In order to view this object you need Flash Player 9+ support!

Premier Residential Treatment Center for Troubled Boys

Ashcreek Ranch Academy (ARA) has designed our residential treatment center for effective therapeutic intervention for troubled "boys". Our program is thoughtfully and purposely designed with "boys" in mind. Every part of our program is designed specifically for boys. From our approach in therapy, to the classroom, to the daily schedule everything we do is designed and structured to meet the emotional and behavioral needs of troubled boys.

Many residential treatment centers for troubled teens are designed for both adolescent boys and girls. We find this design problematic. Honestly, there is a vast difference between the emotional and physical needs of adolescent boys when compared to those of young women. We are unique in the fact that we underscore the importance of working exclusively with boys, addressing the specific issues that are related to being a struggling "boy". For more information about our "boys-specific design", click here.

"...At Ashcreek Ranch Academy we know how to make a difference in the lives of struggling young men. ARA's approach starts with the understanding that reversal of addictive lifestyles is possible with the right tools and knowledge. We believe that each ARA student can learn to make new choices and find a happy, healthy and meaningful life...."

The Typical Ashcreek Ranch Student - Substance Abuse & Co-occurring Issues

Ashcreek Ranch Academy provides services to adolescent boys between the ages of 14 and 18 years who suffer from substance abuse or addiction disorders, in combination with other issues such as: ADD/ADHD, Depression, Anger Management, Academic Problems, and Parent/Child Conflicts. Thus, Ashcreek Ranch Academy provides specialized treatment services for youth who have a dual diagnosis; boys who are attempting to find symptom relief from their "primary" diagnosis (i.e. depression, low self-esteem, school failure, etc.). Substance abuse or addictive disorders (addictive disorders can manifest in a wide variety of ways including drugs, alcohol, pornography, virtual social networking, gaming, etc) are often a symptom of the primary diagnosis.

Adolescents enrolled into ARA have typically failed to succeed in a less restrictive environment. Our students are in need of long term residential services after completing a short term acute intervention, such as an outdoor program or acute psychiatric hospitalization. The protracted nature of their disorder is manifest in a host of maladaptive behaviors including school failure, stealing, lying, avoidance behavior, oppositionality, and the inability to function in the home environment. For more information about our student profile please view our student profile page.

At The Heart of Ashcreek's Treatment Program - The Seven Challenges

There is reason for our optimism about your son's prognosis. Ashcreek Ranch utilizes The Seven Challenges® Program which has been proven to be successful in helping young men overcome their substance abuse and related emotional and academic problems. Evidence based research has shown The Seven Challenges Program to be successful in helping boys overcome underlying psychological problems that often go along with drug abuse, and academic/social struggles.

By the time troubled boys enter drug counseling programs, they have already heard about the dangers of drugs. Most of them have been told they need to quit. Many have been told they must quit. However, at Ashcreek Ranch Academy we know that when parents have tried to twist their arm to make them quit, they get bad outcomes.  When you insisted that he quit (threatened, restricted, or forced) your son either lied to you (making false promises), or he dug in his feet and resisted tooth and nail. Even if you could temporarily force him to quit using drugs, as soon as he was out of your sight, he would do whatever he could to continue abusing drugs.

At Ashcreek Ranch Academy we know that the best way to get good outcomes for the long term is to help struggling boys to pause, think, and make their own wise decisions to change. Our goal. as we work with boys and their families using The Seven Challenges Program, is to empower your son to live a substance free life and to succeed academically, as well as socially.

Ashcreek Ranch Academy combines an intense and comprehensive clinical program, The Seven Challenges® Program, and 12 step meetings and groups. The combination provides a powerful program designed specifically to address the individual needs of each student.

The ARA Academic Program

The academic program at Ashcreek Ranch offers an unsurpassed learning environment with a challenging curriculum. The students are taught in a small group setting with fully certified teachers. The students are presented with a college preparatory academic experience which prepares them to successfully return to traditional academic settings.

Students who have substance abuse issues are frequently in need of grade repair and credit recovery. We use certified teachers who tutor our students one-on-one if needed to improve grades. In addition, for students that need credit recovery we utilize a highly interactive online educational platform where students are able to go at their own pace (catch up on lost credits).

Our students engage in experiential classes that are in conjunction with the work they are doing on the ranch. Moreover, our students participate in educational field trips to the amazing geological and scientific wonders which are abundant in Southern Utah. Students are challenged every day to learn in both the traditional classroom setting, as well as through experiential opportunities both on and off campus. For more information about our Academic Program click here.
 

Horsemanship and Equine Therapy - The Great American Cowboy

The therapeutic environment on campus is dominated by a truly unparalleled horsemanship program. ARA is a working ranch where our students are able to live the life of the Great American Cowboy. Horsemanship is our main program modality, and our students work as Cowboys each and every day. By working with horses on a daily basis, each boy is exposed to the lifestyle of a hard working, highly skilled cowboy. ARA is a therapeutic program for boys, and about boys.

Horse are living beings who will listen to a hurting young man like no person can. Horses listen, they don't "talk back" or give an opinion, and they don't judge. Horses are naturally therapeutic and respond by giving pertinent feedback through consistent and honest responses.

We believe that hurting young men are better able to build solid trusting relationships with a horse, than with an adult. Building a trusting relationship with a horse helps speed up the therapeutic process. Once our students are able to build a trusting relationship with a horse he can transition these skills to be used in relationships with others; peers, teachers, authority, and most importantly parents. For more information about Horsemanship, Equine Therapy, and The Great American Cowboy please click on the proceeding highlighted terms.