Woodbury Reports, Inc.
Bonners Ferry, ID

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Learning To Live Again
One Girl's Journey Toward Recovery

"My parents did not know the extent of my downward spiral" shared today's guest Emily, a former wilderness therapy and therapeutic boarding school student who shared her personal story and journey on "Parent Choices for Struggling Teens" on LATALK Radio.com with hosts Lon Woodbury and Elizabeth McGhee. Joining Emily, we also had Carrie Weatherhead, the Director of Development with Saving Teens in Crisis Collaborative, a non-profit service that helps families with at-risk adolescents. Emily talked candidly about her behaviors and actions that led to her being escorted (or as Emily calls it, "Gooned") to a wilderness treatment program in Utah.

After her parents had tried 'everything," they placed Emily in a wilderness program. She told how she resisted and refused direction from staff until she finally made a connection with one of the therapists- the first time ever, and then got with the program. She finished the program and was then enrolled into a therapeutic boarding school, which she stated- "I did absolutely nothing" for the first 6 months, but once her parents set down the boundary of cancelling a visit and not being manipulated into pulling her out of the school- she got on with the rest of her stay (another 12 months). Through that time Emily discovered how her 'shame' had been what she was covering up with her dangerous behaviors and even suicide attempts. Emily, now a graduate of the therapeutic boarding school, is now dreaming of going to college and living her dreams of helping others.

For parents who are at a loss of what to do with their own out of control teen, Emily highly recommends them to get the help the family needs. And parents, it is important to stay together on the same page, or their kid will divide you and cause a wedge between all of you. If you have a stubborn, hard headed kid, they will never ask for help, so if you see them struggling, get them help. Sure, she explained, they will be mad but not forever. "I was furious with my parents at first, but I realized how much I missed them and that family is the most important thing!"

Carrie Weatherhead shared how Saving Teens in Crisis is raising money to help families like Emily's financially so they can make the difficult decision to enroll their child in a residential program. Through their friendship, Carrie invited Emily to share her journey with others by blogging on a weekly basis on the Saving Teen's website.

To listen to the full interview, go to Learning To Live Again on LATalkRadio.

Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports, Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens and The Woodbury Reports.

Elizabeth McGhee is the Director of Admissions and Referral Relations at Sandhill Child Development Center and has over 19 years' of clinical, consulting and referral relations experience to her position and is the co-host.

Carrie Weatherhead is the Director of Development at Saving Teens in Crisis Collaborative and a non-profit management consultant specializing in helping organizations that serve at-risk adolescents.

Emily is a teenage girl, who attended and graduated from both a wilderness therapy program and a therapeutic boarding school. Emily is writes a weekly blog on the Saving Teens website.

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If you know somebody (including yourself) who would make a good guest on our show and might be interested contact Lon at, lonwoodbury@gmail.com or call, 208-267-5550.

We are excited to announce that we have several openings for on-air sponsorship during The Woodbury Report shows on K4HD.com Tuesdays, and on our other radio show on Mondays, LATalkRadio.com Parent Choices for Struggling Teens. If you are interested in reserving some air time to promote your school, program or services, contact Kristie Campbell at kristie@woodbury.com or 208-267-5550 or Lon at 208-267-7717.

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Attention:

The following books are available on Amazon.com:

Part 1 - The Introduction to the Parent Empowerment Handbook
Part 2 - Single Sex Schools
Part 3 - Wilderness Therapy and Outdoor Education
Part 4 - Pre-Teens & Young Adults