SunHawk Academy of Utah

Program Overview

Therapy & Counseling

Academics

Staff

Program Overview

SunHawk Academy provides a broad range of therapeutic services to assist in the progress and treatment to help teens and their families, including:

• Crisis intervention, with immediate placement and escort services,
• Alcohol and teen substance abuse treatment
• Individual therapy - 1 time per week (minimum)*
• Group therapy - 10 to 12 Groups per week including AA and NA*
• Psychological Testing & Assessments
• Emotional growth seminars Family therapy
• Parenting support groups
• Music, art and literature appreciation
• Physical fitness and recreation

SunHawk Academy is licensed and approved as an Adolescent Residential Treatment Center and provides 24 hour supervision and care in a Boarding High School setting. Each student is assigned to a therapist, with whom they meet both individually and in group settings 10 to 12 times each week.

Each student at the Academy progresses through various levels, until they reach graduation. The levels have been designed to help the students measure their progress and achieve specific goals, including Academics, Substance Abuse recovery, Therapy and Leadership abilities.

The length of a student's stay will depend on the evaluation completed by the therapists. The student could be enrolled in the Academy for 5 months to a year or more. The students are enrolled in school and are now able to begin accepting responsibility for themselves and their actions. Different levels can be attained as more reliability is demonstrated. As a result, more responsibility is given, slowly building self-esteem and confidence.

The Academy inserts the student into the typical every-day school activities but with the structure and guidance of the staff and Therapists. Typical classes and physical education are taught, and relationships begin to develop with other students and staff.

Every aspect of the troubled teens program and each student's personal progress is under the careful observation of licensed therapists and our Clinical Director. In addition, the clinical staff meets weekly with Residential Life and Academic Department staff to ensure that every need and aspect of a student's stay at SunHawk is being met and addressed.

We have incorporated a strong 12-step program, life skills training, individual and group therapy to ensure the success of your child. We also offer off-campus activities such as hiking in beautiful Zion National Park, intramural sporting activities, martial arts, community service projects and many other enjoyable recreational and sporting activities.

Therapy & Counseling

SunHawk Academy has developed a comprehensive treatment program specializing in helping adolescents who are struggling with substance abuse and co-occuring issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, impulse control, family conflict, grief, and stress. We are an adolescent substance abuse treatment program , with expertise also in these frequently co-occuring problems that interact with and perpetuate the cycle of substance abuse. The 12 step model is a foundation of our treatment program, as it is proven effective not only by recent research studies, but also because it is so widely available as a support after students complete our program. There is also a capacity to adapt therapy approaches for students who struggle with the 12 step model.

We utilize other evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered therapy, and the Seeking Safety treatment model. Much of the therapeutic work is done in group, but individual therapy is also provided. Our clinical staff includes a Clinical Director, Clinical Assistant, a Psychiatrist, Master's-level therapists, an RN, and 2 CNAs. Residential staff work closely with the therapists and assist in groups and other treatment activities. The personal growth of students is encouraged through the use of the SunHawk Seminar series, regular and meaningful community service, and other therapeutic activities.

SunHawk's unique therapeutic component includes the following points:

• SunHawk is a therapeutic community with approximately 16-20 groups each week including therapy, 12-step, psychoeducational, skills, recreational therapy, and team-building groups
• Six 12-step meetings on- campus per week, and 1-2 supervised off-campus meetings per week for students level 3 and above
• Therapist-led groups daily M-F
• Individual therapy weekly, or more frequently as needed
• Nursing staff- led education groups dealing with adolescent health issues Weekly Issues group dealing with Seeking Safety, Depression, Impuse Control, Sober Fun, Expressive Visions, Healthy relationships, Co-Dependence, etc.
• Three 3-day emotional growth seminars
• Parents called weekly by therapist
• Family therapy by phone or when possible in person
• Parent Seminar, and Parent Education/Therapy days

Parents are encouraged to interact with our therapists in family sessions, and to work with a therapist at home so that change can include the family system, as well as the student. SunHawk's powerful treatment programs are individualized for each student, and outcomes are measured to ensure that progress is being made.

