will get to experience the therapeutic aspects of this amazing area, milieu, and expeditions that is Passages Alaska.  It is exciting to be able to offer this wilderness adventure to a larger population.

 About Passages Alaska

Passages Alaska is a unique wilderness program in Southeast Alaska for young adult males 18-28, young adult women 18-28 and adolescent males in gender-specific groups.   Using the majesty of Alaska and the access to the coastal waters allows it to be a changing of perspective for the participants. Hands on therapeutic interventions include paddling, whale watching, fishing, primitive skill building and service with extensive therapy and coaching will be available for those with Anxiety, Depression, ADHA and Failure to Thrive.

Briana Petters joins Cascade Academy after 8 years experience in the mental health arena. Briana is an LCSW who found her passion for psychology and psychotherapy early in her undergraduate degree, working as a supervisor in an adolescent teen girls treatment center. She received her Bachelors of Psychology in 2015 from Brigham Young University. She then went on to complete her Masters of Social Work from the University of Utah with an emphasis in clinical mental health in 2017. While she has practiced with many diverse teens and families, including military veterans, LGBTQ, sexual assault survivors, religious trauma, mental health outpatient, and substance abuse, she has always retained a passion for the profound changes residential treatment can provide adolescents. Briana enjoys working with individuals at critical moments of their lives and has worked extensively with individuals impacted by trauma. She is drawn to a humanistic perspective, believing that individuals are often most fulfilled when they are their own experts who utilize skills taught to them by their support system, including a well trained therapist. Briana is trained in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and mindfulness therapeutic practices.

Briana has experienced her own struggles with trauma and anxiety throughout her life. Through her own therapeutic journey she was able to deepen her skillsets of vulnerability and understanding to connect with clients. Briana has also found solace from her anxiety in guided meditation and yoga practice.  She has found guided meditation to be a useful skill to use in sessions with her clients. Along with practical regulation skills for mental health symptoms, Briana thinks there is power that comes in therapy by having an open and safe place to be heard. Briana tries to live by the motto adapted from a quote by Stephen Covey, “listen with the intent to understand, not to respond”, believing that everyone has a unique and worthwhile story. In listening to understand, we can foster lasting change.

Briana grew up in a United States Air Force family and believes this has been a worthwhile advantage, showing her many diverse cultures and giving her the ability to be adaptive to change. She loves traveling to new places and is particularly happy when finding high temperatures next to a beach. In her free time she is otherwise found hanging out with her rescue dog, Sage, or in the studio of a hot yoga class.

One of Briana’s favorite mentors in the social work field, Brene Brown, once made an analogy comparing the difficult work of human connection and vulnerability to being like an active battle arena. It can be scary, difficult, overwhelming, and seemingly never ending. However, it can also be rewarding, beautiful, and unbelievably fulfilling. If we have the ability to stay in the arena when it gets hard, we can create a life worth living. Briana looks forward to being “in the arena” with her clients and their families at Cascade Academy as they create lasting change for a life full of meaning.

Cascade Academy is a 26-bed residential treatment center treating teen girls between the ages of 13 to 18 suffering with severe anxiety, OCD and OCD related disorders. Cascade Academy combines the power of traditional therapy and experiential therapy modalities to create a clinically specialized, individualized residential treatment center. The residential treatment program utilizes evidence-based treatment modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Individual, family and group therapy along with individualized sequential exposures are a key component to their treatment.

Burlington, VT — Rock Point School (rockpointschool.org) invites teens, parents, and education consultants interested in a positive alternative to traditional high schools to an online open house on Thursday, March 4, 2021, from 4:00 to 5:45 pm EST. 

This is an opportunity to learn more about the small, supportive, co-ed boarding school for grades 9-12 on the shores of Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont. Participants can join in from the comfort of their favorite chair! During this event, attendees will get a video tour and have the chance to talk to students, alumni, teachers, and staff in small groups over Zoom. Presenters will share information about the school’s engaging academic curriculum and exciting dorm program.

The evening will begin with an introduction by the Head of School, C.J. Spirito. He will share his perspective on the school after spending over 30 years on the staff. Dean of School Ryan Weiland will discuss the day-to-day student experience, including a video tour. Afterward, attendees will break into small groups to talk with students, alumni, teachers, and staff and have the opportunity to ask questions in a more intimate setting. Finally, Hillary Kramer, Director of Admissions, will address the full group and answer any remaining questions. As C.J. Spirito said, “Open House is a casual way to get to know Rock Point School and meet many of the people who make this community so special.”

To learn more and to attend this event, visit this RSVP link and please send questions in advance.

About Rock Point School
Rock Point School is an intentionally small, independent, co-ed boarding high school in Burlington, Vermont on the shores of Lake Champlain. Founded in 1928, the school offers college preparation for students who have struggled to experience success in traditional learning environments. Educators work closely with students, and class sizes range from four to ten students. For more information, visit: rockpointschool.org