Author Topic: Phoenix- New Wilderness employs ex CEDU  (Read 3913 times)

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Offline Deborah

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Phoenix- New Wilderness employs ex CEDU
« on: April 13, 2005, 10:21:00 PM »
Yet another wilderness program, near Ashville, NC, headquarters in Atlanta.  Another MOM creating a 'kinder, gentler' program.  :roll: Heavy on ex CEDU staff.

http://www.phoenixoutdoor.com/
http://www.strugglingteens.com/news/phe ... 50412.html

The line up:

Carolyn Bradfield, CEO and founder, was inspired to start the program based on the struggles of her teenage daughter?. Although her daughter was significantly helped by the program, Carolyn believed the needs of her family were neglected. She then realized that attending to the child's needs without addressing the needs of the family was incomplete and resulted in a less than positive outcome.

Dr. Bob Hanna has over twenty years experience in working with adolescents and their families with a special focus on adolescent wilderness therapy. He holds a PhD in clinical psychology from Brigham Young and he is a licensed psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association. He first served as a clinician for Aspen Achievement Academy, a nationally based therapeutic wilderness program, and has since served as Clinical Director for SUWS of the Carolinas, Adirondack Leadership Expeditions, and the Rocky Mountain Academy.

Ashley McEntire has over ten years of experience in wilderness education and therapy. As a Senior Expedition Guide and Assistant Program Director for Northwaters Wilderness Programs, Ashley developed skills in wilderness leadership, group process and program management. Her leadership experience includes working as a mountaineering guide, therapeutic wilderness instructor and sea kayak guide in Colorado, Utah and Maine.
[NORTHWATERS WILDERNESS???  Here we go: http://www.northwaters.com/article/articleview/1630/  Why in the world would she leave there for a TWP? Notice the smiles and playfullness on the staffs faces? She may be in for a rude awakening.]

Dan Kemp, former Director of Admissions for Northwest Academy-CEDU of Bonners Ferry, Idaho is joining the company as Director of Admissions and Marketing.

Our highly trained clinical department does not admit students with a history of extreme physical or sexual violence nor are students deemed appropriate if they suffer from severe mental illness or mental retardation.
***Hmmm, Wonder what THEY consider ?severe??

?Drug and alcohol abuse
?Oppositional and defiant behavior
?Negative peer influences
?Academic problems
?Low motivation/underachieving
?Depression
?Unresolved trauma
?Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
?Bipolar disorder
?Low self-esteem
?Generalized anxiety
?Complicated bereavement
?Personality/attachment issues

$450 A DAY
Phoenix Outdoor requires a minimum stay of 21 days in the program and parents will be billed in advance for the first 21 days. An average stay in a wilderness program is approximately 6 weeks, but a child may be there for more or less time depending on his or her progress. After the initial 21 day period, Phoenix will bill ahead on a weekly basis. Payment can be made by check or major credit card. Assistance will be offered in filing any insurance paperwork as required for reimbursement.

?. Our field staff of experienced outdoor professionals are certified in backcountry medicine, and trained in risk management and wilderness leadership.
Phoenix Outdoors' Field Department is staffed by highly skilled professionals trained to help students answer these critical questions. In addition to their EXPERIENCE WITH ADOLESCENTS, our Senior Instructors and Field Instructors are SEASONED in wilderness travel, first aid, and risk management. This expertise ensures that student safety is our top priority
HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONALS????? SEASONED????

Senior Instructor
Job Description:
The Senior Instructor is responsible for the care and supervision of up to ten students in the backcountry including the following: selecting backpacking routes and campsites, teaching wilderness skills and natural history, facilitating group process, and ensuring group safety and well-being. Further, the Senior Instructor is responsible for directing and training two assistant instructors, assigning them appropriate responsibilities and encouraging their professional development. The Senior Instructor works closely with the group's therapist to support the therapeutic plan through all aspects of outdoor the programming. The team leader receives training from and reports to the Director of Operations, the Director of Risk Management, and the Clinical Director.
Qualifications:
?Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably related to human development/psychology or education or relevant experience in the wilderness therapy industry
?Current medical certification at the WFR level or higher
?Experience and expertise in backcountry navigation and low-impact camping
?Professional record of sound decision making and judgment in wilderness settings
?Good physical fitness
?Clear driving record and no criminal background
?Commitment to the personal growth and development of self, coworkers and students

Q: What are the field instructors' qualifications who work with my child in the outdoors?
Our field instructors have wilderness experience and a history of working with adolescents. All field instructors are trained in first aid and CPR, and our Team Leaders, who supervise the care of the students, are certified at the Wilderness First Responder or EMT level.
REALLY????

