Wood Creek Academy

Wood Creek Academy Review

Located 100 miles northwest of Missoula, Montana in the town of Thompson Falls, Wood Creek Academy is a residential treatment facility and therapeutic boarding school. It specializes in the care of teenage boys between the ages of 13 and 18. The clients are usually struggling with a range of issues including substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Wood Creek incorporates a range of therapeutic models into a unique wilderness-based curriculum rooted in the principles of empowerment and accountability.

Accommodations and Food

Located within miles of three national forests, Wood Creek offers a beautiful, natural environment far-removed from the distractions and triggers of big city life. With ample opportunities for outdoor activities, the facility provides an atmosphere where residents get to know their true selves while being immersed in nature. The students enjoy both a tight-knit supportive peer community and the solitude necessary for self-reflection. While on campus, residents sleep in rustic cabins with several roommates.

The facility provides a basic, healthy menu with healthy options for students with specific dietary needs. Residents are involved in meal preparation and clean up.

Treatment and Staff

Before beginning at Wood Creek, students go through an extensive evaluation that includes a complete medical and psychological history, an account of substance use and an overview of current issues and circumstances. From there, the team determines the best possible personalized program customized to address the unique strengths and weaknesses of the individual. While the length of stay varies from student to student, the facility requires a minimum stay of three months. Individuals typically stay between nine months and a year.

The facility seeks to not only treat symptoms but to heal the root cause of conditions through a focus on “whole person” care. Empowerment and growth are integral elements of the programming. Consequently, Wood Creek offers a multi-faceted approach to care that integrates an array of therapeutic methods including recreation, academics and experiential therapy. Clients can also anticipate community service projects like highway clean up and nature beautification.

Students participate in regular individual and group therapy but also spend several hours a day outdoors participating in a wide variety of sports and experiential activities. They enjoy white water rafting, hiking, skiing and canoeing, as well as sports like basketball and volleyball.

In addition, the facility is a fully accredited boarding school with a comprehensive academic curriculum. Credits are transferable and many students move on into colleges or the military. The facility also offers specialized religious groups and 12-step recovery meetings.

The Wood Creek team is comprised of educational consultants, addiction counselors, mentors and social workers as well as consulting physicians. The facility offers medication management as well as medical, dental and optometry services.

Extras

While on campus, students wind down with movie and game nights. Wood Creek also offers holistic practices like yoga and mindfulness meditation as well as skills training that includes social conversation, stress and anger management, job interviewing and budgeting.

The facility believes in the significant impact that family involvement plays in a student’s growth. As a result, Wood Creek encourages family to work along with the clients through group therapy sessions, weekly updates, workshops, letter writing, visitation and academics.

In Summary

Overall, Wood Creek Academy is a residential facility that merges a therapeutic environment with a robust academic curriculum. The facility specializes in the care of teenage boys, seeking not only to treat conditions but to provide an environment of growth and empowerment. For anyone looking for a powerful therapeutic and learning experience, Wood Creek is a wonderful option.