Wilderness Therapy Programs

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Alldredge Wilderness Journey	Co-ed	13-17	West Virginia	more...
Alldredge Academy is a therapeutic wilderness program for troubled teens ages 13 to 17 who are angry, defiant, rebellious, deceitful, manipulative, entitled, sad, impulsive, unreasonable, ill-tempered, adrift, isolated, depressed, or anxious. Four parts make up the Alldredge Academy program: mountain search and rescue, mythical (rite of passage) village, the residential academic campus, and family workshops. The academy is one of only a few short-term programs (30-90 days) with a fully accredited school. All four parts of the program provide group counseling, individual counseling, and experiential learning with a goal of obtaining a lasting change from the inside out. Two interactive family workshops, designed to help interrupt and change negative multi-generational problems, are also available during the program. Alldredge Academy is an ideal choice for teens who need emotional intervention, academic help, emotional growth, or a transition from another treatment program before going home. Click here to request more information from an admissions counselor at Alldredge Wilderness Journey Click here to view more details including cost, when founded, contact info, avg. length, and services available. Click here to visit Alldredge Wilderness Journey's website
Catherine Freer	Co-ed	12-17	Oregon	more...
Catherine Freer wilderness programs are for troubled teens ages 13 to 18 who are angry, rebellious, defiant, failing in school, abusing alcohol or drugs, struggling with attachment disorder, or recovering from abuse. Teens spend their 21 or 51-day experience with the same two counselors and a master\'s level therapist. The program is intensely therapeutic; offering daily individual and group therapy. Therapy is designed to accomplish a long-term change in a short amount of time. Through the experience, teens gain a greater understanding of anger/depression management, the Twelve Step process, communication skills, conflict resolution, and family dynamics. Families are asked to participate in a multi-family meeting at the beginning and end of the trek to discuss problems, goals, and solutions. Families are also enrolled in the Family IQ program, an on-line parenting resource. Wilderness weekends are available once a month for teens to reunite with staff and discuss ongoing issues. Transition homes are also available upon completion of the program and prior to returning home. Click here to request more information from an admissions counselor at Catherine Freer Click here to view more details including cost, when founded, contact info, avg. length, and services available. Click here to visit Catherine Freer's website
RedCliff Ascent	Co-ed	13-17	Utah	more...
Redcliff Ascent is a therapeutic wilderness program for troubled teens ages 13 to 17 who exhibit anger, irresponsibility, defiance, academic failure, rage, dishonesty, low self-esteem, depression, or substance abuse among other issues. Located in beautiful southern Utah, the 650 square mile field area for Redcliff Ascent covers a large geographic area and ranges from 2,000 - 7,500 feet in altitude. The program was established in 1993 and has successfully helped thousands of teens put life into perspective as well as overcome the issues that have been governing their lives. Redcliff maintains a 1:3 staff to student ratio to ensure individual attention in its programs, which are offered year-round. Each student is given the appropriate gear he or she will need before becoming acclimated to the beautiful environment. During the trek, students have the choice to participate in leadership roles and to gain a better sense of responsibility, problem solving, teamwork, and personal contribution. Throughout the trek, counselors use the numerous opportunities that arise to explore issues on an individual and group level. Teens are also encouraged to hold each other accountable for their actions. Parents participate in the two-day graduation ceremony. At graduation teens share their experiences, existing barriers are often broken down, an aftercare program is developed, and doors are opened for communication and respect. A program is also available for troubled young adults ages 18 to 25. Click here to request more information from an admissions counselor at RedCliff Ascent Click here to view more details including cost, when founded, contact info, avg. length, and services available. Click here to visit RedCliff Ascent's website
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What do Wilderness Therapy Programs for Troubled Teens Offer?

A wilderness therapy program usually offers 24-hour care, varied levels of therapy, education, and a structured environment. Wilderness therapy programs are usually a short-term placement with placement period of 1-4 months. The rigor of wilderness therapy programs offers a poignant opportunity for adolescents to recognize and begin to work through behaviors, attitudes and addictions that may have occurred with a troubled teen in the past. Troubled teens are usually placed in wilderness therapy programs with problems such as failing in school, mild drug abuse, defiant behavior, running away, depression, manipulation, low self-esteem, and general rebellion to name a few. Some wilderness programs may choose to specialize in one category or another. Most programs will not accept troubled teens with a history of violence.

Treatment Within Wilderness Therapy Programs

Treatment within wilderness therapy programs varies and may include group therapy, individual therapy, etc. All wilderness therapy programs offer teens a chance to dig within themselves as they hike, walk and climb through nature - programs use these experiences to help identify and resolve issues underlying troubled teen behavior. Wilderness programs may also base treatment on a positive peer culture environment, in which teens hold other teens accountable for their behaviors. It is best to inquire when searching for a program to know what types of therapy are offered. It is also a good idea to ask parents that have participated in any given program what their feelings are about the type of treatment offered-asking is always helpful, especially if you are in the same boat as the hundreds of other parents- looking at treatment options for the first time.

Will Wilderness Therapy Programs be right for My Troubled Teen?

Wilderness Programs, also known as Outdoor Therapy Programs, emphasize therapy and positive behavioral change over discipline. While students must follow strict guidelines to ensure the safety of all participants, nature serves as the ultimate teacher. Troubled teens are particularly impacted by the realization that the wilderness cannot be manipulated by them. The group environment teaches them the value of cooperation and joint effort. Through the development of wilderness skills, teens develop healthy self-esteem and learn to respond in positive ways to their peers and to authority. They begin to see that the world is not there to fulfill their every need or whim, and that they are part of a larger community. Wilderness programs incorporate traditional therapeutic modalities into a wilderness adventure experience. Students camp in the mountains, desert, or other natural areas, learn to make their food, gather water, and build fire without matches. The natural environment dictates cooperation among participants, which helps to build positive peer relationships. Independent studies from organizations such as the University of Idaho have shown positive results even a year after students leave the program, which has helped increase the popularity of wilderness programs.

Good to note:

• Wilderness Therapy Programs are usually licensed for treatment within their respective states and are required to renew that license on an annual basis.
• Educational consults frequently recommend a residential treatment program as a follow to therapy begun in a wilderness program.
• Insurance may help cover a portion of program costs. This portion varies from provider to provider and program to program, but is usually small.
• Many programs may be nationally affiliated with great organizations such as NATSAP (national association of therapeutic schools and programs).

Wilderness Therapy Programs : Search Tips

Many parents just like you who are searching for a program to help their troubled teen have wondered, "How do I find the right wilderness program for my troubled teen anyway?"More...

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