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Phoenix Wilderness Therapy

People in Arizona seeking Phoenix wilderness therapy benefit from participating in our residential programs for substance use disorder (SUD) and dual diagnosis. We utilize personalized care plans, evidence-based therapies, and an integrative approach to treating addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.

We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans

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From Arizona to Utah: Our Wilderness Therapy Program

Legacy Outdoor Adventures offers modern, clinically grounded therapeutic programs that provide better outcomes compared to the punitive boot camp model used by other facilities. We treat people aged 18 and older from Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding areas of Arizona. Our residential programs use talk therapy, psychoeducation, peer support, adventure therapy, and other services to support individuals recovering from SUD. Clients learn the necessary skills to regulate their emotions, manage their condition, maintain sobriety, and make healthier life choices. 

Why Phoenix Families Seek Out-of-State Treatment

Families may seek treatment out of state if their loved ones do not respond to local programs or if they cannot find a program that offers the same level of personalized treatment we provide. Our clinical experts work with clients and their families to create a seamless transition between medical detox and our residential programs. 

Arizona residents come to our care center to take advantage of our proven treatment methods. Families can reach out to our office to learn more about our programs and how we help young people regain control of their health and build the foundation for a sober future. 

Accreditations

The State of Utah licenses Legacy Outdoor Adventures as a provider of mental health and addiction treatment and as a Residential Treatment Center (RTC). This includes accreditation from the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council (OBH), as well as from other leaders in mental and behavioral healthcare.

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Adventure Therapy for Young Adults From Phoenix, Arizona

Young people from Phoenix, AZ, benefit from our licensed residential treatment program where they have access to a low client-to-staff support model and personalized treatment plans. Most people follow a 90-day primary treatment focus that involves a highly structured environment with clinical therapy four days per week and adventure therapy or outdoor activities three days per week. Our experts have created a rehabilitation center that prioritizes a holistic focus on personal growth and lasting recovery. We give young people and adults with SUD the tools to overcome challenges in recovery and maintain lasting sobriety. Young people participating in our outdoor therapies and clinical treatments gain the confidence and skills needed to navigate sobriety independently. 

Client leading a horse across the Legacy Outdoor Adventures ranch during an equine-assisted residential addiction treatment program in Texas.

Why Phoenix Families Choose Us

Our approach to treatment goes beyond traditional models by combining clinical sophistication, structured care, and measurable outcomes. At Legacy, every aspect of the program is intentionally designed to support deep, lasting healing, not just short-term stabilization.

Adventure Therapy Integrated With Clinical Treatment

Our program combines adventure therapy three days per week with over 20 hours of structured clinical therapy. This balanced approach helps clients apply therapeutic insights in real-world settings, building resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation in a way that traditional settings often cannot replicate.

Individualized, Whole-Person Treatment
Plans

Every client receives a personalized treatment plan based on a comprehensive evaluation of their mental health, substance use, trauma history, and lifestyle factors. We treat the whole person by integrating clinical care, experiential work, and personal development into one cohesive process.

Trauma-Informed, Clinically Sophisticated
Approach

All care is delivered through a trauma-informed lens, ensuring emotional safety while addressing the underlying drivers of substance use and mental health challenges. Our licensed clinicians provide advanced therapeutic interventions in a structured, supportive environment.

Structured Residential Setting With High Clinical Engagement

As a licensed residential treatment center (RTC), we provide a highly structured environment that supports consistency, accountability, and focus. Clients engage in a full weekly schedule of therapy, adventure-based experiences, and guided reflection designed to promote sustainable change.

Low Client-to-Staff Ratio and Personalized
Attention

With a limited number of clients, our team is able to provide focused, individualized attention. This allows for deeper therapeutic relationships, more responsive care, and a treatment experience tailored to each client’s needs and goals.

