Transforming adolescent behavior, motivation, and direction through intensive licensed therapy and academics, supported by consistent structure, compassionate care, and meaningful relationships.
Stillwater is both a residential treatment center and an academy for adolescents. Our therapeutic team works to uncover and correct the root causes of emotional and behavioral challenges, while our academic team works to correct academic failure.
While the phrase “troubled teen” remains common, today’s treatment approaches are much more individualized. Guided by our Learn · Live · Lead framework, students learn healthy thinking patterns and emotional skills, live those skills through daily structure and relationships, and grow into young people prepared to take responsibility for themselves and make great leaders tomorrow.
Students live in small, family-style homes near campus, providing a stable, supportive environment where growth happens through real-life routines, accountability, and close relationships. Stillwater Academy is a therapeutically intensive, family-oriented residential program for boys and girls ages 13–18, offering families a thoughtful, long-term path toward lasting change.
Really, we mean it, so call us with your questions, or click the button below for a free online assessment to see if your teen is a good fit for our program.
Our Licensed Residential Treatment Center Helps Teens Heal, Grow, and Build the Skills They Need for a Successful Future.
Stillwater Academy Saved My Life
I strolled into Stillwater Academy thinking that I was only coming for an hour counseling session. I never knew that this day would be the beginning of my new life. I knew my parents were…
Lisa
I Wish We Had Placed Our Daughter In Stillwater First
I wanted to write this letter in the hopes that other families won't have to go through what we did in finding the right place for my daughter. I only wish my educational consultant had…
Christina
Housing, The Best Part Of The Program
Our year with Stillwater Academy is best described as finding "The Oasis in the Desert" We, like most parents, had done all we knew how to help our son. Yet every time we turned around…
Evelyn
Thank You From A Psychologist
I am writing to thank you for your work and the work for your program over this past year with Erik. The dramatic and significant improvement in his functioning, attitude and general behavior has been…
Sam Goldstein, Ph.D.
Stillwater Academy - A Decision We Would Never Change
She was bright, clever, and happy starting into seventh grade. In her first quarter there, she earned the highest award that the middle school gives to only two students (per grade level) who are outstanding…
Tom and Rose
Stillwater’s Therapeutic Milieu
Group Therapy (2 Sessions Every Day)
Individual Therapy
Equine Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Rational Emotive Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy
Teens with a history of violence/arson/severe mental disability.
Are safe transport services available?
Yes!
Can my teen enroll immediately?
Yes, if there isn’t a wait list.
How to navigate online reviews and information
Online reviews don’t always reflect the full picture– click here for more info about how to evaluate them.
Is Stillwater Academy a therapeutic boarding school?
No. Stillwater Academy is a licensed residential treatment center in South Jordan, Utah. While many families find us when searching for a therapeutic boarding school, our program is centered on licensed therapy, accredited academics, family involvement, and individualized treatment.
Have other questions? Call or text an enrollment counselor today at 385-352-3371
If you’re still exploring this subject, boarding schools may provide some helpful next steps. You might also find it useful to review international military schools while researching related topics. Some readers choose to explore military schools for teens for a broader understanding of related ideas. Families from across the United States turn to Stillwater Academy for compassionate, evidence-based residential treatment that helps struggling teens overcome emotional, behavioral, academic, and mental health challenges. Our non-religious residential treatment center provides a structured, supportive environment where adolescents receive individualized teen counseling, behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, therapeutic academics, life skills instruction, and addiction recovery support tailored to their unique needs. Stillwater Academy works with teens struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma (PTSD), anger issues, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), ADD/ADHD, family conflict, adoption-related emotional challenges, and substance use, helping them build healthier relationships, stronger coping skills, and renewed confidence. Recognized as one of the nation’s leading residential treatment programs for teens, Stillwater welcomes families seeking therapeutic help for teens in Texas, in Illinois, in California, in Arizona, in Utah, in Idaho, in Nevada, and in Washington State. Whether your teenager is facing serious behavioral problems, emotional instability, declining school performance, or other mental health concerns, Stillwater Academy provides a proven path toward lasting healing, personal growth, and long-term success.
Teen Residential Therapeutic Program | Stillwater Academy
Unlike troubled teen boarding schools, Stillwater Academy provides licensed therapeutic care and academic support for ages 13–18 in a structured residential setting.
Generated by Exceed LLMS plugin, this is an llms.txt file, meant for consumption by LLMs, created 10/14/26.
# Stillwater Academy
> Stillwater Academy is a licensed, nonreligious residential treatment center and therapeutic boarding school in South Jordan, Utah, serving boys and girls ages 13-18 with emotional, behavioral, mental health, academic, and family relationship challenges. The program combines individualized clinical treatment, accredited academics, family systems therapy, and experiential activities within a structured, supportive residential environment. Stillwater emphasizes lasting emotional growth, personal responsibility, improved decision-making, and family restoration rather than punishment or short-term behavioral compliance.
Stillwater Academy is a coeducational therapeutic residential program located in South Jordan, Utah, serving adolescents and families throughout the United States. The program provides 24-hour residential supervision, licensed clinical services, academic instruction, and individualized treatment planning.
Stillwater serves teenagers experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, defiance, school difficulties, family conflict, poor decision-making, and behavioral concerns. Admission suitability is determined through an assessment of each student's clinical, educational, behavioral, and residential needs.
