Healthy Transitions: The Aspen Achievement Academy Program

Low self-esteem, social anxiety and defiance towards authority are just a few of the experiences often considered a ‘normal’ part of adolescence. But when teens struggle with these or other concerns for longer periods of time, they may need a helping hand.

Aspen Achievement Academy provides that help for struggling teens, offering therapeutic support for adolescent challenges and at-risk behaviors including academic under-achievement, confrontational or manipulative behavior and substance abuse.

Designed to balance continued academic progress with the experience of a healing outdoor environment, the Aspen Achievement Academy program combines fully licensed, accredited wilderness therapy with a fully accredited academic curriculum.

The program guides adolescents towards healthy, responsible young adulthood through four distinct stages, each representative of a particular phase of personal growth. Teens begin the first of the four phases as soon as they arrive at Aspen Achievement Academy and complete an initial assessment.

Mouse Phase: Teens embark upon the Aspen Achievement Academy by setting personal goals, working one-on-one with the Academy’s licensed counselors and, finally, joining a group of other Aspen Achievement Academy students.

Coyote Phase: The Coyote phase is the first phase of Aspen Achievement Academy’s therapeutic wilderness experience. During this phase, teens learn to recognize their personal strengths and abilities and how their individual behaviors impact their whole group.

Buffalo Phase: Building on personal awareness gained during the Coyote Phase, the Buffalo phase gives teens the opportunity to understand the effects of their actions on others and become more accountable for their behaviors. As a result, teens also begin to enjoy stronger peer relationships and a sense of community.

Eagle Phase: The Eagle Phase represents the culmination of the Aspen Achievement Academy program. During the Eagle phase, teens hone their ability to make healthy, responsible decisions and to recognize behaviors that lead to negative outcomes. They also prepare to transition their newfound skills at home.

The Aspen Achievement Academy program concludes with a family reunion, which combines preparation for returning home with individual family therapy and, of course, a celebration of the changes each teen has made in his/her life.