Recovery Brands, LLC
📍 1970 E 3rd Ave #205, Durango, CO 81301
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<p><strong>ABOUT OPEN SKY WILDERNESS THERAPY</strong></p> <p>Nestled among the wildflowers and peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Open Sky Wilderness Therapy offers <strong>residential, wilderness-based programs</strong> for individuals struggling with a wide range of disorders. As well as substance use disorder, the center can treat <strong>mild eating disorders, gaming addiction,</strong> anxiety, depression, anger management, social skills deficits, bipolar disorder, grief, and self-esteem issues. Programs are available only for <strong>adolescents and young adults,</strong> for whom there are dedicated services at <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/CO17.pdf" target="_blank">36 percent and 40.2 percent</a> of Colorado-based rehabs, respectively.</p> <p><strong>TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT</strong></p> <p>There are two programs: one for adolescents (aged 14 to 17) and one for young adults (aged 18 to 30). In both programs, <strong>the average stay is eight to twelve weeks,</strong> and treatment is based on evidence-based therapeutic techniques and a focus on authentic connection, <strong>healing through nature</strong>, and working with clients' personal strengths. In the winter, the program relocates to another wilderness location in Utah, where the winter is milder.</p> <p>In most cases, an admissions counselor will contact applicants within 24 hours of their application. Treatment starts with a clinical evaluation of both the individual and their family.</p> <p>Each week, a client typically spends five consecutive days <strong>backpacking and camping</strong> in the high mountains of Colorado and the other two at base camp. While clients learn techniques for <strong>wilderness survival</strong>, they also participate in process groups, weekly individual therapy, and one-on-one sessions with their field mentor. </p> <p>The program uses evidence-based techniques such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and <strong>dialectical behavior therapy (DBT),</strong> which is used at <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/CO17.pdf" target="_blank">66.7 percent</a> of Colorado-based facilities.</p> <p><strong>Family involvement also plays a key role in the program’s curriculum.</strong> The facility encourages family members to participate in weekly teleconferences with therapists and write letters to clients, which are delivered to them in the field. </p> <p>Open Sky Wilderness Therapy also holds a <strong>Parent Wellness Weekend</strong> each month, offering parents the opportunity to meet staff members, participate in program activities, and learn more about the treatment process. And families are encouraged to tune in to a weekly teleconference support group, and complete a proprietary workbook.</p> <p><strong>STAFF CREDENTIALS</strong></p> <p>The team includes a psychiatrist, a physician, nurses, emergency medical technicians, and therapists educated to either PhD or master's level. The single individual polled by Rehabs.com to date gave Open Sky five stars for the level of staff support it provides.</p> <p><strong>ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES</strong></p> <p>The program provides clients with a true <strong>immersion in wilderness living.</strong> Base camp is a simple living environment featuring only <strong>teepees and platform wall tents</strong>, with no running water or electricity. Clients are expected to perform chores between excursions and set-up and break-down campsites while in the field. </p> <p>During excursions, clients learn a wide range of <strong>wilderness techniques,</strong> from starting fires to establishing camp, and spend a majority of time hiking and exploring the natural area. The single individual polled by Rehabs.com to date gave the facility five stars for its cleanliness, meals and nutrition, and exercise offerings.</p> <p><strong>WHAT ALUMNI SAY</strong></p> <p>Rehabs.com hasn't yet polled any Open Sky alumni, but the center has a 3.6 out of five-star average rating based on 25 reviews on Google.<small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></small> Most of these reviews were posted by clients' loved ones (discussed below), but the comments also contained <strong>mixed feedback from alumni.</strong> More than one alum complained of harsh conditions at the center: "I was underfed, hungry and dirty for my entire 12 week stay," Novi wrote; "Terrible therapy, terrible treatment, terrible conditions for recovery," Devon added. </p> <p>But other reviewers thanked the caring staff and wrote that they had <strong>achieved lasting change at Open Sky.</strong> "The staff was fantastic and wonderful to be around and talk to... We learn about get connected in our toughs and understanding situation that only the wilderness can give you," Jordan wrote in a typical comment.</p> <p><strong>WHAT FAMILY & FRIENDS SAY</strong></p> <p>The single loved one polled by Rehabs.com to date gave stellar feedback and would recommend treatment at Open Sky. "Open Sky was an incredible experience and still positively affects my son's life today. He has been sober for over two years, is going to college, made the deans list, has a job, and his whole mental outlook has changed," Jerry wrote, giving the facility five stars for its holistic offerings, counseling, and family involvement.</p> <p>Loved ones posting on secondary sites tend to give <strong>positive feedback.</strong> In addition to the Google reviews linked above, the center has a 3.4 out of five-star average rating on Yelp, which includes three five-star reviews from loved ones.<small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a></small> Parents repeatedly described treatment at Open Sky as <strong>life-changing for both the client and family.</strong> "Tons of skills taught to the kids, great atmosphere among staff and kids from what I could see at graduation... Had no doubt my kid was safe and working on necessary issues," Eos wrote on Google in a particularly descriptive comment. </p> <p><strong>FINANCING</strong></p> <p>According to a <a href="https://www.bna.com/hiking-camping-500-n57982087225/" target="_blank">Bloomberg article</a> from April 2017, treatment costs $565 per day. <strong>Families must pay upfront for treatment</strong>: Open Sky does not file insurance claims, though according to the center's website, many families do receive reimbursement from their insurance companies. Open Sky Wilderness Therapy offers <strong>scholarships and financing options</strong> for qualifying families. Clients are encouraged to contact the facility directly for additional information regarding financing.</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></p> <p>In January 2016, <a href="https://durangoherald.com/articles/100484" target="_blank">the Durango Herald reported</a> that six residents of Open Sky were sent to hospital for frostbite, and two of them needed an emergency flight to Denver for further care. The article notes that the students were likely not wearing the appropriate footwear, and that Open Sky was investigating to see whether staff mishandled the situation. A company spokesperson is quoted as saying: "Obviously, I am deeply concerned and alarmed about these events. We are doing everything we can to prevent something like this from ever happening again." It appears that the program has since relocated to Utah during winters.</p> <p><small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=open+sky+wilderness+therapy+durango+co&oq=Open+Sky+Wilderness+Therapy+durango+co&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i60j0.1534j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#lrd=0x873c03577014ea77:0xb54be43dee27c4c5,1,,," target="_blank">GoogleReviews</a></small><br /> <small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/open-sky-wilderness-therapy-durango?osq=Open+Sky+Wilderness+Therapy" target="_blank">https://www.yelp.com/biz/open-sky-wilderness-therapy-durango?osq=Open+Sky+Wilderness+Therapy</a></small></p>
— Ellie Robins · 2018-12-20 06:39:19 PST
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