The Interpreted Rock

 By Stephen C. Schultz (Editor's note: This is a very sensitive subject and may be uncomfortable to read. The information in this post is essentially focused on schools and therapeutic programs that have a residential component.) The chairs were all in a half-circle. There must have been over fifty, all filled with students. Banners from various colleges and universities hung from the rafters. The dull roar of multiple conversations, all happening simultaneously, cut through the air and echoed off the walls. I stood in front of the crowd and waited. The conversations and dull roar slowly faded, like a train disappearing into the distance. All eyes were now on me. I asked one question: “Who can tell me what grooming is?” I have spent my career working with families and teens through some very difficult times. I am a partner in a specialty care facility called Oxbow Academy. Oxbow specializes in treating teenage boys from across the globe who are burdened with the socially sensi...

By Stephen C. Schultz In my line of work, I witness daily the struggles that teens endure and the pain that families suffer. At times, it feels as though we are fighting a losing battle. There’s no doubt that everyone carries their own personal struggles and burdens— my family included . However, some individuals seem to navigate these challenges with grace, composure, and a sense of perspective that inspires those around them. The posts below are particularly special to me because four out of the five were written by my daughter. Over the past few years, she has occasionally written pieces and then asked if she could share them on my blog. I’m always happy and proud to do so! I hope you enjoy her thoughtful and heartfelt work. Featured Posts My House Has Stars Perfectly Wicked - A Fractured Fairy Tale I Can Make a Difference by Helping Others! My Experience with Autism Why Should "Bullies" Get All the Attention?

By Stephen C. Schultz I went home today for lunch. There wasn't anything there that a discerning palate would embrace, so I threw the chicken and rice cheddar medley in the microwave and patiently waited for a minute-thirty to pass. I sat down to eat.  My energetic...always on the move…love’s the water... thirteen year old daughter proudly walked in the kitchen and pulled some fresh baked cinnamon rolls out of the oven. She turned, smiled at me and said, “I just made some cinnamon rolls! You want one?” I responded with, “Sure, I would love one,  hon!” She then started telling me that she was “sooooooo excited” for school to start. She must have mentioned three times that it starts in 3 days. She went down the hallway and retrieved a little folding shelf and brought it out to the kitchen counter. She said, “I had this last year. But, since we have a new school, I don’t know if it will fit in my locker. You see, even though my locker is deeper this ...

By Stephen C. Schultz The clouds were white and full, billowing higher with every step we took. The air felt thick with humidity, and somewhere in the distance, thunder rolled in low and steady tones. As we walked and talked, our conversation turned to teenagers working toward sobriety—a journey that’s rarely easy, but always worth the effort. We talked about treatment plans, setbacks, and small victories. But what stuck with me most wasn’t a clinical breakthrough or a statistic—it was a garden. Yes, a garden. Teens in treatment often work together in the soil—digging, planting, watering, and watching as life slowly pushes up through the dirt. It may seem simple, but it’s a powerful metaphor. Recovery, like a garden, takes time. It starts with preparation—clearing space, turning over the hard ground, and making room for growth. It requires consistency, attention, and teamwork. Seeds are planted with care, spaced just right, watered regularly. And then comes the hardest part: waiting. ...