Heritage Info

Heritage is a non-profit, long-term, free-standing youth residential treatment program located on a 19 acre campus at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Provo, Utah. “Heritage approaches the treatment and care of adolescents from the point of view that the most crucial issues for them are safety, relationships, and the development of emotional attachments. Our approach is to build on the positive aspects of supportive relationships and to provide nurture and security together with clinical assistance and structured care. Our successful 25-year history has shown that this philosophy of treatment gives troubled teens the skills and attitudes they need to regain control of their lives.” – Jerry Spanos, Founder

A program for adolescent girls and boys ages 12 to 17, Heritage typically works with youth who are experiencing one or more of the following: Anxiety Disorders (Panic, Obsessive Compulsive, Posttraumatic Stress Disorders), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Mood Disorders (Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Dysthymia), Impulse Control Disorder, mild Psychotic Disorders, Aspergers, Learning Disorders, Identity Disorder, Cognitive Disorder (functional), Attachment Disorder, Relational Disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Substance Related and Use Disorders. Often our youth have been in other troubled teen homes, group homes, boarding schools, boot camps, or wilderness programs before coming to Heritage. The average length of stay is 14 months. Minimum length of stay is six months.

The on-campus year round program provides an educational opportunity for clients in grades 7-12 and is fully accredited (NAAS). The program is designed to allow students who have not achieved well to catch up, as well as to provide challenging college preparatory courses for students with motivation to achieve. The program also makes it possible for students to move ahead at their own pace, in some cases makeup up several grades in a year’s time. Classroom size ranges from 8 to 12 students. Our teachers are state certified and are endorsed in special education.

Heritage offers individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, family therapy, milieu therapy, and therapeutic recreation. We offer a variety of specialty groups which include communication, trauma, anger management, DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), adoption, and social skills. Other specialty groups may be started on an as-needed basis. A treatment team consisting of a psychiatrist, primary therapist, nurse, teacher, recreation therapist, and mental health workers are assigned to each youth and meet weekly to discuss the adolescent’s progress. Three months prior to discharge we provide groups to prepare adolescents to transition home or to live independently. We provide services for adolescents who have emotional and academic problems in combination with a substance abuse problem. These youth will participate in daily therapy groups with a licensed Chemical Dependency or Masters Level Counselor.

Therapeutic recreation groups, leisure education, community resource awareness, and a wide variety of recreational activities such as snow skiing, water sports, camping, hiking, fishing, crafts, community excursions, etc., are all part of the Therapeutic Recreation program. Self-esteem groups are also a part of every client’s treatment. On-campus intensive support services are provided for clients who are experiencing a temporary need for more structure and supervision. Intensive support services involve daily dispositional planning and objectives clinically designed to stabilize and redirect a client who is at risk to self or others. These services are provided in an area that is staff secure with a higher level of supervision.

Heritage offers a unique Equestrian experience from Western Riding instruction to Equine Therapy groups. A beautiful stable houses our horses with indoor and outdoor riding arenas which allow this program to operate year round. This program is CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) certified.

Each year, Heritage produces a full-scale Broadway musical. All adolescents who wish to participate become the actors for the show. After months of rehearsals, some 40 to 60 plus students perform in our new 627 seat state of the art Performing Arts Center.

Our 19 acre campus has home-like apartments (units) with a total of 172 beds. There are 10 to 16 adolescents in each living unit, and adolescents share a bedroom with up to four other adolescents. Our on-campus facilities include indoor/outdoor riding arenas, indoor swimming pool, indoor and outdoor volleyball and basketball courts, racquetball court, game room, athletic fields, low-level ropes course, and an indoor climbing wall.

Heritage professional staff includes psychiatrists, psychiatric A.P.R.N., licensed clinical/therapeutic staff (LCSW, LPC, LMFT), and trained residential staff. Additionally, Heritage offers nursing services (RN, LPN), licensed therapeutic recreation specialists, registered dietician, and professional licensed and special education certified teachers.

Heritage is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), licensed by the State of Utah Department of Human Services, and is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS). Earned credits are transferable to other schools and colleges. Our Equestrian program is CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) Certified.

For more information contact our Admissions Department at 800-433-9413 for a current daily rate or to screen your adolescent. Medication, outpatient medical/dental expenses, and clothing are not covered in the otherwise all-inclusive rate. Go to our website (www.heritagertc.org) to see a virtual tour, learn more about us, and access our admissions application.

Mary Ann Smith, Director of Admissions, 800-433-9413, x205, maryann.smith@heritagertc.org

Susie Fell, Admissions Officer, 800-433-9413, x206, susie.fell@heritagertc.org

Confidential Fax: 801-226-4641