MAYER, ARIZONA, November 8, 2021. Starting at the end of September, Spring Ridge Academy launched a series of parent groups that include psychoeducation and connection with a variety of Spring Ridge staff. The goal is to support parents in all areas as their family goes through the process of change.  

The Parent Support groups, held on Thursdays at 3 pm Arizona, are hosted by different Spring Ridge staff members. “Our employees are experts in their fields and have worked at Spring Ridge for many years. Not only do they have valuable information to share, but they also have a chance to connect with parents in a way that they may not have in the past. This gives the families more resources when they need them,” said Suzie Courtney, Executive Director.  

The topics of the group vary from week to week and are based on the feedback that Spring Ridge Academy gets from stakeholders about areas where parents need more information. Leslie Filsinger, Clinical Director, started the series with a group called “Bridging Structure from Spring Ridge to Home.” This group examined how parents can assist their adolescents on home visits and when they transition home after treatment.  

Other groups included information from Residential Director Susan Dougherty and Principal Justin Zych and Spring Ridge therapists and other leadership members. Topics vary from setting boundaries to college applications to bottom-up vs. top-down approaches to therapy.  

This week’s group is called “Meet the Coaches.” Parents will have an opportunity to meet some of the milieu staff at Spring Ridge who mentor the students with daily life skills and create the structure of day-to-day life. They will provide insight into how they use a firm but nurturing approach to working with the students so that parents can use it on visits and at home with their students.  

“Our community is inclusive of so many people beyond the staff and students who are campus every day. We want to make sure we are proactively helping parents so that families are successful. Our goal is to create an environment where families can learn, heal, grow, and connect,” said Erin Smith, Director of Operational Excellence. 

About Spring Ridge Academy

Spring Ridge Academy, located 1.5 hours outside Phoenix, Arizona, serves young women ages 13-17. Founded in 1997 as a female and family-owned Therapeutic Boarding School. The program is licensed by the State of Arizona and accredited by the Joint Commission. Cognia accredits the academics. Using evidence-based clinical modalities with a traditional rigorous college-prep curriculum, including fine and expressive arts and team sports, Spring Ridge has created a relationship-based setting that allows the students’ emotional, relational, spiritual, intellectual, and physical growth.