Field Instructor
Job Description:
The Field Instructor's role is to support the team leader. This involves the care and supervision of students, functioning as a wilderness leader with an emphasis on safety, backcountry navigation, equipment use and care and the facilitation of personal growth for students. The Field Instructor works with the group's therapist to support clinical goals and collaborates with the Senior Instructor to integrate the treatment plan into wilderness programming.
Qualifications:
?At least 21 years old and preference is given to those who hold a degree at the Associates level or higher
?Course completion in basic first aid and CPR. Current medical training at the WFA level preferred
?Personal or professional experience backpacking
?Clear driving record and no criminal background
?Good physical fitness
?Commitment to the personal growth and development of self, coworkers and students.

The field instructors undergo a rigorous, multi-week training program conducted by the Field and Clinical Departments ensuring their ability to offer a high quality of service and care to students. They are required to complete criminal background checks and drug screenings prior to employment.
?????

Q: What does the training period involve?
The training period is a one-week paid experience in which candidates will spend time backpacking throughout our various course areas with a group of other potential candidates.

Studies by leading universities and organizations show how effective wilderness based programs can be for adolescents in crisis. Dr. Keith Russell, an expert [Expert??] in the industry, tested [Tested?? Analyzed their Questionnaires] over 800 teenagers who participated in wilderness therapy programs. The study reported a statistically significant reduction in the severity of behavioral and emotional problems.

***Keith Russell, Ph.D.[Prof at U of Idaho], worked with Catherine Freer and Dr. Cooley, who served on his dissertation committee, to design a doctoral dissertation which would describe the theoretical bases and actual processes, along with results, of wilderness therapy. Dr. Russell spent a week in the field with each of four wilderness treatment programs, and additional time interviewing field staff and following up with clients after they graduated.
http://www.cfreer.com/whoweare/outcomes2.html
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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Hidden Lake Academy, after operating 12 years unlicensed will now be monitored by the state. Access information on the Federal Class Action lawsuit against HLA here: http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?t=17700

Offline Deborah

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Phoenix- New Wilderness employs ex CEDU
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2005, 11:17:00 AM »
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/st ... 5718.shtml

Application for permit questioned
Some concerned about heavy use of Chattahoochee National Forest
By DEBBIE GILBERT
The Times

A proposal to allow a "wilderness therapy" program to set up business within the Chattahoochee National Forest has raised questions about the role of commercial operations on public land.

Atlanta-based Phoenix Outdoor LLC has applied for a permit to bring youth groups on hiking and camping trips in northeast Rabun County. The program for troubled teens would operate year-round, with up to five groups in the area at any given time.

What the U.S. Forest Service fails to mention, in a scoping announcement dated March 22, is that a similar company, Clayton-based Second Nature Blue Ridge, already is operating in the same part of the forest.

Environmental and hiking groups are worried about the potential number of people using the area, which includes the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area and the Bartram, Holcomb Creek and Three Forks trails. [ ::cheers:: to the Tree Huggers]

"I don't mind encountering other people on the trail. What concerns me is erosion," said Beckie Hilton of Mount Airy, president of the NE Georgia Mountain Hiking Club.

"Some of these trails are already in bad shape, and they're not designed to handle large numbers of people."

Buzz Williams, director of the Chattooga Conservancy in Rabun County, used to work with the Nantahala Outdoor Center and Outward Bound groups.

"I can tell you from experience that there is going to be impact, even if people try to be conscientious," he said. "Anytime you camp in the same place over and over, there's damage to vegetation."

Williams said the forest service doesn't take into account the cumulative effect of such activity. "They consider these permits individually," he said. "They've never done a study on the carrying capacity for recreation in the Chattahoochee National Forest."

