Stay in touch with the other people you shared your time with during DR, reach out to them when things are tough, talk about your struggles. Are they just being a teenager? I posted this exact review several times spacing itself out several months. Parents wont know or understand the gravity of impact this experience has had until after you get out and have openly talked about it, and although its very hard not to blame or take your anger out on them, you have to realize they made their decision out of love and ignorance. We provide a safe, home-like environment for your son. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. If any of you also went there shoot me a pm id like to hear about it. I had been raped when i was 12 and was unable to tell my male therapist or parents about this happening because my family is very Catholic. We support & vent to each other about how difficult and lonely it was for us to get back to normal life after we left, how it shaped us into the adults we are today, and what steps we took to try and heal from this horrible experience. The parents believe discovery ranch and most kids have no hope of anyone listening to them because they think no one believes them and they wont talk and they lie about it. May their souls rest in peace. These issues include: At Discovery Ranch for Boys, all the professional departments work together. Discovery Ranch strives to heal your family as a whole. It is reported by survivors that these calfs are later slaughtered, apparently in an attempt to teach the residents how to deal with loss. This practice is extremely cruel, and is reported to be very traumatic to many survivors. Those goals are helping your son learn, grow, and heal so that your family can be a family again. And the scariest part was that it was fantastic during the day; we would do ropes courses and go skiing and horseback riding and talk to a truly kind therapist every day who genuinely though I was insane or a pathological liar and convinced me I was hallucinating or having nightmares. They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. You might feel that you are all alone. Also, I would sit there and talk to my therapist while he takes notes and this is a direct quote is that it? Then the session was over. Even when I started feeling feelings again I realized on Wednesday that I had been experiencing emotions with maybe 50-75% of the intensity that I normally should, which was put into perspective when I finally accepted that these things truly happened to me and felt for the first time in my life the appropriate pain and humiliation that corresponds to being treated in such a way for such an extended period of time. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. There is not enough research of the negative effects places like DR have on a young person, people dont like to talk or hear about places like DR, the system is extremely flawed, its a corporation that works very hard to keep you there as long as possible for obvious financial reasons while hiring unqualified staff. I can still hear the screams of kids being restrained and having their arms pinned behind them and blood flow cut off because they didnt follow simple orders. We maintain professional memberships in research organizations, such as The Joint Commission and NATSAP. The level-system consists of five levels, which the boys progress through by earning points for good behavior while avoiding demerits for negative behaviors and rule infractions. They report that in January 2104, the boy was placed in a dorm at Discovery Ranch with three other boys, one who began grooming him and another resident for sexual victimization until he was violently sodomized. The attacker used threats of violence, coercion, guilt, and the merit system of Discovery Ranch to manipulate (the boy) to avoid reporting increasingly deviant sexual behaviors, including discussions about sex, pornography, masturbation, and sexual violence. According to the complaint, Discovery Ranchs merit system also prevented (him) from reporting the assaults because he believed that his inferior status and past interactions with Discovery Ranch staff and administrators would result in him being punished if he attempted to disclose the assaults. The family claims the sexual assaults went undiscovered and unchecked throughout the months of January and February and were only revealed when he [the assailant] was transferred from Discovery Ranch after being discovered engaging in bestiality with a horse. The family says that Discovery Ranch failed to adequately investigate the assailant for psychosexually deviant and violent tendencies before admitting him to Discovery Ranch and placing him in the dorm. Additional Information: Discovery ranch seems to actively try to remove as many negative reviews as they can, many were mine being removed over and over. (Blood sprayed on me). Its sick and I hope in the future these places will be illegal and I will NEVER send my kids to one of these places. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. The reviews on their website are COMPLETELY weeded before theyre posted. We have created this bond because unless you went through a detention center such as DR, you will not understand. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. Discovery ranchs idea of privileges is being able to sit on something other than hard wood chairs. Our parents (his Mom and step-father) regret sending him there even all these years later. They only allow astonishing ones to pass. Im in therapy, on medication, have been to three AA meetings in the past three days, and just feel like I am out of options and suicide or getting constantly fucked up is my only option at this point. My son, although he enjoyed his stay, refused to be brainwashed, and therefore got nothing therapeutical out of his stay; only resentment and anger, and he gained knowledge how to manipulate therapists to his benefit. It is NOT your fault and youre NOT a lesser being despite what DR drilled into you. The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. For a year I was put down and felt stupid and inadequate and my opinion didnt matter and if I decided to express it I would be put on some protocol that restricted me from doing anything but sitting at a fucking desk and staring at the god damn wall. They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. They often cause way more harm than good. I have constant dreams where bugs are crawling all over my skin and I wake up screaming from anxiety. However, the abuse overshadowed it. I posted this exact review several times spacing itself out several months. because Utah has a natural landscape that is second to none. