Every teenager deserves the chance to overcome life’s challenges and reach their full potential.
White River Academy’s residential treatment center for boys provides the comprehensive support your family needs. Our specialized program offers a safe, structured environment where healing can begin for adolescents aged 12-18.
With nearly two decades of experience, our expert team understands the unique challenges teens face during this critical developmental period. Through individualized treatment plans, evidence-based therapy, and ongoing family support, we help young men overcome their struggles and build the foundation for a successful future.
Residential treatment for teens is a comprehensive therapeutic program where adolescents live on-site while receiving intensive mental health and behavioral support.
Unlike outpatient therapy or day programs, residential treatment provides 24/7 care in a structured, supervised environment. This level of care is designed for teenagers facing serious challenges that require more intensive intervention than traditional therapy can provide.
Students participate in individual and group therapy sessions, educational programs, and life skills training while being removed from potentially harmful influences in their home environment.
The goal is to help teens develop healthy coping mechanisms and rebuild their foundation for success.
Our residential treatment program offers a wide range of benefits, including:
By integrating evidence-based treatment into our residential approach, we empower teens to take control of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors for lasting personal growth.
Recognizing when your teen needs more intensive help than outpatient therapy can provide is one of the most difficult decisions a parent faces.
Here are key warning signs:
If your teenager is experiencing several of these warning signs, and outpatient treatment hasn’t provided the support needed, residential treatment may be the most effective way to help your son get back on track.
Many teenagers face serious challenges that go beyond typical adolescent struggles. Globally, one in seven (15%) of 10-19-year-olds experience a mental disorder, with approximately 21% of adolescents requiring professional mental health support.
When boys experience severe behavioral problems, addiction issues, academic failure, or safety concerns, residential treatment may be necessary. Depression affects a significant number of adolescents and is associated with high suicide rates in this age group. Substance abuse disorders and dual diagnoses often require more intensive help than outpatient therapy can provide.
Residential treatment becomes the right choice when a teen’s problems are complex, persistent, and disruptive to family life. For families facing these challenges, residential programs provide the intensive intervention needed to help boys stabilize and heal.
Why Choose us?
Choosing the right residential treatment for your son is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. White River Academy understands this responsibility and has spent years developing a program that truly works. We combine evidence-based therapies, including CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care, with a positive peer culture that builds accountability and healthy relationships.
Our Utah-based program specializes in treating the complex issues many teenage boys face, including behavioral addictions, substance abuse, and mental health challenges. Unlike shorter programs, our 12-month residential treatment provides the time needed for real, lasting transformation through structured routines and individualized progress tracking.
What sets us apart is our commitment to your entire family. Our caring team doesn’t just work with your son – we partner with you throughout the journey. We provide family support, education, and transition planning to ensure your son returns home with the resilience and coping skills needed for continued success in school and life.
17 years
Successfully Helping Families
15 years
Treating Sex Addiction & Compulsivity
92%
Graduation Success Rate
10 years
Of Family Advancement & Foster Care Experience
200 +
Community Service Improvement Projects Completed
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We understand that seeking treatment for your troubled teen can raise many questions. To help you make informed decisions, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our programs and our approach to treating teenagers.
If you don’t find the information you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact our admissions team for personalized assistance.
Yes, family involvement is crucial to successful treatment, though visits are structured to support therapeutic goals. We schedule Parent Weekends, phone calls, and eventually home visits as part of the treatment process. These interactions are coordinated with the treatment team to ensure they support your son’s recovery journey.
It’s completely normal for teens to resist residential treatment initially – most of our students arrive reluctantly but develop appreciation for the program once they settle in. Our staff are experienced in helping resistant teens adjust and find motivation for change through building trust and showing genuine care.
We focus on meeting students where they are emotionally and helping them discover their own reasons for wanting to get better. Many parents are surprised by how quickly their initially resistant son begins engaging in treatment.
We carefully screen all admissions and maintain a positive peer culture where students support each other’s recovery rather than enabling negative behaviors. Our staff closely supervise all interactions and use peer influence as a therapeutic tool to encourage positive change.
Students often form meaningful friendships and learn from others who have faced similar challenges. Many parents find that their son benefits greatly from connecting with peers who understand his struggles and are also working toward positive goals.
Our discharge planning process begins early in treatment and includes developing comprehensive aftercare plans tailored to each student’s needs. We provide transition coaching, help coordinate outpatient therapy, and connect families with local resources and support groups.
Students practice independent living skills and gradually increase home visits to ensure smooth reintegration. We also offer alumni support programs and maintain contact with graduates to provide ongoing encouragement and resources.
Technology use is carefully managed as part of treatment, especially for students struggling with internet or social media addiction. Initially, personal devices are typically restricted to help students disconnect from unhealthy online behaviors and focus on real-world relationships and activities.
As students progress and demonstrate healthy coping skills, supervised technology use may be gradually reintroduced as part of learning balanced digital habits. This approach helps students develop a healthier relationship with technology before returning home.
