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. Is 'Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch' Fake or Scripted? What We Know I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. 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. Staff refusing to let kid use the bathroom, and making him pee/poop himself. We have created this bond because unless you went through a detention center such as DR, you will not understand. Dave Blackwell worked as a Therapist at Discovery Ranch. Throughout your sons experience at Discovery Ranch he will have the support of caring, educated, experienced professionals. This place did not save my life it scared me to have problems. H.A. They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. He said that he was abused by a staff member while there. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. The facility in Utah is run like a prison. I still hear screams from my friends being restrained in the back of my mind. He also is the Executive Director of Discovery Academy. ), I witnessed a 15 year old boy be sodomized by a broom handle and have the living shit beat out of him because he tried to run away and watched a girl punch a window and slit her wrists in front of me because she couldnt take it anymore. The program has a maxmimum enrollment of 60 boys, and the average length of stay is reported to be around 10 months, but this can be substantially longer if the boy is deemed resistant. Grand Ledge Courts. I was 15 years old. I ended up running away from this program and deciding on a much better program that actually wanted to help people. Privilege to them is being able to sit on a couch, to be able to speak out loud, to be able to eat a single apple. (and have it be removed weeks later). They dont want to discuss whats actually wrong. The entire facility is designed to create a rich therapeutic and healing environment. Anyone is free to fact check this, and contact me with further questions [redacted]. When you fail thats on you, dont punish your kids for your actions. 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. Amy Golden. If anything, kids got worse from being here. This will provide him with the. 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. We respect your privacy. 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. They have the same goals in mind. Parent's lawsuit: Grand Ledge Board of Education violated FOIA law - Yahoo! Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. In other words, do not trust them. Learn about discovery -- the legal procedures used to gather evidence for a lawsuit. 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. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. In Season 1, Episode 2 ("Under Siege"), the Raneys went to Virginia to help couple Kim and Josh Zabec the owners of Revolutionary Roots Farm after pigs had ruined part of their homestead. He began his career working in Admissions at Provo Canyon School, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the WWASP organization. Youre parents will love that, Ha!). They emotionally and mentally compromise kids for fun. 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. survivors to be an extremely abusive program. For many parents, this focus on parental participation is the reason they choose our program. 02-17-2016. They are left up to their own with limited to no help from the teachers. 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. My parents spent over $200,000 here before they realized I was not getting the help I needed. Leslie Glies worked as the Residential Director of Discovery Ranch. It wasnt until he left the program that people even found out about this happening!! Allegations of abuse that have been reported by survivors include: According to a Thesis published in 2015 by Catherine Kushan, Discovery Ranch, a treatment center located in Mapleton, Utah, provides an empirical example of how this industry rhetorically manipulates legitimate psychiatric conditions to solicit clients. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. On top of that I was forced to study 7 hours straight on the weekends if I didnt meet academic requirements. 'Dr. Phil' Ranch Abuse Scandal: What to Know - Celebrity UTAH RANCH LAWSUIT | UTAH RANCH LAWSUIT - A teen is filing a lawsuit Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. He previously worked at, worked as the Residential Director of Discovery Ranch. Its sick and I hope in the future these places will be illegal and I will NEVER send my kids to one of these places. Get Confidential Help Today, Call Us Anytime, Internationally-recognized Residential Treatment Center for Teen Boys Ages 13-18 Located in Utah, Top Residential Treatment Center For Teens, Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based. They report that in January 2104, the boy was placed in a dorm at Discovery Ranch with three other boys, one who began grooming him and another resident for sexual victimization until he was violently sodomized. The attacker used threats of violence, coercion, guilt, and the merit system of Discovery Ranch to manipulate (the boy) to avoid reporting increasingly deviant sexual behaviors, including discussions about sex, pornography, masturbation, and sexual violence. According to the complaint, Discovery Ranchs merit system also prevented (him) from reporting the assaults because he believed that his inferior status and past interactions with Discovery Ranch staff and administrators would result in him being punished if he attempted to disclose the assaults. The family claims the sexual assaults went undiscovered and unchecked throughout the months of January and February and were only revealed when he [the assailant] was transferred from Discovery Ranch after being discovered engaging in bestiality with a horse. The family says that Discovery Ranch failed to adequately investigate the assailant for psychosexually deviant and violent tendencies before admitting him to Discovery Ranch and placing him in the dorm. Additional Information: Discovery ranch seems to actively try to remove as many negative reviews as they can, many were mine being removed over and over. departments all work together. I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. 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. Staff refusing to let kid use the bathroom, and making him pee/poop himself. Ripoff Report | Discovery Ranch for girls complaints, reviews, scams Your son will experience the value of hard work through daily chores and responsibilities. They lied and were mainpulative, and power tripped all the time. discovery ranch lawsuitshaun thompson elmhurst Consultation Request a Free Consultation Now. Feel free to ask anything about my stay I'm an open book. To them, there is one way that every kid learns, and if you have learning disabilities thats too fucking bad and ask the doctor to raise your meds the next time he comes. 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. We will not share your information. Residential Treatment Program for Teen Girls Ages 13-17 I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. discovery ranch lawsuit. Their website lists the following conditions the program claims to treat: various mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and oppositional defiance the last of which is no longer listed in the DSM substance abuse and other addictions, eating disorders [] learning disorders and nonverbal learning disability [] social struggles, low self-esteem, adoption/attachment issues, and grief and loss The unadvertised conditions that I witnessed among detainees included being LGBT, Internet addiction, and one girl in particular was sent there for having a black boyfriend. They are there only to try and give the staff (who by the way have no training in psychology at all) an easier time. Discovery Ranch a Utah corporation doing business as Discovery Ranch, Discovery Connections Attorney/Law Firm Details Plaintiff Attorneys Kathryn J. Steffey Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Clayton H. Preece Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Court Documents When the program opened, it housed both boys and girls on the same campus, but kept them completely seperate in different parts of the campus. The program has a maxmimum enrollment of 60 boys, and the average length of stay is reported to be around 10 months, but this can be substantially longer if the boy is deemed resistant. We were victims of abuse. Discovery ranchs idea of privileges is being able to sit on something other than hard wood chairs. We would act like we loved the treatment center, and that there wasnt any abuse going on. The men have also come up against many dangerous physical hitches in getting to the treasure. This website uses cookies and third party services. However, your teen is still troubled and your family is still in crisis. 