STORYTIME: WILDERNESS THERAPY

[@gigigrass6050]

i went to the same wilderness program and i stand by that it is a total abuse of power and half the shit they do should not be legal i am pretty sure everyone who has been was traumatized by it.

[@JuliaFase]

facts 100 percent

[@tlurch1034]

That 1st winter we were all there was terrible... I really thought we were going to die... Hair frozen on our heads and so cold...

[@destinyvidal4098]

honestly ive seen a a couple say its done em good. wonder if they realize they could have gotten the same results with...other methods.

[@user-nl1hp8dq9f]

BEEN THERE AND U SPITTIN FACTS

[@shayshaygullison2170]

@@tlurch1034 im so sorry to hear that.Thats terrible

[@ChloeDillingham]

I just want to know why the kidnapping in the middle of the night was necessary. sounds traumatic

[@JuliaFase]

it was and still is the most traumatic thing thats happened to me

[@emilyfavata3774]

@@JuliaFase yeah i went to evoke and the girls talked about being gooned and how freaked they were

[@toedrag7785]

Usually being gooned happens when the parents don’t think you’ll go willingly

[@bencarter1106]

its so u dint see it coming

[@shawnmoss9322]

Ask me if they do not pull my comments. I had a female get woke up with a shot in a mental ward in the buttock cheek.Escorted from that unit and on the aircraft by 2 230 pound men. She had long, beautiful hair, almost 3 hours from boise going into the desert, I knew her story. When we got on site, she had already clipped her long hair into short hair with a fingernail clipper. More stories to follow. I am sure this post will likely be deleted, I assure you that is one of many true stories about SUWS

[@yukoncornileus4]

My daughter getting kidnapped, taken in the middle of the night from her bed to some desert compound where she'll be yelled at to strip completely naked...sounds like something I would fight to death to prevent. 😳

[@andrewe.8373]

Me too. Even if it wasn’t my daughter. I would fight, violently if necessary, to protect them as it’s the right thing to do.

[@nicholasallan845]

Me too stripped naked and they enjoyed it

[@luluigis]

I don’t think I could ever forgive my parents for that ...and I for sure would’ve thrown a fit and refused to cooperate at the airport omg.

[@jordangraybill1374]

Yeah I would never trust my parents ever again if they did this to me

[@justurtypicalteenager4989]

they can hire a service to come and take you if you resist

[@anonacct4676]

With the way the TSA is,all she'd have to do is tell someone that she has a bomb and there's no way they'd let her on the plane

[@guts6156]

Sorry, but the goons would restrain you and force you, they can use force on people, it’s scary as fuck

[@hibye8500]

I refused to get on the plane so the drove me

[@wcrdz6580]

I would’ve screamed like a maniac at the airport

[@obamaman5058]

If this happened to me then I would send my parent's to a nursing home

[@LiamJustice]

The victims and survivors of these insane places need to organize and sue them for absolutely everything they're worth. Why on earth would it be okay to imprison and dehumanize troubled people just because they happen to be young and have less power to stand up to their abusers.

[@user-nl1hp8dq9f]

I was 13 when I went to one of those "wilderness camps" I was in a group of 9-14 year olds at Trails Carolina. I experienced some shit there that haunts me to this day at 19 years old. I am currently a student at Baylor University and have succeeded in spite of my trauma. There are some thing s those wilderness camps dont want people to know as they would get shut down, like many already have. At Trails, I was strip searched at thirteen told nothing about what was happening to me, and slept in a trash bag under a tarp in the woods of the rocky mountains. We got a cup of beans a day, pooed and peed in one big hole, walked for miles up mountains a day with backpacks the same weight as the nine/ten year olds. One girl would pass out every day due to hyperventilation due to panic attacks, AND EXHAUSTION. My face was covered in sores and bug bites and the counselors would not send pic updates of me to my parents due to this. On my fifteenth birthday I spent there two girls ran off into the woods, we realized we all had pin worms due to improper sanitization and one girl tried to cut her wrists with rocks. THESE ARE little girls bounced from program to program because the get trauma after trauma and so they have behavioral issues naturally, and their parents have some money and dont want to deal with them. I have nightmares every other night even at 19 due to what I saw there at 14/15. If you are a parent FUCKING think before you do shit like that. Yes, I misbehaved and I snuck alchohol once when i was 15, but did any of us deserve what we saw there? no.

