Articles
PDFSUWS of the Carolinas Welcomes Christopher Hinds as the New Clinical Director
SUWS of the Carolinas, a premier therapeutic wilderness program for struggling or underachieving youth, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Clinical Director, Christopher Hinds, ACSW, LCSW. Hinds joins SUWS with 30 years’ experience with child and adolescent treatment programs. Continue reading Christopher Hinds New Clinical Director >>
External Challenges to the Modern Family System
The world has changed dramatically in the past decade. The economic downturn, technological advances and social pressures have all impacted the way modern families function and interact. Continue reading External Challenges to the Modern Family >>
Internal Challenges Facing the Modern Family
There’s never an “easy” time to be a parent, but modern families are facing a number of unique challenges. Continue reading Challenges Facing the Modern Family >>
Challenges of Modern Parenting Is Topic of SUWS of the Carolinas Wilderness Therapy Program Presentation at National Convention
Two adolescent specialists from SUWS of the Carolinas teen wilderness therapy program made a presentation on the challenges of modern parenting to members of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) in Philadelphia. Continue reading Challenges of Modern Parenting >>
Common Pitfalls of Permissive Parenting – and How to Avoid Them
You’ve likely come across a permissive parent – the mom who lets her child run wild with no rules or consequences, or the dad who showers his child with love and affection even when the child is misbehaving. Though the result is never intended, children of permissive parents often turn out spoiled and entitled. >>
Dr. Phil Discusses SUWS of the Carolinas
Dr. Phil has researched numerous therapeutic counseling options for families and their teens and has featured SUWS of the Carolinas twice. In each case, Dr. Phil has demonstrated how our program can save families and change lives. Continue reading Dr. Phil Discusses SUWS of the Carolinas >>
SUWS of the Carolinas Featured on the Dr. Phil Show
The Dr. Phil show presented the story of Nick, a 13-year-old boy struggling with anger management issues and low self-esteem that affected his relationships at home and school. Continue reading SUWS of the Carolinas Featured on the Dr. Phil Show >>
"Britian's Youngest Boozers" Documentary to Feature Therapeutic Options from
Aspen Education Group
Unique wilderness therapy treatment options to help curb underage drinking will be featured on ITV1’s upcoming documentary “ Britain’s Youngest Boozers.” The treatment therapies are offered by U.S.-based Aspen Education Group, America’s leading provider of therapeutic education programs that improve the quality of life for underachieving children, young adults and their families. Continue reading "Britian's Youngest Boozers" >>
Sibling Reactions to Placement
by Brooke Judkins, Ph.D.
SUWS of the Carolinas
When children enter SUWS of the Carolinas, they have been receiving a lot of attention within their family system. The poor decision making and problematic behaviors that preempt pre-teens and teens coming to SUWS of the Carolinas can become a vortex into which the family gets consumed, and in this vortex the pre-teen or adolescent is the primary focus. Continue reading Sibiling Reactions to Placement >>
The Family Piece
By Brooke Judkins, Ph.D., MFT
SUWS of the Carolinas
Three large, flat stones are placed in a triangle formation. One stone represents a teenager, the second and third represent her mother and father. The teenager is asked to think of a specific time when she was fighting or in conflict with her parents. “Stand on your stone and feel what it was like to be you in this situation” she is instructed. She does so and describes, without much effort, her anger at her parents. Continue reading The Family Piece >>
Attachment Orientation and the Development of Behavior Problems
By Carlyn Aldrich, MS
It has become increasingly evident that a child’s attachment orientation can have a powerful impact on his or her growth. Children’s attachment organization has been shown to impact how they interpret and respond to their environment throughout early and later development (Bowlby, 1973). Conitnue reading Attachment Orientation and the Development Problems >>
The Effect of Marital Discord and Divorce on the Development of Behavioral Problems in Children and Adolescents
Carlyn Aldrich, MS
Many researchers have demonstrated a link between marital conflict/divorce and child behavior problems (e.g., Jenkins & Smith, 1991; Cummings, Goeke-Morey, & Paap, 2003). The type, frequency, and intensity of marital conflict and the perceptions of children are all important factors that help shape children’s reactions to conflict between their parents. Continue reading The Effect of Maritial Discord and Divorce on the Development of Behavioral Problems in Children and Adolescents >>
Clients with Asperger’s Disorder Blossom in Wilderness
By Jesse Quam, LCSW and Leah Madamba, MS, NCC, LPC
Shortly after arriving at the wilderness program, David found himself amid six peers who were frenetically sorting through the week's food supply. The program's field staff, while being very kind, misunderstand his questions about how they are going to eat dinner without a kitchen to cook in and how they will wash their hands without a sink and running water. Continue reading Clients with Asperger's Disorder Blossom in Wilderness >>
Unveiling the Mask: Art Therapy in the Wilderness
For personal growth to be real, positive and sustainable, though, we need to make regular assessments of our motivations and interactions with others. This type of critical introspection involves a close look at our faults as well as our strengths. This can be one of the most difficult aspects of therapy, and yet it is essential in order to sustain the positive growth that we so often seek through therapeutic means. Continue reading Unveiling the Mask: Art Therapy in the Wilderness >>
Motivating Teens Girls Through Wilderness Therapy
An Interview with Terri Chester, MA, LPC, NCC
Like teenage boys, girls thrive in wilderness therapy programs. Living in nature with a group of peers and participating in the therapeutic process makes wilderness programs highly effective in getting teenage girls motivated to make changes in their lives. Continue reading Motivating Teens Girls Through Wilderness Therapy >>
SUWS of the Carolinas and Phoenix Outdoor Wilderness Therapy Programs Help Parents Raise Teens Using Love and Logic
After completing a three-day training to become a certified Love and Logic™ facilitator, Family Program Manager Dr. Brooke Judkins has begun training parents and staff on using Love and Logic™ techniques with troubled teens. Read more about how Therapy Programs Help Parents Raise Teens Using Love and Logic