The Interpreted Rock

By Stephen C. Schultz The high-pitched whirring sound traveled through space and time. It was both annoying and comforting—a dichotomy that came around once a year. My senses were bombarded, mostly through sound and smell. There was the constant chatter about the local collegiate football team, the sweet aroma of apple pie baking in the oven, a turkey and sage combo simmering in the roasting pan, and the whirring of the beaters whipping up the mashed potatoes. Yes, the holidays are upon us once again. The holidays are a time for families to gather together—a time for reunions to be made and relationships to be strengthened. Some of my fondest memories are of sitting at the proverbial “kids' table” at Thanksgiving with my siblings and cousins. We would run around the house while our parents talked and caught up. As kids, we would dash past the relish tray, grabbing celery stuffed with Cheez Whiz. Next, we’d raid the olives and stick them on our fingertips. There was never a shorta...

By Stephen C. Schultz The stickiness was thrilling and annoying all at the same time. My fingers stuck to the side of the plastic cup as I lifted the fragrant elixir to my nose and smelled it one more time. Seeing the rusty color for the first time didn't scream "Drink Me!"...but, I did. So did about 12 other people who were standing there with me. In fact, on a cool fall day in mid-October, at about 5000 feet above sea level, there isn't much that can beat the taste of fresh squeezed apple cider prepared tree to press in less than twelve hours time and less than fifty yards in distance. This particular activity was set up to involve the students at Oxbow Academy. Each week they have an opportunity to participate in an Experiential Activity. An activity that is educational, fun, and relatable to the many emotional issues and concerns that these students have faced in their relatively...

By Stephen C. Schultz The sun was high in the sky, with a slight breeze keeping the temperature at a comfortable 87 degrees. It was a pleasant day in the West Desert of Northern Utah. Getting to this point, however, required a two-hour drive. The veins in his neck bulged, and the grimace on his face matched the guttural growl that escaped his lips. A long screech filled the air as the lug nut finally moved a fraction of an inch. Yes, it had happened—a flat tire in the middle of nowhere! Daniel Hazen was the one tasked with bringing me to a team of kids in a wilderness treatment program. Daniel, the Program Director at Outback Therapeutic Expeditions, is an exceptional person. Well-rounded and easygoing, it’s clear how much he loves helping families and their struggling teens. I was on my way to meet a young lady who was scheduled to attend Discovery Ranch South . She was eager to learn more about where her transition would take her. I visited Jamie (not her real name) at Outback a...

By Stephen C. Schultz This is just a quick note to provide an update on Discovery Academy and Connections. If you have explored my blog before, you are probably aware I am involved with a group of treatment programs for teenagers.  Please allow me to share a couple of experiences I had at Discovery Academy. Last week we were preparing for a parent tour. I was in the middle of identifying a student that would be able to assist with the tour when I got a call from one of our staff members. Thoughts raced through my mind; “Shoot, Troy won’t be able to help us...he is at his internship at ADOBE”.  Then I thought to myself; “Wow! How cool is that!”  Later in the week I ran into a young lady enrolled in Discovery Academy who I had spoken with previously. I asked how she was doing and what she was up to. She mentioned that she was just returning from her job. I mentioned that was awesome and asked if she would share with me what she was doing. She s...

By Stephen C. Schultz Spring is in the air, and that familiar urge to get out of the house and go fishing is surging through my veins. Just the other day, I found myself wandering through the fishing lure aisle at a sporting goods store. Later, as I stood in the yard after mowing the lawn, I noticed my small 12-foot fishing boat still covered from winter and waiting for action. Over the years, people have asked me, “What’s so fun about fishing?” They often follow it up with, “Isn’t it boring?” From my perspective, they couldn’t be more wrong. Fishing is so much more than just a pastime. It’s about immersing yourself in nature, breathing fresh air, and enjoying solitude. It’s an opportunity to think deeply, reflect on life’s challenges, and express gratitude for your blessings. There’s also the joy of observing the water, identifying a hatch, and skillfully placing a lure or fly in just the right spot. Then comes the thrill of the fish striking—followed by that exhilarating twinge in ...

By Stephen C. Schultz His breathing was heavy and fast.  Mucus sprayed from his nostrils and his cheeks fought the g-forces as if he were a fighter pilot leaving the deck of an aircraft carrier in an F-16. His neck muscles strained and his face grimaced as the fight or flight response kicked in. Five; six; seven now eight steps into his evasive action that was steeped in athletic prowess and natural instinct, he thought he was in the clear. Once again, he had cheated death and the angels of mercy had looked down upon him. It didn’t register right away. With each step, the distance grew larger between him and his immediate threat. It shouldn’t have happened this way. There was so much to live for. He was in the prime of his life with family and friends who loved and cared about him. He didn’t want it to end this way. The pain was quick and sharp. It penetrated right in the square of his back between his shoulder blades. His chest was thrust forward and his a...

By Stephen C. Schultz As a clinician, just about everyone has dealt with clients who share very personal, intimate and poignant information with us. There is a trust and therapeutic alliance that we hope to establish over time. I would bet that most of us have also worked with clients who share only partial information. They aren’t quite ready to “spill all of the beans”. I want to reach out in a helpful manner concerning conversations you may have with families pertaining to Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) and teenagers. I’ve been thinking a lot about a recent conference I attended in San Antonio, Texas. I had conversations with no fewer than seven clinicians and allied health professionals about families and students that are struggling with PSB, yet the families are hesitant to address the issues head on. It is obvious that when a family is resistant to working on these very sensitive issues that it puts you, as the clinician, in a very awkward position con...

By Stephen C. Schultz The fire has almost died. The embers are glowing a light orange with grey ashes sneaking up around them. Some of the other students are getting ready to slip into their wiggy’s. He could sit here all night, just looking at the stars. They don’t look this bright at home. Everything seems clearer out here. He looks across the fire where Scott is sitting. Scott, or Medicine Bull as he is known, gives him a head nod and asks how he is doing on his fires. He remembers the first time he busted a fire with only his bow and drill set. Scott showed him the way. Scott never makes him talk. Through his example he simply encourages him to try. RedCliff students learn firsthand the power of teamwork and the importance of individual contribution. They also learn they can count on their counselors. Staff members eat, dress, hike and otherwise live in the back country no differently than the students they lead. The result is the development, over time, of mutua...