Skip to main content

RedCliff Ascent offers long term positive results to teens and families


By Stephen C. Schultz


Research Link – A Comparison Group Study (Time limited link)
Highlights
  • This comparison group study looked at the impact of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare longitudinally on youth participants as reported by their parents.
  • Findings showed that youth participant’s one-year post participation in OBH treatments were functioning significantly better than youth who remained in their communities.
  • Regression analysis showed the only significant predictor of change was participation in the treatment group.


Dr. Steven DeMille

~Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Model program offers long term positive results to teens and families~

In 2007, Dr. Steven DeMille found himself working as a field guide in the back country of extreme Southwestern Utah. He was in charge of the activities of daily living for a group of nine students who were enrolled at RedCliff Ascent. Steve, as well as two or three other staff members who were responsible for the student’s safety, taught hard skills such as hiking, setting up camp, cooking over a fire, building a fire, staying warm etc. He was also proficient at the softer skills of group communication and emotional regulation when students would become frustrated or angry.


At this time in his life, Steve seemed to have more in common with “Grizzly Adams” than he did the modern perception of a researcher and international speaker. However, Steve was consumed by the thought; “These kids are making visible progress and leaving Redcliff with a renewed perspective, positive energy and sense of accomplishment.”
In the years that followed, Dr. DeMille has emerged as one of the world’s foremost experts on Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare. He is an integral part of the OBH organization and has collaborated and presented internationally from Prague to Australia.
His latest research effort, which you can access through this link, is ground breaking in its complexity. He was actually able to compare the outcomes of students who attended one of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare programs (RedCliff Ascent) to a cohort of students who did not attend the program, but received therapeutic service at home.


“Every living person has some kind of struggle. Some of us have trouble with relationships, some of us have trouble coping with day to day life and some of us have mental health concerns that are not apparent at first glance. There is hope for families! There is help for teens.” Says DeMille.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Young Boy and the Rattlesnake

By Stephen C. Schultz (Editors note: This is a story used in a Wilderness Treatment Program for Young Adults . Many come to this program having struggled with substance abuse and interacting with unsavory friends.)   Many years ago there was a young Native American who lived in the very land you are residing in. He decided to seek wisdom by journeying to the top of Indian Peak. As he approached the base of the mountain he came across a rattlesnake that slithered beside him. The snake coiled as if to strike and the young boy moved back quickly in fear of being struck by the snake’s deadly venom. At that instant the snake spoke to the boy saying, “Don’t be afraid of me, I mean you no harm. I come to you to ask a favor. I see that you are about to traverse to the top of Indian Peak and was hoping that you may be willing to place me in your satchel so that I don’t have to make the long journey alone.” The young boy surprised by the snake’s request quickly re...
3 comments
Read more

Video Games, Anxiety and ADHD - Free Family Resources

 By Stephen C. Schultz Video Games, Anxiety and ADHD - Is there a common theme? Aloft Transitions Home for Young Adults This is simply a complimentary resource guide for parents of teens and young adults who struggle with ADHD, Anxiety and Gaming. ADHD:   • 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  • Gurian, Michael,  The Minds of Boys Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and  Life, 2005. • Hanna, Mohab,  Making the Connection: A Parents’ Guide to Medication in AD/HD • www.CHADD.org  (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) • www.help4adhd.org • www.aap.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) • www.aacap.org (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) Young Adu...
15 comments
Read more

Oxbow Academy – Unintended Consequences

By Stephen C. Schultz (Editors Note: This post started as an email I sent to a couple of Educational Consultants . It was the culmination of several conversations. I think there is some genuinely good information here that the general public, clinicians and allied health professionals could benefit from.) As helping professionals, we often find ourselves in teaching opportunities. We consult with clients, students, families and even others in our profession. The phrase, “Strength in the Struggle” is prominent at Discovery Ranch (A sister treatment program to Oxbow Academy ). Clinton Dorny, the Executive Director, mentioned to me the other day that they often tell parents, “If your child isn't struggling here at Discovery Ranch, then we're not doing our job.” Much of what we do as treatment programs and the value you provide as a therapist, counselor, coach and educational consultant is to assist families in managing “Unintended Consequences”. There is...
2 comments
Read more