Odyssey House was originally founded 40 years ago by Dr. Judianne Densen Gerber in New York and has grown to include centers across the United States, including Utah, Louisiana, Michigan and Texas in addition to other countries, including New Zealand and Australia. In the 1980's individual companies became incorporated and Odyssey House of Utah opened their residential programs for both adolescents and adults in 1990. This private 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization provides substance abuse treatment for adults and struggling teen's ages 13-17 years old.

Executive Director at Odyssey House of Utah is Adam Cohen, MBA, Clinical Director of the Adolescent Facility is Sylvia Anderson-Conn, LCSW and Director of Adolescent Services is Christina Nielson, LCSW.

Odyssey's adolescent residential program begins with the first phase called The START Program which lasts between 30 and 60 days. In this initial phase, therapists track the client's progress in therapy sessions and their interaction in the residential community, determining what the next step in care will be needed. Students attend Odyssey Academy, an accredited high school on property, in addition to life skills training and sober fun and recreational activities.

Clients participate in individual therapy, gender groups, family therapy and motivational groups, in addition to crisis intervention and /or sexual trauma recovery counseling as needed. A unique aspect to Odyssey House is free aftercare services for life once a client completes the program.

[This information came from the Odyssey House website.]