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. Sanoy (Google Reviews). 9/17/2020: (SURVIVOR) Please do not send your child to this horrific and abusive program. Feel free to ask anything about my stay I'm an open book. if I saw him today i would punch him in the face. Discovery Ranch is reported by many survivors to be an extremely abusive program. While some people purchase land for views or for the prospect of building a property, Duane Ollinger 's family bought the massive 160-acre Utah plot known as Blind Frog Ranch to search for buried treasure. ! Jack (Yelp), 5/28/2020: (SIBLING) A family member of mine attended this school so everything I have heard is 2nd hand. The moment I stepped foot on campus, I was treated like some sort of criminal. Also the staff there (although there were some that I liked) were extremely rude. They strip you of everything, even contact with your own parents, and dangle it in front of you as motivation to do/act how they want. The chidren cant even have open discussions with other inmates there for fear of being punished and losing privileges. This will provide him with the experience of a lifetime because Utah has a natural landscape that is second to none. 1308 South 1600 West, Mapleton, Utah 84664, . Until now I had remembered my experience there as a happy one- I literally only remembered what went on during the day. However, our neighbor whose son went there the following year had all good experiences. Also they lie to the kids about the effects of marijuana, such as the claim that you can withdrawal from it, but I know that isnt true. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. Although you move on and mature, its a wound that never fully heals and cuts deep. You have tried community resources or other programs. When I came back to real life I had forgotten how to smile and had to train myself to make facial expressions that corresponded to the emotions I should have felt in various circumstances. the licensed substance abuse counselor has obviously never touched a substance in her life. There is overmedicating (including putting kids to sleep for doing nothing wrong. Im happy to say that she is leading a normal life and leaving DR was the best thing that happened. , I try to think positively about it but honestly this shithole gave me PTSD. Staff members are chosen at random, as the turnover rate is insanely high. Craig Smith worked as the Clinical Director of Discovery Ranch. I have maintained very close friendships with a handful of other patients that were there during my time (for a wide range of different reasons) and we even make it appoint to see each other each year. I was forced to do the most humiliating and degrading things possibly conceivable; I was forced to eat a girls used tampon, lick cow shit off a girls boots, unclog a toilet with my bare hands adult male staff would masturbate to me showering, changing, and using the toilet while masturbating (keep in mind I was 15. I had to raise a baby cow for the slaughter to learn to deal with loss, exercise until I threw up blood, pick up cow shit every day, I could go on and on. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. When you try to induct real truths into the once a week, 1/2 hour, monitored phone call, the therapist redirects you to la la land. I had no contact with the outside world except letters to my parents which were censored, and observed phone calls once a month. The reason I am writing this now is because I ended up becoming an alcoholic and drug addict once I went to college and had finally had complete freedom. And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. He previously worked at the confirmedly abusive, organization. . They will do everything to keep themselves looking like the best option at all costs just for money. They dont give the children any hope of getting out whatsoever. I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. No one deserves what they really do to people. how to walk a human a dogs guide. Plaintiff Diamond Ranch Academy, Inc. (DRA) operates a residential youth treatment facility in Hurricane, Utah. Leslie Glies worked as the Residential Director of Discovery Ranch. He also worked for a time as the Director of NATSAP. Although the system failed us, my peers and I have created somewhat of a little support group to cope and its helped us tremendously. My personal experience here was horrible. If youre a troubled teen thats reading this that just recently got out, or its been years and its still effecting you, please believe me when I say that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Happened several times to my friends. And the horrible part? He will be expected to maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes daily exercise and well-balanced meals. They are left up to their own with limited to no help from the teachers. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. Discovery Ranch only wants to know and talk about their truth which is nothing close to reality. In this, experiential, safe, and supportive environment. He can participate in various sports teams, such as basketball, flag football, wrestling, and cross-country running. Even though I have left the program, if I dont follow their horribly rigorous and reclusive aftercare rules I go back. They would arbitrarily lock me in a tiny pitch black closet devoid of food, water, a bathroom, or human contact for days, usually because I made an inappropriate facial expression like crying or raising my eyebrows when they screamed at me that I was worthless and no one could ever love me. Also if you notice, a large majority of the 5 star ratings are from former staff as opposed to parents/students. William (Google Reviews), 6/1/2020: (SURVIVOR) Through my stay I personally witnessed: Two suicide attempts. I