Hope Ranch
Whitefish, MT

Hope Ranch Moves To Therapeutic Teams

With the establishment of therapeutic teams, Hope Ranch is intentionally strengthening its commitment to relationship-structured therapy. While 'faith-based' programs are often associated with behavior modification models and punitive practices, Hope Ranch upholds very different faith-based values.

We find it regrettable that so-called "Christian" therapeutic programs are often associated with "boot camp" tactics. Our premise is that retaliation is not a true faith-based value. We affirm that the faith journey is a call to right relationship. Relationship-structured therapy is congruent with this premise.

Each of our newly formed teams has a therapist as team leader and a residential or teaching staff member as co-leader. Office and administrative staff serve as 'grandparents' to the team. Altogether there are eight staff members on each team comprised of eight girls.

Teams provide the opportunity for students to be mirrors to each other. Direct and honest feedback in a safe process group setting, gives the girls a context to call each other to be more real and to behave differently. When a child feels "seen", it is easier to effectively set limits or consequences. In this relational model, we focus not on 'fixing' bad behavior, but on a positive approach to promoting more mature responses and relationships in a group or family context.

Anyone needing more information on our program may contact our Admissions Counselor, Jim Carpenter at jimc@hoperanchmt.org or our development staff at www.hoperanchmt.org.