Seek other avenues for your child. Keith (Yelp), 6/28/2013: (PARENT) This is the worst place to send your child. Their motto is apparently Strength in the Struggle. I literally couldnt make this shit up. I felt like i somehow deserved to be treated like this and I think a part of me knew I could never stand living in the real world after all this happened. If you want to send your kid to either wilderness or discovery ranch why dont you do us all a favor parents and send your child to Disney Land so theyll be happy rather then send them to whats pretty much a mental institution for parents that have no idea what the fuck there doing. Get Confidential Help Today, Call Us Anytime, Internationally-recognized Residential Treatment Center for Teen Boys Ages 13-18 Located in Utah, Top Residential Treatment Center For Teens, Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based. Amy Golden. Stay in touch with the other people you shared your time with during DR, reach out to them when things are tough, talk about your struggles. Also the staff there (although there were some that I liked) were extremely rude. Both boys have turned out well however, my brother has trauma from the experience. He also worked for a time as the Director of NATSAP. The ranch has the best of both worlds: a small-town atmosphere with access to world-class skiing, outdoor activities, surrounded by beautiful mountains, and close to two major universities and hospitals. In addition, your son will experience many opportunities to explore Utah. I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. One small slip up, and you have all privileges taken away from a day to sometimes even a week. This creates a streamlined experience for your son. The main issue I have with this place is that it literally fucked up my education so bad that Im 17 and still in freshman English. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. It is degrading and disrespectful and I will forever hate this program as they manipulate people into spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to not help there kids. Lawsuit filed March 3rd against the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF). A friend of mine stabbing his arm 15+ times with a pencil. These programs are money makers. When the program opened, it housed both boys and girls on the same campus, but kept them completely seperate in different parts of the campus. The level-system consists of five levels, which the boys progress through by earning points for good behavior while avoiding demerits for negative behaviors and rule infractions. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. While enrolled at Discovery Ranch, your son will experience a safe and structured environment. If you are at all struggling and/or would like to talk to someone who can relate, please do not hesitate to contact me through this post and Id be happy to exchange information so we can talk. They have the same goals in mind. We found a traditional therapist that proved to be far more effective. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. If Im in the car with someone and they make a wrong turn or something I will flip out and start having a panic attack because all I can think about it oh my god where are they taking me theyre locking me up again. Also there were lawsuits against this place. DISCOVERY RANCH FOR GIRLS Ripoff Reports, Complaints, Reviews, Scams, Lawsuits and Frauds Reported Your Search: Discovery Ranch for girls. When she was given her home visit, her mom took her to the doctor and was diagnosed, although we have tried to find the outcome of the lawsuit, none of us have been able to track her family down to share our sympathy). The. If they mention these sorts of things to parents (over heavily monitored phone calls and letters in the mail), contact between student and parent would be cut off. The last few years of my life have felt unreal, Ive had migraines with frustration wondering how places like this exist, and how theyve gotten away with so much deceit. Are they just being a teenager? Staff members are chosen at random, as the turnover rate is insanely high. There thieves taking advantage of parents dispositions and they should be shut down Derek (Google Reviews), 1/12/2014: (SURVIVOR) Link to Anonymous Survivor Testimony, 12/1/2013: (PARENT) After my daughter was here for here for 2 months her condition worsened and she started having suicidal thoughts which had never happened before.When I met with her Dr. how to walk a human a dogs guide. The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. Its sick and I hope in the future these places will be illegal and I will NEVER send my kids to one of these places. The staff often used abusive behaviors and were very rude to us. 8 9 comments Best Add a Comment dsholliday 7 yr. ago I still maintain close relationships with both girls and boys who are around my age (23-27) that have gone through exactly what you are going through now; so whether its easier to talk to a guy or girl or someone with a similar case to yours, I can put you in contact with them if youd like (Free of charge too! They would restrain kids to the point the kids arm was almost broken. Residential Treatment is an Intensive Healing Experience, Individual, family, and group therapy all take place within a residential treatment setting. The location grew in popularity after rumors swirled that the land . They would yell at us and use excessive force. Seek other avenues for your child. , This is the worst place to send your child. The entire facility is designed to create a rich therapeutic and healing environment. