The Interpreted Rock

  By Stephen C. Schultz I remember a conversation I once had while driving with an educator during visits to residential programs for adolescents. We were discussing which programs seemed to work best with the most complex clinical presentations. After a pause, she said something that stuck with me: “Some programs have a reputation for working with the most clinically complicated students—and that’s not something to shy away from. It’s something to understand.” That comment stayed with me—not because it flattered any particular program, but because it raised deeper questions: Why do certain programs develop that reputation? What actually allows meaningful change to occur with students who present with layered trauma, neurodevelopmental differences, attachment disruptions, and Problematic Sexual Behavior? What kind of treatment truly meets those needs? Those questions are especially relevant when working with adolescents struggling with PSB. These are not students lacking intelligen...

By Stephen C. Schultz Helping Families and Students Find the Right Level of Care At Oxbow Academy, our goal is to help families, schools, and communities understand exactly what kind of support an adolescent needs—and for how long. We work with both neurodiverse and neurotypical students , providing individualized care that meets each student where they are developmentally and emotionally. We also operate a specialized campus for latency-age students (ages 10–13) , designed specifically for younger boys who need a smaller environment, additional structure, and age-appropriate therapeutic support. Our evaluation and treatment process brings clarity, clinical accuracy, and peace of mind. Through structured assessment and real-world observation, we help determine whether a student needs continued residential care or can safely transition to a less restrictive environment. This approach not only supports long-term success but also ensures that families and referral partners use resources ...