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"The One That Got Away"...A Tribute To My Father

By Stephen C. Schultz The mist drifted effortlessly above the glass-like water. Drips from the oars broke the silence as they rhythmically melted into the lake sending endless miniature waves out in every direction. Dawn was upon me, my favorite time of day. Overhead, I heard a faint whistling sound that grew ever louder. I looked up and saw ten to fifteen mallards, wings set, gliding, tipping, and adjusting in unison, as they lit simultaneously on the water about Twenty-five yards from my boat near the lily pads. What a beautiful sight. Mornings like this were common on Collard Lake in 1973. At the age of ten, there was nowhere on earth I would rather be, than in the old aluminum rowboat with my father, stalking that elusive lunker. That trophy large mouth bass that I knew was just waiting in the limbs of the next fallen Doug fir, Cedar, or at the edge of the lily pads just around the corner. I was not new to this ritual, for it was the same every morning we were at “The Ca...
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Hidden Costs, Missed Opportunities: The Case for Specialized PSB Treatment

By Stephen C. Schultz  Hidden Costs - Missed Opportunities The hidden costs to society from a lack of early therapeutic interventions for Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) in adolescents are both significant and far-reaching. While direct costs (like court expenses or hospital stays) are often easier to measure, the indirect or "hidden" costs tend to be more insidious and long-term. Here’s a breakdown of these societal burdens: 1. Increased Recidivism and Chronic Behavioral Issues Untreated PSB in youth can escalate into more serious offenses over time. As these behaviors persist or worsen, adolescents are more likely to become entangled in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems , creating an ongoing public safety concern. This contributes to overburdened court systems, correctional facilities, and probation services . 2. Mental Health Deterioration in Youth and Families Adolescents with untreated PSB often experience worsening mental health , including depressi...

Beyond the Behavior: Helping Teens Heal

By Stephen C. Schultz Problematic sexual behavior (PSB) in adolescents presents a complex and often sensitive challenge for professionals across educational, clinical, and social service settings. These behaviors can signal underlying emotional distress, a history of trauma, neurodevelopmental differences, or deficits in impulse control. Early identification and intervention are key to helping young people develop healthy boundaries, emotional regulation, and long-term resilience. Understanding Problematic Sexual Behavior in Teens PSB encompasses sexual behaviors that are incongruent with a youth’s developmental level , violate social norms , or cause physical or emotional harm to themselves or others. These behaviors are not always rooted in deviance or malicious intent; they are frequently manifestations of trauma, attachment disruptions, or neurodevelopmental challenges. Examples of PSB may include: Excessive preoccupation with sexual content or activity Sexual behavior dir...

Measuring What Matters: Oxbow’s Edge in Predicting Progress

By Stephen C. Schultz Therapists are highly trained to guide, support, and assess progress. Yet, research continues to show that even experienced clinicians have mixed results at predicting which clients will improve, drop out, or struggle in therapy. This isn’t a critique of therapists—it’s a reality supported by data. And for those who place trust in residential treatment programs—families, school districts, educational consultants, and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)—this insight is critical. At Oxbow Academy , we take this seriously. That’s why we use validated, research-backed tools to supplement clinical intuition and track meaningful progress in real time. Research Shows: Intuition Isn’t Enough In a foundational study by Hannan et al. (2005), therapists failed to recognize which of their clients were likely to experience treatment failure—even when objective outcome data pointed to risks. Similarly, Hatfield et al. (2010) demonstrated that therapists tend to overestima...

Tangled Lines and Timeless Bonds: Fishing Stories Worth Remembering

 By Stephen C. Schultz There’s something about fishing that goes beyond the tug on the line or the splash of a catch — it’s about time slowing down, about conversations that flow as easily as the river itself. At The Interpreted Rock , a few of my most treasured articles capture this spirit perfectly. In " The Tangled Bird’s Nest...a Fisherman's Tale ," you'll find a heartfelt reflection on patience, humor, and the beautiful chaos of a day on the water. " The Rescue – A McKenzie River Adventure " sweeps you into a thrilling story of courage and connection, set against the backdrop of a legendary river. And for a touch of tender nostalgia, " Jared's Adams Fly – A Father's Memory " casts a line straight into the heart, celebrating the bonds that fishing so often forges between generations. These articles are true “evergreen” reads — always fresh, always meaningful. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or simply someone who enjoys life’s quiet...

When Emotional Pain Looks Like Manipulation: Oxbow Academy

By Stephen C. Schultz The teenage years are often full of complexity—especially for young people who struggle with impulse control, social understanding, or emotional regulation in relation to Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB). For some, this difficulty is compounded by co-occurring conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, or Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD) . These teens may unintentionally find themselves caught in compulsive, confusing, or embarrassing situations—sometimes involving inappropriate behavior with siblings, neighbors and friends or accessing dark corners of the internet. As these patterns continue, parents are often left feeling overwhelmed, frightened, and unsure of what to do next. Some worry that law enforcement or government agencies might get involved. Others have already experienced the fear of having electronics confiscated or home environments scrutinized. In the midst of this chaos, many parents recognize that their child’s behavior isn’t just a...

Life, Love, and Lessons: 10 Stories That Stay With You

By Stephen C. Schultz Life has a way of teaching us through moments in time—some tender, some tough, and some that simply catch us off guard. On The Interpreted Rock , these moments come to life in the form of personal reflections, heartfelt tributes, and everyday stories that explore what it means to grow, connect, and overcome. Whether you're navigating personal trials or celebrating simple joys, these ten evergreen blog posts invite you to pause and reflect on the power of shared experience. From the poignant homage in "The One That Got Away" to the insight filled interactions of "Teen Party At The Beach," these articles balance grief with grace and joy with introspection. You'll find strength in stories like "When Seizures Strike," and inspiration in the compassionate lens of "Treat People Like They're Under Construction." Each piece, in its own way, reveals how adversity shapes us—and how kindness, faith, and perspective can ...

Treat People Like They’re Under Construction

By Stephen C. Schultz Five Ways to Support Others as They Grow I find it interesting that when someone is remodeling their home, visitors are very tolerant of improvements that are obviously underway. They understand that dust, mess, and exposed beams are part of the process. You might even hear comments like, “It’s going to be beautiful when it’s done!” or “I love seeing the progress!” Yet when someone is remodeling their character , we often don’t extend the same grace. Instead of supporting the process, we sometimes call attention to the “mess” in progress—or worse, we remind them of what their “house” used to look like, as if they’re not allowed to change the floorplan. But here’s the truth: our lives are all Design/Build projects. We learn as we go. We draft blueprints based on what we think will work, and then we tweak them in real time. There’s no perfect plan from the start—only vision, intention, and a whole lot of revision. So how do we show up for others in the middle of...