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. I understand that people need to help themselves and I cannot blame Discovery Ranch for my decisions but this environment definitely did not promote positive change in my life. Your PRECIOUS child is NOT safe here! They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. However, your teen is still troubled and your family is still in crisis. They dont give the children any hope of getting out whatsoever. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. He also is the Executive Director of, . In addition to taking part in the equine therapy and horsemanship programs, he will have access to the fully-equipped music studio. linus pauling vitamin c, lysine protocol. We were victims of abuse. Privilege to them is being able to sit on a couch, to be able to speak out loud, to be able to eat a single apple. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. There thieves taking advantage of parents dispositions and they should be shut down , After my daughter was here for here for 2 months her condition worsened and she started having suicidal thoughts which had never happened before.When I met with her Dr. Discovery Ranch only wants to know and talk about their truth which is nothing close to reality. Education was packets and computer testing only poor. I thought I was actually crazy, but it was all real. Terrible place dont send your child here. Let us help. To them, there is one way that every kid learns, and if you have learning disabilities thats too fucking bad and ask the doctor to raise your meds the next time he comes. However, our neighbor whose son went there the following year had all good experiences. $1,000 in 1990 worth today . We had a close friend that took her life during our time there, we lost a friend to drug addiction that spiraled after leaving DR, and we had another friend who lost her life to cancer, which could have been detected in the earlier stages if DR didnt fail to seek proper medical attention (she was actually punished quite often for complaining about the pain and was either made to do hard manual labor or the staff would put her in isolation for days on end. I have maintained very close friendships with a handful of other patients that were there during my time (for a wide range of different reasons) and we even make it appoint to see each other each year. Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based residential treatment center for boys ages 13-18. My brother noted some of the staff was wonderful and he used their tips to get through challenges after his father died (my Moms 1st husband). ORDER AND MEMORANDUM DECISION. Eaton County Circuit Court 1045 Independence Blvd. This isnt how we should treat precious children The staff have no idea how much damage theyre doing as theyre just following orders This is a mess it needs to be shut down.. It is reported by survivors that these calfs are later slaughtered, apparently in an attempt to teach the residents how to deal with loss. This practice is extremely cruel, and is reported to be very traumatic to many survivors. You will also be able to observe your sons progress through our secure, password-protected parent portal. I felt meaningless, worthless, like a pawn used to control my dads emotions, fishing out hundreds of thousands of dollars from him. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. While some people purchase land for views or for the prospect of building a property, Duane Ollinger 's family bought the massive 160-acre Utah plot known as Blind Frog Ranch to search for buried treasure. This creates a streamlined experience for your son. You will also be able to observe your sons progress through our secure, password-protected parent portal. I still hear screams from my friends being restrained in the back of my mind. He will receive consistent feedback. However, our neighbor whose son went there the following year had all good experiences. worked as the Clinical Director of Discovery Ranch. The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. These programs are money makers. I cannot even put into words the pain I feel even today when my experience gets brought up or when I read about other kids that are STILL suffering from having to go through this program. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. In February of 2015, a former resident at DR and his family filed a lawsuit against the school reporting that the boy was violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted by another resident at the program. Although there are no support groups for people like us and since the program is so small & were from all over the country, it feels and looks very real that you may be alone, YOU ARE NOT. You have tried outpatient therapy. They are there only to try and give the staff (who by the way have no training in psychology at all) an easier time. Each part of his daily experience will reinforce his therapeutic goals. While at Discovery Ranch, your son will participate in a variety of outdoor activities. Its not just the kids too, sometimes there are good staff, but whenever there is that person never lasts long at all, they all literally quit because this place is so horrible. Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. The parents believe discovery ranch and most kids have no hope of anyone listening to them because they think no one believes them and they wont talk and they lie about it. I ended up running away from this program and deciding on a much better program that actually wanted to help people. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. agolden@skyhinews.com. Brent Hall is reported by survivors to have run the facility. Kids are constantly getting restrained and put on drugs to keep them under control. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. The reviews on their website are COMPLETELY weeded before theyre posted. In May 2018, the family that owns Blind Frog Ranch in Moab, Utah, filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM . Your son will have the opportunity to build the strength and resilience he needs to thrive at home. I had been raped when i was 12 and was unable to tell my male therapist or parents about this happening because my family is very Catholic. In comparison, most of the other residents had serious drug problems, were in gangs, were extremely violent, etc. We believe that teens are more than their diagnosis. We also understand that every teen and every family is unique. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. He can participate in various sports teams, such as basketball, flag football, wrestling, and cross-country running. This is not just a couple of resentful people. Its another long, tough, painful battle after you leave DR and I havent known one other person who didnt suffer after getting out. Discovery Ranch is the Top Residential Treatment Center for Troubled Teen Boys 1318, Located in Utah. Staff unresponsive, administration unresponsive and kept to company line to detriment of my son. We were indirectly expected to manipulate visiting parents of troubled kids who have not yet been sent to treatment. The Residential Treatment Program is located on a beautiful 60-acre ranch. No one deserves what they really do to people. NAAS is an organization that has accredited many notoriously abusive behavior-modification programs, including, The program is affiliated with several other, is the Executive Director of Discovery Ranch. Completing the assessment is free. And it wasn't just because he was suddenly a millionaire . (Check glassdoor reviews) In return, we have lots of untrained, unequipped young adults who arent prepared to deal with seriously mentally ill children. We support & vent to each other about how difficult and lonely it was for us to get back to normal life after we left, how it shaped us into the adults we are today, and what steps we took to try and heal from this horrible experience. This will provide him with the. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. If you have any logic in your brain in the slightest then you should realize how goddamn stupid it would be to send your kid to this shit hole. Derek (Yelp), 8/21/2015: (SURVIVOR) Its been about 8-9 years since I left DR; Im now 25 and although I dont dwell on what happened so much anymore, this place has had such a negative impact on my life. They want the parents to say only what they tell them to say. Staff members are chosen at random, as the turnover rate is insanely high. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. Throughout your sons experience at Discovery Ranch he will have the support of caring, educated, experienced professionals. I am at a loss for what to do at this point. Teenagers can be punished for infractions as small as making an inappropriate facial expression, meaning they can be punished for crying or raising their eyebrows without permission. He began his career working in Admissions at, , which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the. Staff refusing to let kid use the bathroom, and making him pee/poop himself. Even when I started feeling feelings again I realized on Wednesday that I had been experiencing emotions with maybe 50-75% of the intensity that I normally should, which was put into perspective when I finally accepted that these things truly happened to me and felt for the first time in my life the appropriate pain and humiliation that corresponds to being treated in such a way for such an extended period of time. We Have Helped Struggling Teens To Learn The Skills They Needed To Heal, Thrive, And Reunite With Their Families. Isnt that tax evasion? Learn about discovery -- the legal procedures used to gather evidence for a lawsuit. the licensed substance abuse counselor has obviously never touched a substance in her life. My parents sent me there because I was depressed, doing poorly in school instead of getting straight As, got caught shoplifting a pack of gum from 7-11, spent too much time on the computer, and was too angry and defiant. Sure, we said all the things our parents wanted to hear once we got out, it was certainly drilled into us every single day, but that faded into a deep anger/depression that raised months, sometimes even years later, & you find yourself in worse condition than you were before entering DR; battling a demon 98% of people will never know. After essentially being re-traumatized after remembering all this, I recently went on a five day bender started Wednesday where I got high and or drunk every