[@nicolem4027]

I am so sorry you had to go through that, that’s absolutely horrible.

[@abigailgeerligs4571]

I also went to TRAILS CAROLINA!!

[@user-nl1hp8dq9f]

@JDCM 99 kind of its a long story but my dad told me after my mom left him recently that my mom basically manipulated him into sending me and threatened to divorce him back then if he didnt and he regrets doing it. So i have forgiven him mostly. Thanks for asking though!

[@user-nl1hp8dq9f]

@@nicolem4027 Thanks for caring! I just want people to know what truly goes on at those camps

[@madeleinedean1]

i went to trails too. i was there in 2018 and was in foxtrot

[@Shad0w_Cha0s3m3ralds]

I can't imagine as a parent sending my kid to boot camp for depression, anxiety, or substance abuse

[@imposter.Target.Dog.]

I could never imagine going through this. My first thought would be getting my period and not being able to shower or properly clean myself. It would be traumatic for any young woman.

[@JuliaFase]

yup it was insane

[@sorrynotsorry7727]

I was a bad kid when i was 15 too. I also got snatched up in the middle of the night and flown out to SUWS in Idaho. Took me a while but I finally came around and learned to be more thankful for what I have in life.

[@CarinaRockart]

girl honestly I want to thank you so much for this. I went to wildy two years ago and this is the most honest and real account i've ever seen. i'm glad you got a lot out of the experience as hard as it may be and i hope you're thriving now. thank u for sharing your story :)

[@JuliaFase]

aw thank you so much! i wish you well.

[@zoramax4610]

It sounds like you had a very introspective experience for the most part which is good. My parents sent my sister to wilderness when she was 16 and I was 12. She was abused mentally, physically, experienced SA and so many awful degrading things. She went to therapeutic boarding school after and her therapist there told our parents about what happened. Thankfully her therapist at the school was actually helpful and believed victims of abuse… because I feel like so many “troubled” teens voice their experience and get ignored or called liars. My moms an attorney and ended up suing the program and uncovering all kinds of horrendous things - she still hasn’t shared it all with us, and I’m 26 now. My sister hasn’t been the same since. I

[@JuliaFase]

aw that is so so heartbreaking. i have heard of a lot of similar stories. some of these places take such advantage of helpless children. they need to be sued and stopped. i hope your sister is able to have peace and try to recover from the trauma she went threw.

[@tamifase8146]

I’m so happy you made this video! We are beyond proud of you! Your so strong and you have the strength to get through hard times. You are so loved and so important to us and together we can overcome all difficult times. I loved your quote also! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@dianadutton7419]

I was sent to wilderness in 2018 and did the whole aftercare thing and it’s so crazy now seeing girls who did the same thing cause I never even knew it existed before I was sent away it’s like a whole other world

[@JuliaFase]

same its actually insane

[@TheMuffinJay]

aftercare was lit huh 🤪

[@miri4085]

aaahhh im so sorry aftercare is sucks bro

[@alias6811]

What is aftercare???

[@miri4085]

@@alias6811 aftercare is the place you go after wilderness therapy. usually it's a therapeutic boarding school or a residential treatment center, and you usually stay there for up to 9 months (which is WAY longer than you spend in wilderness)

[@alexawilkins3778]

I have a HUGE fear of being kidnapped, a lot of my childhood anxiety came from bugs and nature, and I’m very small for my age so if I didn’t refuse to hike I would pass out from being too tired especially with a backpack on. Actually I’d just refuse to hike (I heard they wouldn’t give you food if you refused) then wouldn’t eat and I’d probably end up in the hospital from lack of food

[@marioncreations]

You're not alone in your trauma. I was taken and forced into wildness training in Capital Reef National Park in Southern Utah with the Aspen Achievement Academy in April of 1991. Although I can now see that there are examples of positive impactfrom this training, mine was used more as a way for my parents to "throw money at the problem" and remove themselves from accountability for our family's problems. In later years, my mother has expressed shame and embarrassment for "going along" with my father's idea for sending me there. In the end, their decision ended up cementing my reputation in my small community as a "troublemaker." Time heals. Thanks for sharing.