Wayne Jenkins, director of Georgia Forest Watch in Ellijay, said such an evaluation is needed.

"The proximity of this forest to Atlanta guarantees heavy use," he said. "At some point, they can't keep saying yes to everybody who wants a permit."

Blaine Boydstun, who handles special-use permits for the Chattahoochee's Tallulah and Chattooga ranger districts, said a permit is required for "any type of activity that is commercial, where you benefit by charging people to use part of the national forest."

Such businesses include outfitters, guide services, utility companies that route their lines through the forest and special events such as next weekend's Tour de Georgia bike race, which concludes on Brasstown Bald.

Businesses that use the forest pay only a small annual fee, Boydstun said. But they're also expected to pay the forest service about 3 percent of the receipts they earn there.

"It's not a huge source of revenue for us, and it's not part of our decision in issuing a permit," he said. "Our first consideration is the impact on the resource."

Boydstun said five companies currently have outfitter/guide permits to use the same area Phoenix has applied for, but only Second Nature operates year-round. "The others just come in a couple weekends a year," he said.

Boydstun said he hasn't received any complaints from the public about Second Nature, which has had a permit for about two years.

"Occasionally, one of their clients will run away from the group," he said. "But they've been good to work with. They pay their fees on time."

Boydstun said Second Nature has a maximum of three groups in the area at a time. Phoenix proposes five groups of up to 14 people each, for a total of 70 people using the trails at once.

To Williams, that's overcrowding.

"Three Forks is one of the few areas of the forest where you still have an element of solitude," he said. "I think taking kids into the outdoors is a great thing. But this business of outfitters and guide services is just getting way out of hand."  ::nod::

There is no official public comment period about the permit application, but Boydstun said he's still willing to listen to feedback.

"(Tallulah District Ranger) Dave Jensen will make a recommendation to the forest supervisor in Gainesville, who will make the final decision," he said.

"We could approve the permit as is, approve it with modifications (such as requiring the applicant to use a different part of the forest) or deny it altogether."

E-mail: [email protected]


Originally published Monday, April 18, 2005
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
gt;>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Hidden Lake Academy, after operating 12 years unlicensed will now be monitored by the state. Access information on the Federal Class Action lawsuit against HLA here: http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?t=17700

Offline cherish wisdom

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Phoenix- New Wilderness employs ex CEDU
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2005, 12:08:00 PM »
$13,500 per month/ per child.  That's a lot of money just to have them camp in the woods. They don't even need to have a facility - just some tents and minimum wage employees.  They probably have the parents also pay for the camping gear, cloting and so forth.  

I'd like to suggest that the actual parents take a month off of work and go hiking and camping with their child for a few weeks.  It would sure cost a lot less and it would give the child an opportunity to re-connect with their parents.  

First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0826400035/circlofmiamithem' target='_new'> Gandhi

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Offline Deborah

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« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2007, 11:01:45 AM »
Aspen Education Group Announces
Acquisition of Phoenix Outdoor
July 2, 2007

Aspen Education Group, the nation’s leading provider of education programs for struggling or underachieving young people, today announced that it has acquired Phoenix Outdoor, a licensed therapeutic wilderness program that provides comprehensive substance abuse intervention and assessment for youth ages 13-17 located near Asheville, North Carolina.

Opened in April 2005, Phoenix Outdoor combines traditional individual and group therapy with outdoor experiential activities and a therapeutic curriculum designed to expose underlying issues and affect significant change in a short amount of time. Its in-depth Substance Abuse and Addictions Program (SAAP) offers primary care substance abuse and addictions treatment for adolescents within the broader Phoenix Outdoor wilderness program experience.

“We are pleased to welcome Phoenix Outdoor to Aspen Education Group and the larger CRC Health organization” said Elliot Sainer, Aspen’s president. “Aspen is recognized as an industry leader for the efficacy and quality of its programs, and the addition of a successful program like Phoenix Outdoor, with its primary focus on adolescents struggling with substance abuse, helps strengthen our ability to serve families in need.”
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
gt;>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Hidden Lake Academy, after operating 12 years unlicensed will now be monitored by the state. Access information on the Federal Class Action lawsuit against HLA here: http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?t=17700

Offline Truth Searcher

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« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2007, 11:21:50 AM »
Quote
a therapeutic curriculum designed to expose underlying issues and affect significant change in a short amount of time.

