We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans
From NYC to Utah: Our Wilderness Therapy Program
Our adventure program uses a combination of evidence-based clinical modalities and holistic therapies to help people 18 and older recover from addiction, trauma, and mental health disorders. We have created a modern, clinically grounded therapeutic program that sets us apart from the punitive boot camp model used by other adventure therapy programs. Our programs tailor therapy to the individual needs of each client to improve treatment outcomes and program adherence.
Why New York Families Seek Out-of-State Treatment
Families in New York may seek out-of-state care for loved ones if they have tried local programs without any success or if they have no access to tailored programs that meet their unique needs. We give people a safe space to learn effective skills for regulating emotions and relapse prevention. Local programs in New York may not offer the same outcome-oriented care.
What Makes Wilderness Therapy in Utah Different From Local Options
Utah is a beautiful location away from the chaos of the big cities. Our facility is located in a serene natural setting where people can engage with nature. We use wilderness therapy to enhance the effectiveness of traditional clinical modalities, including psychotherapy and psychiatric support.
When a Higher Level of Care Becomes Necessary for Young Adults
Young people may need a higher level of care to manage withdrawal side effects and learn healthy coping skills. Residential treatment gives young adults a place to heal and recover away from the triggers and distractions of everyday life. Clients rest and build a solid foundation for a sober future before returning to New York. The time away allows them to focus fully on their mental and physical recovery.
Adventure-Based Clinical Care for Young Adults from New York City
Our licensed residential treatment program has a 90-day primary treatment focus. The personalized treatment plans and low client-to-staff support model allows Legacy Outdoor Adventures to provide a holistic focus on personal growth and lasting recovery. Our residential program offers clinical therapy 4 days per week and adventure therapy and outdoor activities 3 days per week.
Why NYC 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 can 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 post-treatment support.
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.
Our Residential SUD and Mental Health Treatment
We use outdoor therapy, clinical modalities, and peer support to treat SUD and dual diagnosis. Our integrative residential program uses experiential education and structured care to help people recover from substance abuse and build a foundation for lasting sobriety.
The Benefits of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare
Natural settings make it easier for people to practice the mindfulness and self-reflection necessary for emotional regulation. Our residential program uses adventure therapy to help people heal and develop new ways of managing symptoms or side effects of their condition.
How Daily Structure Supports Emotional Resilience
The daily structure and schedule of residential treatment programs supports emotional resilience by providing a consistent framework for recovery. Clients know what to expect from each day and have the support of peers and their care team as they develop new, healthy habits and routines to prepare for lasting sobriety. People with co-occurring mental health issues, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression, benefit from the structure of outdoor therapy sessions.
How Evidence-Based Treatment Is Integrated Into Weekly Programming
We integrate evidence-based clinical therapy into our weekly programming, with multiple group therapy sessions and individual therapy sessions over half the week, and outdoor therapy sessions or other alternative holistic therapies the other half the week. Breaking up treatment into different forms of therapy allows clients to approach each stage of recovery from multiple perspectives, enhancing the effectiveness of rehabilitation.
Admissions Pathway for NYC Clients and Families
People from NYC can reach out to our admissions team to verify insurance coverage and learn more about our programs. We make the transition into our residential programs smooth and seamless to ensure people struggling with SUD can get the help they need.
Comprehensive Assessment
Our clinical team uses comprehensive assessments to screen clients, diagnose conditions, and determine the best treatment options.
Intake Process
Our intake process involves a clinical interview in which our clients or their loved ones provide information about past and current medical care, prescription medications, diagnosed conditions, and other relevant personal details. We understand the importance of quickly transitioning people into professional treatment and make the admissions process quick and painless. Our team also provides referrals to medical detox programs for individuals who require detoxification services before transitioning into our care.
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.
Treating Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders
Many people with SUD have co-occurring mental health issues. We treat all active disorders simultaneously with our integrative approach to care, reducing the risk of relapse. Our team collaborates closely with clients to ensure their safety and comfort during every stage of treatment.
How Integrated Care Supports Dual Diagnosis Recovery
Integrated care provides physical and emotional support that helps clients stabilize their condition and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Adventure therapy and clinical group sessions use peer connections, consistent schedules, and skill development to address dual diagnosis. Rock climbing, backpacking, and other outdoor activities give clients space to practice what they learn during individual or group therapy sessions.