[@JuliaFase]

aw thank you for sharing your story . it all makes us stronger in the end!! xoxo

[@blakebowers9328]

I went to a program like this to. It was all primitive tho and it was so much fun. Had to hike 120 miles. Had to wake up at 8 every day except 3 days of the week. It was life changing. Lotssssss of time to think about life

[@blakebowers9328]

It was almost a year ago now that I think about it

[@blakebowers9328]

I love telling the story but idk if it’s worth writing it all down in KZbin comments

[@janae849]

What was the program called?

[@catnip8322]

I thought people got abused there

[@cieradixon6675]

@@catnip8322 they do, so many people have died in horrible ways to. look it up

[@SKinSKorea]

Glad to see you happy and on track! I found you video as a concerned aunt whose nephew didvwilderness therapy! I appreciate your honesty and first hand account! Best of luck to you! You are a beautiful, articulate young woman (who can probably starr a fire better than most of us!). Best of luck to you and thanks for sharing!

[@JuliaFase]

aw thank you so much! hope your family is doing well

[@abbystouffer]

I just finished reading this book called Wild Bird where it’s literally the same thing that you went through and even though the girl was “better” at the end I was still angry and bitter about it. Like the fact that it’s actually legal for people to do this to you is awful. If I had to do this I think I would literally try and kill myself if I couldn’t escape lol. Maybe I need this program 🤣 although I don’t think a wilderness therapy camp like this would help me

[@JuliaFase]

it changed my life! i am so grateful eventhough it sucked

[@shawnmoss9322]

@@JuliaFase I agree. It is what you make of it. I learned a lot and even though it sucked, it really did change me for the better, all said and done.

[@annanimity2034]

The place I was sent to, they dragged me by the throat by a seat belt, they did not care if you wanted to die.

[@linear9185]

I read that book years ago and also went to wilderness... small world

[@andrewe.8373]

@@annanimity2034 I would work to get the place shut down once you’re an adult if you’re not already one. Places like this ought to be illegal.

[@adventuresbyalex6511]

I have a pit in my stomach just watching this...I was sent to a wilderness program too. It is awful! My parents also said it was a hard decision sending me but they were enjoying their house while I was out in Utah. I feel your pain.

[@JuliaFase]

ugh EXACTLY im still struggling with the fact that they wont ever truly understand!

[@notleesy]

star guides ?

[@erecksonbennett3191]

Which program did u attend?

[@dalugeizsane]

I agree. these are the most terrible programs.

[@adventuresbyalex6511]

@@erecksonbennett3191 I attended Aspiro. Luckily it was not abusive but i was still extremely miserable.

[@greenieop]

i went to the same wilderness as you about 6 months ago was there for 3 months it seems the same as when you went there

[@shottskii]

It's 5am and I'm watching this... I went in 2012 and was sent to CEDU afterwards. I have PTSD from it. My best friend from there died in 2017 and I think about it every day. Some days I feel like I'm barely hanging on and nobody understands. You're brave for making this video

[@JuliaFase]

wow i am so sorry that happened to you. i cant even imagine what that would be like.. thank you for sharing apart of your story, you are so strong and courageous

[@ponyhawk]

there’s no way u remember me -GOONED LMAO- but i’m really happy u shared this. this needed to be said for all the people who have been thru this.

[@JuliaFase]

Sophie Graham yes of course i do! thank u! do u have insta or snapchat?

[@brendanbaum8751]

Hi went to bluefire. Put your insta so I can add you to my group chat

[@brendanbaum8751]

Mine is @bbaum206

[@ponyhawk]

Brendan Baum lol @sophiegrhm

[@theterpderp2108]

Facts I got put in cuffs

[@ponyhawk]

i’m going thru photos and i saw like ur head and remembered u and ur yt channel and was shook and looked u up and- omg but this is dope

[@JuliaFase]

Sophie Graham OMG SOPHIE HOW R U

[@UdoADHD]

Watching this after the Paris Hilton documentary

[@JuliaFase]

wait is it out already!?

[@UdoADHD]

Julia Fase yes!

[@JBMe-ux3be]

I just got back from blue ridge in Georgia and I still wake up in a panic most nights because of the ptsd I have from getting goofed in the early mornin g and dragged out of bed by 2 complete strangers.

[@justurtypicalteenager4989]

i am being sent to wilderness on tuesday and am absolutely terrified

[@Torie.colbvlogs850]

Damn

[@Lucy-nl7dw]

シJustUrTypicalTeenager really??