Drug and alcohol abuse
Oppositional and defiant behavior
Negative peer influences
Academic problems
Low motivation/underachieving
Depression
Unresolved trauma
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Bipolar disorder
Low self-esteem
Generalized anxiety
Complicated bereavement
Personality/attachment issues


This is such bullshit.

This is quite an impressive list.  Here's what I don't get about wilderness therapy.  How can 21 days (or 6 weeks for that matter) 'cure' any of these issues?  I could pick the list apart one by one ... but I know I'm just preaching to the choir.

At least when a parent makes a placement in a TBS, there is an adequate amount of time given to perhaps unravel a few of a kids struggles.  But how on earth do parents think that 21 days can cure ADHD?  Or Bipolar Disorder.

This makes no sense to me --
« Last Edit: July 03, 2007, 11:25:46 AM by Guest »
quot;The test of the morality of a society is what is does for it\'s children\"

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Offline nimdA

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« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2007, 11:23:16 AM »
I wonder if these assclowns ever get different jobs outside of teen torture?

If you break the numbers down you get paid more for less at McDonalds.
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Offline Anonymous

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PO
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2007, 11:32:49 AM »
Quote from: ""Deborah""
Yet another wilderness program, near Ashville, NC, headquarters in Atlanta.  Another MOM creating a 'kinder, gentler' program.  :roll: Heavy on ex CEDU staff.



http://www.phoenixoutdoor.com/

http://www.strugglingteens.com/news/phe ... 50412.html



The line up:



Carolyn Bradfield, CEO and founder, was inspired to start the program based on the struggles of her teenage daughter?. Although her daughter was significantly helped by the program, Carolyn believed the needs of her family were neglected. She then realized that attending to the child's needs without addressing the needs of the family was incomplete and resulted in a less than positive outcome.

Phoenix outdoor was very profitable for Carolyn. Her husband was able to quit his job at SAIC a couple years back. The recent buyout no doubt helped fund that nice summer home in the retirement haven of WNC.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Deborah

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« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2007, 12:19:27 PM »
I saw something to that effect in my search

by: Bruce Ahern
Saturday, December 30, 2006, 8:06:13 AM
Dr. B,
Not every company formed by ex-SAIC folks like myself is technology focused. In 2004, my wife and I founded Phoenix Outdoor, a wilderness treatment program for troubled teens. We saw a need in the market to help adolescents with drug and alcohol issues in a therapeutic wilderness environment. While neither my wife or I are psychologists, we hired the best and brightest to provide those services

We follow an employee-ownership model by giving percentages of the business to our key management team. We have over 50 employees today and are expanding with a new transitional living home in Asheville North Carolina. That operation will service adolescents with longer term transition care for addiction recovery. We also formed a non-profit 501 c3 to support scholorships for families that can’t afford the cost of care.
http://www.beyster.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=25

Right off the bat they hired exCEDU and the Dir had worked in several Aspen programs
It would be difficult to have been in the wilderness therapy industry without knowing of the contributions made by Jim Glaeser. An industry veteran, Jim is an expert in starting and growing wilderness programs. His impressive resume includes Executive Director positions leading the start up of SUWS of the Carolinas, Adirondack Leadership, and Lone Star.....
Jim and his wife Karen, along with their 9-year old daughter have relocated from Sandpoint, Idaho to Asheville to join the management at Phoenix Outdoor. Karen is also a wilderness industry veteran with field experience at SUWS of Idaho and who worked as a therapist for Ascent. She will augment Phoenix Outdoor’s clinical team by serving as one of the growing team of family therapists.

In terms of how "effective" they are
Phoenix Outdoor represents just one step in a continuum of care. The goal is to have sustainable, long-term changes and that requires a long-term strategy that incorporates care after Phoenix Outdoor. After completion of our program, students either return to their homes and schools or enter a new environment such as a therapeutic boarding school or residential treatment center. Whichever approach is taken, it is critical that a plan be carefully crafted while the student is still at Phoenix. This is the only way to ensure any level of success.

