When we have the opportunity to get together, its a very special and meaningful time for all of us, we reminisce about the little funny stories that helped us get through the day during our time, we think about about all the suffering we endeared and how we survived, and we always take the time to honor our close friends that didnt and have passed. Youre parents will love that, Ha!). Happened several times to my friends. Parents wont know or understand the gravity of impact this experience has had until after you get out and have openly talked about it, and although its very hard not to blame or take your anger out on them, you have to realize they made their decision out of love and ignorance. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. The facility in Utah is run like a prison. The teenagers at Discovery Ranch as forced to adhere to a strict set of rules at all time. 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. This creates a streamlined experience for your son. Grand Ledge Courts. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. For a year I was put down and felt stupid and inadequate and my opinion didnt matter and if I decided to express it I would be put on some protocol that restricted me from doing anything but sitting at a fucking desk and staring at the god damn wall. 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. 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. I am not the only victim. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. Reading these reviews it is obviously a place that needs to make some changes if the accusations are correct. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. These programs are money makers. Youre not. 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. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in 6th District Court on behalf of Brenda Woolsey, claims Clay Brewer, then 17, should have never been at Turn-About Ranch on Dec. 6, 2016, when he woke up "feeling. Proof is attached as an image. However, our neighbor whose son went there the following year had all good experiences. 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. (During my stay, a kid in a different house was repeatedly raped by another kid for days until he was caught.) They want the parents to say only what they tell them to say. Now, other past guests on the show are coming forward with similar stories, including . If youre a troubled teen thats reading this that just recently got out, or its been years and its still effecting you, please believe me when I say that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 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. This investigative process is aptly named "discovery," because it often turns up facts and documents that were previously unknown -- to at . 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. A kid was put in isolation for about 4 weeks before being moved to a different treatment center. Although you move on and mature, its a wound that never fully heals and cuts deep. I suggest seeking different options for your child. DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL! Jeff (Google Reviews), HEAL Program Information Discovery Ranch, Family Alleges Bestiality at Alternative School, The Troubled Teen Industry: Commodifying Disability and Capitalizing on Fear by Catherine Kushan (mentions Discovery Ranch), Strength in the Struggle A Marketing Video uploaded by the school to YouTube, Discovery Ranch Secret Prisons for Teens. We would act like we loved the treatment center, and that there wasnt any abuse going on. I had repressed memories of the physical, sexual, and psychological torture i endured for five years until I watched a documentary on the stanford prison experiment in my psychology class. 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). Their motto is apparently Strength in the Struggle. Staff members are chosen at random, as the turnover rate is insanely high. Countless amounts of times seeing staff restrain kids in inhumane ways. I thought I was actually crazy, but it was all real. They made me feel disgusting and quite hideous. 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. 1308 South 1600 West, Mapleton, Utah 84664, . the licensed substance abuse counselor has obviously never touched a substance in her life. For many parents, this focus on parental participation is the reason they choose our program. We will not share your information. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. 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 are LGBTQ and need support, call the Trevor Project Hotline 1-866-488-7386, If you are having suicidal thoughts, call toll free 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741, If you are a child being abused or know of a child being abused call toll free 1-800-422-4453. Yes, we have an amazing ranch!! Discovery Ranch is an Ascent Company behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. 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. 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. Discovery ranch uses a merit system to punish kids. If anything, kids got worse from being here. 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. Seek other avenues for your child. Keith (Yelp), 6/28/2013: (PARENT) This is the worst place to send your child. They are there only to try and give the staff (who by the way have no training in psychology at all) an easier time. And the horrible part? I didnt ask to see that.. As I walked away in shock he was tackled by staff.This was after I had already seen two separate suicide attempts. In other words, do not trust them. They are very abusive and they will lie to you. They would arbitrarily lock me in a tiny pitch black closet devoid of food, water, a bathroom, or human contact for days, usually because I made an inappropriate facial expression like crying or raising my eyebrows when they screamed at me that I was worthless and no one could ever love me. Discovery Ranch for Girls is a well run industry leader in residential treatment for adolescent girls. It brought everything back because I lived that experience, except for ten months and it was real. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. 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. Those goals are helping your son learn, grow, and heal so that your family can be a family again. He previously worked at, worked as the Residential Director of Discovery Ranch. Have been in contact with many former students that have not done well once leaving the ranch. Also, I would sit there and talk to my therapist while he takes notes and this is a direct quote is that it? Then the session was over. 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. behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. When you try to induct real truths into the once a week, 1/2 hour, monitored phone call, the therapist redirects you to la la land. Dave Blackwell worked as a Therapist at Discovery Ranch. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. ), There is a significant lack of professional supervision/lack of training, There is a high turnover rate for employees, There is parent manipulation/lies on the programs part for $$, There is lack of necessary medical care to avoid the girls telling a doctor they are being abused, and they are never alone when with a doctor, Run like a bootcamp, zero free time for the kids, every day feels like a punishment, Mormons are running it and very religiously biased, Please. Please. Even though I have left the program, if I dont follow their horribly rigorous and reclusive aftercare rules I go back. You and your son will work to rebuild your relationship with weekly. I still have insomnia and night terrors of being at that place. