Why Choose Open Sky?
Why Choose Open Sky?
Nestled in the mountains of Southwest Colorado and the canyon country of Southeast Utah, the Open Sky approach transcends traditional wilderness therapy by emphasizing treatment for the whole family. When a family partners with Open Sky, they embark on a rewarding adventure of self-discovery, acquiring valuable skills which promote lasting success.
Clinical Approach
The Open Sky clinical approach utilizes the latest in evidence-based clinical modalities integrated with innovative, well-researched mindfulness and holistic healing practices. Therapists develop treatment plans, provide individual and group psychotherapy, and update families each week via teleconference. Students participate in daily process groups and a wide range of experiential activities designed to increase awareness and facilitate growth. In addition to spending two full days each week in the field, therapists spend some “down time” with students sitting around the fire, enjoying a meal together, hiking and participating in daily activities. This model allows for direct observation and in-the-moment feedback as students acquire and practice new skills.
Family-Centered
Open Sky's family-focused approach goes beyond traditional wilderness therapy and delivers an inclusive healing experience, greater than the sum of its parts. Open Sky is the only wilderness therapy program offering a Family Services Team of nearly 20 professionals exclusively dedicated to supporting families through each step of treatment. Families have weekly phone calls with their Open Sky therapist, complete weekly therapeutic assignments, participate in psycho-educational teleconferences with other Open Sky families, and attend Family Weekend Wellness Retreats, optional Family Quests, and Alumni Parent Retreats.
Family Reunification
Research has proven that a student's success is proportional to the involvement and growth of the student's family. Open Sky provides the most comprehensive family experience available in wilderness therapy led by a team of dedicated clinical professionals. During weekly calls, therapists discuss progress, therapeutic and family objectives, review family assignments, and help parents take the appropriate steps to create a successful aftercare plan.
Whole Person Wellness
At Open Sky we treat the whole person, offering viable alternatives to conventional treatment. We integrate the best clinical and awareness practices with wilderness therapy, providing the most comprehensive treatment program available. Each student is assigned a therapist and psychiatric and psychological assessments are also available
Safety
Wilderness therapy is proven to be a highly safe and effective intervention for early adolescents, adolescents, and young adults. Open Sky is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety in all areas of our programming: utilizing state-of-the-art equipment for communications and wilderness living, providing mandatory professional risk management training for staff, with 24-hour on-call personnel available 365 days per year for any circumstance that might arise in the wilderness. Open Sky is the only program with an on-site field medic 365 days a year.
Research-Proven Results
Open Sky leads the industry as the only program measuring the outcome results of each and every one of its students. Open Sky has employed empirically validated research to measure the success of its program since its inception in 2006. Outcome research proves that Open Sky clients make behavioral, interpersonal and mental health gains while at Open Sky and maintain those gains after graduation.
What's Happening At Open Sky
Get the latest news from Open Sky along with informative articles written by clinical and program team members.
