Meeting the Needs of Today’s Youth

Young people today face a confusing array of influences and challenges. The professional staff of Ryther Child Center’s Collaborative Coaching Program offers support and guidance for teenagers struggling with the choices confronting them. The Collaborative Coaching Program is a home-based mentoring program that provides the tools for personal growth and healthy family communication.

"Having worked in wilderness programs and specialty schools, I have seen the tremendous impact that a role model can have on a teenager's life and that is why the mentor relationship is the foundation of this program. What makes the Collaborative Coaching Program truly special, however, is the fact that we also offer parents the support they need to re-build strained relationships and take on new roles with their children. Our goal is not only to help teenagers experience success, but to help families experience success".

Benjamin Wahl, MSW
Program Coordinator, Lead Mentor


The Mentor Relationship
We believe every teenager wants to experience success. Teens who come to our program, however, have often encountered obstacles that have created pain and frustration. Our professional mentors meet with teens one-on-one in community settings and build a partnership based on trust and accountability. Together they create an action plan that becomes the roadmap for regaining confidence and achieving personal goals.

Our Approach
Using the mentor relationship as a foundation, the Collaborative Coaching Program offers an innovative, guided approach that:

• Builds on the strengths of family members and helps facilitate growth and healing in relationships.
• Helps parents and teens work together to create a home agreement that clarifies rules, expectations and privileges.
• Tailors the frequency and intensity of services to specific family needs.
• Interfaces with teachers, school counselors, psychiatrists and other professionals to assure a coordinated approach.
• Provides 24-hour phone availability and support for crises.

Helping the Entire Family-Parent Coaching

As teenagers work to overcome challenges, family involvement is crucial. In the Collaborative Coaching Program, parents are given the support to set boundaries and change old communication patterns. Our trained coaches meet with parents regularly and are available for phone consultation as well. Through the parent coaching component of the program, parents are given tools to understand and support their son or daughter in building a better life.

Self-Confidence is the Key

Low self-esteem often leads to high-risk behavior. Our mentors help clients explore their personal strengths and find healthy activities where they can experience success and build confidence. In addition, mentors and teens can utilize the experiential ropes course on Ryther’s main campus to increase problem solving skills and self-esteem.

Who We Serve

Families often seek our program when their teenage son or daughter shows initial warning signs of high-risk behavior. Other families contact us to provide support as their child transitions home from a boarding school or wilderness therapy program. Teenagers in our program have often faced challenges related to learning difficulties, low self-esteem, poor social skills and other similar issues.

Program Services

Families face complex and ever-changing challenges and we provide an array of coordinated services.

• Up to 12 mentor meetings per month.
• Access to parent coaching services for up to 5 hours per month.
• Facilitated family meetings to address pertinent issues in the home environment.
• 24-hour phone availability and support for emerging issues.
• Access to Ryther’s experiential ropes course.
• UA (urinary analysis) monitoring as needed.


Ryther Outdoor Leadership Program

The Ryther Outdoor Leadership Program provides a chance for teenagers to build confidence, teamwork and leadership skills during the summer. This day program offers an enriching curriculum that includes ropes course activities, service learning projects and outdoor adventures to help teenagers gain new skills and experience success. Small group sizes and professionally trained counselors provide an ideal setting for personal growth.


For more information on our residential cottages, please call (206) 525-5050.