[@skontheroad2666]

Are you back yet? As you knew ahead of time when you were, it was hopefully a good experience

[@guts6156]

@@skontheroad2666 Unfortunately, therapy programs take around a year to complete, but wilderness is around 3 months so we might now see her for a bit, I was in therapy for 16 months

[@bridgithill9145]

Maybe this needs a trigger warning idk: When I was 11, I went to a php for the first time. It was literally traumatic. They made people eat out of toilets. Then when that didn’t work, they sent me to a hospital (that later got shut down for not meeting government regulations) and they didn’t clean it so there was snot on the walls and spiders in the corners and it was so bad. Then they shipped me off to Wisconsin after my heart almost stopped from anorexia. So then I got a feeding tube stuck down my throat while I was crying my eyes out telling them to stop. Then I got sent to residential, and that place was kinda good except for the fact that the therapists hated me because I never listened to them and I just started eating random stuff like plastic and shit just to show them they couldn’t control me so that wasn’t good. Then I went to 3 other phps and they were fine so ya. I’m doing better now

[@JuliaFase]

omg thats crazy

[@pryscillamello5845]

your parents really love you and did that for you(i bet it isn't cheap) i'm glad you are doing well

[@devonproscia]

UGH I WAS IN THE SAME POSITION AS U. I WAS "GOONED" TO WILDERNESS THERAPY IN NORTH CAROLINA I FEEL THIS AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. HOPE UR GOOD NOW AND I FEEL UUUU OMG

[@JuliaFase]

aw i’m sorry u went through the same situation.. hope u are better now❤️❤️❤️

[@devonproscia]

@@JuliaFase ugh thank u so much i am actually doing so much better. i’m at a regular boarding school away from my fam and it’s so much fun hope ur doing well too :) ❤️

[@steveloengard5139]

Not cringey at all. Inspiring and so helpful in ways you'll never know.

[@JuliaFase]

thank you so much! this means a lot!

[@deck153]

loved your story, thank you for sharing it, keep strong!

[@5StarChatt]

i was sent to second nature wilderness “family therapy”. i was sent to utah for 4 months, my summer was taken away and i was with random teenagers and a few adults for 4 months…. i went because i broke probation i was court mandated, it sucked… but you also grow close to the people you’re with out there. that’s my family, i love those dudes, i don’t know where all of them are now, i’m pretty sure my two best friends from there are dead now, but still praying they aren’t. I took it as an opportunity, i couldn’t leave, couldn’t run, i was stuck, so i just committed to therapy. i worked on myself and now i’m back home. i miss it sometimes, because now that i’m home i’m right back to the dumb shit i was doing.

[@5StarChatt]

@Wilderness Therapy Doc how can i contact you?

[@DarkEagle01]

glad someone made a video about it. that shit is crazy

[@kelseyhewitt3627]

Omg I’m from Idaho, I had no idea about this, that’s crazy!

[@brittanycervantes7355]

Im from idaho also and i bet we don't have any or very few ones that are harmful to the kids

[@tonyscott5233]

I went through the same process, but I went from Idaho to Second Nature in Utah. The worst part of these programs and this way of 'treatment' is the amount of effort they put into turning your parents against you and you find out sooner or later that the way out is to commit to the program and have a day by day 'epiphany' until you are a perfect clone and you can go to the next place. You went to a very nice program, this is the exception not the norm, think hard before you make the decision to send anyone you care about to a wilderness program. Staff is only medical trained. Good for you though Julia, you are so far ahead of anyone else your age that hasn't been forced to grow as fast as you have, I have all sorts of things I want to write about and so many things I wish I would have been humble enough to learn from other peoples mistakes and stories just dont do drugs! hope all the best and that you never have to check in, look at cold B&R, crush coals, or look forward to P-time with BS torts and summ-sauce again ha

[@nzptznez6188]

You guys are really strong- I hope you all are ok now! I can’t believe these things still run that is fucked up and I know others have it worse but that is still so traumatic. You guys are amazing, I love u all, stay safe

[@user-zb4yv5rp2y]

the fact that this is a thing in the usa BLOWS my mind

[@aethervagrant244]

I was in WWASP in Mexico for 2 years, had no idea these programs were still legal. It's telling that none of these programs are nonprofit. Several kids died in my program.

[@AmeenaMcKenzie]

Fuck I’m so sorry. That’s terrible. I hope you’re thriving despite that ❤️

[@brittanycervantes7355]

In idaho there is non profit ones. I worked at one and it was not at all like the stories I've heard on here.. so sad to think what kids went through since the place i worked at really was all about the kids and showing them they can trust and feel safe and heard ...

