UintaAcademy Bio
UintaAcademy is a relationship and equine therapy based, licensed and accredited residential treatment center for adolescents who struggle with attachment issues, mood disorders, maintaining interpersonal relationships, or healing after trauma Our approach is based on the evidence that healthy relationships are the key component to transform out of trauma.
Nestled in the beautiful Wellsville Mountains in northern Utah, residents are placed into one of our four residential homes and therapeutically paired with their very own horse.Teens at Uinta settle into the home that best accommodates their needs and supports their personal growth
Our experienced staff consists of licensed therapists and educators alongside thoughtful direct care providers As trained professionals, we have dedicated our lives to helping youth heal and gain skills to positively impact their lives
Who do we serve?
Families come to us when their child is experiencing dysfunction or dysregulation after trauma, mood disorders, inability to internalize social skills, and challenges in their academics, social environments, or family dynamic We also treat secondary difficulties enmeshed within these structures
Uinta’s therapeutic approach prioritizes supportive relationships with caregivers as the foundational conduit of effective, long-lasting treatment.This is implemented in our program through family style settings, allowing residents to learn healthy relationship skills with staff and other individuals in their home
The East and West homes focus on helping youth ages 12 17 through clinical and nurturing relational treatment Young adults ages 18 21 have a separate house to better suit the difficulties and goals of individuals their age.Additionally, we have a transition home where residents can practice strengthening their autonomy and responsibility while finishing their treatment programs
All of our homes utilize theTeaching Family Model in everyday activities an evidence based therapeutic milieu model.This model is one of the onlyAmerican PsychologicalAssociation approved evidence based modalities for residential treatment It teaches skill and relationship development while encouraging mindfulness and independence
How do we help?
We strive to serve our residents as whole, complex individuals not simply a list of diagnostic difficulties. Cohesive treatment plans take into account the interconnected nature of family
structure, social groups, academics and the often complicated process of becoming an individual amidst it all.
Through equine-assisted psychotherapy, a therapeutic milieu, and personally modified academics alongside individual, group, family, and recreational therapy sessions residents at Uinta are given a wide array of support and growth opportunities
Acentral and unique aspect of our program at Uinta is the personalized relationships residents build with their horses Horses teach us responsibility, emotional regulation, and connection By learning these skills in equine-therapy, students can unlock more of their personal strengths to overcome challenges This is key in helping youth take control of their own treatment
In order to assure successful integration with family and community, Uinta provides a transitional program to residents during their final stages of treatment During this portion of the program, individuals move into the transitional house: a home environment with flexible programming that strengthens teens’autonomy
ClinicalApproach
We encourage youth to engage with their treatment plan by helping them find confidence and discover their personal strengths Often, a lack of empowerment leads young adults into a perceived state of victimhood. When teens discover the community function of responsibility and accountability, they feel more in control of their life
At Uinta, team members from every programming aspect work together to build individualized treatment plans for your child This cooperative approach to therapy has shown to create better cohesion in family relationships while decreasing symptomatic issues related to mental and behavioral health
All treatment plans focus on the strengths of the individual, creating healthy relationships to encourage
teens to seek change through internal motivation We do not use
or
punitive models in our clinical approach
Academics
Uinta has an incredible academic program to assure residents are supported in every aspect of life while focusing their efforts on self development.All teachers hold SecondaryTeacher endorsements by Utah’s State Office of Education The teachers dedicate their time to work individually with each student.
Rolling enrollment allows students to start where they left off in classes back home Importantly, this means no missed credits and no pressure of feeling “behind” other students if they begin treatment mid year
Coursework covers a wide array of core subjects and levels, with the option to complete a variety of college level classes online To best accommodate students of all abilities, we work with individuals’home school districts to follow IEPplans to meet residents' learning needs.
Students will engage in their core curriculum alongside cultural arts classes such as music, dance, photography, creative writing art and dance. Uinta offers courses in six international languages as well asAmerican Sign Language
Our personalized coursework and therapeutically-motivated teaching encourages students to enhance cognitive development, improve reasoning skills, and build self esteem through expressive creativity Due to our unique approach to academics, Uinta graduates have shown an average grade point increase of 1.8 (D to B ).
Activities to Supplement Therapy
To ensure holistic growth and integration of the hard work students do in therapy and school, teens enrolled at Uinta get to experience the local attractions and beautiful scenery of northern Utah Each week, students collaborate with staff to plan a “family outing” Group trips to the movies or local sporting events, family hikes or picnics, and local rodeos or fairs are top choices.
We also give residents opportunities to engage with the world in new ways. Exploration therapy gives teens the option to try exciting outdoor activities which they may have avoided in the past due to lack of self confidence or fear of judgment Some examples include white water rafting, skiing, snowboarding, cave exploration, and trips to National Parks.
Integrating the many aspects of a healthy, happy life works best when we nurture a mind body connection.Trauma and emotional imbalances dysregulate our nervous system, which can cause a cascade of negative effects
Uinta recognizes the importance of exercise as a driving factor for stress management, scholastic success, and overall wellness We build physical activities into our everyday routines
to help habitualize a healthy lifestyle Our grounds offer a tennis court, basketball courts, volleyball nets, and a soccer pitch for residents.
Uinta has a certified trauma-informedYoga instructor to help round out our experienced clinical and educational team. Mindfulness based yoga classes give students a safe space to understand and maturely connect with their emotions while learning to quiet their mind
Safety
Protecting residents on their path of self development and healing is our top priority. Our staff cares deeply for the wellbeing and healthy reintegration of adolescents in our program
As part of our professional care staff, our psychiatrist works with families to assure proper medication management It’s important to note that medications, while an integral part of some residents’treatment plans, can impact adolescent brain development.
Staff work together to monitor individuals’behavior and emotional states in a variety of environments. Constant communication helps our psychiatrist prescribe the lowest effective doses of the fewest necessary medications to effectively treat disorders This approach allows natural development and a cognizant treatment process
Upon arrival, residents undergo a medical assessment by a licensed nurse on our team The RN works closely with our therapists to support each individual's physical and mental vitality throughout treatment. For teens with ongoing health concerns, or eating and weight issues, our nurse provides consultation and monitoring
Outcomes
While every family measures success differently, we are proud to help change lives for the better Each day, our staff empowers students to take the reins of their life
Not only can we show the marked increase in students’GPAafter graduating our program, families consistently reach out with gratitude for the rekindled connection with their child Family and student surveys show a notable decrease in relationship problems, behavioral distress, depression and anxiety
Uinta’s relationship-based care model encourages individuals to develop their strengths and use them to create connections which foster consistent mental and physical well being We won’t give up on your child or family, even if it feels as if the world already has
Ownership
UintaAcademy was founded by a team of individuals dedicated to helping children and families with mental health challenges. Over half of the owners in our broader organization, Family Help & Wellness, are licensed therapists and experienced educators with a heartfelt commitment to trauma informed care.