This podcast episode is an announcement for a new podcast, called Winning Parenting. It is focused on all aspects of parenting and leverages the training and experience I have as a parent coach. It provides insights and approaches for parenting beyond children in programs. To have a listen, click on this link (for Apple Podcasts) - Winning Parenting Podcast . For more information about Andy's Parent Coaching Business - Parents Journey Coaching For more information about Sky's The Limit Fund - SL...
Jun 19, 2023•3 min
In this episode, we will explore the myriad of changes in the behavioral health industry. It includes: 1. Why I am recording again 2. Changes in the industry 3. Breaking Code Silence 4. New congressional bill proposed 5. What it means to you
Apr 29, 2023•10 min
In this episode, we speak to Susie McDaniel, Executive Director of LearningRx. LearningRx offers brain training programs for kids, teens, adults, and students who are having learning difficulties! With brain training, you or your child can improve core learning and thinking skills, including attention span, memory, and thinking speed. They also offer programs that focus on specific brain training goals, like improved reading skills, or cognitive training for brain injuries. During our discussion...
May 31, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 17
In this special episode, Andy Goldstrom shares that our treatment programs are being threatened by celebrities, lobbyists and older recipients of treatment. As a result, for those who care about our kids and their parents, we need to act. Write an email imploring these governmental leaders to help our programs, not further restrict them or take them down. If they do, this will be a real tragedy. Email addresses are: Utah State Senator Michael McKell – mmckell@le.utah.gov OR State Senator Sara Ge...
May 22, 2022•11 min
Today, we chat with Jeremy Whitworth. Trails Carolina is a very unique program. Based outside of Asheville, NC, this program caters to 10-17 year-olds and supports their families as well. It has an academic, wilderness and campus focus. In addition, they have completed an objective study with an outside party about the effectiveness of their program. The. results are impressive and also indicative of the success of the programs in general, not just with Trails Carolina. Tune in and enjoy! You ca...
Mar 09, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 16
In today's episode, we talk with Dawn McCord, mother of Carson McCord. Carson battled a fierce drug addiction that led him to overdoses, hospital visits, loss of hearing, parental nightmares and finally a trip to wilderness therapy and other forms of treatment. Dawn relives and shares her harrowing true story to help us understand addiction is prevalent, especially with adolescents and there is a community to support parents. She has written a moving book about her experience as well. Order the ...
Feb 11, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 15
In this episode, Andy is interviewed on the topic "How to survive wilderness therapy as a parent?". Check our my coaching site www.parentsjourneycoaching.net for more information. Also, check out www.skysthelimitfund.org for more information on this great non-profit that helps families afford Wilderness Therapy.
Jan 11, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 14
On this episode, we speak with Casie about the new virtual community she and her partners have created. It is a virtual membership platform that is building a safe community for parents of children struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. They offer multiple daily meetings, held on zoom where parents can share their stories with unlimited access as well as guest speakers and an invaluable resource hub. See www.oplm.com for more information....
Jan 06, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In this episode, we follow up on our discussion about parents and their children who have or are struggling with substance use. Brittany Garner, Program Manager at The Phoenix, joins us to discuss their community programs and how it helps people who chose to live a sober life and support mental, physical and spiritual well being. The topics we discuss include: · Background · Why do you suggest to parents, they aren’t responsible for their children’s addictions? · Why do you call The Phoenix an A...
Nov 04, 2021•33 min•Season 3Ep. 12
In this episode, we interview Elizabeth Fikes, Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center's Found and Director of Outreach & Communications. They are based in Oxford, MS and serve adolescent boys experiencing substance use issues while also supporting their families. We engage on the following topics: · Background · What makes a program like yours that focuses on substance abuse first unique? · Tell me about your Private School and why you wanted to incorporate it as an offering? · Why do childre...