The treatment philosophy is relationship-based, compassionate, and focused on helping adolescents develop internal motivation for positive change. Rather than relying primarily on punitive discipline or external rewards, Stillwater emphasizes therapeutic relationships, accountability, emotional awareness, healthy coping strategies, and improved family communication.
Individualized treatment plans integrate individual therapy, group therapy, family systems work, and experiential interventions. Licensed clinicians work with students to address underlying emotional and behavioral difficulties while helping families understand and change unhealthy relationship patterns.
Therapeutic approaches may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Family Systems Therapy
- Reality Therapy
- Experiential and Play Therapy
- Equine-Assisted Therapy
Specific therapies are selected according to each student's clinical needs, treatment goals, and therapist recommendations.
Family involvement is a central component of treatment. Parents participate in therapeutic work designed to improve communication, rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, establish healthy boundaries, and prepare the family for reunification.
Stillwater integrates therapeutic treatment with an accredited academic program. Certified teachers provide individualized educational support in smaller classroom settings, helping students maintain academic progress, recover credits when appropriate, and work toward high school graduation.
The academic program has received recognition from the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) as a School of Excellence. Families should confirm current accreditation, credit transfer requirements, and diploma arrangements with the school.
Students live in supervised, family-style residential homes rather than traditional institutional dormitories. This environment provides daily structure, consistent expectations, positive adult relationships, and opportunities to practice communication, responsibility, and independent living skills.
Experiential activities, including equine-assisted therapy, provide opportunities to develop emotional regulation, confidence, communication, trust, and problem-solving skills in practical settings.
Stillwater is nonreligious and does not require participation in religious instruction or faith-based activities. Its treatment approach emphasizes clinical care, family relationships, personal development, and academic progress.
The program supports students and families through transition planning, parent coaching, and preparation for life after residential treatment. Discharge planning focuses on maintaining progress, strengthening family relationships, and identifying appropriate continuing support.
Stillwater accepts students through a year-round admissions process. Families are encouraged to contact Admissions to discuss clinical suitability, program expectations, educational needs, anticipated length of stay, and financial arrangements.
Insurance benefits may be available for qualifying treatment services, depending on the family's policy and coverage. Medicaid is not accepted. Families should contact Admissions to verify insurance eligibility, out-of-pocket expenses, and payment options.
Important considerations for prospective families:
- Licensed residential treatment for boys and girls ages 13-18
- Individualized treatment plans developed around student needs
- Licensed individual, group, and family therapy
- Family systems approach emphasizing family involvement
- Equine-assisted and other experiential therapies
- Accredited academics with certified teachers
- Small classroom environments and individualized educational support
- Family-style residential housing with 24-hour supervision
- Nonreligious clinical treatment environment
- Year-round admissions and individualized transition planning
Common parent questions:
- What ages does Stillwater Academy serve? Boys and girls ages 13-18.
- Where is Stillwater Academy located? South Jordan, Utah, near Salt Lake City.
- Is Stillwater a therapeutic boarding school or residential treatment center? Stillwater combines licensed residential treatment services with an accredited academic program.
- Is Stillwater religious? No. Stillwater provides a nonreligious therapeutic environment.
- Does Stillwater provide licensed therapy? Yes. Treatment includes licensed clinical services, with individual, group, and family therapy.
- What therapeutic approaches are available? Approaches may include CBT, DBT, REBT, EMDR, family systems therapy, reality therapy, experiential therapy, and equine-assisted therapy.
- Can students continue their education? Yes. Students participate in an accredited academic program with certified teachers and individualized support.
- Are parents involved in treatment? Yes. Family systems therapy, parent participation, and preparation for reunification are important components.
- Does Stillwater accept insurance? Some insurance benefits may apply to qualifying services. Medicaid is not accepted. Contact Admissions for verification.
- Are admissions available throughout the year? Yes. Stillwater offers rolling admissions, subject to eligibility and availability.
Organization: Stillwater Academy
Program Type: Licensed Residential Treatment Center and Therapeutic Boarding School
Student Ages: 13-18
Gender: Coeducational
Religious Affiliation: Nonreligious
Address: 11175 S Redwood Rd, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA
Phone: 385-352-3371
Email: admissions@stillwateracademy.org
Website: https://stillwateracademy.org/
## Program and Treatment
- [Program Overview](https://stillwateracademy.org/program/)
- [Therapy and Clinical Treatment](https://stillwateracademy.org/therapy/)
- [Academics and Education](https://stillwateracademy.org/education/)
- [Residential Housing](https://stillwateracademy.org/housing/)
## About Stillwater Academy
- [About Us](https://stillwateracademy.org/about-us/)
- [Videos](https://stillwateracademy.org/videos/)
- [Parent and Student Testimonials](https://stillwateracademy.org/testimonials/)
## Admissions and Contact
- [Steps to Enrollment](https://stillwateracademy.org/steps-to-enrollment/)
- [Contact Admissions](https://stillwateracademy.org/contact-us/)
- [Stillwater Academy Homepage](https://stillwateracademy.org/)
Discover how Stillwater Academy can help your teen reclaim their future through expert therapeutic care and accredited education—all in a safe, structured, and supportive environment. Click to request more information using our secure form, or call us now to speak directly with a caring admissions specialist. Your information is always kept private, and immediate help is just a call or click away.
