Therapy
Individual/Family Counseling: Individual counseling sessions are conducted by Priestley Mental Health, a counseling service in the community. We subcontract with them to provide the counseling services, case management and clinical oversight. The amount and frequency of individual counseling sessions are depending upon length of stay and individual need. Family therapeutic interventions are conducted twice a month with at least one family member and the child. These sessions are to assist families in cultivating healthier relationships. Counseling services (individual and family) are billed to Medicaid while the case management services are paid by Academy Ranches.
Group Process Meetings: This process is one in which youth discuss and explore significant events in their lives, as well as their most current problems and needs. Youth are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the cause and effects these events have had on their lives and develop better coping skills. These groups help them to find out new ways of thinking, behaving and processing feelings in an appropriate manor.
Working with Animals: As part of our program at Academy Ranches, youth will be working directly with animals on the ranch. As many of these animals are quite large and powerful, they will receive training in the proper care and handling of the animals. It’s often said that the best thing for the inside of a kid is the outside of a horse. The Horsemanship Program includes the primary care of one of the ranch animals and youth will be responsible for the feeding, cleaning, grooming, and other aspects of caring for that animal. Working with animals also entails fun. Riding time, outdoor excursions, and even horse riding treks for those who show they can handle this responsibility. The therapeutic experience teaches youth to conquer fears, work through anxiety, develop relationships and accepts responsibility. They build confidence, trust and a stronger self-esteem.
The key to this work relies on the animal’s innate abilities to act as a mirror and reflect the attitudes and emotions in the boys. Unlike humans, animals do not posses the ability to lie, manipulate, or front. They are honest, sensitive, and steadfast in their interactions with the students and provide the basis on which to draw multiple analogies to life lessons.
Animal assisted therapies have been used with people with various physical and mental disabilities for many years, and are now becoming better accepted as a useful tool in the treatment of many emotional problems. Animals have a natural way of calming anger and anxiety, of inspiring and lifting depression, and instilling trust and caring in a wide variety of youth. Animals can also be powerful teachers to teens who refuse to listen to parents and other adults. Animals innately respond to the mood of their handler and have personalities of their own. Patience, self-confidence, communication skills, responsibility, self-discipline, focus, and direction are but a few of the qualities the youth will learn through their guided interactions with their animals.
Experiential Therapy
Academy Ranches will use a wide variety of activities to help the students in their process of change. We will be scheduling, throughout the week, the opportunity to participate in art, music, poetry, theater, and outdoor recreation programs that will allow them to explore healing through their own interests and talents.
Scouting Program: Boys Scouts of America is a nationwide program that seeks to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities and educational programs. Scouting values are developed though self-esteem builders, personal honor, citizenship and outdoors skills through a variety of activities such as camping, cooking and hiking. The influence of Scouting creates memories of campfires, kindling friendships, promotes leadership and helps mold them into successful citizens.
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