Academics

SunHawk Academy is one of the private boarding schools fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Acredited Schools (NAAS). We are continually refining and improving our boarding school for troubled teens through the accreditation process and the Academic Best Practices guidelines set by Aspen Education Group. SunHawk Academy retains teachers who are certified through the Utah State Office of Education in the appropriate discipline. We are an Adolescent Residential Treatment Center that offers students the opportunity to continue on with their secondary education. We follow a model of teacher led instruction. We believe strongly in the need for dynamic classrooms that engage students and encourage a love for learning. Our certified teachers use a variety of teaching methods to address the individual learning styles of each student. In a normal day, a student would be involved in activities such as discussions, cooperative learning, problem solving, physical games, and performance-based assessments.

Our school operates on the quarter system. We have 5 quarters, or terms, throughout each calendar year. Students have the opportunity to keep up with their current schooling and even move ahead by attending the summer term. For students who have fallen behind, BYU Independent Study packets can be ordered.

At SunHawk, we understand that students have a wide variety of learning styles, including tactile, kinesthetic, auditory, visual, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Knowing this, we strive to provide a meaningful educational experience for each student. Within one month of their arrival, students are given a series of testing so we can better understand their learning preferences and abilities. Many students' "learning difficulties" are really just learning style differences. Education is a dynamic process, and our goal is for students to leave with an excitement for learning and the thrill that comes from making measurable progress.

Staff

Benjamin Harris, LSAC - Executive Director
"I have always had an affinity for teenagers and after experiencing treatment via a family member I was hooked. My passion is teaching and this environment is ideal to teach in. There are 2 important reasons for choosing SunHawk. First is the focus this program has on treating substance abuse. Substance abuse treatment is my first love. Second reason is that SunHawk is a part of the Aspen group. Aspen‘s focus on personal and professional development makes it exciting every day. My passion is teaching life skills and helping people grow. I present well and am able to connect with people easily. I never settle for "status quo", I am always stretching to be better and create an environment where people can grow and reach their potential. I am a licensed substance abuse counselor and have been in this field for 17 years."

Carrie Summerhays - Admissions Counselor
"My name is Carrie Summerhays and I am the Admissions Counselor for SunHawk. I started at SunHawk in 2005 as the receptionist, after six months I moved into the Admissions Department as an assistant and finally an Admissions Counselor. I am a proud mother of four beautiful children. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, riding ATV‘s, camping, reading and planting in my garden. "

Davee Chandler, LCSW - Clinical Director
"My name is Davee Chandler and I am the Clinical Director at SunHawk Academy. My work at SunHawk involves supervision of the Clinical Department, which consists of the therapists and Nursing staff.  We truly have an amazing team of dedicated professionals in our Department.  The entire staff at SunHawk, including Clinical, Administrative, Program, Academic, and Support staff, works together as a team to provide quality services to the youth and family members we serve.  SunHawk is a great place to be.

My training and Orientation:

I have been working in the helping professions since 1986.  I received my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Utah and immediately began providing intensive individual and family psychotherapy.  Initially I worked in an agency setting and specialized in providing therapy to young children and adolescents.  I participated in some residential, hospital treatment at the same time.  Following that work, I entered private practice and have maintained a successful practice for about 15 years.  I worked primarily with adolescents and young adults in my private practice and helped them with all areas of their lives including addictions and substance abuse work.  I participated in training other professionals and provided many hours of clinical supervision to other therapists.  In addition to my private practice I have held a variety of positions including Clinical Director of an adult outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program.  I have also been an instructor at Utah Valley State College.  During that time I developed several original courses keyed toward family functioning.  In addition, I am married to the most incredible woman on the planet with 5 amazing children ranging in age from 25 to 13, including two step-children.  Most recently, I added the part of grandpa to my family roles and am enjoying that enormously."

