The Interpreted Rock

By Stephen C. Schultz Spring is in the air, and that familiar urge to get out of the house and go fishing is surging through my veins. Just the other day, I found myself wandering through the fishing lure aisle at a sporting goods store. Later, as I stood in the yard after mowing the lawn, I noticed my small 12-foot fishing boat still covered from winter and waiting for action. Over the years, people have asked me, “What’s so fun about fishing?” They often follow it up with, “Isn’t it boring?” From my perspective, they couldn’t be more wrong. Fishing is so much more than just a pastime. It’s about immersing yourself in nature, breathing fresh air, and enjoying solitude. It’s an opportunity to think deeply, reflect on life’s challenges, and express gratitude for your blessings. There’s also the joy of observing the water, identifying a hatch, and skillfully placing a lure or fly in just the right spot. Then comes the thrill of the fish striking—followed by that exhilarating twinge in ...

By Stephen C. Schultz His breathing was heavy and fast.  Mucus sprayed from his nostrils and his cheeks fought the g-forces as if he were a fighter pilot leaving the deck of an aircraft carrier in an F-16. His neck muscles strained and his face grimaced as the fight or flight response kicked in. Five; six; seven now eight steps into his evasive action that was steeped in athletic prowess and natural instinct, he thought he was in the clear. Once again, he had cheated death and the angels of mercy had looked down upon him. It didn’t register right away. With each step, the distance grew larger between him and his immediate threat. It shouldn’t have happened this way. There was so much to live for. He was in the prime of his life with family and friends who loved and cared about him. He didn’t want it to end this way. The pain was quick and sharp. It penetrated right in the square of his back between his shoulder blades. His chest was thrust forward and his a...

By Stephen C. Schultz As a clinician, just about everyone has dealt with clients who share very personal, intimate and poignant information with us. There is a trust and therapeutic alliance that we hope to establish over time. I would bet that most of us have also worked with clients who share only partial information. They aren’t quite ready to “spill all of the beans”. I want to reach out in a helpful manner concerning conversations you may have with families pertaining to Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) and teenagers. I’ve been thinking a lot about a recent conference I attended in San Antonio, Texas. I had conversations with no fewer than seven clinicians and allied health professionals about families and students that are struggling with PSB, yet the families are hesitant to address the issues head on. It is obvious that when a family is resistant to working on these very sensitive issues that it puts you, as the clinician, in a very awkward position con...

By Stephen C. Schultz The fire has almost died. The embers are glowing a light orange with grey ashes sneaking up around them. Some of the other students are getting ready to slip into their wiggy’s. He could sit here all night, just looking at the stars. They don’t look this bright at home. Everything seems clearer out here. He looks across the fire where Scott is sitting. Scott, or Medicine Bull as he is known, gives him a head nod and asks how he is doing on his fires. He remembers the first time he busted a fire with only his bow and drill set. Scott showed him the way. Scott never makes him talk. Through his example he simply encourages him to try. RedCliff students learn firsthand the power of teamwork and the importance of individual contribution. They also learn they can count on their counselors. Staff members eat, dress, hike and otherwise live in the back country no differently than the students they lead. The result is the development, over time, of mutua...

By Stephen C. Schultz The white lines zipped past at a strobe-light pace. The song "Don't Stop Believin’" by Journey played on my car stereo. Traffic was heavy but still moving fast, at a pace between 75 and 80 mph. I was on my way to Discovery Ranch South . Discovery Ranch is a clinically sophisticated residential treatment center on a beautiful sixty-acre horse property. These teens have been making steady progress throughout their very personal therapeutic journey. They have all dealt with some pretty difficult challenges. Many of the teens are working through clinically complex family situations that include depression, anxiety, self-harm, trauma, attachment issues, substance use, or any combination of these and more. These teens have demonstrated courage, determination, sacrifice, insight, and resilience as they move through the process of growth and healing. On this particular day, I was heading to a meeting in the conference room at Discovery Ranch. As I walk...

  By Stephen C. Schultz Leaves fluttered to the ground as a crisp wind bit my cheeks. The tears welling up in my eyes were not born of emotion but of the chill in the air. The small creek to my left meandered down the canyon. The soft gurgling sound of running water as it crossed over ageless boulders was like music to my ears. A flock of mallards bobbed their heads and glided effortlessly in the current as the water swirled into a back eddy just around the next curve. This was truly a Place of Peace . For many families and individuals alike, finding a place of peace seems like a fleeting proposition. Whether it's a teenager, husband, or wife, addiction is no respecter of persons or societal status. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It brings emotional pain, family discord, and misery to everyone it touches. Addiction is a liar. It tells us there is no problem. It tells us we can handle it. It seduces us into believing that any problems or personal issues are not of our own making ...

By Stephen C. Schultz We’ve all been there—whether in private therapeutic practice, a hospital setting, educational consulting, or residential treatment. At some point, we’ve all worked with a student, patient, or client who is struggling and headed toward a bad outcome. Every therapeutic environment has a percentage of individuals who face significant challenges, despite the resources and effort dedicated to helping them. One of the biggest obstacles for these students is their inability to connect—whether with peers, parents, adults, or authority figures. More importantly, they struggle to connect with themselves in a meaningful and productive way through therapy. Often labeled as “treatment-resistant,” these students frequently move from one program to another, requiring a higher level of clinical care to address their needs effectively. That’s why Oxbow Academy was created. Since 2006, parents and professionals alike have referred to Oxbow as the best-kept secret in specialized ...