What teen problems do your outdoor therapeutic programs address?
We help at-risk youth and troubled teens who are struggling with school, causing family conflicts, experimenting with drugs, experiencing depression, low self esteem, ADD/ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder or other emotional problems and behavioral issues. We have decades of experience and success with children and families who have failed to respond to other types of treatment programs and counseling. 
>>Back to top

How long will my child need to be in treatment?
Upon admission, treatment goals are established and agreed upon by the child and parents. Length of stay is based on each child’s individual progress toward achieving treatment goals, not a predetermined time period. Typically, parents should expect their child to stay about 12 months, but your child's stay could be shorter- or longer- depending on his or her needs.   
>>Back to top

What is different/special about your approach?
The Eckerd model is a unique, proven approach that provides true, long-lasting changes in attitudes and behaviors in troubled teens and at-risk youth. Our program is non-punitive and teaches kids self-management, to actually think differently and learn how to problem solve by themselves and with groups. It is an internally motivated system that will guide them for the rest of their lives. We have countless numbers of graduates who come back to visit our programs and say that what they learned in our program they use in their own lives today and with their children.

Unlike other programs that advertise “tough love” or “behavior modification” for troubled teens, we do not utilize demerits, points or levels. We believe that all children should have the same privileges and enjoy the same benefits, not just the ones on certain “levels.”  We believe externally-based behavior modification systems that use points or levels may work in certain types of controlled environments, but not for the long-term and not in the real world. We teach children skills for success in life.
>>Back to top

How often may I contact my child, and how often may I visit?
Parent support and family involvement is an essential component of our program.

Rather than having formal parent visitation days, the children go home for weekend visits typically every five to eight weeks as an important part of our therapeutic program. It is a time when children and their families can practice new skills that have been learned in our program

The children also call home regularly. Because of the nature of our program, telephones are not always readily available to the children. The group may be on a canoe trip or participating in a field activity some distance from telephones. Special arrangements are made to accommodate parent requests for visits and phone calls in these situations.
>>Back to top

What are the qualifications of the line staff who work directly with the teens?
We have a master’s level clinical director who supervises our group treatment, as well as consulting psychiatrists. Each group has a dedicated group treatment coordinator, who typically has either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The group treatment coordinator works directly with your child to provide group and individual counseling services, and is your main point of contact while your child is in our program.

Our youth counselors typically have at least bachelor’s degrees, past experience or training working with youth, and undergo extensive, field-specific training programs. Training is provided utilizing externally developed tools and certification programs from Cornell University, the American Red Cross and others. Youth counselors are certified by the American Red Cross in CPR, First Aid, Basic Water Safety and Canoe Safety.

In addition, all staff, not just the line staff working with youth, undergo criminal background checks.
>>Back to top

How do you handle disruptive or negative behavior?
The first step in addressing most disruptive or negative behavior is simple feedback. Often, this feedback is helpful in letting the teen know that what he or she is doing is inappropriate.

If the behavior continues, a group huddle-up is used. The huddle-up is both a technique of group organization and a process of positive peer-group counseling. In the huddle the misbehaving youth will hear feedback from peers as well as the group’s counselors about the behavior, how it is affecting them, and what the likely natural consequences may be if the behavior continues. To extend learning beyond the immediate situation, the counselor helps the teen identify appropriate behaviors in school and home environments. There is often both positive peer pressure and peer support that comes out during a huddle. The counselors make sure that feedback and discussion is positively directed to be effective. Generally, teens who have been in our program for a few months will have assimilated the skills of encouragement and active listening, and will use them appropriately as well.
>>Back to top

What is a typical day in treatment like?
A typical day is activity-rich – combining accredited education with group therapy sessions and therapeutic outdoor activities, as well as some quiet time for reflection. There is a structure and schedule to every day, planned in part by group members themselves, yet with flexibility to adjust to immediate needs. For example, a teen may raise a concern or issue that will be discussed with a “huddle up” group session. View our Typical Day overview for more details.
>>Back to top

What is your medication policy?
While we recognize that some children’s needs include medication, we prefer children to take the minimum amount of medication therapeutically necessary. Children are evaluated every three weeks by a psychiatrist for medication monitoring. Because of the outdoor nature of our therapy program, we cannot accept children who require refrigerated medication.
>>Back to top

How quickly after entering the residential program does a child start working on his or her education?
Immediately! Our year-round, on-campus schools are nationally accredited, with state certified teachers. Through experiential learning and classroom instruction, students typically receive five hours of instruction daily with a focus on math, science, English and social studies.
>>Back to top

Can my child earn school credits while in your program?
Yes. Students can earn up to a maximum of eight (8) academic credits per school year and an additional two (2) credits during the summer term.  Upon graduation from our program, credits are transferable to the home school.
>>Back to top

My child’s a senior; do you offer diplomas or advanced classes?
Yes. Children can receive their high school diploma upon successful completion of coursework. At our Deer Lodge, TN program, children can continue virtually any AP or gifted coursework through our ClassWorks ® and virtual library program. Our Brooksville, FL facility will have ClassWorks ® shortly.
>>Back to top