Outback helps troubled teens discover for themselves a better way forward.

Outback admits teens struggling academically, behaviorally and emotionally and engages them in an 8 to 10 week outdoor program of therapy, experience and rites of passage.

We help your son or daughter indentify the true deep causes of negative behaviors and help them develop healthier coping, communication and relationship skills. The Outback program is not a boot camp and is not punitive in nature – we do not believe in "bad kids". Outback is instead based on guidance and support, experiential learning, a therapeutic process and positive peer modeling.

Outback has been featured for its successes on the Dr. Phil show and is a member of:

• The National Association or Therapeutic Schools and Programs
• The National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping
• The Association of Experiential Education
• The CRC Health Group
• Others

A Typical Student at Outback

Students come to Outback between the ages of 13 and 17, dealing with one or more of the following behavioral challenges/manifestations:

• Experimenting with or abusing drugs or alcohol
• ADD or ADHD
• A lack of self confidence or self esteem
• Isolating behaviors, (Such as video gaming or compulsive internet use)
• Depression or anxiety
• Causing conflict and strife in the family
• Dealing with adoption issues
• Dealing with grief issues
• Manipulative behaviors
• Entitlement issues
• Defiance
• Poor academic performance

The length of stay ranges from 8 to 10 weeks, depending on need and progress made. Parents working in concert with the clinical team will decide on the final duration at Outback.

Why a Wilderness Program?

Students arriving at our wilderness campus are pulled from a comfortable urban way of life and submerged in a new life of wilderness survival – it goes without saying that this takes most teens we work with far outside of their comfort zones. Therapeutically, this makes an enormous difference. In living with, observing and working with your son or daughter in a wilderness setting, free from urban distractions and manipulations, our trained therapists can see quickly what core issues cause behavioral problems and can then help students gain self awareness and control – leading to better decision making and behavioral choices.

Outback is not a boot camp and we do not "break down" a troubled adolescent. We use positive but firm guidance and reinforcement and work to earn the trust and respect of each and every student. We teach them to do more than they knew they could, building self confidence and self worth, instead of tearing down.

Therapeutics

Outback emphasizes truly individualized treatment as the only way to cause lasting change in a troubled teen. The clinical team will observe and assess each arriving student and develop an ongoing care plan based on this initial evaluation and information from parents and referring sources. Individualized treatment continues with regular one-on-one therapy sessions with a personally assigned therapist and from in-field treatment from field instructors versed in each student's clinical needs.

Because teens value the opinions and judgment of their peers, daily process groups form an integral part of the therapeutic experience.

Academics

Most adolescents come to very much enjoy time spent in the wilderness at Outback, but out program is not a vacation – and as such, it is vital that students maintain academic responsibilities.

Outback offers an academic curriculum developed and delivered by certified teachers which follows Utah State approved topic matters. Students at Outback will earn 4 academic credits in 8 to 10 weeks. Academics are integrated into daily wilderness life, are experiential in nature and are delivered in teaching styles cognizant of students with diverse learning needs.

Parental Involvement

Parents play an essential role in the Outback therapeutic process.

Parental involvement will include:

• Writing a placement letter describing to your son or daughter your reasons for seeking a wilderness program
• Participating in weekly phone sessions with your child's primary care therapists
• Participating in a one day parenting workshop
• Participating in an on-site whole-family therapy session
• Maintaining contact and support through phone calls and letters

Parental support and encouragement plays an enormous role in the therapeutic process.

Rolling Admission

Outback accepts students on a continuous rolling admission; parents can admit a child on short notice at any time, 365 days a year. With rolling admission, students join small groups already in progress, which allows for positive mentoring of new arrivals by those already engaged and encouraged by the Outback program.

Financing and Insurance Assistance

Although Outback does not bill directly to insurance companies, we have in the past successfully helped parents recover some or all of the tuition costs from insurance companies after the fact. When needed, we can produce a breakdown of therapeutic and other program costs for possible insurance reimbursement.

Many parents choose to offset the initial tuition costs through a financing solution. Outback works with Shauna Clark Behavioral Health Loans to offer financing options to parents.