Copper Canyon Academy offers a full program of Equestrian Therapy, also known as Equine Assisted or Animal Assisted Therapy. This program is especially valuable to younger students, students who have a history of not responding well to traditional therapy, and to students with attachment/bonding issues. The Equine Therapy program is included in your daughter's tuition and is offered in addition to the existing individual and group therapy.
The 12 Steps Work for Teens, Too
PDFBy Meghan Vivo
A lot of people think the 12-Step program is just for adults, but as the growing number of 12-Step meetings designed specifically for teens shows, adolescents also have a lot to gain from Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and related programs.
Teenagers are sometimes skeptical of the 12-Step program at first. Some are intimidated by the emphasis on spirituality and worry that a certain religion or belief system will be forced on them. As they learn more about the program and discover that a “higher power” can be anything, including nature, family or even the meeting itself, their defenses come down.
Others simply think recovery is “uncool,” or that the 12 Steps are only for older people. But once they realize that there are meetings of all kinds, including ones just for teens, where they’re surrounded by other young people experiencing the same struggles as them, most teens open up to the concept of 12-Step recovery. Â
Why the 12 Steps?
The 12-Step program is one of the largest and most accessible support systems in the world, and it creates a clear path for anyone struggling with addictive behaviors to lead a healthier, happier life. Twelve Step meetings help teens realize they aren’t alone in their struggles. They can always go to a meeting and release any pent-up emotions by talking it out with the support of others, rather than turning to their addictive behavior to cope.
“At 12-Step meetings, teens hear others share their story, which provides that universal experience all humans crave of feeling connected to one another,” said Josh White, MA, LPC, CADC I, CGP, RCYCP, the program director at Copper Canyon Academy, a premier therapeutic boarding school for girls. “Especially for teens, who yearn for peer acceptance, often feel alone and are in the midst of defining their own identity, fellowship with others who have the same problems and are dealing with them in healthy ways can be a powerful antidote.”
Finding 12-Step Programs for Teens
A number of programs for teens utilize the 12 Steps to treat substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. At Copper Canyon Academy, a comprehensive 12-Step program that is designed and facilitated by a certified alcohol and drug counselor helps teenagers get on the path toward recovery while they attend a fully accredited high school and prepare for college.
While roughly two-thirds of the students at Copper Canyon have a diagnosis of substance abuse, others struggle with other compulsive behaviors. In addition to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, the academy offers Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) meetings, Al-Anon meetings (for friends and family of problem drinkers), and a catch-all meeting for various other forms of addictive behavior such as overeating, Internet addiction, and sex and love addiction.
On average, the students at Copper Canyon Academy are able to attend four on-campus 12-Step meetings and two off-campus meetings every week. They also have the option to meet with the certified alcohol and drug counselor or their therapist for a “Step study,” where they learn about each Step, work on assignments and discuss what each Step means to them.
From students’ first day at the academy, the staff begins planning for their future. Through relapse prevention planning, aftercare planning and home visits, students work on finding a 12-Step group and sponsor at home so that they have a support network waiting for them when they leave.
By attending meetings and getting familiar with the language and culture of the 12-Step program during their time at the academy, Copper Canyon students are able to make a smooth transition home or to the next stage of treatment.