Oct 14, 2021•29 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Dore Frances is the owner of Horizon Family Solution, https://www.horizonfamilysolutions.com . Horizon Family Solutions is a boutique concierge educational consulting firm that assists learners from middle school grades through young adults with diverse learning goals. She has a specialty in parents of adopted children. Today we talk about: · What is unique about adopted children who may be struggling with mental illness as opposed to other children? · What are the unique challenges that parents...
Sep 23, 2021•36 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this impactful episode, we once again connect with Joe Feldman. He and some other brilliant colleagues wrote a paper published in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice that provides research about the value of medical necessity letters. You can download the article at the following link - Journal of Psychiatric Practice . You can also email me at andy@parentsjourney.net and I will gladly email it to you. Joe can be reached at joe.insurance.parity@gmail.com. Enjoy!...
Aug 31, 2021•40 min
In this episode, we speak with the Founder and Executive Director of a unique program based in Southern Utah. Shayne Gallagher shares with us the following: · Background · Wingate Therapy origins and focus · AWE/Actual Wilderness Experience · Good candidates for the program · Typical day · Trends in the industry · Recommendations for parents who are struggling with their child right now · Contact information You can find out more at https://www.wingatewildernesstherapy.com/...
Aug 12, 2021•35 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In this episode, which was recorded on site at Eternal Strength, I interview the co-founders, Wes Robins and Zac Sweat. They have a market disrupting therapeutic youth center that offers a wide array of holistic therapeutic support. They provide counseling/psychotherapy, therapeutic mentoring/coaching, process therapy groups, psycho educational therapy groups and integrative wellness/fitness/nutrition support. The center includes a multitude of experiential/activity arenas: musical jam area, ful...
Jul 29, 2021•41 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode, we talk with Sheldon Nelson, President of Crossroads Discovery. It is an AZ based program that helps adolescents through outdoor living skills. Unlike traditional wilderness programs, Crossroads offers shorter length programs that run 6 to 21 days, which have a unique impact, but at a far lower cost. For more information about the program, see www.crossroadsdiscovery.com .
Jul 15, 2021•30 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode, we speak with Suzie Courtney. She is the enthusiastic and articulate Executive Director of a unique program based in AZ for teenage girls. She is also a fan of this podcast, for which I am very grateful. You can find out more about her program at www.springridgeacademy.com .
Jul 01, 2021•33 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this impactful episode, I am joined by Clinton Dorny, Executive Director, and Shelly Thomas, Admissions Director, from Discovery Ranch for Boys as well as Sarah Yardley, Admissions Director from Discovery Ranch for Girls. They are multi-campus, Utah based, residential treatment centers that serve struggling teens to learn the skills they needed to heal, thrive, and reunite with their families. Their programs focus on experiential learning, including raising calves, equine therapy, sports and ...
Jun 17, 2021•46 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode, we have a really interesting discussion with Andrew Taylor, the Founder of Purelife Adventure. Based in Costa Rica, Purelife is a young adult adventure therapy program. It uses the outdoors and a success plan to help young adults struggling grow. Pure Life uses a strengths-based, integrated clinical model in which students quickly learn new, healthy coping strategies, behavioral and emotional regulation, leadership skills, and life skills that lead to future success. A truly int...
Jun 03, 2021•34 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode, we talk to Patrick Barrasso, Founder and Executive Director of In Balance Academy Therapeutic Boarding School, in Tucson, AZ. He is a noted psychotherapist with over 25 years of extensive training and experience in adolescent and adult substance abuse and mental health treatment. He is the "heart and soul" of the In Balance programs. His dedication, direction and personal commitment to helping adolescents and their families is demonstrated in all aspects of treatment. His extens...
May 20, 2021•44 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In today's episode, we are speaking with Raymond Archuleta of Vista Magna, a residential treatment center for boys in Utah. They have a fairly intensive, but well-balanced program, that enables a shorter stay at less overall cost. We speak about his background, his program, his thoughts on the industry and where to contact him. For more information, please see www.vistatc.com. Enjoy!