John Walters - Therapist

"Hello! My name is John L. Walters and I am a therapist for SunHawk Academy.  I have spent most of my life working with at-risk and troubled youth. I have worked in various settings such as detention, long term secure, shelter, in-patient residential and outpatient therapy. My therapeutic approach is mainly cognitive-behavioral. I believe that most youth (most people for that matter) have never taken the time to recognize their thinking errors or cycles that led them to their decisions. Recognizing these cycles and the thinking errors involved in them is a vital part of being able to change. My goal is to help the clients I serve learn their cycles, both good and bad, so that the good can be reinforced and the bad eliminated. My hobbies are pretty much anything involving sports or politics."

Mai Ferrell - Therapist
"Hi my name is Mai Ferrell and I am a therapist at SunHawk Academy. I received my bachelors in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I immediately went ton to obtain my Masters in Social Work from University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2005. Since completing my graduate work, I have worked with a wide range of populations ranging from behavioral issues to substance abuse. My goal is to assist my clients in realizing the potential that they have. Once he/she realizes their capabilities, I believe that the sky is the limit.

Arden Smith, LSAC - Program Director
"I have always had a great desire to serve others in whatever capacity I could to help benefit someone’s life.  In 1995, I was introduced to working with adolescents in the residential treatment setting.  I was immediately drawn in and fascinated. I enjoyed being able to work with adolescents who had several types of addictive and behavior issues.  I knew that this is what I was supposed to do in life and began working with adolescents as a full-time counselor in the Juvenile Justice System. In 1997 I received my Bachelors Degree at Southern Utah University, with a major in Pre-Medicine/Zoology and a minor in Chemistry.  In 2007, I earned my license as a Substance Abuse Counselor and continue to persue education and experience in the addictions and counseling field.

I enjoy spending as much time with my children as possible and watching them mature and progress through life.  They really keep me grounded and help me appreciate the simple things in life.  My hobbies include all sports, two of my favorites being basketball and golf.

I love to help people change, teach proper principles and help them find tools that will enable them to function successfully in their homes and communities.  I enjoy training others on how to effectively deal with those that struggle with addiction and behavior issues.  I find it a privilege to work with SunHawk Academy and the Aspen Education Group / CRC - organizations that take pride in providing great services and powerful, productive programming that allow families and youth to receive the help they need to be happy and successful in life."

Lawanna Nash - Financial Manager & Insurance Specialist
"My name is LaWanna (Wani) Nash and I am the Insurance Specialitst at SunHawk Academy. Originally, I’m from Florida, then moved to California, where I started working with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. My career was on the marketing and administrative side of the company, first as clerk in a Sales Office and then moving up the ladder, rung by rung, until reaching the position of Administrator in the Regional Office for Southern California. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately as fate later would have it, being the way of the world today, the Company downsized and middle management was eliminated, meaning the Regional Offices were abolished and my position eliminated. My husband and I decided that we did not want to live in the Los Angeles area anymore and started to look around for a slower paced atmosphere (and less crowded). While watching a football game being broadcast from Dixie State College, he saw the scenery surrounding Saint George and thought it would be a beautiful place to live. We came here to check out the area in March and before we left, had purchased a home. Anyway, by May of 2003, we had moved here and have not regretted it. When it was time to find a job, I started looking into different possibilities and the opening came up at SunHawk. It was still in the insurance business but an entirely different job than what I had been doing. So when I was offerred the position, I felt it was definitely for me, so here I am. I enjoy working with the group of people here at SunHawk and it is very satisfying to know that we all are doing something to benefit the teens and parents who are experiencing a difficult stage in their lives."

Dal Liston - Operations Manager
"My name is Dal Liston, I‘m the Operations Director. My hope in being a part of SunHawk Academy is to make a difference, both in the lives of students and staff. I‘ve been in the business of helping young people and their families since 1987, and with SunHawk Academy since 2001. My passion is to contribute to SunHawk in a way that will allow therapists, teachers and staff to invest themselves in working with parents and students. I have discovered that as I help others and live outside of myself, I too learn and grow. I‘m country at heart, I grew up on a ranch and have been involved with animals and ranching most of my life. I like sports and I like to be active. All of my spare time is spent with my family."