cannot even put into words the pain I feel even today when my experience gets brought up or when I read about other kids that are STILL suffering from having to go through this program. You are a survivor of an abusive environment that is very similar to a prison. I have constant dreams where bugs are crawling all over my skin and I wake up screaming from anxiety. In comparison, most of the other residents had serious drug problems, were in gangs, were extremely violent, etc. This isnt how we should treat precious children The staff have no idea how much damage theyre doing as theyre just following orders This is a mess it needs to be shut down.. He also is the Executive Director of Discovery Academy. Discovery Ranch has been a NATSAP member since 2005. Are they just being a teenager? At one point during my stay, I saw my friend stab his arm repeatedly with a pencil, spraying blood all over me and the windowsill we were sitting on. Stay in touch with the other people you shared your time with during DR, reach out to them when things are tough, talk about your struggles. Discovery ranch uses a merit system to punish kids. They are very abusive and they will lie to you. It brought everything back because I lived that experience, except for ten months and it was real. Throughout your sons experience at Discovery Ranch he will have the support of caring, educated. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. These programs are money makers. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. They picked favorites and we were treated like garbage. the villa pacific palisades, ca. behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. For many parents, this focus on parental participation is the reason they choose our program. Let us help. May their souls rest in peace. To them, there is one way that every kid learns, and if you have learning disabilities thats too fucking bad and ask the doctor to raise your meds the next time he comes. My parents sent me there because I was depressed, doing poorly in school instead of getting straight As, got caught shoplifting a pack of gum from 7-11, spent too much time on the computer, and was too angry and defiant. My son, although he enjoyed his stay, refused to be brainwashed, and therefore got nothing therapeutical out of his stay; only resentment and anger, and he gained knowledge how to manipulate therapists to his benefit. This place did not save my life it scared me to have problems. H.A. It wasnt until he left the program that people even found out about this happening!! They strip you of everything, even contact with your own parents, and dangle it in front of you as motivation to do/act how they want. I was forced to do the most humiliating and degrading things possibly conceivable; I was forced to eat a girls used tampon, lick cow shit off a girls boots, unclog a toilet with my bare hands adult male staff would masturbate to me showering, changing, and using the toilet while masturbating (keep in mind I was 15. I suggest seeking different options for your child. This is not just a couple of resentful people. Please do not send your child to this horrific and abusive program. You have tried outpatient therapy. Countless amounts of times seeing staff restrain kids in inhumane ways. discovery ranch lawsuitshaun thompson elmhurst Consultation Request a Free Consultation Now. survivors to be an extremely abusive program. When you fail thats on you, dont punish your kids for your actions. Discovery ranchs idea of privileges is being able to sit on something other than hard wood chairs. Regardless of what they were there for, NO ONE SHOULD EVER BE TREATED AS INHUMANELY AS CHILDREN SUCH AS MYSELF WERE. In May 2018, the family that owns Blind Frog Ranch in Moab, Utah, filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM . worked as the Clinical Director of Discovery Ranch. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. They made me feel disgusting and quite hideous. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in 6th District Court on behalf of Brenda Woolsey, claims Clay Brewer, then 17, should have never been at Turn-About Ranch on Dec. 6, 2016, when he woke up "feeling. The chidren cant even have open discussions with other inmates there for fear of being punished and losing privileges. This isnt how we should treat precious children The staff have no idea how much damage theyre doing as theyre just following orders This is a mess it needs to be shut down.. Please save your child from this place. . If you want to send your kid to either wilderness or discovery ranch why dont you do us all a favor parents and send your child to Disney Land so theyll be happy rather then send them to whats pretty much a mental institution for parents that have no idea what the fuck there doing. I was 15 years old. If they mention these sorts of things to parents (over heavily monitored phone calls and letters in the mail), contact between student and parent would be cut off. The program has a maxmimum enrollment of 60 boys, and the average length of stay is reported to be around 10 months, but this can be substantially longer if the boy is deemed resistant. The night staff was apparently fucked up on heroin, meth, pcp, etc the whole time and had virtually no training or qualifications, which I learned when a male staff member sexually propositioned me over Facebook when I was 18, so three years later, and told me what happened behind closed doors. They will do everything to keep themselves looking like the best option at all costs just for money. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. One small slip up, and you have all privileges taken away from a day to sometimes even a week. Discovery Ranch is an Ascent Company behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. Discovery Ranch for Girls is a well run industry leader in residential treatment for adolescent girls. They would restrain kids to the point the kids arm was almost broken. Aside from the obvious prejudice and discrimination, many of these conditions are not legitimate clinical impairments, and those that are require individualized care, which this facility does not provide., In February of 2015, a former resident at DR and his family filed a lawsuit against the school reporting that the boy was violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted by another resident at the program. I am at a loss for what to do at this point. 