Aftercare & Long-Term Recovery
Planning

We believe in comprehensive care and, as such, work with clients for long-term recovery planning. The Summit Graduation Phase is our way of ensuring that clients transition from treatment with the skills and planning needed for success. This program is embedded in our 90-day program and includes referrals and resources for further support post-treatment.

Getting Started Is Easy

Our admissions team makes it easy for individuals and families to get the help they need to successfully recover from substance use disorder.

Step 1: Call to Speak to Admissions

Reach out to our compassionate admissions team for a confidential discussion about your unique needs and to begin the assessment process.

Step 2: Complete Application

Our specialists will help you verify your insurance and explore personalized treatment options, including our 90-day residential program.

Step 3: Verify Benefits

We’ll coordinate your arrival at our Utah location and begin your personalized treatment plan, ensuring a smooth start to your recovery.

Benefits of Our Residential Outdoor Therapy

Residential treatment provides consistency, structure, accountability, and access to a strong support system of clinical professionals and peers. The natural setting and incorporation of outdoor therapy sessions enhance the effectiveness of treatment. We have a proven record of helping clients heal from addiction, trauma, and mental health disorders using our integrative, whole-person approach to rehabilitation. 

Individualized Treatment Plans

Our small program size allows us to individualize treatment plans and easily adjust care to meet the changing needs of clients as they make progress in recovery. The care team uses information from the initial admissions interview, weekly check-ins, and collaborative goal-setting meetings with clients to create tailored treatment plans. We can accommodate most client needs through our personalized care. 

Gender-Specific Programming

Men and women may feel more confident in trusting peers and the care team in a gender-specific setting. Similar life experiences may make it easier for people to open up about topics that leave them feeling vulnerable. We offer gender-specific residential care for men and women to ensure we can address the unique needs of each gender and specific clients. 

Individual and Group Therapy

Clinical therapy remains a cornerstone of addiction and mental health treatment. We use various forms of psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), to teach clients effective coping mechanisms and essential skills. Clients participate in group and individual therapy four days a week. Each session focuses on a different aspect of recovery and provides tools to help people grow and move forward in their healing journey. Experiential therapy we integrate into care plans enhances the effectiveness of traditional psychotherapy. 

Wilderness Expeditions for Self-Esteem and Life Skills

Adventure and wilderness therapy sessions give clients time outdoors where they can reflect, connect with nature, and build friendships with peers. The skill development, teamwork, and creative problem-solving taught in outdoor therapy prepare clients for lasting sobriety by giving them tools for regulating emotions and overcoming challenges. Some of the activities we use in our outdoor therapy sessions include hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and backpacking. Nature-based physical activities have been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. Many clients also experience improved mood and reduced symptoms of withdrawal. 

Medication Management

Legacy Outdoor Adventures uses medication management to support client wellness and reduce the symptoms or side effects impacting their recovery. Prescription medications can sometimes cause issues for people in recovery. We only offer medication management when needed and as appropriate for the individual care of each client. Our clinical team conducts comprehensive screenings during admissions to determine if clients may benefit from temporary medication management. 
We understand some clients may have chronic health conditions or complex co-occurring mental health issues requiring medication. Psychiatric support ensures clients have access to the medications they need to stay safe and comfortable during treatment. 
A smiling woman with a red backpack and sun hat walks along a rocky trail during a therapeutic nature hike.
A group of three people standing together in a natural setting, emphasizing the family attachment pillar of the program.

Treating Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Many people with a history of substance abuse have one or more co-occurring mental health disorders. We treat all active conditions and their underlying causes simultaneously to reduce the risk of relapse and to improve treatment outcomes. People are more likely to maintain lasting sobriety if they feel confident in their ability to manage all of their disorders. Our outdoor therapy sessions increase self-confidence, self-esteem, and resilience, and may reduce the symptoms of some mental conditions. We also encourage clients to utilize support groups and other resources to maintain positive mental health during aftercare. Our team provides comprehensive aftercare planning that takes into consideration co-occurring mental health conditions. 

