What are Utah wilderness programs?

Wilderness Therapy Programs Utah. Wilderness therapy is a therapeutic intervention that involves getting troubled teenagers from Utah into a wilderness environment and having them confront their problems.

Does Utah have a Scared Straight program?

While numerous “get tough” programs are often suggested for struggling adolescent boys and girls in Utah, such as military style boot camp or “scared straight” programs, leading research has shown that these programs actually serve to increase recidivism rates and boost the odds of offending by 60%-70%.

What really happens at wilderness therapy?

Wilderness therapy is a mental health treatment strategy for adolescents with maladaptive behaviors. Wilderness programs combine therapy with challenge experiences in an outdoor wilderness environment to “kinetically engage clients on cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels.”

How much does aspiro cost?

around $30,000
It is marketed as a wilderness therapy program for troubled teenagers aged 13-17 with a history of “school failure, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and more.” The average length of stay is between 6-10 weeks, and the tuition is reported to be around $30,000.

What is wilderness therapy and why is it bad?

“Basically, wilderness therapy programmes are dangerous, unregulated money-machines. They advertise as therapeutic opportunities for ‘at-risk’ youth, offering to ‘challenge’ kids with ‘survival skills.

Why are there so many wilderness therapy programs in Utah?

Utah’s squeaky-clean reputation That was the foundation on which the lucrative wilderness therapy industry was born. Programs catering to parents promised that wayward teens living and hiking in Utah’s picturesque deserts and mountains would have a transformative experience that would change their lives for the better.

What is JRC in Utah?

Juvenile Receiving Centers (JRC) are located across the state for law enforcement officers to drop off arrested, delinquent, ungovernable, or runaway youth who do not meet admission guidelines for secure detention.

What are the negatives of going to wilderness therapy?

Sudden Change of Environment and Routines Instead, participants are often placed directly into the new environment to begin treatment as soon as possible. For at-risk teens with volatile personalities and mental health conditions, this can further exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Why is wilderness therapy so expensive?

Why are wilderness therapy programs expensive? Accessing large enough tracts of land often requires programs to contract with state and federal land managers. Permitting to operate on public land is not cheap.

How much is the Anasazi program?

‘” This form of therapy can be expensive, with an admission fee of $895 and a daily rate of $395 for youth ages 12-17. Because Anasazi is a licensed and accredited level II behavioral healthcare provider, insurance may apply. Additionally, the program offers financial aid.

Does science support the wilderness in wilderness therapy?

The science supporting the addition of a “wilderness” component to adolescent therapy is even thinner, critics say — and what exists is too often tied to trade associations and conducted by researchers with clear conflicts of interest.