Creating a Culture of Research

By Steven DeMille PhD, LCMHC

Executive Director

RedCliff Ascent

The mental health field is entering a new phase of transparency and accountability. This includes therapeutic schools and programs. There has been a forceful push across the healing professions for increased accountability for the services we provide. In some cases government agencies and insurance companies are requiring mental health professionals to justify their effectiveness in order to receive financial reimbursements. Furthermore, there has been a movement for a “consumer driven intervention” in the mental health field. Many professional and nonprofit organizations are educating consumers on how to question mental health professionals to hold them accountable for their services. Resources are also being given away for consumers to “rate” their therapist or treatment program. A program “report card” has been developed and is available online for consumers to grade treatment facilities on the quality of their services.

Many have responded to these changes with resistance and defiance while others have embraced and even been ahead of the changing demands. One of the powerful ways programs have been responding to these changes is creating a culture of research and accountability within its program. Recently, a progressive group of programs took creating a research culture to the next level and hosted a research symposium dedicated to promoting quality research and program collaboration.

The First Annual

Therapeutic Programs Research Symposium

Recently, Discovery Academy, Discovery Connections, DiscoveryRanch, Oxbow Academy, Discovery Ranch for Girls, Redwood Grove and RedCliffAscent met to share and collaborate on research activities. Each program presented on their current research activities and outcomes. In addition, experiential activities were conducted to foster inter-program collaboration and to develop better ideas on how to further develop the culture of research within our programs.

To learn more about the specific research projects, go to the above program websites and look under the “Research” page. Or, please feel free to contact the admissions director for the programs involved.

Comments

The Young Boy and the Rattlesnake

By Stephen C. Schultz (Editors note: This is a story used in a Wilderness Treatment Program. Many come to this program having struggled with depression, anxiety and substance use.) Many years ago there was a young Native American who lived in the very land you are residing in. He decided to seek wisdom by journeying to the top of Indian Peak. As he approached the base of the mountain he came across a rattlesnake that slithered beside him. The snake coiled as if to strike and the young boy moved back quickly in fear of being struck by the snake’s deadly venom. At that instant the snake spoke to the boy saying, “Don’t be afraid of me, I mean you no harm. I come to you to ask a favor. I see that you are about to traverse to the top of Indian Peak and was hoping that you may be willing to place me in your satchel so that I don’t have to make the long journey alone.” The young boy surprised by the snake’s request quickly responded by turning down the offer, stating, ...

When Seizures Strike: A Story of Resilience, Love, and Hope

By Stephen C. Schultz As a father, I never anticipated seeing and emotionally supporting my daughter through 50 seizures a day, for days on end. Each seizure brings with it a stiffened left arm and leg, convulsing motions, eyes rolling back to the left, and her head contorting to the right. Her breathing stops for the duration. The most harrowing aspect is that she remains conscious and aware of her surroundings. She can hear people talking, but her body simply does what it does. After 15 to 30 seconds of not breathing, a panic begins to set in. What if the seizure doesn’t stop? It’s a horrific experience to endure time and time again. It is nothing short of torture, with the emotional and psychological trauma that accompanies it. There were four seizures in the car on the way to the emergency room, all within about 20 minutes. After 10 hours in the emergency room, she was admitted and immediately hooked up to an EEG. There was a computer screen displaying graphs and a video...

Understanding and Addressing Problematic Sexual Behavior in Teens

By Stephen C. Schultz Teen sexual behavior concerns can be difficult for parents and professionals to navigate. When a teen exhibits problematic sexual behavior (PSB), it may be a sign of deeper emotional struggles, past trauma, or impulse control issues. Recognizing the signs early and seeking appropriate therapy for teen sexualized behavior is crucial for their well-being and development. What is Problematic Sexual Behavior in Teens? Problematic sexual behavior (PSB) refers to actions that are inappropriate for a teen’s developmental stage, violate social norms, or cause harm to themselves or others. This can include excessive sexual curiosity, coercive behaviors, or an inability to respect personal boundaries. Troubled teens with sexual behavior issues may struggle with emotional regulation, past sexual trauma, or underlying mental health conditions. Signs of Problematic Sexual Behavior in Adolescents Parents and caregivers should be aware of warning signs that ...

The Interpreted Rock

Search This Blog