[@JorgeTorres-li7lm]

I got sent away to a light therapeutic boarding school in Massachussets when I was 10 for 3 years. Barely knew how to speak English. Came back, had a rough time at school, got bullied a lot, was depressed, anxious and struggled to make fiends so my parents one day told me they were taking me on a vacation to Oregon, by that time I was doing a bit better socially in school. When we got to Oregon I thought we were going to Portland and I was going to get to see the trailblazers, they told me first we had to make a stop for I don’t remember why on bend Oregon. Got to this base cabin and when I got there I remember the worst day of my life: the staff introduced me to the program and what it is and I ask when does this start and they tell me we know this is going to be hard but you start right now. One of the hardest moments of my life, was at second nature bend Oregon for 90 days, then got sent to summit prep in Montana for around 18 months. When I went back to Mexico my parents proceeded to enroll me in the same school where I was bullied before I left and made no real effort to find me an alternative school. I’m 28 now and I don’t think I’ll ever get over this experience in my life. My parents get angry every time I mention the schools to them, but for me I feel like I have forgave them, but I can’t forget. Note: only reason transporters didn’t come to get me is because it was illegal in Mexico for them to do this, instead my parents who thought me never to lie tricked me.

[@JuliaFase]

wow i’m so sorry i totally get the feelings of resentment. it’s hard for people who didn’t go to understand:/ i wish you well !

[@renee2488]

I was gooned to wilderness for 86 days then a tbs for 4 months, legit no one gets it thank god for this vid oml....also where did u go?!?!

[@pinkxterrors]

rylei renee does your school know your gone? What about your friends? Like do they give you school work?

[@katherinerobinson7635]

Me too

[@katherinerobinson7635]

Becca XO no one knows where u are unless ur parents tell them where u are and no u don’t get ur school work but sometimes depending on the program that u go to u can get school credits. I personally went to open sky wilderness

[@katherinerobinson7635]

And ur parents tell ur school that ur gone esp if ur gonna miss some

[@JuliaFase]

literally no one will ever understand unless theyve been! mine was called blue fire

[@devonproscia]

UGH I ALSO WENT TO A SIMILAR THING OF THERAPY INSTEAD OF SCHOOL. DAMN.

[@tlurch1034]

The difference between that guy that's telling us it's different now is he's getting paid big bucks to be out there for a few days a week.. And we had to stay out there 24/7 and build cabins for the staff members while we still selpt in tents with bags...

[@adamosgood]

I went to SUWS Idaho wilderness program back on 1993. It was hardcore. No campus. Dropped off in middle of nowhere. We had to make our own home made back packs made out of a tarp and two wool blankets. Inside were our sweater, socks underwear, food shovel and other tools. We had small straps that dug into our shoulders. It was hell. We ate plain oatmeal in the morning and at night in was plain lentils and rice. We basically hiked from one water spot to another for 30 days. No tents. Dirty hot water we carried in 4 big canteens treated with iodine. We wore the same clothes the whole time. No showers. No nothing. We ate rattle snake a couple times. We also had to do a 3 day solo. It was hot as hell in August. Only thing I got out of it was I know how to make a bow and drill to make fire out of almost anything. I hated every minute of it but glad I did it. I’ll never forget the last day we went out for breakfast before they took us to the airport. We ordered pretty much everything off the menu.

[@loonaoutdid]

You went through so much already before all that im sorry you are so strong

[@JuliaFase]

thank you!

[@undefined69695]

10 years ago I was also taken in the middle of the night and broke the record for longest stay at 89 days. After I was sent to boarding school and honesty it was messed up but still better than living with my crazy immature parents. No drugs, good grades, just didn’t love Jesus enough. Haven’t been to church since 😉

[@JohnSmith-zq9mo]

Thank you for telling this story. Sounds kind of crazy to be honest. Did new girls arrive to your group or were you with the same group the whole time?

[@JuliaFase]

new girls would come and go which made it pretty interesting!

[@macmania5459]

blue fire wilderness program was so helpful. I had to go to another program after the 4 months i was there but I was extremely helpful

[@Randomaccount299]

I’m so sorry this had to happen to you💗 my brothers friend, she was sent to wilderness camp and she said that there was two really buff guys who just pulled her feet and picked her up

[@mrfliggleson]

Went to the same place. Wasn't a fan of getting gooned at 6am but once I was in the desert for a bit I loved it ngl.

