Trails Carolina, a wilderness therapy program for troubled teens, has garnered both praise and concern in the therapeutic program industry. While some families report remarkable positive outcomes for their child(ren), others have voiced doubts over its safety and efficacy.
Allegations surrounding Trails Carolina “Investigation” raise awareness for greater transparency, accountability and regulation within an evolving industry. In this article we’ll look at what has transpired since Trails Carolina investigation began.
Its Impact on the Therapeutic Program Industry
Wilderness therapy can be an effective form of treatment, provided it meets strict protocols and is overseen by professionals with sufficient training. Trails Carolina must cooperate with ongoing investigations as they review its methods to ensure participant safety and emotional well-being are always prioritized; and must continuously assess its methods to ensure these goals remain central in its strategy.
Some former participants and their families have reported mistreatment and neglect while attending this program, such as physical abuse, emotional manipulation and isolation from friends and family. Others have claimed unregulated practices like physical restraints and seclusion rooms caused lasting injuries or psychological scars to the individuals involved.
These claims have led to greater oversight and transparency from those running wilderness therapy programs, as well as to more research being done into their efficacy.
Its Impact on Families
As allegations of mistreatment and abuse emerge, families of troubled teens must remain on guard. When selecting a therapeutic program for their child, they should carefully weigh both potential risks and benefits; this process may be both emotionally and logistically challenging.
Parents often fear sending their children back into nature after discovering Trails Carolina, yet many families have seen significant transformations after participating in its programs.
Trails Carolina remains a highly-respected wilderness therapy program despite recent controversy, boasting highly trained professionals with expertise in first aid, wilderness survival and crisis de-escalation.
Families seeking wilderness therapy programs for their child should consult mental health professionals and conduct thorough research when making a selection decision, in order to make an informed selection that meets their child’s specific needs. As the Trails Carolina investigation progresses, families must look for transparency and independent oversight when considering programs for troubled adolescents.
Its Impact on Participants
Trails Carolina staff has come under scrutiny from former employees due to allegations of mistreatment and abuse at Trails Carolina. According to one former employee, many staff members were addicted to alcohol and drugs and frequently indulged in inappropriate relationships with students. She further alleges that staff manipulated teens into doing things they didn’t want to do and forced them to run when exhausted.
The program has strongly denied these allegations and remains confident in their participants’ safety and wellbeing. They have noted significant improvement in challenging behavior and mental health symptoms 3 and 12 months post completion of the program, when compared with pretreatment assessments and surveys performed before joining.
Due to these allegations, many families have begun to lose trust in wilderness therapy programs. Increased transparency and accountability must be implemented in order to restore trust between providers and their patients; parents should perform due diligence when selecting therapeutic programs for their children.
Its Impact on Staff
Following the Trails Carolina Investigation, families enrolling their teen in wilderness therapy programs are seeking more transparency, accountability and regulation of programs like Trails Carolina. While some parents report life-altering changes for their children from participating, others express regret over its methods and outcomes.
Trails Carolina employees have also been accused of mistreatment. One former volunteer claims they were punched by staff members, then forced to continue running even though she had been injured and passed out.
Another key issue raised by this investigation is related to Trails Carolina’s employment policies and whether they comply with industry standards. These issues have major ramifications on both participant health and safety as well as industry integrity. If we want to provide safe environments for both adolescents and their families, these concerns must be addressed appropriately; otherwise they could wreak havoc for future wilderness therapy programs. The outcome of the Trails Carolina Investigation will have significant ramifications on how the wilderness therapy industry functions going forward.