Re: Ashville House
After working with several hundred families whose adolescents attended Phoenix Outdoor, it became clear that there was a need for a short-term residential program to provide additional support, treatment, and education for students who were not yet ready to go home, but were not candidates for longer-term boarding school or residential programs. [So, apparently, not "effective".]

It was also clear that adolescents attending short-term drug and alcohol treatment or coming out of longer programs were also in need of support and guidance to successfully transition back to their homes, schools, and families.

When Carolyn’s daughter left wilderness therapy, there were no short-term programs available that provided the range of services her daughter needed.  After a year and a half in a long-term boarding school, her daughter’s transition from boarding school to college met with disastrous results.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
gt;>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Hidden Lake Academy, after operating 12 years unlicensed will now be monitored by the state. Access information on the Federal Class Action lawsuit against HLA here: http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?t=17700

Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2007, 01:39:59 PM »
$450 a day could pay for a nice hotel room and a day's worth of room service and movies. At least that won't fuck up a kid and piss them off. But parents aren't interested in anything but hurting and punishing their kid in ways they cannot do at home.
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Offline stoodoodog

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« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2007, 01:48:43 PM »
The logo and graphics for Asheville House (on their website) are strikingly similar to those for The Asheville School. That is a little scary to me. What if a parent doing a web search for the latter came up with Asheville House instead?
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Offline Truth Searcher

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« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2007, 02:14:31 PM »
Quote
But parents aren't interested in anything but hurting and punishing their kid in ways they cannot do at home.


Isn't that just a tad over-generalized??

Some parents really do have the best intentions when they place a kid.  We get sold a lie that we believe and then endorse.  Once the dust settles we realize ... but then it's too late.

Not all parents are evil and irresponsible.

Try to remember that.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
quot;The test of the morality of a society is what is does for it\'s children\"

Deitrich Bonhoeffer

Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2007, 03:04:42 PM »
Quote from: ""Guest""
But parents aren't interested in anything but hurting and punishing their kid in ways they cannot do at home.


That's about as dumb as saying "Programs aren't interested in anything but helping kids be healthy and happy in ways that parents, families, friends and therapists could not do at home."
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Offline psy

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Phoenix- New Wilderness employs ex CEDU
« Reply #12 on: July 03, 2007, 03:15:16 PM »
Quote from: ""Truth Searcher""
Quote
But parents aren't interested in anything but hurting and punishing their kid in ways they cannot do at home.

Isn't that just a tad over-generalized??

Some parents really do have the best intentions when they place a kid.  We get sold a lie that we believe and then endorse.  Once the dust settles we realize ... but then it's too late.

Not all parents are evil and irresponsible.

Try to remember that.


It's true.  My parents were fooled...  Shit.. I was fooled.  It sounded nice on the tour.  There are some parents who really couldn't care less about their kids... but they usually don't care enough to post on Fornits or do research.
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Benchmark Young Adult School - bad place [archive.org link]
Sue Scheff Truth - Blog on Sue Scheff
"Our services are free; we do not make a profit. Parents of troubled teens ourselves, PURE strives to create a safe haven of truth and reality." - Sue Scheff - August 13th, 2007 (fukkin surreal)

Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #13 on: July 03, 2007, 03:58:40 PM »
Mine weren't, they like to pretend they were when it suits them though.
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Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #14 on: July 03, 2007, 04:05:46 PM »
Quote from: ""Truth Searcher""
Quote
But parents aren't interested in anything but hurting and punishing their kid in ways they cannot do at home.

Isn't that just a tad over-generalized??

Some parents really do have the best intentions when they place a kid.  We get sold a lie that we believe and then endorse.  Once the dust settles we realize ... but then it's too late.

Not all parents are evil and irresponsible.

Try to remember that.


Well obviously I am not talking about you, don't mistake me for Encyclopedia Brittanica, my words are simply one person's opinion based on my experience and observations. I think you are in the extreme minority. So how should I qualify my statements from now on? Most program parents? Some? A few? This board isn't exactly bursting at the seams with dissatisfied parents, or any other site for that matter. I don't know about evil but a lot of program parents are irresponsible, that's for sure. I can't help but remember that.
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