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. Also a staff there named Matt polson threatened to restrain me several times. However, in 2013 DR moved their girls program to Cedar City, UT and began makerting theis program as Discovery Ranch For Girls. Happened several times to my friends. This type of environment makes reporting abuse and neglect impossible for teenagers. 25 votes, 28 comments. June 7, 2022 . STOP DISCOVER RANCH they will play you out of so much money its unbelievable. You have been warned and I still have ptsd and Ive been going to therapy for 2 and a half years and more to come. We were indirectly expected to manipulate visiting parents of troubled kids who have not yet been sent to treatment. They are left up to their own with limited to no help from the teachers. When I came back to real life I had forgotten how to smile and had to train myself to make facial expressions that corresponded to the emotions I should have felt in various circumstances. You can find much better treatment for a better price. The website is misleading. 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. Also, I would sit there and talk to my therapist while he takes notes and this is a direct quote is that it? Then the session was over. My Mom says she wishes she had heard of that school at the time. Discovery ranchs idea of privileges is being able to sit on something other than hard wood chairs. We focus on healing the entire family. My parents spent over $200,000 here before they realized I was not getting the help I needed. The night staff was apparently fucked up on heroin, meth, pcp, etc the whole time and had virtually no training or qualifications, which I learned when a male staff member sexually propositioned me over Facebook when I was 18, so three years later, and told me what happened behind closed doors. 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. His step-father (my Dad) told me not to discuss it around him. I still hear screams from my friends being restrained in the back of my mind. Learn about discovery -- the legal procedures used to gather evidence for a lawsuit. No one deserves what they really do to people. The men have also come up against many dangerous physical hitches in getting to the treasure. And the horrible part? At one point during my stay, I saw my friend stab his arm repeatedly with a pencil, spraying blood all over me and the windowsill we were sitting on. 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. It began with a lawsuit filed by Hannah Archuleta, who appeared on Dr. Phil in 2019 and then went to the Turn-About Ranch. Our parents (his Mom and step-father) regret sending him there even all these years later. (and have it be removed weeks later). Let us help. DIAMOND RANCH ACADEMY, INC., Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendant, v. CHELSEA FILER, Defendant and Counterclaim Plaintiff. At one point during my stay, I saw my friend stab his arm repeatedly with a pencil, spraying blood all over me and the windowsill we were sitting on. A court has maintained a number of claims the Granby Ranch Metropolitan District has made in a lawsuit against the owners of Granby Ranch. Caring, experienced professionals are ready to help your son. I was 15 years old. My cousin went to a place 2 years ago called Shortridge Academy and had a much better experience there. Parents wont know or understand the gravity of impact this experience has had until after you get out and have openly talked about it, and although its very hard not to blame or take your anger out on them, you have to realize they made their decision out of love and ignorance. Listen to your child, and dont fall into the traps that programs make which lead parents to think their child is untrustworthy, a liar, manipulator, etc. They would arbitrarily lock me in a tiny pitch black closet devoid of food, water, a bathroom, or human contact for days, usually because I made an inappropriate facial expression like crying or raising my eyebrows when they screamed at me that I was worthless and no one could ever love me. I wish I could give negitive stars! I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. It makes me fucking sick that this place, along with HUNDREDS of others, still exists, quietly protected under the umbrella of the state government of Utah, and that parents are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for their children to be tortured and driven insane or into obedient, soulless sociopaths. , DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO DISCOVERY RANCH IF YOU CARE ABOUT THEM! When you try to induct real truths into the once a week, 1/2 hour, monitored phone call, the therapist redirects you to la la land. But I fucking wasnt. They emotionally and mentally compromise kids for fun. When I came back to real life I had forgotten how to smile and had to train myself to make facial expressions that corresponded to the emotions I should have felt in various circumstances. It is reported that they are only allowed to communicate with their parents through heavily censored and monitored letters, as well as a once-monthly phone call, which is also monitored by staff. 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. STOP DISCOVER RANCH they will play you out of so much money its unbelievable. Your PRECIOUS child is NOT safe here! They picked favorites and we were treated like garbage. We have all suffered enough, its time to heal and create a system that works. Carebear (Yelp), 2015: (SURVIVOR) This place is horrible. BE CAREFUL OF THEM. , This place is sickening. 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. , 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. Feel free to ask anything about my stay I'm an open book. 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.. 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. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. The location grew in popularity after rumors swirled that the land . Basically non-existent education. She currently works as the Residential Director at Redcliff Ascent, another Ascent Company program. Also there were lawsuits against this place. The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. If this describes your family, let us help. Your Call is Confidential. 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. The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. I had no contact with the outside world except letters to my parents which were censored, and observed phone calls once a month. We were treated like we were in prison, and if we stepped out of line, we had our privileges taken away. Your son will experience the value of hard work through daily chores and responsibilities. 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. When we have the opportunity to get together, its a very special and meaningful time for all of us, we reminisce about the little funny stories that helped us get through the day during our time, we think about about all the suffering we endeared and how we survived, and we always take the time to honor our close friends that didnt and have passed. Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. Sanoy (Google Reviews). The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. , Kinda like a prison that just focuses on external behavior. I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. 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. We would act like we loved the treatment center, and that there wasnt any abuse going on. Kids are constantly getting restrained and put on drugs to keep them under control. I dont know why but when i was there I never wanted to leave. Also they lie to the kids about the effects of marijuana, such as the claim that you can withdrawal from it, but I know that isnt true.