More Information About Wilderness Programs, Therapy, and Troubled Teens

Setting the Standard in Wilderness Therapy

By Meghan Vivo

What makes a wilderness therapy program effective? SUWS of the Carolinas, which recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary in the field of wilderness therapy, has been a model for dozens of wilderness programs because of its impressive blend of the following components:

History, Reputation, and Philosophy

One advantage of choosing a well-established wilderness program like SUWS is the years of history it has had to build a strong reputation and core philosophy. SUWS of the Carolinas began as a sister program of the highly successful wilderness therapy program, SUWS Idaho. Building on the history and reputation of SUWS Idaho, SUWS of the Carolinas has established itself as one of the premier wilderness programs in the U.S.

“We started with a rich history at SUWS Idaho and have developed an equally rich history here in North Carolina,” says Jesse Quam, MSW, LCSW, the Clinical Director at SUWS of the Carolinas. “In a relatively short time, SUWS of the Carolinas has established itself as the gold standard in wilderness therapy.”

With 10 years of experience, SUWS has built a program that consistently functions at its best. “The machine works and the system is healthy, and that trickles down to the clients” says Quam. A strong group culture combined with a profound appreciation for the outdoors and compassion toward families makes SUWS a place where people want to work and families want to turn for help.

Although much has changed, the philosophy at SUWS has remained constant over the years. “We’re looking for an internal shift in our students that produces long-term change, not just a momentary modification of behavior,” explains Leah Madamba, MS, LPC, NCC, Program Director at SUWS of the Carolinas. “We believe everybody has a purpose, and by the time our students graduate, they know they have something valuable to offer their families, schools, and communities.”

Extensive Course Area

Of course, wilderness therapy wouldn’t mean much without the primary agent for change: the wilderness. Located in the mountains of western North Carolina, just outside of Asheville, SUWS of the Carolinas is conveniently located for families all along the eastern seaboard and across the country. With the advantage of being close to major cities like Atlanta, Raleigh, and Charlotte, SUWS is still far enough removed to take full advantage of the Pisgah National Forest and surrounding wilderness areas.

“Our course area is beautiful – it almost cradles you as a student, with nurturing, lush greenery and rushing rivers all around,” says Madamba. “It’s also a wonderful place for families to visit and feel like they are getting away from everything.”

Base Camp Facilities

Over the years, SUWS has worked to enlarge its already impressive facilities, creating a sprawling campus with log cabins, showers, laundry facilities, and other amenities that can be used during inclement weather or for family meetings.

SUWS helped pioneer the base camp model of wilderness therapy, which provides shelter and facilities for students in between wilderness expeditions. This model is not only safer and more convenient for students and their families, but also serves an important therapeutic purpose.

“Transitioning to and from the field gives students a chance to test the skills they’ve learned during the program,” says Shawn Farrell MEd., the Executive Director at SUWS of the Carolinas. “Moments of transition tend to trigger emotions, which allows our therapists to see if students resort to old coping strategies or utilize the new ones they’ve learned in the field.”
 
Clinical Excellence

Perhaps most central to SUWS’ success has been its distinguished clinical team. “It is the staff that sets SUWS apart,” says Madamba. “It’s a testament to the program’s outstanding reputation for clinical excellence that we have been able to retain top-quality field staff and clinical professionals who have a great deal of experience working with struggling teens both in the wilderness and in other settings.”

SUWS has never been content to merely assume its program works. Over the years, SUWS has participated in a number of independent outcome studies to evaluate its effectiveness and prove to families and the scientific community that wilderness therapy works.

“We know wilderness works, but we want to prove it,” says Farrell. “For this reason, we test our work – and the results have been overwhelmingly positive.”

Just last year, SUWS participated in a longitudinal study in conjunction with the University of Arkansas and non-profit organization CREATE NC, tracking the success of students in wilderness therapy with very favorable results. Studies have shown that when teens attend SUWS, they present with serious emotional and behavioral issues. By the time they leave the program, there are significant clinical improvements, and follow-up studies show that these improvements continue after formal treatment ends.

As it has done for the past 10 years, SUWS continues to find ways to expand the services it offers to families and teens in crisis. In addition to its classic 55-day wilderness program, SUWS now offers a Seasons program for younger teens ages 10-13 and a 30-day Leader’s Way program for teens going on to residential treatment.

In April, another wilderness program, Phoenix Outdoor, moved to the SUWS of the Carolinas campus. With this addition, SUWS has been able to expand its treatment options even further, meeting the needs of teens with substance abuse disorders. With a full spectrum of clinical programs and treatment options available, SUWS is able to provide the most appropriate treatment to a diverse group of clients with a range of emotional and behavioral issues.

Support for Families

SUWS has set the standard for family programming in the field of wilderness therapy. The SUWS family program includes weekly family therapy sessions, a three-day graduation weekend, and a two-day parent workshop midway through the program. By working to improve the family dynamic and actively involving the family in the process of change, the entire family is prepared for the next stage of treatment or the child’s return home.

“During the family visit, teens cook dinner for their parents and spend the night as a family in the field,” explains Madamba. “This gives parents an opportunity to see how much their child has grown in just a few weeks. The whole process is amazing to watch.”

Clinical Director Jesse Quam credits the families for the program’s success. “To me, it is the resiliency of our students and families that makes SUWS so exceptional,” he says. “They come to us in crisis and walk out at graduation transformed. You can see a remarkable change in the direction of the family system – they are now spiraling upward instead of downward.”

Ten years of wilderness therapy also means 10 years of success stories, ranging from high school and college graduations, family reunions, thank you letters, and requests to come back to SUWS as a mentor or field guide.

“If the future holds anything like what we’ve seen in the past 10 years, we will keep doing what we do well here – creating a safe place for growth, building an incredible staff of professionals, and continuing to be inspired by the courage of these teens and their families,” says Quam.

 

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