Repairing Families

Bringing Families Back Together Through Family Adventure

It is always gratifying and heartwarming when our families see their child for the first time at the end of the program. There is a reconnection that can only be achieved through an effective wilderness treatment process.

It might be hard to imagine at this moment, but this moment could be yours. Imagine replacing guilt, fear and shame with feelings of excitement, pride and hope.

This is the power of the wilderness experience. This is the power of blueFire.

The blueFire Family Model

Unlike other wilderness programs, our family systems model of treatment includes the whole family so that when the child returns home, the systems are going to be in place for the child to be successful.

It is an important part of a teen’s journey to share the experience with their parents. At blueFire wilderness treatment center, we help repair the family dynamic with careful communication policy that blends one way communication such as letters, videos and emails. This communication allows parents, children and siblings time to gather thoughts and replaces emotional reactions with reasoned reactions.

We then move to shared phone calls and teleconferences where families can reconnect and reform the bond and trust that might be lacking. This two-way communication provides families to face varying issues in a therapeutic and helpful manner.

Throughout the process, blueFire staff is helping your child and helping repair the family dynamic.

We establish a fresh, new common ground to help support a fresh, new start for the parent/child. Parents see their child’s growth, progress and maturity. Teens feel confident in their transformed level of independence and personal skills. Spending quality time together without the distraction of technology and work/school stressors is often the single most powerful factor in creating these strong connections.

When a child transitions to a longer-term setting, our team at blueFire believes the family work is equally relevant and necessary. Coming home is the ultimate goal and for some clients, that will be after completing an appropriate longer term setting. Repairing families remains our top priority.

Focus on Family

In our experience, without changes back home, the success of any therapeutic program will rarely last once a client returns.  BlueFire believes it is important to address the entire family system, not just the identified patient.  Repairing and rebuilding family relationships is a top priority. The following is the tools to evaluate and make changes within the family system that will set them up for future success.

  • Mail parents the book “Parallel Process” so they understand the process they need to go through while their child is in treatment.
  • Therapists give parents and clients parallel assignments to work on while in the program. This can include worksheets, reading assignments, writing assignments, letters, etc.
  • Parents talk to the primary therapist on a weekly basis for an update as well as parenting strategies and assignments.
  • Parents also receive photos on a weekly basis via a google drive link.
  • Starting around week 3-4 our primary therapist facilitates family sessions every other week via phone or video conferencing. This gives them the opportunity to practice communication skills and go over parallel assignments.
  • There is also a therapist-led parent support group monthly and monthly presentations from our clinical team via Crowdcast.

Family Spark

The Family Spark Workshop is a 4-day immersive family therapeutic experience where parents get a chance to see first-hand the behavioral changes being made at blueFire Wilderness Therapy. During our workshop, families learn about the program, how to repair relationships, and gain a better understanding of therapeutic processing as a family unit. During the Family Spark Workshop, we work on:

  • Family reunification
  • Rebuilding a foundation of open communication, trust and
  • Equine therapy
  • Adventure activities and incentives
  • Individual Family therapy with primary therapist
  • Group Family therapy with other families at the workshop
  • Review of psychological testing when appropriate
  • Comfortable overnight camping
  • Evaluation and planning for future

Together, Your Family Will Learn:

  • Improved communication skills
  • Team work
  • Empathy
  • Self-awareness
  • Understanding
  • Family service

blueFire Wilderness Therapy recognizes the challenges your teen is struggling with did not occur overnight, and with our decades of experience we certainly understand a lifetime of changes do not occur overnight either. blueFire offers an intensive, instructive shift in creating new, healthier habits and behaviors. Together with the family back home, it is incredible to witness the changes that can occur in only a few short months at blueFire.

“I have become self-sufficient when I need to be but I’ve also learned how to ask for help when needed and to be okay with imperfections.”
Anonymous Client

To learn more about the changes we have seen with teens and young adults over the years in a wilderness setting, and to better understand how blueFire can help your child, please call us toll free at 844-413-1999.  We look forward to hearing from you.