Most often, our children believe they are making the best decisions concerning their lives. Unfortunately, strong emotions, peer pressure, and a distorted self-image often limit a teen's understanding of available choices and consequences.

At SUWS of the Carolinas, our unique clinical treatment approach has proven to be highly effective in helping students identify their limiting emotional beliefs and destructive behavioral habits. This newfound awareness enables students to shift their focus from personal entitlement and blaming to mastering personal responsibility and practicing healthy relationship skills.

The wilderness setting functions as the catalyst that allows us to connect with students. SUWS of the Carolinas moves children from their "emotional comfort zone" by shifting them to a new and challenging environment. The demands of mastering their new setting causes students to engage in their automatic behavioral habits, allowing our therapists and highly trained counselors to positively engage them using traditional therapeutic methods.

Our outdoor experience is designed to engage the deeply held passions and desire for purpose that characterize adolescence. Students are expertly guided through our experiential curricula allowing them to discover for themselves their inner strengths while increasing self-awareness and self-esteem. The program uses a Search and Rescue metaphor to teach students character development, as well as to assist in the identification of core values and guiding principles.

At SUWS of the Carolinas, we recognize the importance of the family in the growth process. Our family component includes a 4-CD audio series/online parenting resource, weekly treatment planning sessions, and a three day parenting workshop upon program completion.

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