[@Morgan-qv2bu]

Why is this a thing!?!?!?!

[@skontheroad2666]

It is a MULTI BILLION dollar business with 17,000 camps in the country. Some are ok, but most are horrible to the point that there are tens of kids killed a year.

[@guts6156]

@@skontheroad2666 that’s actually a myth, there has only been a few kid that died during wilderness therapy. I think the only one I know about is one kid a Suess

[@zainibeats]

@@guts6156 ive been to one. I can attest the staff neglects the kids somewhat often.

[@guts6156]

@@zainibeats some programs, not all. not the ones i went to, i’ve been to two

[@ladybug7289]

Iam here after paris Hilton, this girl makes it sounds like it's ok place, not to bad

[@austintopham9160]

went to the same one. glad you’re out, stay strong.

[@kalpic11]

Glad you're out!

[@elliecallahan5874]

I went to a treatment center called Heritage. I was there for 16 months. A lot of kids there were from wilderness.

[@JuliaFase]

omg i actually know someone who went there too!

[@alexeilindes7507]

I was at heritage

[@kylereese5869]

Okay so I was only here because of 8 passengers and the way how they just sent Chad with out of choice. After going through all that in that camp his bed was taken away this is just so sad.

[@jenjen3700]

i see all these people who got sent to these, get taken pictures in the woods and they said they would be forced to smile :(

[@littlemiranda1199]

If my parents had ever sent me to a place like this, I would never, ever have been able to forgive them.

[@Matthew-Babcock]

I got "kidnapped" 3 different times and was in programs for 3 years I left my first wilderness program and started struggling with suicidal ideation I would literally get in restraints every day and it very quickly got dangerous because it got too the point where I was attempting to take my life 3 times a week and was self harming. after 10 months I woke up to "gooners/transporters" That was my second time getting gooned and it was still just as traumatizing. I then went to Trails carolina which just closed down because a kid died I got very close to taking my life there so they kicked me out and drove me to a hospital in the middle of the night. I was waiting to get into an in-patient lockdown unit and i got in after a week of waiting in bed. during my 2 weeks in the hospital I continued to self harm and was constantly put into "the quiet room" which was a white room. I went back to my boarding school to finish up my stay there and just graduated about 6 months ago. My boarding school is called Maple Hall Academy and it is now shut down.

[@samstevens4001]

My best friend is there right now and it’s been 8 weeks, I hope she’s okay.

[@JuliaFase]

aww i hope she gets out soon and has been healing in the program❤️

[@sisi6776]

how is ur bestfriend doing???

[@goatus.2137]

I'm proud of you and the progress you made. Congratulations on keeping your candy bar.

[@summerdais325]

I remember when a therapist told me I was the "designated patient". This is when there is a sick family system and one person is the black sheep/person who is visibly exhibiting mental health symptoms. Sounds like you may have been the designated patient.

[@Bolognaphobic]

I went through the SAME EXACT THING but they took me to Idaho. Being kidnapped and taken away is horrifying.

[@JuliaFase]

i went to idaho too! i wonder if its the same place

[@Bolognaphobic]

@@JuliaFaseBluefire?

[@JuliaFase]

@@Bolognaphobic yup

[@Bolognaphobic]

@@JuliaFaseomgggggg

[@philipcarroll6326]

I went to blue fire too! it's awesome to see this video

[@JuliaFase]

thank you!

[@erecksonbennett3191]

Did Blue Fire help you?

[@OfficialRegulus]

PHILIIIIP NO WAY WHATS UP DUDE!!!!!!!! MY FUCKIN MENTEE!!!!!

[@marydarbyjohnson2001]

“It felt like prison” lmao literally. I had Lindsey as my therapist

[@JuliaFase]

lindsay & amanda omg

[@Yesther]

Hey! I just wanted to say thank u so much for sharing your story and I hope you're doing well. You're such a badass !!! I'm currently studying adventure therapy at school because wilderness has been my way of healing and seeing this video was so helpful to understand how people experience programs like the one you went to. I was wondering if there was anything about the experience you think would have worked better if done differently? Such as getting gooned or how the therapy was paced? I'm super curious, i know the adventure therapy system is super flawed and needs a LOT of updating and reform. Sending u a lot of love and thanks again for making this awesome video!!

