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Lessons I learned from a childhood experience with bullying

By Stephen C. Schultz The dew around the window was starting to bead up. In a classic case of chaos theory, the little beads of water gave way to gravity and randomly bounced and bumped their way to the window sill like a steal marble in a pinball game. There was a small pool of water in the cracked and peeling beige paint. I sat facing the window, staring at the small engraved stone nestled in the flower beds. There weren’t many flowers at this time of year. Mostly rhododendrons and Oregon grapes reaching skyward from the damp bark mulch that covered the planter area.   The month of January in Eugene Oregon was filled with days and days of mist and fog.   In fact, pretty much from October through June was filled with fog, rain, mist, showers, freezing rain and occasionally snow. The local weathermen didn’t bother with predictions about the chance of precipitation; they took pride in developing new adjectives to describe the type of precipitation and how much you can...
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Attachment Issues and Problematic Sexual Behavior: Understanding the Path to Healing

By Stephen C. Schultz In the field of adolescent mental health, the link between attachment issues and Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) is profound yet often misunderstood. At Oxbow Academy, we recognize that many of the young men we serve struggle with early attachment disruptions that have contributed to their challenges with emotional regulation, relationship-building, and ultimately, sexual behavior. Understanding this connection is essential in providing effective treatment and long-term healing. The Impact of Attachment on Behavior   Attachment—the deep, emotional bond formed between a child and their biological parent, adoptive parent or foster parent—lays the foundation for future relationships, self-regulation, and personal identity. When this attachment is secure, children learn to trust, develop healthy boundaries, and navigate emotions effectively. However, when attachment is disrupted due to neglect, trauma, inconsistent caregiving, or other adverse experiences, chi...

When Seizures Strike: A Story of Resilience, Love, and Hope

 By Stephen C. Schultz  As a father, I never anticipated seeing and emotionally supporting my daughter through 50 seizures a day, for days on end. Each seizure brings with it a stiffened left arm and leg, convulsing motions, eyes rolling back to the left, and her head contorting to the right. Her breathing stops for the duration. The most harrowing aspect is that she remains conscious and aware of her surroundings. She can hear people talking, but her body simply does what it does. After 15 to 30 seconds of not breathing, a panic begins to set in. What if the seizure doesn’t stop? It’s a horrific experience to endure time and time again. It is nothing short of torture, with the emotional and psychological trauma that accompanies it. There were four seizures in the car on the way to the emergency room, all within about 20 minutes. After 10 hours in the emergency room, she was admitted and immediately hooked up to an EEG. There was a computer screen displaying graphs and a video...

Prioritizing You: Essential Self-Care Tips for Parents with a Son at Oxbow Academy

 By Stephen C. Schultz Supporting your teen at Oxbow Academy can be emotionally and mentally challenging for parents and family members. Here are five self-care tips to help navigate this time while staying healthy and grounded: 1. Prioritize Your Mental Health Why it matters: Having a child at Oxbow Academy can stir feelings of guilt, sadness, anxiety, or even past trauma. Addressing your emotions is crucial for maintaining balance and providing stable support for your teen. How to do it: Consider individual or family therapy to process your emotions. Join a support group for parents with children in treatment. Practice mindfulness or meditation to stay present. 2. Educate Yourself About the Oxbow Academy Process Why it matters: Understanding your teen’s treatment plan and Oxbow Academy’s structure reduces uncertainty and fosters a sense of control. How to do it: Stay in regular contact with the Oxbow therapist assigned to your family. Request reading materials or resou...

Oxbow Academy - A Case Observation

By Stephen C. Schultz Please allow me to share a case study of a student who was recently enrolled at Oxbow Academy. This student, a 15-year-old, was adopted at birth and reached developmental milestones at an average pace. The student was diagnosed with ASD Level 1 in fourth grade, and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) was subsequently implemented for the remainder of elementary school. There were occasional episodes of dysregulation and some sexually reactive behaviors with peers. Teachers and other professionals attributed this behavior to ASD and/or Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). At the age of 14, the student was referred to a residential treatment center (RTC) specializing in working with students struggling with ASD. The clinical data presented below is sourced from an email report written by the student’s therapist at Oxbow Academy and addressed to the referring professional. This communication is a standard practice to ensure continuity of care and collaboration. As y...

Content is King and other Family Blog Lingo - Part 2

By Stephen C. Schultz With the holidays just around the corner, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations are making their way into stores and online sites, ready for the joyful holiday shopper! There is no shortage of creative commercial content and advertising being generated in various forms, including printed materials, online company websites, landing pages, and the ever-present social media platforms. Content is also being created in the form of reviews, third-party endorsements, and podcast advertising. The historical medium of "TV" has evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from film to video to digital recording, editing, and playback. Streaming live commercial, as well as personal video and audio content, is now commonplace in today’s world. Having been raised in the Pacific Northwest, I am very familiar with the term "evergreen," which refers to the lush trees and foliage that thrive in the temperate rainforests of western Oregon. In the worl...

Video Games, Anxiety and ADHD - Free Family Resources

 By Stephen C. Schultz This guide provides resources for parents navigating the challenges of ADHD, anxiety, and video game management in their teens and young adults. ADHD Resources The following books and websites can help you better understand and manage ADHD: Recommended Books: Russell Barkley : Taking Charge of ADHD Hallowell & Ratey : Delivered from Distraction Harvey Parker : The ADD Hyperactivity Workbook for Parents, Teachers, & Kids Bradley & Giedd : Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy!: Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind Michael Gurian : The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and Life Mohab Hanna : Making the Connection: A Parents’ Guide to Medication in AD/HD Helpful Websites: CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) Help for ADHD American Academy of Pediatrics American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Anxiety Resources: The following websites provide support and information for mana...

Navigating the world of young adults

By Stephen C. Schultz Allow me to share a brief conversation I had with my brother, Jared Schultz (PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling and Department Head at VCU), which I believe might be helpful. Jared and I were discussing the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. This conversation naturally included how to support young adults in becoming self-sufficient, responsible, and productive members of society. Often, this can be a subtle yet significant challenge, especially for those who have received mental health services and various interventions over time. Many young adults dealing with complex clinical concerns—including depression, anxiety, ADHD, ASD, and other co-occurring developmental issues—have had limited opportunities to focus on career aspirations, education, or independent living skills. When therapeutic interventions are no longer the primary focus, these young adults may feel unprepared for social and career development. This can lead to discouragement and, in many...