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. Find out more about the assessment. dont do this to your child We are all begging you. I suggest seeking different options for your child. The moment I stepped foot on campus, I was treated like some sort of criminal. She currently works as the Residential Director at Redcliff Ascent, another Ascent Company program. I highly suggest people look it up, one of the most disgusting things Ive ever read in my life: Link. They lied and were mainpulative, and power tripped all the time. They will do everything to keep themselves looking like the best option at all costs just for money. Im scared to mention my real name because Discovery Ranchs aftercare program still controls my life. A friend of mine stabbing his arm 15+ times with a pencil. There is not enough research of the negative effects places like DR have on a young person, people dont like to talk or hear about places like DR, the system is extremely flawed, its a corporation that works very hard to keep you there as long as possible for obvious financial reasons while hiring unqualified staff. 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. My Mom says she wishes she had heard of that school at the time. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, we hold ourselves to the, We maintain professional memberships in research organizations, such as, . If you are at all struggling and/or would like to talk to someone who can relate, please do not hesitate to contact me through this post and Id be happy to exchange information so we can talk. I dont know why but when i was there I never wanted to leave. He can participate in various sports teams, such as basketball, flag football, wrestling, and cross-country running. You have tried community resources or other programs. 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. I felt meaningless, worthless, like a pawn used to control my dads emotions, fishing out hundreds of thousands of dollars from him. My cousin went to a place 2 years ago called Shortridge Academy and had a much better experience there. The civil lawsuit seeks a minimum of $350,000. Our academic program meets your son at his level. In February of 2015, a former resident at DR and his family filed a lawsuit against the school reporting that the boy was violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted by another resident at the program. 1308 South 1600 West, Mapleton, Utah 84664, . Lawsuit filed March 3rd against the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF). You can find much better treatment for a better price. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. We earned academic accreditation through Discovery Academy, Contact one of our well-trained representatives now. However, in 2013 DR moved their girls program to Cedar City, UT and began makerting theis program as, member since 2005. They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. This creates a streamlined experience for your son. Your PRECIOUS child is NOT safe here! They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. He reportedly began working in the TTI because his brothers have worked at various other treatment centers. They picked favorites and we were treated like garbage. If Im in the car with someone and they make a wrong turn or something I will flip out and start having a panic attack because all I can think about it oh my god where are they taking me theyre locking me up again. 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. 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 representative will help connect you with resources that can help your family--even if that help is not from us. 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. As part of the therapeutic learning process, all boys participate in weekly ropes activities that build character and help develop lifelong skills. how to walk a human a dogs guide. Its heart wrenching to see how many families were deeply financially destroyed as well as personal connections being permanently damaged. My son, although he enjoyed his stay, refused to be brainwashed, and therefore got nothing therapeutical out of his stay; only resentment and anger, and he gained knowledge how to manipulate therapists to his benefit. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. Although you move on and mature, its a wound that never fully heals and cuts deep. The facility in Utah is run like a prison. We found a traditional therapist that proved to be far more effective. 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. I felt like i somehow deserved to be treated like this and I think a part of me knew I could never stand living in the real world after all this happened. if I saw him today i would punch him in the face. because Utah has a natural landscape that is second to none. Privileges to some might sound like being able to talk to friends, or having free time. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? We were indirectly expected to manipulate visiting parents of troubled kids who have not yet been sent to treatment. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. Anyone is free to fact check this, and contact me with further questions [redacted]. Discovery Ranch is reported by many survivors to be an extremely abusive program. Reading these reviews it is obviously a place that needs to make some changes if the accusations are correct. Youre parents will love that, Ha!). Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. No one deserves what they really do to people. It is reported by survivors that these calfs are later slaughtered, apparently in an attempt to teach the residents how to deal with loss. This practice is extremely cruel, and is reported to be very traumatic to many survivors. 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. I suggest seeking different options for your child. 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. The Residential Treatment Program is located on a beautiful 60-acre ranch. I thought I was actually crazy, but it was all real. discovery ranch lawsuit. I ended up running away from this program and deciding on a much better program that actually wanted to help people. Staff unresponsive, administration unresponsive and kept to company line to detriment of my son. I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. The schooling they provide is a joke. You can find much better treatment for a better price. Each part of his daily experience will reinforce his therapeutic goals. They dont let parents talk freely to their own child. They often cause way more harm than good. The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. Caring, experienced professionals are ready to help your son. Reading these reviews it is obviously a place that needs to make some changes if the accusations are correct. Let us help. 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. Phil McGraw is wrapped up in a new scandal after sending multiple young guests to a treatment facility that has been accused of abuse. Its heart wrenching to see how many families were deeply financially destroyed as well as personal connections being permanently damaged.