Reviews From Our Alumni and Parents
Our alumni and parents share their experience with Elk River Treatment Program
D.H. - 2022 Client
The most important thing I've gained here has been a relationship with Mom. I don't know if it would have ever been built without this place and the relationship, connection and bond I've built with her during my time here is something that I value so much.
Parent - 2021
My son was at Elk River for 6 months in 2016. Elk River was amazing and changed our lives. The staff is very knowledgeable about a wide variety of behaviors that teens can go through and participate in. My son had many challenges and the team there guided him towards being in control of his emotions and reactions. He gained tools to use in dealing with the underlying issues that the negative behaviors were covering up. The bottom line is that our family had some issues and we ALL needed to change. They taught us how to communicate and live together in a more positive way. It isn't a quick fix. The system took time and everyone's participation even after my son came home. It was rough at home for a while after the "honeymoon" phase but we consistently worked through the problems. I am happy to say that my son now is a much more mature, respectful and thoughtful young man. Much credit goes to my son and us for using the tools they gave us, but I also give credit to the Elk River staff and treatment for the work and care they put into my son and our family. - S.W.
Parents - 2019
Words cannot express our gratitude to all of the staff at Elk River. The kindness and care we all received made a very difficult situation a little more bearable. We left every phone conversation and visit more knowledgeable and more empowered to make positive changes in our lives. Thank you!
Parents - 2019
Thank you so much to Bailey and the entire staff at Elk River. You saved my son's life and for this I will be forever grateful!
Paul B. - 2018 Client
"I’d just like to thank everyone at treatment team for my journey at Elk River. It has been a life changing experience and it truly means so much that there are people devoting themselves to rebuilding lives and teaching others the error in their ways but also showing them a path but doing it in a way where the individual has to figure it out for themselves. I can compare it to a test coming up and when someone gives you the study guide you may consider it but most people will dismiss it, but when you create the study guide and ask for feedback and get help with it you learn a lot more and are better prepared for the test/life. Elk River has also taught me the value in therapy, processing things, group work, and individual work also. These are all important things to continue to work on because there will always be something to process, something to work on (with or without a group), and it always is a viable option to process this with a fresh set of eyes.
My transition home has not been all good, I’ve had a few relapses but with each one I focus not on the relapse and continuing to sink further but to focus on the bounce back from it and come back stronger than before.
I’d like to thank all the therapists and all the group leaders for my journey because it took a lot of work to get to where I am now and Im certain I wouldn’t have been able to do it without help."
N. Troy - 2017 Client
"Everything has been going really well since I've gotten home. The family is all getting along really well! Me and my parents are building our relationship back up. There will be small moments of poor tact and tone from both ends, but we always circle up and talk about how that situation may have made us feel, so I am learning more about my parents and even myself still."
M. Harris, 2017 Parent
"As I reflect over this past year and where we were last Thanksgiving, in and out of hospitals and all of the chaos, one word comes to mind - Grateful! I’m so grateful we found you and all the staff that helped our family. We are beyond grateful for you all. What you all do every day is so critically important and I’m sure you don’t hear thank you enough. Thank you so much."
Yaron - 2015 Parent
"My child spent over a year in this most phenomenal program. It completely changed his life. He was a mess when he joined. We made sure that us as parents, worked closely with the camp on changing the way we were operating as a family, as we needed to be an integrated part of the program in order to make it a success. We were extremely fortunate, as the staff at ELK River is so experienced, professional and most responsible and compassionate. The program must be tough in order to succeed. It was frightening to us as parents, but we decided to trust the camp explicitly and it worked. Our child ended up in a top university with a scholarship, happy and secure. His amazing turnaround would had never come about without the fortunate choice of choosing ELK River.
