Many programs talk about how they take a relational approach with their students. However, this language is connected to a level system that has embedded consequences and rewards for specific “behavior”. These hoops through which students are able to jump create an opportunity to “behave” in order to avoid negative ramifications or gain some external “rewards”. This approach ends up minimizing the relationship between student and staff and puts all focus on what the student simply does, no matter the motivation. We believe there is a better approach.

Our focus will not be around change through privileges (levels), but rather change through choice. In order to accomplish this, we create a willing want to instead of a grudging have to. The therapeutic sessions, horsemanship, academic approach and progressive education engage our students in activities designed to create a passion for learning and self actualization.  Our students and families are then invited to join with us and educate our team around what they want to accomplish and the things that they need to work on. We then work with them to craft a plan of action and help them identify the goals they want to accomplish along the way.

The fundamental shift is coming from a place of trust as opposed to distrust. By creating the relationship through active learning and engagement we can make specific invitations for students to make change their life, not to gain a reward or avoid a specific consequence but because it is what is needed at the moment for them to become something greater. Lifelong relevancy is developed from this truly relational approach.