Your Troubled Teen Will Be Guided By Skilled Diamond Ranch Academy Therapists

Diamond Ranch Academy therapists are caring, experienced, registered mental health care professionals. The DRA is a leading boarding school for teens in need of some type of rehabilitation. The academy caters for teenagers aged 12 to 18 years. It is situated on a magnificent 200 acre property in the state of Utah, USA.

All therapists have qualified at either Doctorate or Masters levels. They are in charge of conducting therapy with students on an individual basis, in groups, and with family members. They supervise case managers who co-ordinate psycho-educational groups, parental visits and other aspects of the program.

Every component of the rehab program at the DRA is geared to have therapeutic benefits. Even fun activities focus on rehabilitation. Some of these are clubs, work projects, family groups, fishing, animal care, and equine therapy. All have a remedial impact on students.

While the main focus is to address a variety of psychological teenage problems, the academy also expects the students to do well academically. As such, it provides an excellent educational curriculum. During a student’s stay, he or she will be taken on a journey of self-discovery. The DRA’s motto is ‘Healing Families, One Youth at a Time’.

The DRA uses its Real Life Transition Program which is based on integrating and reinforcing personal accountability in every area of life. When a student first arrives, he or she is assessed by the academy’s Clinical Director during the first two weeks. They are then assigned a personal therapist who will guide them through the program.

This principal therapist will conduct individual sessions and family sessions every second week. In the early stages, family therapy is done via a telephone in ‘conference’ mode. Intensive group therapy takes place every week. In addition, students are able to attend sessions conducted by Narcotics Anonymous.

Twice a week, psycho-educational sessions are held. The object of these is to teach students to understand themselves and how to improve relationships with others. At these gatherings, a number of relevant topics are discussed. These include addiction, loss or grief, peer pressure, social skills, or anger management.

Only when the student has finished the ‘homeless’ phase of the program, can family therapy begin. The family will be contacted by the primary therapist every second week to discuss the student’s progress and any other important aspects. He or she will decide when face-to-face visits can commence.

Therapists endeavor to ensure confidentiality when dealing with students and their families. Information will not be released unless the family has given written consent. Furthermore, the therapist will not tell the family what is spoken about during therapy with the student unless he or she thinks a life-threatening situation could occur.

Usually, a 10 week period passes before a student becomes eligible for face-to-face family visits. In some cases, it may take three or four months. When eligible, students are allowed such visits once a month.

All the Diamond Ranch Academy therapists are easily accessible. Each has his or her phone line and an email address. Family members are encouraged to maintain regular communication with the therapist. The DRA will never exclude a family from the rehabilitation process. It is, in fact, a critical component of the program.

Diamond Ranch Academy offers a program for youngsters from age 12 through 18 who require rehabilitative services while continuing their progress through the educational system. Scared Straight is one of the programs offered to help adolescents turn their lives around.