How Substance Use and Mental Health Are Treated Together
We treat the symptoms, side effects, and root causes of SUD and mental health disorders together. Our clinicians and outdoor guides use hands-on learning, life skills development, and clinical modalities to help people address dual diagnosis.
How Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma Present in Young Adults
Young people may express trauma, depression, and anxiety differently than older adults. For example, an 18 year old troubled teen may become aggressive or have angry outbursts. Trauma or mental illness may cause frustration, irritation, social isolation, antisocial activities, risk-taking behaviors, and extreme mood swings in young people.
Ready for an adventure in healing?Discover our unique wilderness therapy programs.
Benefits of Our Rehab Programs
Legacy Outdoor Adventures has an outcome-oriented focus that prepares clients for lasting sobriety. Our programs offer many services that support addiction and mental health recovery.
Psychotherapy
The clinical team uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based modalities during individual or group therapy sessions.
Gender-Specific Programming
Our gender-specific residential treatment programs ensure people receive care that aligns with their needs and preferences. People often feel more comfortable opening up during therapy and build trust more quickly with peers who identify as the same gender. For example, women struggling with trauma related to domestic violence may not feel comfortable speaking up in a coed group setting. Gender-specific programs make it easier for people to share their stories with others who share similar life experiences.
Life Skills Education
Adventure therapy and other forms of experiential therapy use life skills education and hands-on activities to teach clients new ways of processing their experiences. Life skills education ensures people know how to communicate their needs, set clear boundaries, eat nutritious meals, maintain a healthy lifestyle, build a support system, balance a budget, and overcome challenges in recovery using creative problem-solving.
Family Therapy
Every member of a family unit experiences the impact of substance abuse, especially children and significant others. We offer family therapy and other forms of family support to help repair and strengthen family relationships damaged by chronic substance use. Family therapy helps resolve conflict, open lines of communication, and address the emotional pain caused by SUD.
Teamwork and Group Therapy
Group therapy may include traditional psychotherapy or outdoor activities. Adventure therapy gives people an opportunity to practice teamwork and develop deeper connections with peers or staff. We carefully choose activities for adventure therapy to ensure they provide a challenge for the group while still having an achievable end goal.
Meet Your Care Team
Dr. Madolyn Liebing
Clinical Consultant
Ph.D. Psychologist, LMFT
Ph.D. Psychologist, LMFT
Devon Nanton
Primary Counselor
SUDC
SUDC
Justin Swensen
Clinical Director
LMFT
LMFT
Troy Faddis
Clinical Supervisor & Family Therapy Specialist
LMFT
LMFT
Relapse Prevention for Lifelong Wellness
Legacy Outdoor Adventures uses relapse prevention education and planning to reduce the risk of relapse and improve treatment outcomes. People from out of state who may not have access to the same level of local support during ongoing recovery benefit from relapse and crisis management planning and strategies that prepare them for overcoming challenges.
Recognizing When a Young Adult Needs Residential Treatment
Young people may benefit from residential care if they have multiple co-occurring conditions impacting their ability to regulate emotions, a lack of support system, or difficulty engaging in traditional treatment programs. Programs that use outdoor therapy sessions give young people a novel way to heal, grow, and engage in their recovery. Early intervention and treatment reduce the risk of lasting damage caused by substance abuse or complex mental health disorders.
How Early Intervention Aids the Therapeutic Process
Chronic substance abuse impacts physical and psychological health. Early intervention reduces the negative cumulative impact of substance abuse. People have a lower risk of experiencing long-term physical or behavioral issues if they receive professional treatment early. Young people are especially at risk of lasting side effects from marijuana, alcohol, drug, or prescription medication abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this wilderness therapy program different for NYC residents?
Our clinicians use a wilderness camp and adventure activities to help NYC residents learn essential recovery skills. Our personalized programs benefit troubled teens 18 or older and people diagnosed with dual diagnosis. The outdoor therapy sessions provide peer support, skill development, and confidence-building activities that may not be found in similar NYC programs.
How long does the treatment process usually last?
Residential care typically lasts 90 days. However, we can extend treatment as needed to meet the needs of each client. Our clinicians work closely with clients and their loved ones to create a treatment plan that takes into consideration all factors that impact treatment and length of stay.
Do I need detox before entering residential treatment?
Yes. You will need to complete medical detox treatment before entering our residential program. Our case managers and clinical team facilitate a smooth transition into our care.
