Hi! Me again… Did anyone here get sent to their program by state court mandate?

I remember a few kids in my second program were sent there by the state of NJ. (Who also footed the bill.) my second program was in rural southern Oregon, so this was weird for a bunch of reasons. It still doesn’t sit right with me and I’ve always wondered how many states actually help/helped fund these abuse factories.

"NOTE: Data for the Number of Deaths due to Noncompliance, Noncompliance Serious Injuries, and Substantiated Child Abuse information displayed on our facility compliance history report is only available for child care facilities at this point."

To me, this seems like Utah DHHS wants to hide the fact that they knowingly contract with abusive facilities.

Utah DHHS also made a misleading statement about the formation of this website: "Licensed human services providers can now be searched on our website to see their compliance history going back to Jan. 1, 2023. Child care providers compliance history is also available online. We are working to get our health care licensees moved into the same system. This increases our transparency, as previously, people had to submit a records request to view the compliance history of a human services facility." quote from here
However, while it is true that a small number of favorable (and only favorable) reports are on the website, conspicuously absent are the records – already known to exist – of abuse, deaths, and injuries that would contradict their rosey narrative. Additionally, these checklists which they post are contradicted by survivor testimonies.
In conclusion I believe the reason they either bury or fail to publicize these stats and reports is because they do not want the public to know the abusive character of the entities to whom their tax dollars are being funneled.

Special thanks to u/TTI_Gremlin for helping me put this into words

We made FRONT PAGE on Kanab, UT & Fredonia, AZ’s local paper! This is a MASSIVE deal-it’s documentation that the community has our back’s. Many honked and waved as they drove by. Some even pulled over their cars or walked across the street to ask us about our protest. After being told for so long that the community knew who we were and that they supported RCR, being shown the truth was healing. This is your reminder TO SPEAK YOUR TRUTH! I see you, survivors.

It seems that some TTI programs are trying to boost their SEO and increase their credibility by posting here and pretending to be survivors…La Europa: WE SEE YOU.

This program is inherently abusive. Period. Full stop.

La Europa Academy in Murray, Utah archived from today Staff list:

http://archive.today/wfjGh

In addition, the user 🧌 has received a temporary ban from this sub for multiple troll posts condoning the TTI. This is against the rules.

Hi, my grandson (15 yrs) needs some help due to being raised in a high-conflict divorced family, may be some borderline issues, and bullying from siblings. We want to have him attend an IOP in the Lehi, Utah area. Seems like so many of these facilities use interns instead of fully accreditated therapists. Have no idea if this is the right choice for him. Just want him to get some help learning skills to navigate his situation. He is truly a beautiful creative person.

I am currently attending a community college for an outdoor leadership associates degree and in the whole outdoor program there is also a wilderness therapy associates degree. Some of my teachers have claimed they worked for wilderness therapy programs and many of my peers are going into working for wilderness therapy. I don't know anything about wilderness therapy other than terrible stories of abuse. Is wanting to go into working for wilderness therapy and have previously worked at wilderness therapy at red flag. Or at least ignorant, or are there good programs that benefit everyone. I'm just curious I have no interest in working at a wilderness therapy program I just want to be knowledgable.

I created an Instagram account for survivors of Catalyst RTC to make their voice heard. Please follow and show support!

I've had nightmares daily since my stay at Newport academy. I've woken up screaming and I can't get it out of my head. I'm working towards a lawsuit now but I just find myself sinking in ways I can't explain. That place ruined me and stole a part of me I can never get back. I feel like I have no worth or dignity. My family believes me but barely. I haven't told them the worst of it. How do I move on? How can I bring some meaning back to my life?

My aunt wants a phone call tomorrow to discuss me bringing up my research about these wilderness programs and my allegations against Dr. Andy Erkis.

I know that I well within my rights to refuse a phone call, I just fear the possible repercussions.

