Wilderness therapy programs offer highly structured intensive short-term (six – eight weeks) therapy in remote locations that remove adolescents from the distractions available in their home communities (such as television, music, computers, cars, drugs and alcohol, movies, delinquent peer groups). The challenges of living full-time outdoors and developing wilderness survival skills help teens develop self-confidence and pro-social behaviors. Often, families are advised to send their struggling teen first to a wilderness therapy program and then to a therapeutic or emotional growth boarding school, rather than return the teen to their home community environment.

The following components are necessary for an effective wilderness program:

Basecamp Model - Behavioral Stabilization, Safety, Evaluation, Treatment Predictability, Relationship Development, Immediate Access to Medical Care and Support, Medication evaluation and adjustment under controlled conditions.

Comprehensive Clinical Team On Site - Licensed Clinical Psychologist (providing testing and program development), Consulting Psychiatrist, Diverse clinical team including LMFT, LMSW, Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor, Mastered Level Therapists and Registered Nurses.

Substance Abuse Assessment and Treatment - Ongoing assessment, education and treatment of substance use for student and coordinated with family, Stages of Change Model, Introduction to Twelve Steps.

Experiential Education - We have multiple high and low ropes stations surrounding basecamp and specifically trained and certified staff to meet the needs of individuals and the group while accommodating different learning styles.

Wilderness Trek - Our course experience is deliberate, empowering and inclusive. Students participate in course planning and preparation, developing an individual plan for themselves.