Connecting Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders

Mental health directly impacts a person’s ability to recover. Simultaneously, SUD has a profound effect on mental wellness. We treat co-occurring mental illness using therapy, prescription medications when appropriate, and peer support. Dual diagnosis treatment stabilizes clients and gives them the tools to successfully manage their condition long-term. 

Some of the most common mental health disorders we treat alongside SUD include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). We may refer clients to higher levels of care at trusted treatment programs for more complex co-occurring conditions, including self-harm and severe suicidal ideation. 

Meet Your Care Team

Dr. Madolyn Liebing

Clinical Consultant
Ph.D. Psychologist, LMFT

Devon Nanton

Primary Counselor
SUDC

Justin Swensen

Clinical Director
LMFT
Portrait of a team member wearing a Legacy Outdoor Adventures hat, representing trauma-informed care and guidance.

Troy Faddis

Clinical Supervisor & Family Therapy Specialist
LMFT
Three smiling individuals wearing climbing helmets and winter gear inside a narrow red rock canyon, displaying peer support.

Building Hope and Healing Through Our Family Program

Every family member carries some form of trauma or emotional scar from the effects of their loved one’s substance abuse. We help families grow stronger and closer by guiding them through the process of healing together. Legacy Outdoor Adventures offers family therapy and other support services that bring hope and healthy changes to close relationships. 

Family therapy sessions involve a combination of clinical psychotherapy and psychoeducation that ensure family members understand the realities of addiction and their loved one’s condition. 

Ready for an adventure in healing?Discover our unique wilderness therapy programs.

Building Community Through Alumni Programs

Legacy Outdoor Adventures offers ongoing support through our alumni programs and thriving sober community. Alumni and their loved ones continue to receive support and guidance as they navigate early recovery. Oregon residents can take advantage of our online support services and referrals to build their support system and maintain accountability. 

Relapse Prevention for Sustained Sobriety

Our relapse prevention education and aftercare planning support sustained sobriety by preparing clients to maintain their recovery independently. We ensure clients and their loved ones understand the realities of addiction recovery and some of the common challenges people encounter after completing treatment. By preparing clients for ongoing recovery, we empower them to maintain sobriety and positive lifestyle changes. 

In addition to comprehensive aftercare planning, we also provide alumni support to ensure people have a strong support network to lean on during difficult moments. Our care team conducts regular check-ins with alumni for the first few months after they graduate the program. Individuals have access to alumni support groups, referrals, and other resources.  
A group of women engage in a lighthearted conversation by a wooden post fence at a recovery center.
A person wearing a helmet stands on a lake shore looking at mountains, next to a red mountain bike.

Recognizing When a Young Adult Needs Residential Treatment

Young adults may need residential care if they struggle with addiction or experience severe mental health issues impacting their ability to function. We help families navigate the treatment process and determine the best level of care for young people needing professional support. 

FAQs

Residents of Phoenix, AZ, may not have access to local programs that offer the same level of personalization and low client-to-staff ratio found at Legacy Outdoor Adventures. We treat people from all over the country, using proven methods to address substance abuse, behavioral addictions, trauma, and co-occurring mental health disorders. 

Online family therapy sessions make it easy for loved ones to remain engaged despite the distance. Our Utah location provides privacy, a serene setting, distance from the distractions of everyday life, and a comfortable space for healing. 

Most clients follow a 90-day or 120-day program track that prepares them for the transition to a lower level of care, such as intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), or sober living programs. Clinicians monitor client progress and adjust care plans as needed to support a positive treatment outcome.

Insurance coverage determines the length of stay for people who do not pay out-of-pocket. However, we believe everyone should have access to the care they need, and we offer payment plans for individuals who may need to stay in residential treatment longer. 

We offer support for families seeking Phoenix outdoor therapy options for adolescents or young adults. Our programs only accept young people aged 18 and older. Troubled teens or adolescents younger than 18 can receive referrals to high-quality, trusted wilderness therapy programs. We want everyone to find the best care to support their recovery and healing journey.