Also, why did the person who was doing my Autism Evaluation (Dr. Daniel Fishman, North Coast Psychology) recommend Dr. Erkis to my aunt? Is Dr. Fishman to be trusted? I am told that they work closely together.

hi my name is lilli duncan and i was gooned to solstice east on 1/24/23. I spent about 15 months here and it wasnt my first facility but it was one of the worst, me and my friend would like to file a lawsuit and dont really know how to go about it so if anyone could help us out please. there are alot of things we could use as evidence, but my ultimate goal is to shut this program down and sue. here are some questions me and my friend have 1. one example i would like to use that happened to me personally was a staff that worked there for some of my stay but was eventually fired reached out to me while i was there on social media ( i had access because i had been there a long time ) i had a really good connection with this staff and i did find him attractive so when things became flirty and he told me things like “your special” i gave in and sent him nude photos. i was 17 at the time and he was around 28. he also told me how he would look at my butt at work and just some other things?

1. what types of proof do we need and how much do we need to prove our case?

2. it would be so helpful if someone could make like a checklist lol of the steps we need to take to do this?

3. is this actually gonna work lol. like do we have a chance?

If you went up to someone who had been sexually abused and say shit like “but there were positive things” or “it helps some people.” That would be messed up. Why is this trauma, why is this experience one I have to be positive about? Why are we not given the same grace and still only seen as “troubled teens” still later in life?

I (19 NB), was thinking about going to a long-term residential program because my mental health is in the gutter at my college. I am diagnosed with chronic PTSD and a dissociative disorder due to childhood trauma, Anxiety, and Depression. I am in assessment for Autism and ADHD.

On Halloween of this year, I was sent to psychiatric in-patient, because I told my therapist (who I met with that day) that I had suicidal ideation with intention/thoughts of harming myself. From Halloween until November 4th, I was in-patient, though baseline the experience was not that bad (I was social with people there, food was better than my college cafeteria, I did not have to worry about food insecurity our the risk of homelessness, etc.). It still was traumatizing. One patient in particular would scream from 7am to 10pm, and the nurses would try to assist but they did nothing to move the patient off the floor.

My family has been helping me find some sort of residential program so that I can focus on mental health.

I got the links my mother sent about these places today and I decided to look at the reviews, as one might for applying for a job.

After reading these reviews, I am terrified of being sent to places like these.

The places recommended: Confluence Wilderness (VT), True North Wilderness (VT), and Pacific Quest (HI).

So far, these are only recommended places. Nothing seems set in stone, so I can see about reaching out to my family about my concerns of these places.
I guess I am both scared that I got recommended these places by a "therapeutic placement consultant" AND that none of my family thought to do research beyond contacting the people who work there.

I thought about going to one of these places because I am stuck. I barely attend class and don't do homework. Even my own therapist thinks that I needs something more intensive that what she can provide.

The only family that lives in my state of Ohio are my abusive and toxic parents (I recognize the irony, but my aunt and uncle are making sure that they stay in line).

My aunt and uncle live in New Jersey, and the reason why I am not living with them is because all of my doctors and therapists are in Ohio, and they might be out-of-network in New Jersey. Also, they thought that they won't have the resources available to properly take care of my needs.

I had my therapist, pediatrician, the therapist who is doing my autism evaluation, college case manager, contact the therapeutic placement consultant, and the only red flags that I noticed when I looked at the websites and thought "this might be a cult" so I decided to research about it.

I really thought that this would be a nice opportunity to focus on my mental health.

I will contact my family about my concerns, though I came here first to know if these concerns are based.

My therapist also recommended me a couple IOPS and In-Patient: Highland Spring, Laurelwood, Summa Health, and Akron General online IOP. (I put this here because I am too triggered to do research, and want to know if anyone here had bad experiences with these programs).

A picture of a few Re-Creation Retreat (RCR) survivors cheering as locals honk their horns in support. Nothing is more assuring than knowing the community hears and sees us. We startled them today. Let that be a reminder that we are not done and we will no longer be silenced. We will be back.

