The Interpreted Rock

By Stephen C. Schultz The other day, a colleague poked his head into my office and said, “Man… Schultz, you are good on the phone .” I laughed and replied, “Thanks—just don’t let that get around. I don’t need the mockery that would follow.” That brief exchange stayed with me. Our organization is growing, and we’ve been interviewing therapists and admissions directors across multiple programs. It raised an important question: What does it really mean to be good on the phone—and can that skill be taught in a way that aligns with clinical and trauma-informed values ? After more than 25 years in mental healthcare —across clinical services, admissions, administration, marketing, and even a stint in advertising—I’ve learned this: families don’t call because they’re ready. They call because they’re overwhelmed. Being “good on the phone” is less about persuasion and far more about safety, attunement, and clarity . A Trauma-Informed Framework for Intake Conversations Key Definitions Need A cli...

By Stephen C. Schultz I’d like to share an experience I had at one of the International ICEF Conferences in Montreal. I was speaking with an educator from Canada, and she mentioned to me: "I wish I had known about your services last year. I had a student from China who struggled with inappropriate technology use. We did all we could to assist him, but he was eventually sent back to China. He was embarrassed, his parents were embarrassed—it was not a good outcome for this boy or his family. Is this the type of student you can help?" I responded, "Absolutely!" Please feel free to review the link below to learn more about Oxbow Academy for teenagers and our evaluation and treatment process. I am often asked by educators, consultants, and agents how we might work together. My hope is that we can be seen as a valuable resource when you have a student who needs this level of assistance. We offer a solution-focused option for both the student and their parents. Stude...

By Stephen C. Schultz Not long ago I was in Tucson, Arizona meeting with the family of a young man who had graduated from Oxbow Academy. I was traveling with Oxbow’s Clinical Director, and during our visit we also met with several allied health professionals who work with struggling teens and their families. Whenever I meet with clinicians and parents, the issue of problematic sexual behavior in adolescents is inevitably the topic. It is a growing concern, yet one that society often feels uncomfortable discussing openly. In many ways, it is a problem that is hiding in plain sight . Oxbow Academy works specifically with families who are struggling with a son experiencing problematic sexual behaviors (PSB). These concerns can include excessive pornography use, inappropriate touching of a sibling, friend, or neighbor, or other compulsive or concerning sexual behaviors. Over the many years of working alongside families navigating this difficult situation, I have noticed several importa...

Guest Blogger Amanda Schultz Age 15 There she was…hair as black as night, lips as red as blood, skin as white as snow. Standing by the window, washing dishes, whistling while she worked. Snow White. I shudder with disgust every time I hear her name. What kind of a name is that anyway? “Snow White”. Gahhh, it’s a name that practically begs to be made fun of. Yet, there she goes, frolicking around like she owns the Enchanted Forest. No. I’m the Queen. I’m in charge. My magic mirror was mistaken. I’m the Fairest of them all, not that sorry excuse for a princess. One bite from my poison apple and that air-head will be so ugly not even her mother could love her. And I will be the Fairest once again! I suppose that I should rewind a little bit. It wasn’t always a competition between Snow White and me. In fact, back in the day, we had a nice little system going on. I would rule the kingdom and practice my magic, while Snow did the dishes and tended the garden. She stayed out of my w...