Sundance Canyon offers a range of therapeutic options, with each resident receiving an average of 10 hours of therapy each week. Therapy is offered in following forms: individual, family, recreational therapy, intensive group, family and psycho-educational. We use only Ph.D. and Master level therapists. Residents are assessed upon admission, in order to devise the Treatment Plan that will most support the resident on his path to success.

Counseling at Sundance is a collaborative approach. Therapy also involves program directors, necessary staff, and parents or guardians.

We use the “Why Try” program. The Why Try, www.whytry.org program teaches youth that “yes” it is worth trying hard in life. It offers real solutions and presents these solutions in a way that the youth can both understand and remember. The program teaches self esteem and stresses that although making good decisions can be difficult; doing so will help give the youth more opportunity, freedom and self-respect.

Our “Cognitive and Realistic” approach teaches youth how to process and focus on solutions to their problems to convert challenges and anger into positive motivation.

Resident and parents will have to complete therapy assignments before moving on to the next therapy phase. The positive approach to youth development is not about crisis management and not about stopping or preventing problems. However, the program is about investing wisely in our youth, increasing their exposure to positive, constructive activities, and instilling values and skills that will guide them the rest of their adult lives.

Therapy will focus on External and

Internal Assets

• Family Support
• Positive family communications
• Service to others
• Adult role models
• Positive peer influence
• Creative activities
• Caring
• Equality and Social Justice
• Integrity
• Honesty
• Responsibility
• Planning and decision making
• Interpersonal competence
• Cultural competence
• Resistance skills
• Conflict resolution
• Personal Power
• Self-Esteem
• Sense of purpose