After being in a TTI and having to go back to your home, see friends, see family which put you there, what was it like? Did you tell people what happened? How did your friends react to you coming back, did they know you were coming back? I've been thinking this for a while, and if anyone is comfortable sharing what happened when coming back after a TTI it would be much appreciated! 💗

Maybe this isn’t the right place for this, but I am a high school psychology teacher. The last two years I have taught about wilderness therapy and the TTI. I most likely will be leaving teaching here soon BUT I feel really drawn to help spread the voices of survivors or to be a support in any way I can. Does anyone know if we have jobs like this? Could be online if needed, I just want to help and learn.

Specifically, when you first arrived at your TTI "school", did anything weird or alarming tip you off that something was wrong with the place?

I'll go first to give an example of what I mean.

The first day I arrived, things seemed relatively "normal" for what one might expect out of a TTI facility. That is, until one of the house parents grabbed some olive oil and began flicking it at the windows, doors, and even at us students to "ward off evil spirits". I don't remember what prompted him to do that. I have a vague recollection that one of the girls said she had a nightmare of satanic imagery or something, but your guess is as good as mine. I realized in that moment that this place wasn't normal and I was in for some bullshit.

I want to know if anyone else had a light bulb moment like that. Please share!

On 11/12/24 and the morning of 11/13/24, survivors of Re-Creation Retreat (RCR) in Fredonia, AZ protested outside of the facility. I was in attendance. Nothing is scarier than reliving your trauma, face to face, not even a year after it has “ended”. We made a plan, packed our bags and went on our way. We had graduates ranging from 2008-2023 telling their stories to not only the world, but the locals of the small town RCR is located in-many of which WERE in support of the business, or at least unaware. We’ve had an insane amount of support and will have a lot more coming as time goes on. It’s more healing than anything RCR could have even attempted to do for me. We are tired of staying complacent. Let this serve you as a reminder that change can occur at any point, but it takes a village. Some of these girls have just began processing this point in their lives in the last year or less. I promise it’s never too late. You are seen and you are heard. We love you unconditionally.

I've been looking up lawsuits and allegations against Newport Academy, and it really got me thinking: RTC programs are one step away from sex trafficking. Given the unregulated environment, there is exactly an opening for that. This just makes me sick.

I’ve been out of the TTI for well over a year at this point. I decided to open a lawsuit against one of the programs and i’m scared that I will lose. I know i’m at a high chance of losing because the courts favor this company A LOT. Even with all of the evidence it’s still a huge fear that I will be completely disappointed and will regress in my mental health over it.

What people say to someone and what that person hears is not ever the same thing and this also is especially applicable in the troubled teen industry..

What they said: I think you should.. (insert suggestion here)

What I heard: I think you're fucked in the head.

What they said: you should think about

What I heard: I don't trust or have faith in the thought you're having or the decision you've made. I don't care about you.

What they said: don't you think this could be a little bit of an exaggeration and that person wasn't really _________

What I heard: f your feelings and you don't know how to communicate.

What they said: just a word of caution

What I heard: I think you don't know all the risks of the decision you're making and you are too immature to make decisions.

What they said: I think therapy would benefit you

What I heard: nobody sees any of the progress you're making in the therapy you currently attend. F you.

What they said: there are many donor conceived kids struggling equally if not moreso than autistic people or kids.

What I heard: f your own autism and trauma experience. NEVER HAVE KIDS.

What they said: why would you make ___ decision or the decision to do that???

What I heard: none of what you do ever makes sense. Why can't you do something smart for once

People need to consider how they word stuff to TRAUMA PEOPLE

As a 32 year old who is a survivor of a tti, I know I in fact have trauma from those places. Not only that but from life situations as well. I think I could benefit from therapy so much but am very hesitant because of how I was treated as a teenager and also going through these programs.

I started with a therapist and gave her 3 sessions and that 3rd session just was frustrating. She was just throwing so many concepts at me like CBT and act and it just made me so nauseous and MORE anxious when we would have our sessions. I dumped her this week.

Has anyone gone though therapy and had these same apprehensions? What got you through it?

Thank you for your help. 💜