Clearfork Academy serves adolescent boys, thirteen to eighteen years of age, as they undergo substance abuse and mental health treatment. But how does Clearfork make our program impact each kiddo? What are our treatment modalities?
Clearfork is built on seven core techniques that encourage a linear progression through treatment. It isn’t one size fits all and it isn’t composed of just one thing. It is as complex as a tree – from fruit to root, there are so many facets of each child and their unique situation. We admit these teens into treatment based on the low-hanging fruits that we see, but our seven treatment modalities are designed to target the well-hidden roots.
Narrative Therapy
In narrative therapy, we address the personal narrative each child is spinning and make sure it’s framed in the proper context. When we view our story internally, things have a tendency to get messy as bias and emotion play their parts. Our goal is to look at these stories and help their expression be at an appropriate time and place. How are the characters interacting? What different archetypes are at play here? Someone that may have seemed like an antagonist, may actually be the person that cares the most.
It’s all about building a healthy storyline and worldview while creating a safe space for the boys to share their feelings.
Family Systems
Similar to narrative therapy, family systems provide a systemic look at what’s occurring in each boy’s life. We construct genograms to find patterns of struggles within families and build alliances with these commonalities. Was there something broken in the system that contributed to their actions? How can we use positive connections to move forward?
DBT & CBT Therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy and dialectical behavior therapy work together to help us understand ourselves and gain control of our actions. CBT focuses on thought–how to recognize troublesome thoughts and redirect them towards positivity. DBT focuses on self-management–personal acceptance, safety, and emotional control are invaluable skills for any young person today.
More and more teens are coming to us with what we call a “big-T” trauma. This trauma is addressed in a safe environment. EMDR and other talk therapies are also used as we work through some of these core issues.
Logotherapy
A full week is dedicated to logotherapy as our boys really contemplate what is valuable, meaningful, and gives life purpose. This is a strong foundation that they can take with them for the rest of their lives, through any situation. When grasping something of high importance, it’s much harder to focus on temptation, depression, etc. because the thing we are holding is so much more important to the individual.
Aftercare & Solution Focus
We know every family wants the next steps and what aftercare looks like once treatment is finished, so we spend a full week dedicated to aftercare and solution focus. A pivotal part of long-term success is focusing on what’s ahead rather than what we leave behind. There is always a next opportunity, a next time, a next moment to be better–focusing on what comes next creates a canvas of possibility.
As the frontal lobe develops in adolescents, it can be hard to think with logic rather than emotion. We encourage mapping out plans, goals, and stepping away from emotion-ruled decision making.
Play Therapy
Lastly, it’s time for some fun after all of that hard work. Clearfork arranges age-appropriate events to get the boys moving mentally and physically. We’re proud of our beautiful campus that boasts things like our rope course, and lake! We engage in a tactful, fun way to let their brains experience real-life examples of what comes next. And the best part? Everyone has a blast and proves to themself they can tackle any obstacle we throw to them during play therapy.
So, we’ve pulled back the curtain on the seven treatment modalities we use here at Clearfork Academy. Our methods are intensive, fun, and geared towards growing each young man that joins us on campus.
If you have a child struggling with substance abuse or mental health, we are here to help! Reach out to us. Please call us at (817) 259-2597, email us at help@bivisee1.sg-host.com, or visit us at bivisee1.sg-host.com. Our team of specialists is standing by to help your family in any way we can.
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
