Founded in 2001, San Cristobal Academy is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for young men ages 17-26 years old located on a working horse ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This program is both a therapeutic and transitional learning center for those who may struggle with anger and depression, low self esteem, substance abuse, poor school performance or low motivation.

Don Lewis, MA, MS, Director at San Cristobal Academy, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, received his MA in Counseling Psychology from National University and his MS in International Relations from Troy State University. Prior to his work at San Cristobal, Don worked at Gatehouse Academy as the Program Director for the intensive care portion of the program. Marty Ferrero, MA, is the Director of Residential and Recovery Services. Previous to his work at San Cristobal, Marty worked with the Hazelden Foundation as the clinical supervisor of the men's intensive residential and extended care programs at Hazelden Springbrook in OR. Marty also received a Master's Degree in Addiction Counseling from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies in MN. San Cristobal is a full member of NATSAP.

This year long program is divided into three stages, where students in Stage one live and work in a structured environment, focusing on their drug and alcohol recovery, attending five AA/NA meetings per week and working with a substance abuse counselor. Stage two offers semi independent living, where they learn to become accountable for their education, behavior and relationships. In Stage three, residents live in town, attend the University of NM for course work, in addition to working part time and meeting regularly with their counselors. Therapeutic approaches at San Cristobal Academy include Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, positive peer culture and animal assisted therapy.

[This information came from the San Cristobal Academy website and NATSAP Directory.]