waking moment, which culminated with me waking up on my bathroom floor on Monday morning covered in blood and vomit next to two empty bottles of wine and Xanax spilled across the floor with a five page suicide note on my computer that Id written in a blackout. Last year, Granby Ranch Metropolitan District, a homeowner-controlled metro district, filed suit against the group of entities associated with the Granby Ranch development. This is not just a couple of resentful people. They are very abusive and they will lie to you. In fact, the administration at discovery ranch intentionally delayed my high school graduation by refuting me the right to do my classes in order to keep me there longer. the licensed substance abuse counselor has obviously never touched a substance in her life. Discovery Ranch South offers the perfect healing environment for troubled teens with mental health or behavioral issues. (Check glassdoor reviews) In return, we have lots of untrained, unequipped young adults who arent prepared to deal with seriously mentally ill children. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, we hold ourselves to the, We maintain professional memberships in research organizations, such as, . Isnt that tax evasion? Their website lists the following conditions the program claims to treat: various mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and oppositional defiance the last of which is no longer listed in the DSM substance abuse and other addictions, eating disorders [] learning disorders and nonverbal learning disability [] social struggles, low self-esteem, adoption/attachment issues, and grief and loss The unadvertised conditions that I witnessed among detainees included being LGBT, Internet addiction, and one girl in particular was sent there for having a black boyfriend. Our parents (his Mom and step-father) regret sending him there even all these years later. Both boys have turned out well however, my brother has trauma from the experience. They dont want to discuss whats actually wrong. I am at a loss for what to do at this point. Im in therapy, on medication, have been to three AA meetings in the past three days, and just feel like I am out of options and suicide or getting constantly fucked up is my only option at this point. Im in therapy, on medication, have been to three AA meetings in the past three days, and just feel like I am out of options and suicide or getting constantly fucked up is my only option at this point. We earned academic accreditation through Discovery Academy, Contact one of our well-trained representatives now. I had to raise a baby cow for the slaughter to learn to deal with loss, exercise until I threw up blood, pick up cow shit every day, I could go on and on. They would restrain kids to the point the kids arm was almost broken. I cannot even put into words the pain I feel even today when my experience gets brought up or when I read about other kids that are STILL suffering from having to go through this program. And the scariest part was that it was fantastic during the day; we would do ropes courses and go skiing and horseback riding and talk to a truly kind therapist every day who genuinely though I was insane or a pathological liar and convinced me I was hallucinating or having nightmares. As I walked away in shock he was tackled by staff.This was after I had already seen two separate suicide attempts. The parents believe discovery ranch and most kids have no hope of anyone listening to them because they think no one believes them and they wont talk and they lie about it. Any minor infraction is punished severely. I stopped feeling emotions and didnt for two years. In this experiential, safe, and supportive environment, your son will confront his personal challenges with the goal of healing and increasing his capacity which builds his self-confidence and self-esteem. My brother noted some of the staff was wonderful and he used their tips to get through challenges after his father died (my Moms 1st husband). It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys aged 13-18 with emotional and behavioral issues. DR does not accept transgender males. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. I was 15 years old. I posted this exact review several times spacing itself out several months. We maintain professional memberships in research organizations, such as The Joint Commission and NATSAP. I wish I could give negitive stars! Chad Ollinger and his brother, Duane, are gold prospectors in the Uintah Mountains of Utah. The reviews on their website are COMPLETELY weeded before theyre posted. Their motto is apparently Strength in the Struggle. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. My personal experience here was horrible. Are they just being a teenager? worked as a Therapist at Discovery Ranch. We support & vent to each other about how difficult and lonely it was for us to get back to normal life after we left, how it shaped us into the adults we are today, and what steps we took to try and heal from this horrible experience. Are they just being a teenager? I still maintain close relationships with both girls and boys who are around my age (23-27) that have gone through exactly what you are going through now; so whether its easier to talk to a guy or girl or someone with a similar case to yours, I can put you in contact with them if youd like (Free of charge too!