Skip to main content

Helping Teens Connect in a World of High Anxiety

 By Stephen C. Schultz


This is just a quick note to provide an update on Oxbow Academy. If you have explored my blog before, you are probably aware I am involved with a group of treatment programs for teenagers.

Please allow me to share a couple of experiences I had at Oxbow Academy. Last week, we were preparing for a parent tour. I was in the middle of identifying a student who could assist with the tour when I got a call from one of our staff members. Thoughts raced through my mind:

“Shoot, Jake won’t be able to help us...he is at his internship at a local business.”

Then I thought to myself, “Wow! How cool is that!”

Jake has worked through many of his sexual issues and is now living in the independence house where he is able to prepare to return home.


Later in the week, I ran into a young man enrolled at Oxbow Academy who I had spoken with previously. I asked how he was doing and what he was up to. He mentioned that he had just been working on a career evaluation so he can explore opportunities for his future. He explores his skill sets and aptitudes in the morning and attends school in the afternoon. What a great opportunity! I happen to know some of the clinical issues this young man had worked through. What an accomplishment! What determination! What resilience!

Reminder:
Oxbow Academy provides highly specialized therapeutic support for teenage boys struggling with problematic sexual behavior. Students at Oxbow engage in therapeutic work while also participating in equine, music and outdoor experiential activities. Because of our location, our campus extends into the surrounding community, where therapists regularly participate in activities in real-world environments to help students develop healthy skills beyond the treatment setting.

Oxbow Academy also works with students who have struggled in previous placements and may need a more individualized approach to their care. Many students come to Oxbow after experiencing difficulty in larger treatment settings. Some may have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other developmental concerns that have complicated their progress in past programs. Others have experienced treatment fatigue, having moved from program to program before arriving at Oxbow.

The goal is to connect with these students on a deeper level and help them see a path forward by fostering personal growth, accountability, and future opportunities. 

Be sure to check out our Clinical Staff. Oxbow Academy has one of the most experienced and dedicated clinical teams in the field, ensuring the highest level of care for the students and families we serve.

Labels:
Location: United States

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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, ...
5 comments
Read more

Holiday Insight: Finding Grace in Imperfect Relationships

 By Stephen C. Schultz As we once again head into the Holiday Season, it is important to be aware of the impact of the holidays on those we love and care about. The holidays are often described as a time of joy, family, and celebration. But for many, they bring a quieter reality - one marked by stress, loneliness, or the resurfacing of painful memories. For some people, the holidays represent connection and renewal. For others, they stir up what has been lost, what never was, or what once hurt too much to recall. The very things that make the season feel special - music, smells, family gatherings - can also awaken deep emotional undercurrents, especially for those with a history of trauma. Why the Holidays Can Trigger Past Trauma Many people who have experienced trauma - especially early childhood or relational trauma - notice that this season brings unexpected emotional intensity. Science now confirms what survivors have long known: certain times of year can activate implicit ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The definition of insanity…the sanity of recovery!

By Stephen C. Schultz We have all heard the old saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting a different result." As I work with teens and families that struggle with a myriad of problems, the one thing that amazes me is the tendency for families to keep thinking and behaving in the same ways and expecting positive changes to take effect. How often do we hope to change our destination in life, but fail to change the route? Here is fun story with a great message! Autobiography in Five Short Chapters By Portia Nelson Chapter One I walk down the street.      There is a deep hole in the sidewalk      I fall in.      I am lost...I am helpless      It is not my fault.      It takes forever to find a way out. Chapter Two I walk down the same street.      There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. ...
Post a Comment
Read more