Red Mountain Sedona has revamped its family engagement with three significant changes. First, traditional weekly update calls have transitioned to enhanced virtual sessions on Zoom, with students actively participating to strengthen parent-student relationships through family therapy. Second, its Clinical Director, Bethanie Stevenson, MA, MFT, has started a virtual book study for families, discussing “The Journey of The Heroic Parent.” Finally, weekly phase calls equip families with insights into each program phase and provide direct interaction opportunities with Red Mountain Sedona’s leadership.

Traditionally, therapists at Red Mountain Sedona conducted weekly update calls with students’ families without the students present. Based on ongoing staff development through attachment training, program executives realized that this was creating problems in the attachments between the student and their families, as well as the students and staff. With Red Mountains’ new approach, students no longer feel that staff are aligned with their families against them, and parents are now addressing concerns with their students in a more direct way.  

This novel approach allows families and students to engage in more open, constructive dialogues about their achievements, concerns, and goals. It creates an environment where they can practice having challenging conversations, set boundaries, and understand the importance of a healthy individuation process.

In addition to the newly adapted weekly family calls, Red Mountain Sedona has introduced a 10-week virtual book study, “The Journey of The Heroic Parent,” facilitated by Bethanie. This initiative offers families valuable insights into nurturing healthy relationships with their young adults and navigating their own personal growth while their students embark on the transformative journey at Red Mountain. “The Journey of The Heroic Parent” by Dr. Brad Reedy provides compassionate guidance for parents facing the challenges of supporting a struggling child. It helps families achieve a deeper understanding, love, and humanity throughout their shared experiences, regardless of the outcome.

To further enhance family support and preparedness, Red Mountain Sedona now hosts weekly phase calls. These sessions provide families valuable insights into what to expect during each program phase, equipping them with the knowledge to offer meaningful support to their young adults. These interactive virtual meetings offer families the unique opportunity to directly engage with Bethanie and Program Manager Matt George, allowing them to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of their students’ therapeutic journey.

Red Mountain Sedona’s commitment to innovation in family engagement transforms the therapeutic experience, strengthens bonds, and fosters healthier relationships between young adults and their families. It reinforces the program’s dedication to holistic healing and preparing students and their families for life beyond Red Mountain Sedona.

About Red Mountain Sedona:

Red Mountain Sedona is a gender-inclusive independent living program designed to help young adults, ages 18–28, with behavioral and/or emotional challenges “launch” and transition into fulfilling and productive independent living. This program works with the mind, body, and spirit using a multidisciplinary approach of evidenced-based therapies, mindfulness practices, life skills development, and executive function coaching. Change. For good.