White River Academy

Relationship-Based Treatment Model

White River Academy offers long-term residential care for adolescent boys ages 12–18, with a focus on behavioral and relational healing. Its signature “Developmental Vacation™” model addresses emotional avoidance and identity disruption by encouraging personal responsibility and maturity. Designed for students facing trauma, compulsive sexual behaviors, pornography addiction, and internet overuse, the program emphasizes relationship repair and emotional development. Treatment includes support from Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) staff, adding specialized clinical oversight to the program’s therapeutic framework.

Integrated Therapy With Experiential Options

Daily programming includes evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), alongside experiential approaches like equine-assisted therapy, art therapy, and mindfulness. This blend helps students engage emotionally, develop trust, and improve self-regulation, especially when talk-based methods fall short. Students also participate in guided outdoor recreation, allowing space for emotional growth in a hands-on, restorative setting.

Academics and Routine That Build Confidence

Students work toward academic recovery through an accredited curriculum that accommodates different learning needs. The school environment emphasizes structure and consistency, helping students re-establish routines and accountability. A low staff-to-student ratio supports individualized guidance while fostering a community atmosphere. Most students stay between 3 and 12 months, allowing enough time to address behavioral patterns and build transferable life skills for post-treatment success.

Meaningful Work and Community Connection

White River Academy incorporates service-based learning into its core programming. Students regularly engage in local projects like fence repair, coaching youth sports, and hosting community fundraisers, all activities that foster social responsibility and connection. Physical tasks like gardening and outdoor maintenance reinforce discipline, confidence, and real-world skill-building. The facility’s rural Utah setting offers a quiet, focused environment for reflection and behavioral reset.

Supportive Family Engagement

Parents and guardians are integral to each student’s progress. White River maintains regular communication through scheduled therapy calls, family weekends, and a dedicated liaison for updates and support. These connections help families process their own experiences, align on progress, and prepare for the transition home.

Client Reviews

White River Academy receives consistent praise for its committed staff, structured environment, and meaningful community involvement. While most feedback reflects strong appreciation for the program’s positive impact on students and families, some reviews raised concerns about billing practices and transparency.

• Staff & Care Experience (95% positive): Reviewers frequently describe the staff as compassionate, dedicated, and personally invested in the boys' growth. Many mentioned that staff members go beyond clinical roles to form meaningful relationships. “The staff is highly supportive and genuinely cares about the students’ well-being.”
• Support & Community (90% positive): WRA stands out for its student-led service projects and community engagement in Delta. Locals and parents note how the program fosters social responsibility and character-building through real-world contributions. “White River Academy has been helpful to the community by offering regular service projects.”
• Treatment Quality & Outcomes (85% positive): Families credit WRA with providing life-changing support, including for those with complex diagnoses. Some highlighted the structure and therapeutic depth. “We owe our son’s life to WRA.”
• Family Involvement & Visitation: Multiple reviews mention parent weekends and collaborative therapy, which help families feel informed and supported throughout the program.
• Facility & Environment: Parents and visitors often note the clean, welcoming setting and seasonal décor. The structured, calm campus is viewed as conducive to healing. “The facility is kept clean and decorated to the season with a creative flare.”
• Access & Process: Several families shared that WRA staff helped navigate insurance or other logistical barriers with professionalism and empathy. “They went above and beyond to support us through those challenges as well.”
• Medical Responsiveness: Some parents highlighted how WRA provided clinical assessments and psychiatric oversight for students with co-occurring diagnoses. “He was evaluated and followed by a team.”