2:14-CV-751-TC. It is run like a prison. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, we hold ourselves to the, We maintain professional memberships in research organizations, such as, . This creates a streamlined experience for your son. Your PRECIOUS child is NOT safe here! Youre parents will love that, Ha!). Although there are no support groups for people like us and since the program is so small & were from all over the country, it feels and looks very real that you may be alone, YOU ARE NOT. You and your son will work to rebuild your relationship with weekly. (During my stay, a kid in a different house was repeatedly raped by another kid for days until he was caught.) If you are LGBTQ and need support, call the Trevor Project Hotline 1-866-488-7386, If you are having suicidal thoughts, call toll free 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741, If you are a child being abused or know of a child being abused call toll free 1-800-422-4453. BE CAREFUL OF THEM. James (Yelp), 2019: (SURVIVOR) This place is sickening. Clinton Dorny is the Executive Director of Discovery Ranch. In this experiential, safe, and supportive environment, your son will confront his personal challenges with the goal of healing and increasing his capacity which builds his self-confidence and self-esteem. For example, in an employment law case, a fired employee will want to see their personnel file, and through discovery, an employer would likely be required to provide those documents. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. The moment I stepped foot on campus, I was treated like some sort of criminal. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. When you fail thats on you, dont punish your kids for your actions. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. The men have also come up against many dangerous physical hitches in getting to the treasure. If youre a troubled teen thats reading this that just recently got out, or its been years and its still effecting you, please believe me when I say that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Allegations of abuse that have been reported by survivors include: According to a Thesis published in 2015 by Catherine Kushan, Discovery Ranch, a treatment center located in Mapleton, Utah, provides an empirical example of how this industry rhetorically manipulates legitimate psychiatric conditions to solicit clients. Your teen is struggling. I felt like i somehow deserved to be treated like this and I think a part of me knew I could never stand living in the real world after all this happened. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. In fact, the administration at discovery ranch intentionally delayed my high school graduation by refuting me the right to do my classes in order to keep me there longer. san andreas fault, palm springs. Kids are constantly getting restrained and put on drugs to keep them under control. I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. In other words, do not trust them. Caring, experienced professionals are ready to help your son. Both boys have turned out well however, my brother has trauma from the experience. They dont let parents talk freely to their own child. He also worked for a time as the Director of, Teenagers at Discovery Ranch have extremely limited contact with the outside world. If you have any logic in your brain in the slightest then you should realize how goddamn stupid it would be to send your kid to this shit hole. , Its been about 8-9 years since I left DR; Im now 25 and although I dont dwell on what happened so much anymore, this place has had such a negative impact on my life. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. DISCOVERY RANCH - 20 Photos & 27 Reviews - 1308 S 1600th W, Mapleton, UT - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Discovery Ranch 27 reviews Unclaimed Counseling & Mental Health Edit Write a review Add photo Save Photos & videos See all 20 photos Add photo Location & Hours 1308 S 1600th W Mapleton, UT 84664 Get directions Edit business info Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. I suggest seeking different options for your child. Isnt that tax evasion? Non-Verbal Learning Disability including High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD). In addition, survivors have reported that on the off-chance that they are able to inform their parents of abuse, their parents are manipulated by DR into believing that their child is lying and being manipulative in an attempt to be pulled from the program. My first treatment center was Redcliffe ascent, and I did really well there. He since has shut down and will not discuss it so no idea if it was accurate or something he said when first home to avoid being sent back. I am not the only victim. My first treatment center was Redcliffe ascent, and I did really well there. Your community does not have the resources to help. But, the couple was later outspoken on social media about the extent to which they were helped by the Raney family. departments all work together. The reason for posting this is that this is cathartic for me and nice to have a group of people who have at least a basic We have all suffered enough, its time to heal and create a system that works. , This place is horrible. worked as a Therapist at Discovery Ranch. (only the higher rank kids would be allowed to do this). They left me more broken than they found me. , Please do not send your child to this horrific and abusive program. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. My cousin went to a place 2 years ago called Shortridge Academy and had a much better experience there. Each part of his daily experience will reinforce his therapeutic goals. Discovery Ranch strives to heal your family as a whole. We would act like we loved the treatment center, and that there wasnt any abuse going on. We were indirectly expected to manipulate visiting parents of troubled kids who have not yet been sent to treatment. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, all the professional departments work together.