SUWS of the Carolinas
Old Fort, NC

SUWS of the Carolinas, one of the most reputable and well-established wilderness programs in the country, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

SUWS of the Carolinas began as a sister program of the highly successful wilderness therapy program, SUWS Idaho. Building on the history and reputation of SUWS Idaho, SUWS of the Carolinas has established itself as one of the premier wilderness programs in the U.S.

"We started with a rich history at SUWS Idaho and have developed an equally rich history here in North Carolina," says Jesse Quam, MSW, LCSW, and Clinical Director at SUWS of the Carolinas. "In a relatively short time, SUWS of the Carolinas has established itself as the gold standard in wilderness therapy."

Perhaps most central to SUWS' success has been its distinguished clinical team. "It is the staff that sets SUWS apart," says Leah Madamba, MS, LPC, NCC, and Program Director at SUWS of the Carolinas. "It's a testament to the program's outstanding reputation for clinical excellence that we have been able to retain top-quality field staff and clinical professionals who have a great deal of experience working with struggling teens both in the wilderness and in other settings."

SUWS has also set the standard for family programming in the field of wilderness therapy. The SUWS family program includes weekly family therapy sessions, a three-day graduation weekend, and a two-day parent workshop midway through the program. By working to improve the family dynamic and actively involving the family in the process of change, the entire family is prepared for the next stage of treatment or the child's return home.

SUWS has never been content to merely assume its program works. Over the years, SUWS has participated in a number of independent outcome studies to evaluate its effectiveness and prove to families, insurance companies, and the scientific community that wilderness therapy really works.
"We know wilderness works, but we want to prove it," says Shawn Farrell, MEd., Executive Director at SUWS of the Carolinas. "For this reason, we test our work - and the results have been overwhelmingly positive."

Studies have shown that when teens attend SUWS, they present with serious emotional and behavioral issues. By the time they leave the program, there are significant clinical improvements, and follow-up studies show that these improvements continue after formal treatment ends.

Of course, wilderness therapy wouldn't mean much without the primary agent for change: the wilderness. Located in the mountains of western North Carolina, just outside of Asheville, SUWS of the Carolinas is conveniently located for families all along the eastern seaboard and across the country. With the benefit of being close to major cities like Atlanta, Raleigh, and Charlotte, SUWS is still far enough removed to take full advantage of the nearby Pisgah National Forest and surrounding wilderness areas.

As it has done for the past 10 years, SUWS continues to find ways to expand the services it offers to families and teens in crisis. In addition to its classic 55-day wilderness program, SUWS now offers a Seasons program for younger teens ages 10-13 and a 30-day Leader's Way program for teens going on to residential treatment. With a full spectrum of clinical programs and treatment options available, SUWS is able to provide the most appropriate treatment to a diverse group of clients with a range of emotional and behavioral issues.

Although much has changed, the philosophy at SUWS has remained constant over the years. "We're looking for an internal shift in our students that produces long-term change, not just a momentary modification of behavior," explains Madamba. "We believe everybody has a purpose, and by the time our students graduate, they know they have something valuable to offer their families, schools, and communities."

Clinical Director Jesse Quam also credits the families for the program's success. "To me, it is the resiliency of our students and families that makes SUWS so exceptional," he says. "They come to us in crisis and walk out at graduation transformed. You can see a remarkable change in the direction of the family system - they are now spiraling upward instead of downward."

SUWS of the Carolinas is a therapeutic wilderness program for adolescents ages 10-17 with a focus on clinical intervention and assessment. The program uses the outdoors as an alternative to conventional treatment environments, while engaging students using traditional therapeutic methods. Since 1981, SUWS programs have provided guidance and support to thousands of misdirected and at-risk teens experiencing low self-esteem, defiant behavior, attention deficit, depression, substance abuse, and other behavioral issues. For more information about SUWS of the Carolinas, please call (888) 830-9770 or visit www.suwscarolinas.com.

SUWS of the Carolinas is a proud member of CRC Health Group, which offers the most comprehensive network of specialized behavioral healthcare services in the nation. With the largest array of personalized treatment options, individuals, families, and professionals can choose the most appropriate setting for their behavioral, addiction, weight management, and therapeutic education needs. CRC Health Group is deeply committed to making its services widely and easily available to those in need, while maintaining a passion for delivering the most advanced treatment available. For more information about CRC Health Group, visit www.crchealth.com or call (877) 637-6237.