STAR Guides Boys Program

STAR Guides Boys Review

Located two hours northeast of Las Vegas in the city of St. George, Utah, STAR Guides is a treatment facility that specializes in the care of adolescents struggling with a range of addictions including video games, sex and social media. STAR provides a unique wilderness-based curriculum that removes clients from an environment of distractions and places them an atmosphere of empowerment. The facility offers gender-specific programming for adolescent boys that includes a specialized track for teens with sexual addiction and compulsions. STAR specializes in dual diagnosis support for co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, ADD and substance use disorders.

Accommodations and Food

STAR provides a sensitive and supportive space for clients to recover without fear of embarrassment. As a wilderness program, clients enjoy the raw elements and privacy of the outdoors. Between hiking and setting up camp, individuals are kept busy all day. Teens hike between two and eight miles a day and are responsible for a host of daily chores including getting firewood, setting up tents and building traps.

The facility provides weather-appropriate clothing such as coats, and twice a week use a portable shower to bathe and change clothes. STAR offers a nutritious menu of healthy foods. Students not only learn how to schedule and allocate their ingredients over the course of a few days, but also to plan and make their meals on a campfire.

Treatment and Staff

STAR provides a transformation therapeutic experience that heals the “whole person.” Before beginning treatment, clients go through a comprehensive assessment that includes a medical and psychological exam as well as a history of addiction. A psycho-sexual evaluation is also performed. From there, the STAR team determines the most effective personalized care plan customized to address the unique needs and goals of the teen. While the length of treatment varies from person to person, most individuals stay between 90 and 110 days.

The facility offers an integrative approach to wilderness therapy that includes therapy, skills training, psychoeducation, holistic practices and experiential activities. Students engage in biweekly individual therapy and daily group therapy sessions. Clients also participate in process groups that focus on accountability, self-esteem and problem solving techniques. Teens also visit with a medical professional once every two weeks. All groups are gender-specific, with male and female clients never running independently.

The STAR team is comprised of social workers, mental health counselors, clinicians, therapists, a clinical psychologist, medical director, field support staff and a registered nurse. Medication management is available for individuals with co-occurring conditions. With the one-to-three staff-to-client ratio, individuals receive plenty of personal attention.

Extras

STAR understands the important role that family involvement plays in the success of a client’s recovery and general health. As such, the facility provides family therapy over the satellite phone. In addition, parents are encouraged to take part in a two-day expedition with their child. Students also regularly write letters home to their parents.

In Summary

STAR Guides is a wilderness treatment organization that provides comprehensive programming for adolescent boys struggling with process addictions like technology and sex. The facility offers an opportunity for clients to unplug, experience nature and realize their strength. For anyone seeking a robust program as well as a dedicated team, the facility provides a completely unique treatment experience. STAR Guides is an excellent option.