In late March, I was excited to travel to Texas, one of my favorite places. The last time I had made a pleasure trip to Texas must have been ten years or so. I landed as the sun was fading. I took my trusted GPS system and picked up a car. Not being mechanically inclined I asked the rental agency to set my GPS, which they gladly did, and I was on my way to Fulshear Ranch Academy where I was to meet several key staff.

I turned on the GPS and followed the directions - I THOUGHT! Ten miles down the road, my GPS lady said the dreaded words, "re-calculating, recalculating". So, I followed my GPS and turned around. No worry, I had at least 45 minutes to get to the restaurant. By this time, the blinding sun pierced through the windshield making it all more difficult and complicated. My GPS continued to recalculate my trip and I followed her directions. After an hour or so, I started calling Irene, the admissions director. Believe me; she was wondering if I was ever going to make it!

Finally, I realized the lady at the rental car agency had also set the GPS to go from Fulshear back to the airport! You guessed it, my GPS lady tried her best and I ate up nearly two and a half hours getting out of the Houston freeway system. By this time, Irene met me at my hotel with dinner, I was totally frazzled, and the Fulshear leadership team had gone home to bed.

Things got a whole lot better after a good night's sleep. I was anxious to get to the campus. I was there years ago and I knew what to expect, a very serene environment. Fulshear is located on 64 acres of land, allowing one to feel like they are on a much larger ranch. The campus includes corrals, pastures for the horses, a main lodge and three houses for the students. A pool looked inviting. Overall, the campus is truly an environment where girls can feel good and at the same time have a peaceful struggle with their issues.

I sat in a group meeting shortly after my arrival. Each and every girl was uniquely different. I was surprised at how astute the girls were. They were sensitive to the struggles of their fellow students and when confronting or making suggestions, they were sensitive to the others feelings. Gentle but firm might be a better description. The group lasted well over an hour and a half, and I felt that each girl participated at a high level and were fully engaged in their work. It was clear that the girls respected each other.

Fulshear accepts a wide range of girls. Many show indications of depression and/or anxiety. Some were at times oppositional and struggled with alcohol and drug use, while others struggled with conflict with their parents. Some may struggle with borderline personality traits. Importantly, Fulshear focuses upon the girl's unique talents and strengths.

Perhaps more importantly, it is apparent that Fulshear has a keen sense of the skills necessary for young girls to move into independence and adulthood. In the beginning the girls spend most of their time on the Ranch. They progress through the phases necessary and eventually live off campus in an apartment owned by Fulshear. The program has a well-developed sequence. Residents begin with work on the Ranch. The Ranch is where the girls deal with many of the issues that are getting in their way to success. After two successful phases, the girls move on to an apartment setting about 20 miles from the Ranch. The phases are well constructed and in the last phase has ample program flexibility to allow the girls to prepare for college, hold a part time job, and participate in the larger community. These phases are very well defined and understood as a girl progresses through the program.

Fulshear provides multiple groups each week. These groups vary and include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches, while others include DBT and family systems work. Parents are involved in a weekly therapy session with their daughter. The girls are also involved in equine therapy. Basic care and maintenance of the horses is also integral to the equine programming.

I had the opportunity to talk with all of the clinical and administrative team. I had known one of their therapist, Dale Erdmann, LCSW, when he was a therapist at Island View, RTC. I had always enjoyed working with Dale and knew him to be a conscientious and skilled therapist. Daniel Fishburn, LCSW, is the clinical director and has worked in a variety of settings prior to Fulshear. Gayle Jensen-Savole, PhD, is the Executive Director of Fulshear Ranch.

I found the leadership to be a talented group of people who love what they are doing. It was clear to me that Gayle and her team have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish at Fulshear. All aspects of the program were clear and known to be effective. I particularly liked the transitioning into the community. This is where the rubber hits the road.

In-spite of the difficult trip from the airport to Fulshear, I left Fulshear with a very good feeling. They have what it takes to take Fulshear to a high level for those girls who need a boost at this time in their lives.