Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > New Info

Gateway Academy Salt Lake City Utah

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Pile of Dead Kids:
Yup, definitely damage control.

scanlonsherwood:
To all troubled teen parents-

       I was at gateway for 7 1/2 months back in 2003 during my sophomore year of high school. Before that I attended a number of different boarding schools, residential treatment facilities and wilderness programs. my parents probably spent around $500,000 on programs for me, and god knows how much more on therapists, doctors, psychiatrists, etc. I am now 23 and a recovering heroin addict/alcoholic. Speaking for myself, I can only say that my time at gateway, and in treatment as a whole when I was a teenager, was nothing but detrimental to my long term mental health. Basically I did what I had to do to get out, said all the right things and pleased the right people. When I got out all I gained from being in treatment was a complete loss of trust with people in general, and massive amounts of resentments and remorse. Be careful before sending your son to a place like this, make sure it is the right decision. Keep in mind, beneath all of the "fluff", therapeutic jargon, enticing tours, and websites, they're a business and like any other business there number one goal is to make money.

seamus:
hey welcome to fornits

NYC_Mom:
I’ve read nothing about educational consultants in this thread. Did know one hire one? I cannot imagine finding a residential program for my son by myself. How would I, a single Mom working a full time job, be able to make a decision based on my own internet research for what I think was best for my 16-year old son—who dropped out of school twice.  His next phase, if there wasn’t a drastic change, was self-medication—I knew it in my soul—and dropping out of school for the last time. I could not make the decision by myself so I hired an educational consultant who spends her time visiting the places she recommends.

This educational consultant was recommended two me twice, once in 2007 by a psychologist and then again in 2010 by my son’s psychologist. Based on his background, she knew he had significant learning issues and a history of anxiety and depression. After meeting with him she identified him as a “soft” kid and recommended a therapeutic wilderness program.  She then worked with the wilderness program team and recommended Gateway Academy. My son has been at the Draper house for four months and he went through the stage of saying what everyone wanted to hear (he had become an expert at convincing many of those around him that he was okay, that he just didn’t care about school). He also did this at the wilderness program. He was doing whatever he could to get out but I can tell you he left the wilderness program with 100% more self–esteem than when he entered the program.

For those who said the weekend staff at Gateway Academy are just there for a job I can tell you first hand and through my son’s response to them that they care for the individuals that are there. My son has had for this first time in his life caring male role models. They not only plan the most exciting outdoor activities but truly care about his success with the programs they plan; they plan these great activities with the goal of seeing the boys having fun and succeeding.

As for his therapist, she may not have a lot of experience, but like teachers you either have it or you don’t and she has it. She’s there for my son, holds him accountable, and is like a second mother figure—someone he knows that cares about him and he therefore trusts.

Not every place is for everyone so I highly recommend hiring an educational consultant.

Oscar:
There is only one major problem with educational consultants in general and that is a 20 years+ tradition for referring a child to the residential program which pays the consultant most. It is the sad fact. I am not stating that Gateway is a better or worse option for your child compared to many of the residential programs, which are on the database. But based on the problems with referrals I fear that other options were ignored due to the economical concerns.

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