[@mikeiscovitz5253]

Why aren’t these people brought to justice? Personally charged with crimes? It’s so confusing. There has to be a lawyer or law schools who would pursue charges of assault, physical, sexual abuse. So insane.

[@aadesign2418]

I have a 16 year old son who is struggling like you were. We are looking into a wilderness program for him. It is a really hard choice to make for your child. Sounds like it helped you.

[@BrianBull]

Julia have you ever thought about going back to Blue Fire as a staff? I worked for a company as a guide and let me just say some of are best guides were students who were there as clients. You have a lot to offer! FYI. Seriously well done on your journey I don't know you but im so proud of you. Just thinking of all the hundreds of students I have worked with and am just smiling on this side of the computer screen. All your staff out there good or not so good are out there for you and care even as mean or condescending as they might have come across. Just a good reminder you never outgrow growth. I went through my darkest years being a wilderness guide and that did not make me the best staff out there sometimes and it makes me sad that I couldn't have been more attentive to my team but I will tell you my lack of perfection and shortcomings had nothing to do with my lack of compassion and love for the people that I served. Its a taxing hard job and the most rewarding I have ever had and probably will have. I challenge you to think about becoming a staff. Get your wilderness first responder and dedicate a year or so to give back. I didn't have much of a story to relate to with my team but holy smokes you do! Thanks so much for sharing your story! Blessings

[@JuliaFase]

wow thank you so much for sharing your experience! i dont know if i could ever be an instructor there! i honestly think it would be one of the hardest jobs!

[@Smooper]

Heh. lucky. Where I was at we didn't have any tents. We had to sleep under a tarp on the ground.

[@natalieanjeli5625]

If I were at that camp I would literally run away in the middle of night and steal my phone back or something. Call someone to pick me up and leave 😂.

[@tlurch1034]

I was put in the Infirmary after I cut my thumb off with a bow saw... I was in there with 3 other kids. I looked up a kid that got out that lived right up the road and he came a picked us all up... We ran away in our underwear.. Made it look like we were kidnapped in the middle of the night.. We stayed with Mike for a week then some of his friends took us to Nashville and we ate out of a dumpster for a little over a month... Then I called my Granny and she sent my mom to get me... My mom didn't even recognize me... I was so dirty and skinny... I hid from the police for 5 months and they gave up looking for me... Never did know what happened to the other 2 kids... I offten wonder and think if I should have left them at all... Makes me sad often...

[@guts6156]

LMAOOOOO GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!! You’re taken to a building around 100 miles from where you go to wilderness and then driven two hours into the field. There are animals out there and the staff do nightly checks to see if everyone is still there, and you just be crazy if you think tenet don’t take your shoes at night, cuz they do

[@moestein6972]

Did they put you in the arco dessert?! Absolutely nuts! I was given the option to send my teen to a psych ward. I refused, she was terrified and manically depressed. I chose to keep her safe at home. I put padlocks on every closet and locked up every thing from art supplies to kitchen utensils. She slept on a cot next to me, with an alarm on the door and windows for months. It built our trust in each other. Children must know they can trust adults to overcome fear, depression, and trauma.

[@JuliaFase]

i agree! i think it should be taught to parents somehow!

[@davido6528]

How is she now?

[@moestein6972]

@@davido6528 Reply she is doing well. She was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and is doing well with her therapist. She is working full time at Wendy's, and choosing to live at home as a young adult.

[@Grabient]

You should go visit Amida! She's always happy to have people over :)

[@miri4085]

bruh i was gooned to a program called wilderness program called open sky and it was honestly not a terrible experience i got really lucky and am really grateful

[@brooklynmacke5984]

dude that's where i went too! i had a really good time there, i think its one of the few actually not bad wilderness programs

[@miri4085]

@@brooklynmacke5984 oh my god thats so cool!! what group were you in? i was in cleo :)

[@brooklynmacke5984]

@@miri4085 i was in firefly and but i had kirsten as a therapist

[@guts6156]

i know a couple kids that went to open sky, they were at my RTC, this was almost 3 years ago though so idk if youd know them

[@miri4085]

@@guts6156 i probably don't but i might know people from your rtc, what was it called?

[@yukoncornileus4]

If your therapist can punish you...you aren't in therapy.

