White River Academy is dedicated to guiding boys ages 12 to 18 who are struggling with mental health, addiction, or behavioral concerns.
Our Utah-based residential treatment center provides a supportive, structured setting where teens can focus on recovery and personal growth. Each young person receives an individualized treatment plan that emphasizes character building and essential life skills.
Surrounded by peaceful natural landscapes, our program integrates outdoor activities and nature therapy to create a well-rounded therapeutic experience. We are committed to helping each teen overcome their challenges, develop resilience, and take positive steps toward a healthier, more promising future.
White River Academy uses a positive peer culture system focused on accountability and teamwork. We combine evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and Trauma-informed care to address various challenges.
Our residential programs for troubled teens usually last 12 months or more, providing time for lasting change. With structured routines and a phased progress system, we track and reward each student’s personal growth.
This extended duration allows for:
At White River Academy, we believe education is a key part of helping troubled teens succeed. We provide a structured and supportive learning environment where each student is encouraged to grow, both academically and personally. Our dedicated team understands the unique challenges teens face, and we tailor our approach to meet each student’s needs.
We offer:
We help teens build confidence and succeed, both in school and in life.
Why Choose us?
At White River Academy, we understand the challenges your teen may be facing, whether it’s emotional struggles, academic difficulties, or addiction.
Our Utah-based program offers specialized treatment for process and behavioral addictions, substance addiction, and a full range of comprehensive therapies. We create individualized plans to support healing and growth in a safe, structured setting.
Our caring team is committed to helping your child build resilience and healthy coping skills, while also working closely with families to ensure a successful transition back to home and school life.
Utah has become a central destination for troubled teen treatment, with nearly 3,000 children receiving care in the state each year. Since 2015, approximately 20,000 out-of-state youth have entered Utah’s programs, and about 34% of all teens seeking treatment outside their home state come here.
The scale of this influx highlights both the high demand and the range of complex challenges these young people face, including mental health issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as emotional and behavioral struggles.
White River Academy plays a crucial role in this landscape, working to provide the support and tools adolescents need for a healthier, more hopeful future.
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
At White River Academy, we know that every teen’s journey is unique and requires a well-rounded approach to healing and growth. That’s why our therapeutic plans are designed to address the diverse needs of troubled adolescents, providing a comprehensive program that supports emotional, social, and personal development.
Our therapy program for troubled teens includes:
By blending these therapeutic techniques, we help teens build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop healthy coping skills for lifelong success.
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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.
Consider a residential program if your teen exhibits persistent behavioral issues, substance abuse, academic failure, or mental health problems that haven’t improved with outpatient treatment.
Program duration varies, but many, including ours, last 12 months or more to allow for deep-rooted change and skill development.
Communication policies vary by program. At White River Academy, we facilitate regular communication between parents and teens, including phone calls, emails, and supervised visits.
Unlike military schools or boot camps that focus primarily on discipline, troubled teen programs like ours emphasize therapy, personal growth, and skill development in a supportive environment.
When chosen carefully, these programs can be highly effective. Many teens show significant improvements in behavior, academic performance, and mental health after completing a program.
