I was in there from 1990-1993. I was 13. I was the first person they put on Survival. They put me on a mountain with no pants on no socks and shoes.I had a t shirt and panties on. They gave me a tarp, a sleeping bag a folger's tin, started a fire for me and told me to keep i ...
About Sorenson’s Ranch School
Sorenson’s Ranch School is a residential treatment center in Koosharem, Utah offering substance use and behavioral health care for adolescents ages 12 to 18.
The program combines clinical therapy, accredited academics and ranch-based experiential learning on a working ranch campus.
Sorenson’s Ranch takes a trauma-informed, individualized approach that addresses emotional, behavioral, family, academic and substance abuse challenges.
Guided Treatment Programs
Treatment begins with a case-by-case admissions evaluation that considers behavior history, parent and professional consultation and psychological or educational testing when appropriate.
From there, teens enter residential treatment guided by a multidisciplinary team and individualized care plans that integrate therapy with daily ranch life.
Traditional and Holistic Care
Clients participate in individual, family and group therapy sessions using modalities such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy and Family Systems Therapy.
A weekly Addiction Recovery Support group, equine psychotherapy, animal care and life skills training round out the experience.
They include amenities such as industrial arts shops, a gym, library, barns, riding corrals, cabins and a lodge.
Families can begin with a campus tour. The admissions team can review eligibility, explain the residential program and outline tuition and payment options.
Edited by:
Patti Croft, MBA
Latest Reviews
Both of my children were adopted out of foster care and suffered early childhood trauma. This led to complicated attachment problems. My daughter in particular was at five different Residential programs prior to going to Sorenson Ranch. This program was by far the best program she attended. The Therapist and staff are very compassionate, and understand the complexities of attachment disorders. They provided the structure that my daughter needed to keep her safe and to help her develop skills to self regulate and manage her complicated emotional issues. If you have a trouble teen would recommend you consider Sorenson Ranch School; they have changed our lives.
I have to disagree with some of the latest post. I attended sorensons for a long period of time. Not only did I benefit from the expertise from the many qualified staff. I can tell you first hand that while I was there for 4 years, I did not experience any abuse. Quite the opposite actually, I finally found people who listened to me, people who showed me tough love. I truly believe that was the best thing to happen in my life and Im still in contact with the staff there and it’s been years. Alot of the staff there take a personal intrest in the students. I know I could call Grandma, Jill or Layne if I ever needed anything and they would help. All I can say some of the kids DONT want help.. or to change.. coming from a child whom suffered a lot of physical abuse before getting to the ranch, the consequences they issued like mucking stalls and doing workouts built my character and weren’t abusive, and I’m beyond grateful for this place.
After a hard decision, I sent my son to SRS in 2020, 4 years ago. It changed his life for the better. It took him 2 years, but he did it. Was he 100% different, no, probably 80%, it's a work in progress. Your entire life you will work on your skills with your mental illness and behaviors, but he definitely came home so much better then when he left our family. Life was so much better, and we were able to have a relationship that we haven't had before and the sibling were too. The therapist was fantastic. He even did family therapy with one of the siblings at home that was having the most trouble with my son. He had a genuine interest in the entire family and having them be able to all work together. The entire staff at Sorenson's was wonderful and caring. His case manager would call weekly and update me with what was going on. They made sure he always had doctor and dentist appointments made when needed. If he was ever hurt, they would notify me and take him to the doctors. His favorite things were the campouts and the horses. Yes, you did have to earn them through your levels, which meant you needed to do your work and stay on task with your program. And if you weren't or got in trouble, you lost your points, and you started working on yourself again to earn them back. Things are a privilege and you learn that and you work for them. Yes there we're some people that may have been rougher than they needed to be with the kids but the kids figured out, don't misbehave, Get yourself in gear. My son made great friends while he was there. He even moved back and went to college in the area and was room mates with one of them. He also went back and wanted to work there to help the kids out, but wasn't old enough. Unfortunately almost a year after he graduated he was killed in a car accident. Some of the boys (friends) from the school came to his service, I didn't even know about them, and they shared wonderful stories about their experiences at the school with me. Some of them check in with me online just to see how I'm doing. There's a lot more good things that came out of the school then bad I can say. I highly recommend Sorensons Ranch School.
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Other Forms of Payment
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
When you enter a drug rehab in Utah, the process usually involves four stages: treatment initiation, early abstinence, maintaining abstinence, and advanced recovery. Treatment methods can rely on medications, counseling, or both, in either an outpatient or inpatient setting.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Programs
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.
Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy meant to be short-term and comprehensive. It was intended to help clients become more self-sufficent and move forward without the need for expensive, ongoing therapy. It includes an emotional self-help method called “rational self-counseling,” the purpose of which is to give clients all the skills needed to handle future emotional issues by themselves, or with significantly less professional help.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Jill Sorenson
CEO
Stone Sorenson
COO
Layne Bagley
Program Director
Mindy Talbot
Facilities Director
Accreditations
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.
SAMHSA Listed: Yes
Rehab.com regularly reviews this listing for accuracy but changes may occur between updates. For the most up-to-date information, please contact Sorenson’s Ranch School.
Contact Information
410 North 100 East
Koosharem, UT 84744
Get Help Now - 385-390-3465
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