[@1truthbegettingtold275]

I went to Youth Care Of Utah. Not wilderness program. It was 2012, It was a week before my birthday. I got hospitalized for punching holes in walls from being alcoholic with PTSD then went from there with escorts to Utah. Beautiful place. Didn't like going there but I liked it there. Its the only time I haven't smoked weed for 3 months since I started. As soon as I got back I told my friend "Cigarettes plus weed equals need". The roof leaked.

[@totallytulip123]

I’m so thrilled that you shared this! It’s so cool hearing you talk about your experience. Although it seems challenging it sounds like it changed you in so many positive ways!

[@therealraceisms7696]

Totally understand that's a pretty quick program

[@xzility1941]

Never seen someone get bullied for missing school

[@HomeCooktoProCounselor]

Oh it was Laura and mike montreuil Of safe interventions (formerly youth assist) a transport team that specializes in safe transportation for places like Julia is describing and of course rehab and detox programs they have been on Dr Phil McGraw show as his featured transport specialists because the only way I know of this is because their the only transport team I know of that has no rights to use handcuffs in California you have to have a BSIS guard card to legally carry cuffs so the fact they illegally did that is concerning

[@kathryn0321]

So proud of you girly!!!!! 💛💛💛💛💛

[@davidjoy7654]

Best of luck for the future. Have a great life enjoy.

[@kaileysabo4475]

omg i literally also went to bluefire in idaho i recently got back it was literally a nightmare

[@JuliaFase]

omggg i hope you’re doing well!!

[@wasfalsehood9295]

I went to wilderness when I was 13, then they kept me in until I was 17. I ran away. It was the only way. Now I’m 18 and I had to be on the run bc they were all after me. I only smoked pot before. They manipulated my dad and kept me in

[@JuliaFase]

WASFALSEHOOD damn sorry dude

[@niecokapikie7476]

Hahahahahahahha don’t mind me ima send this to all doppelgängers

[@georgesmaalouf267]

Thanks for sharing Julia, I know it took a lot to tell your story. Your perspective was very helpful to parents who are thinking about wilderness therapy for their children. I wish you good health and happiness.

[@JuliaFase]

thank you!

[@lauriecollyer]

Yes this helped us send our son last summer. He’s still in a tbs but he’s doing really well, thank God. No parent wants to do this but it’s better than a mental hospital. You are brave and amazing ❤️

[@JuliaFase]

@@lauriecollyer wishing you guys the best!

[@JuliaFase]

Laurie Collyer i actually am! wow i will certainly get in touch

[@juicyballs6351]

I would never trust my parents again if they did this to me

[@theresalives]

Wow...our stories are so similar. Glad you posted this!!!

[@JuliaFase]

thank you

[@annanimity2034]

I was also sent to one called Red Cliff in Utah for 90 days.

[@Boston-cream-donuts]

I can’t believe they didn’t let you shower often. I can’t stand not showering for more than two days before feeling greasy as heck.

[@sorrynotsorry7727]

Your experience was MUCh different than mine. We didn't get backpacks or tents. Definately no showers. No bikes or vests lol. We ate the same food though lol.

[@sunshineyrainbows13]

Thank you for sharing :( I'm so sorry this happened to you

[@blanket4763]

I just got out from that exact place. I have many, many, stories

[@JuliaFase]

yup. its insane

[@Ronna-57436]

Thank you for making the video. Your story is interesting and insightful🙂

[@JuliaFase]

thank you

[@leialund7381]

I could never forgive my parentes if they did that to me

[@flareonflyer2108]

Yo I was at this same place I miss Amita so much she was great

[@flareonflyer2108]

@Anna Heyward I was in b2 and am bummed to hear she is moving away

[@Lucy-nl7dw]

Ngl I wnat to go to it, I’m in aus but there’s like no program that look reliable, also I get bullied and I have anxiety, OCD and depression

[@rachelwilliams6618]

I was at similar in Alabama for over 3 years. I thought this was illegal these days.

[@30mwalker]

Lol your wilderness camp sounds like a vacation compared to mine in Idaho 15 years ago

[@JuliaFase]

def not a vacation

[@30mwalker]

I said "sounds like a vacation compared to mine". I wasn't saying your experience was a vacation.

[@balletbaybe]

Love you girl 💖

[@yukoncornileus4]

I believe you would be alive with out this horrible program. Stockholm Syndrome is quite common. Some programs even tell there victims to tell people the program saved their life.