May 10, 2021•34 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode, we speak to Will White. Will is an author of the book Stories From the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy. He also hosts a weekly podcast that has the same name as his book. Finally, he is the co-founder of Summit Achievement, a wilderness therapy program located in Maine. He has been a luminary in the industry for 30 years and is very well known for his knowledge and perspective. In this engaging discussion, we talk about: · Background · History of Wilderness Therapy · Indu...
Apr 22, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Today, we dive into parenting and building resilient children. Dr. Borba shares with us the 7 character strengths parents need to develop in their children for them to have the best opportunity to succeed, and more importantly, be happy. Some of the topics we address are: - Concern about raising children in this current generation. - Defining a Thriver and the 7 character strengths. - What parents should know about resilience. - What the one question parents need to know to raise more confident ...
Apr 08, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Melissa Bernstein is well-known as a co-founder of Melissa & Doug, the national and innovative toy company. Despite this success, Melissa experienced mental health challenges her entire life. This included Existential Depression or Despair, which is the lack of purpose or meaning in life. It wasn't until recently that Melissa was able to accept her situation and heal. She has created a platform called Lifelines and wishes to share what she has learned that can help parents. To find out more,...
Mar 25, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Today, we are going to take another look at the cost of therapeutic services, this time, from a legal perspective. Mark DeBofsky, a principal with DeBofsky, Sherman, Casciari & Reynolds, joins us to inform us on: - Types of situations eligible for coverage and impact of ERISA and parity law - Not taking No for an answer - How to maximize success if denied by your insurance company - External review opportunities - When to seek a lawyer - Latest trends For additional information, Mark can be ...
Mar 11, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this special episode, we provide listeners with our perspective on Paris Hilton and her recent outspoken activity for further regulations in behavioral therapy programs. As with our recent episode highlighting Kenneth Rosen and his book Troubled, we wanted to provide a more balanced view for parents to understand and consider as they make decisions for themselves and their children. Enjoy!
Mar 04, 2021•15 min
This could be one of our most powerful episodes to date. As a young adult, Allie was a drug addict who ended up in jail and was a convicted felon. Yet, she pulled herself up, finished college and just graduated Summa Cum Laude from Georgia State Law School. She recently married and is starting a job with a prominent law firm. From low points to recovery to success, Allie and Belinda share their story as well as lessons learned. Enjoy this fascinating and inspirational episode. To read up more on...
Feb 25, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 13
We are pleased to be able to talk to Jan Rao, who runs Willows in the Wind. In the communities of San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, California, Willows in the Wind provides safe, structured support groups where parents can share with one another and glean valuable information. Whether you are considering an in-home program, therapeutic residential placement, assistance with transitioning home, valuable parent coaching, Willows can help. This podcast provides insight to help parents understa...
Feb 11, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this special episode, we provide listeners with our perspective on this book and the status of the behavioral treatment industry now as compared to 10+ years ago. The book was recently published and gives a negative view on the industry. We wanted to provide a more balanced view for parents to understand and consider as they make decisions for themselves and their children. Enjoy! For more information on NATSAP, click on the link below. https://www.natsap.org/Public/About_NATSAP/The-State-of-...
Feb 06, 2021•16 min
We are pleased to be able to speak with Titania Jordan from Bark. Titania is Bark’s Chief Parent Officer. Bark is a technology application that enables parents to monitor, detect, alert and manage their children’s social activities for signs of harmful interactions and content. Bark’s work has been impactful. In partnership with parents and schools, Bark has protected more than 5.2 million children, prevented 16 school shootings and detected 81,000 severe self-harm situations. Titania and her co...
Jan 28, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Subsequent to launching the podcast and further engaging with parents, I determined that having a professional coaching certification will enable me to help more parents in a deeper and more meaningful way. As a result, this past Fall, I completed not one, but two, certification programs. These include the Parent Coach Trainers Academy, which is recognized by the International Coaching Federation and the JAI Institute for Parenting. If you wish to explore parent coaching or know someone who may ...
Jan 17, 2021•4 min