We owe our lives to them. We only hope that other families with similar situations will be lucky enough to end up there. Recalling the many touching moments at the camp, remembering the many kids who were in terrible distress and the way the camp is working with them brings tears to my eyes each and every time (now two years ago). Thank you, ELKRiver." - December 2017
Jennifer - 2014 Client
"My whole experience at Elk River has absolutely changed my life. It's crazy to think about how much I hated that place at the time and now to realize how much I miss it every day. Mr. Lovell told me I would miss it but I never believed that. I'm still seeing my therapist that I had before I went to Elk River, I have an amazing relationship with all of my parents and the rest of my family, and I'm just all around a happier person. I still use a lot of the tools that I learned at Elk River in my everyday life. I've always known that my calling in life was to help people but after going through the program, I've decided that I want to work in residential treatment similar to Elk River." - March 2016
Mason - 2015 Client
"I found some new friends that are happier and think more positively and I'm building up better relationships. I miss it there so much and I want to come back but I don't really need to. I just love how much easier life is there. All of you were completely right. Life is hard and it is easy there.Thank you for all the help you all gave me and for all the emails you've sent. They really do help."
Tricia - 2015 Parent
"Thank you again for the kindness you have shown to our daughter and all our family. You were a comforting presence in a time of great anguish and uncertainty and for that we will be forever grateful. The many families you have helped, and treated with sensitivity and respect, are fortunate indeed to have found their way to you. You made all the difference. Thank you."
Debi - 2015 Parent
"We know that each day is a battle but seeing her transform herself is nothing short of amazing. Thank you for helping us start this journey. It has been a long road and one that we will be on for a lifetime; however, we feel we are better prepared to support our daughter along the way."
Nancy - 2015 Parent
"He really is hanging in there. With the ADHD and deep voice we are still working on tact and tone. No surprise? He returned a twenty dollar bill accidentally given to him by a cashier at WalMart this week. When the clerk mentioned that return being unusual, he stopped the whole line in order to explain that he used to steal, but is now honest. Sorry the cameras were not rolling, as it would have been a great commercial for Elk River."
Blake - Client
"I really don’t know what I would do without this place, honestly. I would probably be dead now because where I was going, I didn’t stop. This place (Elk River Treatment Program) has taught me that you do not have to be scared anymore. I have seen so many people come through here and be successful. It is encouraging and it helps me know that I can do it."
Tevvy - Client
"This place is really different. They really care and they teach you structure. A routine really, really helps more than people would think. I definitely recommend Elk River to any parent that is even thinking about getting help for their child."
Alice - Parent
"Our daughter had experienced a childhood trauma that might have never been revealed if she hadn’t been at Elk River. Our family was able to process the information and start the healing process before she returned home. Even after Elk River, she continues counseling and is doing very well. The Family Workshop helped our family to experience what she was experiencing."
Tracy F. - Mother of Elk River Resident
"My daughter’s father and I are divorced. We were able to re-establish our relationship as parents while Abbey was in treatment. With the help of Elk River, we learned better co-parenting skills: consistency and boundaries. We still use them today."
Rob A. - Client
"I have been at peace ever since I left Elk River. I miss you all dearly and I thank everyone for being that extra motivating hand to help on the straight and narrow path."
Trey M. - Parent
"We were desperate when we made the decision to admit our son who was in college across the country. He was depressed, anxious and abusing alcohol and drugs. Now he’s at Auburn with a 4.0, studying abroad and doing great. We credit Elk River for his success."
Kathleen M. - Parent
"You are all miracle workers! Elaina is thriving! She is in a very challenging program but in spite of periodic moments of uncertainty, she is all in all demonstrating a MAJORLY successful application of the coping skills she learned at Elk River. She is doing an excellent job of expressing her thoughts and feelings and asking for extra help in her classes, and going to staff appropriately for support when needed."
Andrew - Client
"I know you all say it was my choice to change, but being around people as amazing as you all helped so much. Thank you so much!"
C. K. - Parent
"After finishing Elk River, our son continued with his online school and graduated. He works full time, lives at home, is respectful - a delight. He has a good relationship with our family. Elk River provided BIG changes in our son and our family. We have very fond memories."
Lucie - Client
"I can’t explain to you all how thankful I am. I believe that my life will be full of happiness and trust now. Thank you for believing in me!"
Lily - Client
"I really do miss Elk River more so than not. The support I had was amazing. I really appreciate everything you have done for me. Thank you."
Additional Reviews for Elk River Treatment
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