Why Wilderness Therapy for Teens?
When teens are struggling at home, school, and social situations, wilderness therapy provides a novel and challenging environment that disrupts the unhealthy patterns that are causing the dysfunction. Wilderness therapy helps to provide your family with a deeper understanding of the issues causing the dysfunction and helps teens to re-engage in healthy development.
As the leader in wilderness therapy, RedCliff Ascent is an effective treatment program for troubled teens aged 13-17. RedCliff Ascent’s safe, nurturing, and supportive environment provides teens the skills they need to cope in a healthy and age-appropriate way.
We help teens and families...
overcome mental, emotional, & behavioral challenges
Upon completion of the program 86% parents reported improvement in their child's problems when compared to when they entered
make LASTING change
12 months after treatment 86% of parents reported that their child's problems are improved since they completed treatment
rediscover how to have healthy relationships
98% of students report feeling connected to RedCliff's staff and one or more of their peers.
Signs Your Teen May Need Wilderness Therapy:
- Isolating From Peers or Family
- Codependency/Unhealthy Relationships
- Difficulties with School
- Difficulty in Parent or Sibling Relationships
- Overuse of Technology or Social Media
- Victim of Bullying or Another Traumatic Event
- Suicidal Thoughts or Self-harm
- Non-responsive to Outpatient Therapy
- Recommendations from Mental Health Professionals
Exclusionary criteria for RedCliff Ascent include:
- Teens younger than 13 and older than 17.5
- Teens with a physical limitation, i.e. wheelchair, crutches, etc.
- Teens with conditions that need intensive medical care or monitoring, i.e. eating disorders, diabetes, etc.
- Teens with a history of violence or sexual assault
- Teens with psychosis or schizophrenia
RedCliff Ascent does not take Medicare or Medicaid.
What Our Clients Say About Redcliff Ascent
I’d like to let you know how delighted I am with the RedCliff program and how impressive the hard work and dedication of the staff is...We feel that your program has very probably saved this child’s life and given us back our son.
- Kathy
We are very pleased with [our daughter's] self-improvements. A year ago we would not have dreamed all this to be possible! The path she head down was self-destruction. The impact of the RedCliff program is what turned [her] around. Our headstrong daughter was able to take stock of her past behavior, deal with her anger towards us, and begin to move in a more positive direction.
Even though sending her to RedCliff was a gut-wrenching decision, we know we did the right thing. We are thankful for the help and insight you gave to her and us.
- Clark and Irene
Since [our son] went to RedCliff we have all been transformed, but none as much as he. All of his teachers had nothing but good things to say about him. There have been no behavior issues at school this year. As a matter of fact, his teachers stated that they would like it if they had more students like Rob in their classes. I cried again at this meeting, but this time they were tears of joy.
- Julie
Why Choose RedCliff Ascent
We're Proud to Achieve the Highest Standards of Accreditations and Professional Memberships
Backed by The Joint Commission which ensures programs adhere to the highest quality of clinical and medical practices.
Designated as a NATSAP Research Program, showing our commitment to well-researched practices in our program.
We are also OBH Accredited through the Association of Experiential Education (AEE) which regulates wilderness therapy practices.
Full member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), which ensure regulation of programs that serve children and adolescents.
RedCliff Ascent is fully licensed in the state of Utah.
Backed by the Association of Experiential Education (AEE) that ensures programs maintain appropriate professional behavior and risk management.
Founding member of the OBH Council (Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council).
Founding member of Choose Mental Health, guiding families with questions about mental health.
Does My Teen Need Treatment?
Every teen’s strengths and challenges are different. Complete the no-obligation assessment below to help us understand your family’s needs.
We respect your privacy. We will not share your information.
I’m Not Sure Where to Start.
We’re here to help - take the first step and contact us to see if wilderness therapy could be the path to healing for your family.