therapy-01The treatment philosophy at Alpine Academy is founded upon the principles of the Teaching-Family Model and enhanced by innovative clinical services. Every aspect of the program, from facilities to recreation, is carefully designed to create an intensive yet nurturing therapeutic experience.

Intensive therapeutic services are incorporated in every part of Alpine Academy. These services begin the day that a student is admitted. Through thoughtful, individualized application of the Teaching-Family Model coupled with intensive clinical work, we have found that our students are able to make significant changes, both in their outward behavior patterns and more importantly, in their inner thought patterns and processes.

Prior to admission, each student is assigned to a residential home and assigned a primary therapist. This multi-dimensional approach to treatment is designed to have long-term impact by addressing all facets of the student and her family’s mental health.  By intensively addressing the issues that each student and her family are currently experiencing, we intend to help all parties develop new and more effective coping skills.

Intensive individual therapy sessions are conducted each week by a licensed therapist. This individual therapy time will help each student develop internal resources while challenging and exploring her deepest thoughts and feelings. The therapists at Alpine Academy have a foundational stance of system theory while using a variety of approaches in their individual work with each student (i.e. cognitive-behavioral, systemic, experiential, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance-commitment therapy, EMDR, etc.). An individualized treatment plan is developed for each girl, based on her specific needs, strengths, and personal goals. We believe that a results-driven, strength-based approach to therapy helps to accelerate the rate of growth and learning.

Family work is the bridge between Alpine Academy and home. This is the most important work that a student or her family will do while at Alpine. Our research shows that the key predictor of success for a student after leaving Alpine Academy is her parent’s willingness and ability to make personal, parenting and family system changes. Each student’s treatment team is deeply invested in helping the entire family make these changes. The treatment team’s primary job is to support them through this change process. One of the many ways in which we do this is through family therapy.

Family therapy sessions occur weekly with the primary therapist. These sessions typically happen via the phone or video conference, and occasionally happen in person, when families come out for visits. The purpose of family therapy is to help family members improve communication and resolve conflicts. Family therapy sessions also help to foster deeper family connections.

Both individual and family therapy sessions are built into a student’s school schedule. This allows for a student to fully participate in therapy while not missing any academic work. This system also creates consistency and predictability for the parents, so they may arrange their schedule accordingly and participate in each session.

Group therapy is a very powerful therapeutic tool for adolescents.  In group sessions the therapist uses the group process as a mechanism of change by developing, exploring and examining interpersonal relationships within the group. Adolescents are especially vulnerable to this area of work due to their need for peer acceptance. At Alpine Academy, we use this powerful tool in a variety of ways.  Each student will participate in 2-4 group therapy sessions each week. All group therapy sessions are conducted by a Master’s-level therapist.

Each student will participate in 2-4 group therapy sessions each week.

The two primary groups that each student receives are:

Folder For Life Group:  This group is based on our unique therapeutic curriculum called the Folder for Life.   The students are able to explore the concepts found within the Folder for Life. They will present their individual work to the group in order to solicit feedback from their peer group and work through specific issues as they find the parallels in the principles that they are learning and their lives.

Exploring Relationships Group:  This powerful psychodynamic group is used to explore the significance of relationships as well as the vulnerability that comes from being in relationships. The group is attended by all of the students in the specific treatment home.  During the group, the students will be given the opportunity to learn how to give and receive feedback from each other.  The group encourages girls that are at different stages in their treatment process to assist each other in gaining insights and making life-long changes.  It’s a great way to focus on how healthy peer relationships are formed with trust and honesty.

Many different specialty groups are offered throughout the year. These groups are typically 12 week courses and based on the needs of currently enrolled students. These specialty groups may include the following:

  • Self-Esteem
  • Trauma
  • DBT
  • Social Media
  • Mindfulness
  • Healthy Sexuality
  • The Sexualization of Women
  • Healthy Transitions
  • Drug and Alcohol Group
  • Grief and Loss
  • Social Skills
  • Developing Healthy Boundaries
  • Body Image
  • Emotional Regulation
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My daughter is getting straight A’s, playing soccer, riding horses, and interested in family -- all of which we hadn’t seen in her for years.

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The family sessions have been huge, but the home-like environment may be even more vital.

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I really like the way that the homes, school and therapy parts all work together. It felt fragmented at some other places and at Alpine you can tell they communicate a lot.

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Alpine saved my daughter’s life. To say it was beneficial would be a vast understatement.

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My daughter feels so loved and cared for here. I wasn’t expecting that at all when looking for a treatment center and feel like we really lucked out getting her to Alpine.